 It is lovely to be back after a relaxing holiday and attending the 25th IAVE World Volunteer Conference 2018.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at our AGM breakfast in Veale Gardens, Adelaide this morning. It was fantastic to see so many faces and although we had a full agenda, there was time for the all-important networking.
Today we launched our new ‘Year in Review’ 2017/18 Highlights document that outlines our achievements and successes over the last 12 months and substantiates how we continue to lead, advance, grow, promote and celebrate volunteering. See our Audited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2018.
Volunteers are so important to all aspects of our lives and community, and we are so grateful for all their contribution and participation.
We also welcomed a new Board member, Simon Bennett. Simon has had an extensive career in business. Simon is also a current volunteer Business Mentor with Business SA. His excellent interpersonal skills, high energy levels and broad skills in finance, marketing, planning, strategy and risk management will make him an asset to the Board and we look forward to working with him.
We would like to acknowledge our AGM sponsors, Beyond Bank, CBB, IntelliHR, NFPAS , Rydges Pit Lane Hotel and Williams Technology
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Year in Review 2017/18 Highlights
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Hon  Michelle Lensink MLC
Minister for Human Services
The Hon Michelle Lensink MLC, Minister for Human Services presented on the necessity of volunteering in our lives; the community spirit that it evokes and how it makes for welcoming, safe and inclusive communities. The Minister spoke about the government abolishing the fees for all volunteer screening and the extended funding for the ‘WeDo App’, two Liberal Government election promises.
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 The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Adelaide
Martin Haese
The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Martin Haese knows first-hand the importance of volunteers as there are hundreds working in a range of roles for the Adelaide City Council. He said that volunteering is a two-way exchange, benefitting the volunteer and the community.
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 Volunteering SA&NT Board Chairperson
Karen Buenger
Yesterday the Board engaged in a strategic development day, which reaffirmed the Board members alignment and direction. It was also a welcomed opportunity to receive feedback from the workforce, which included increasing their internal communications.
At the AGM Karen highlighted our recent advocacy and policy work and the success of the five election proposals:
(1) Free DHS screening checks for volunteers (2) Support for a Not-for-profit and volunteering advocate position (3) Beyond 2020 – continued support and funding for the Volunteering Strategy for South Australia (4) Retention of a dedicated volunteering government portfolio and continuation of the Office of Minister for Volunteers (5) Ongoing funding for WeDo volunteering smart phone app.
Karen also highlighted the positive Tower of Strength campaign that saw the Federal Government reinstate funding for volunteer support services.
After this morning’s AGM, the Board met to elect our Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. We are pleased to announce that Karen Buenger was reappointed as Chairperson, and Kristen Martins and Ann-Marie Chamberlain jointly reappointed as Deputy Chairperson. Members of the four Committees of the Board are:
NT Committee
Andrew Turner (Chair), Andrea Lee, Rex Mooney, Kylie Edwards, Julie Ross and Daniel Bacon
Strategy and Governance Advisory Committee
Sarah Collyer-Braham (Chair), Andrew Turner, Kristen Martins, Kylie Edwards, Gary Byron, Kate Preiss and Sarah Soteriou
Finance, Risk and Audit Committee
Joe Capozza (Chair), Sarah Collyer-Braham, Simon Bennett, Sam Hellams and Ann-Marie Chamberlain
CEO's Management Committee
Joe Capozza (Chair), Karen Buenger and Ann-Marie Chamberlain
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Volunteering NT Committee Chair
 Andrew Turner
At the AGM, Andrew Turner, Chair of the Volunteering NT Committee reiterated the strong relationships that are being strengthened in the Northern Territory through the many annual events and activities including the NT Volunteer of the Year Awards.
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General Manager, Backpacks 4 Kids
 Rachael Zaltron
Rachael Zaltron, General Manager of Backpacks 4 SA Kids spoke passionately on her decision to start the organisation after losing a close friend way too young as this highlighted the importance of ‘making her minutes count’. Rachael founded Backpacks 4 SA Kids knowing how many children are desperately in need of support during challenging times. Backpacks are filled with useful items, in the hope to reduce some of the stress and anxiety of being taken away from home. Raised in a community-focused family, Rachael strongly believes in the core values of Simplicity, Joy and Compassion.
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 Volunteering SA&NT Volunteer
Jane Osborn
Thirty five years as a volunteer with the one organisation is an accomplishment which deserves to be recognised and Jane Osborn is our first Volunteering SA&NT volunteer to reach this milestone. Jane started volunteering at the SA Volunteer Centre (now known as Volunteering SA&NT) as a member of the interview team, later becoming Team Leader and was a member and Secretary on the Management Committee. With an interest in research, Jane became Policy and Research Officer and in 2005, published a paper on Volunteer Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction.
Congratulations Jane, on your 35 years.
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About Volunteering NT
Volunteering NT is a division of Volunteering SA&NT which is a not-for-profit organisation and the peak body for volunteering, leading the sector in the Northern Territory. Volunteering NT connects people and organisations to create positive volunteering experiences. We work with volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations across the Territory.
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Darwin
Charles Darwin Centre
Level 16/19 Smith Street Darwin NT 0800
T +61 8 8963 5624 Email
Alice Springs
T +61 8 8963 5624 Email
Adelaide Head Office
Level 5/182 Victoria Square Adelaide SA 5000
T +61 8 8221 7177 Email
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