Bridge contributor, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

On Friday May 30, a group of ten passionate individuals came together to tackle a topic close to the heart of every community: volunteerism. Held in Barham, the roundtable brought together volunteers, committee members, and community leaders from Koondrook and Barham to reflect on what volunteering looks like today—and what it could become.

While each person brought their own perspective, a common theme emerged: the challenges of attracting and retaining volunteers in an environment where expectations and responsibilities can often feel overwhelming. Many people want to help their community but are unsure where to start, feel anxious about the time commitment, or simply haven’t found a group that aligns with their interests.

One participant shared, “I became a volunteer to learn more about the town and its people. But what I’ve discovered is that many committees are under immense pressure—not just to recruit, but to sustain engagement without burdening volunteers with excessive responsibility.”

The session sparked a broader discussion about redefining volunteering—not as unpaid labour, but as community-building through shared interests and meaningful contributions. Ideas flowed for new, inclusive volunteer opportunities such as skill swaps, preloved clothing days (with added upskilling workshops like how to apply for your dream job), a community garden, and disaster support teams.

Most importantly, the group identified the need for better support structures, leadership succession planning, and education to help ease people into roles with confidence.

“What’s next?” the group asked. The next step will be to invite all community groups across the region to join an upcoming session to explore key questions: What are the current challenges? What’s working well? What needs to change? And how can we build sustainable committees with long-term vision and support?

The goal is clear: create a volunteering culture that is inclusive, enjoyable, and deeply valued—one where people want to contribute because they feel empowered, connected, and part of something meaningful.

As one attendee beautifully put it, “Volunteering isn’t just free labour. It’s coming together with people you enjoy, who add value to your life and community.”

A second meeting will be held at cluBarham on the 3rd of July from 5.30pm for all those that are involved in committees in Koondrook and Barham – if you hold a position or don’t – we would love to open the floor and discuss how we can have greater engagement without the weight of responsibility.

A huge thank you to all who participated in the session—Gael, Sue, Allan, Patricia, Tom, Mandy, Tracy, Kate, Belinda, Sandra and Kiralee—for their thoughtful contributions, and to Western Murray Land Improvement Group for hosting the event. We also thank the NSW Government for their ongoing support in helping our communities grow stronger together.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 5 June 2025.