The Centre for Volunteering's History

1974

Rose Miller starts a volunteer bureau housed within the NSW Council on the Ageing, at Argyle Place, The Rocks - Sydney.

1975-78

First CEO, Heather Buck is appointed. She recruits and leads a small highly skilled group of volunteers to source and match volunteers to satisfying volunteer opportunities.

1979

The first additional program is launched by VNSW: the Student Community Involvement Program (SCIP) began as a model of services to school students. It continues today.

1981

The bureau becomes known as the Volunteer Centre of NSW (VCNSW).

1985

The Centre has a new CEO, Margaret Bell, who also became the Regional Director of the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE).

The VCNSW organises first conference on volunteering to be held in Australia.

One of Australia's leading graphic designers, Tony Lunn, designs a red "V" logo specifically for the conference - has subsequently become the international symbol for volunteering.

The first international conference on volunteering ever held in Australia follows. Great recognition results and finally our own premises in George Street in June 1985.

1986-88

Other successful programs begin including: Volunteer Youth Program (a Federal initiative), and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

CEO Margaret Bell is elected as the World President of the International Association of Volunteer Effort (IAVE) in 1988.

1991

CEO Margaret Bell is named a Member of The Order of Australia for services to volunteering, and is re-elected as World President of IAVE in 1992.

1993

Moves for a national body resulted in the inauguration of the Australian Council for Volunteering (ACV). Margaret Bell was named President.

The highly successful Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) was introduced, while our Information and Referral Service entered the computer age with the introduction of "Match Point", a software program donated by IBM, designed to match volunteers' skills and experiences with the best available volunteer opportunities.

1994

Joint lobbying sees Volunteer Centres and ten regional Volunteer Referral Agencies (VRA's) across Australia, receive the first ever Federal funding for the effective support and management of volunteers.

Negotiations begin with the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) for the establishment of the NSW School of Volunteer Management.

1997

The VCNSW officially changes its name to Volunteering NSW. The name change reflected the peak body role and representation of a whole movement in New South Wales.

The School of Volunteer Management, a joint venture with UTS, accepted its first students and today offers accredited courses specific to volunteer management as well as broader business and fundraising training and qualifications for the non-profit sector.

The Australian Council for Volunteering is replaced by Volunteering Australia, a federally funded national peak body.

Marie Fox is appointed CEO.

1999

Volunteering NSW moves to its present premises at 228 Pitt Street, Sydney.

VNSW becomes part of the Sydney 2000 Olympic & Paralympic Games Volunteer Advisory Committee to advise on the best practice policy, recruitment and management of volunteers for the Olympics.

2000-2001

Success and profile of the Sydney 2000 Volunteers is followed by the International Year of Volunteers in 2001 – launched by Sandy Hollway, Chair of the NSW Advisory Committee for the International Year of Volunteers and Volunteering NSW Board Member. Download and read Sandy Hollway's full speech (216 KB).

Volunteering NSW is handed the Keys to the City of Sydney by Lord Major Frank Sartor.

The Sydney Major Events Pool – a group of nearly 1000 volunteers involved in events – is established by Volunteering NSW with support from the NSW Premiers Department.

2002-2003

An almost total change to the Board occurs enabling fresh experience and ideas. Joy Woodhouse is appointed Chairperson.

A strategic review begins in October 2003 in order to lay down strategic directions for the next 3-4 years. Research and discussion with stakeholders results in a strategic brand review, and re-branding.

2004

The new brand is launched in October 2004 – The Centre for Volunteering – along with our new look website, www.volunteering.com.au

The Future Visions 4x5® Young Filmmakers Competition is launched in November 2004. The competition encourages students across NSW to make 4 minute films about our community's unsung heroes: volunteers.

Stephen Duns is appointed The Centre for Volunteering's new CEO in December 2004.

2005

In late July 2005 we award six teams, volunteer organisations and schools a total of 14 prizes worth more than $20,000 in the Future Visions 4x5® Young Filmmakers Competition.

In September 2005 The School of Volunteer Mangaement underwent a review which recommended a restructure of SVMm conducted by Geoff Copeland.

Gwenda Lawther was appointed Head of School (SVM) in November 2005 after 15 years of Lynne Richards' contribution to the School and The Centre.

2006

Lynne Dalton joined The Centre as our new CEO in March 2006. Prior to this Lynne sat on The Centre for Volunteering's board since 1998.  

2007

In June 2007 The Centre for Volunteering launched NSW's first state-wide volunteer recognition program – the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award. NSW Minister for Volunteering, the Hon Linda Burney is Patron of the Award. The Award received over 170 entries in its first year and awarded over 37 volunteers. The Centre for Volunteering was proud to announce Mary Mamour who works with Sudanese women in Sydney's western suburbs as the 2007 NSW Volunteer of the Year. Laurie Smith was awarded 2007 NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year in recognition of his, with the help of his wife, mentoring disadvantaged youth. Outstanding volunteer Amanda Grant received two awards, 2007 NSW Youth Volunteer of the Year Award and 2007 Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award. Read more about the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award.

In mid-2007 Geoff Copeland was appointed Head of School (SVM). He is tasked with continuing the School's restructure, which is a result of the review Geoff conducted in 2005, and ensuring the School continues to provide the volunteering and not-for-profit sectors with relevant, timely and engaging training.

2008

In May 2008, coninciding with the launch of National Volunteer Week, The Centre for Volunteering launched the 2008 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award at Government House. The event was attended by over 80 volunteers, volunteer managers and not-for-profit CEOs. The Minister for Volunteering, the Hon Linda Burney continues her role as Patron of the Award. The Centre for Volunteering was thrilled to have Clean Up Australia founder Ian Kiernan host the launch.

The Centre also took this opportunity to proudly announce the 2008 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Ambassadors:

• 2007 NSW Volunteer of the Year Mary Mamour
• 2007 NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year Laurie Smith
• 2007 Youth and Corporate Volunteer of the Year Amanda Grant, and
• Event Volunteer Mavis Booth

In May 2008 The Centre released its EVP Research Report and EVP Toolkit and Guide: Frontier of Opportunity: Critical Success Factors of Employee Volunteering Programs for the Small-to-Medium Not-for-Profit Sector and Employee Volunteer Programs (EVP) Toolkit and Guide.