Key point

Volunteering Victoria’s analysis has found that while there is increased spending on various government policy and program frameworks that set the context for volunteering policy, there is no specific additional support for volunteer involving organisations (VIO).

Structural change announced last year made volunteering part of the “Community Development” output for Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD). The relevant output for volunteering was implementation of Victoria’s Volunteer Strategy. In 2010-2011 this has not changed.

Changes that might impact on volunteering

The State Government did announce new spending that indirectly supports volunteering and VIO including

• $2 million to strengthen community groups by providing access to professional development and information and communication technology training as part of the Strengthening Community Organisation Plan (SCOP)
• $14 million over two years to improve sports facilities
• $22.8 million for the Transport Connections Program which has had significant community volunteer involvement
• $4 million in grants for “community infrastructure” with a focus on growth areas.

We will consult with DPCD as to eligibility for the grants announced. Keep an eye on this website for further information.

Summary

The volunteering community will need to ensure we get maximum value from the implementation of Victoria’s Volunteer Strategy since this seems the focus of government. Volunteering Victoria will redouble the efforts we’ve made to ensure volunteer community stakeholders are a key voice in the Strategy’s roll-out.

But it seems we still have some way to go to help government understand the central importance of volunteering in both community development and in ensuring a fairer Victoria.

Volunteering Victoria will now be moving to develop our State Election platform to ensure the State Government understands this, and hears the voice of the more than 1 million volunteers in Victoria, and the 120,000 volunteer organisations.

See this website under “key developments” for Volunteering Victoria’s detailed Budget Submission, sent to government late in 2009.

For information or comments on the development of the Election Platform contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it