National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering and will be next held on 19-25 May 2025. This special event highlights the important role of volunteers in our community and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go.
National Volunteer Week 2025 celebrates the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’.
Volunteering creates lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities. Join us as we explore how giving to others fosters community engagement, connection and belonging.
Let’s acknowledge the spirit of connection and the incredible impact volunteers have in building thriving and inclusive communities.
Places to start your volunteering journey include the GoVolunteer website, contacting your state and territory Volunteering Peak Body or by approaching organisations in your local community.
Of course, not all volunteers who do something to 'give back' to our community are visible... the mums and dads helping out with community sports, year in year out, on canteen duty, on the fields marking out the lines, or coaching. The wildlife and wildflower lovers who take photos and load them up to iNaturalist as citizen scientists. The locals getting involved in their residents association - doing their utmost to keep this place the best place to live in.
Others are like Joe Mills, who picks up all the rubbish he finds on Turimetta Beach after weekend visitors every single Monday - or like Lionel Kools and the Careel Creek Cleaners who also decided to clean up the creek for the wildlife that lives there.
Monday Morning rubbish pickup - April 2025. Photo: Joe Mills
Others must be highly visible for safety reasons and to easily see who to approach for help - our trained NSW SES volunteers, NSW Rural Fire Service members or on Patrol Surf Lifesavers for instance.
In our area volunteers give their time across a wide range of areas, applying or learning new skills to help make this a better place through:
Rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife - Sydney Wildlife; Our goals are the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured and orphaned native wildlife, as well as educating the community about wildlife and habitat preservation. Prospective members must complete the Rescue and Care Course. On successful completion of the course, trainees become members of Sydney Wildlife and are issued with an annually renewable authority to rescue and foster care for a range of native wildlife. Our next course starts May 31 2025 online. Or you can help in a variety of other roles;' answer the phone of our 24/7 rescue line, cut up food for wildlife - more here
As a member of your local Bushcare Group - full list of bushcare and environment groups below - or get involved in your local Community Garden; there are two in Pittwater - at North Avalon and in Newport.
Join your local NSW SES Warringah / Pittwater Unit or NSW SES Manly Unit - It takes thousands of dedicated NSW volunteers from across the state to provide emergency assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Become a volunteer and join thousands of others in committing to make NSW safe before, during and after emergencies. The experience you will gain is not only a rewarding one but also one that will give you a sense of pride in serving your community. The NSW SES is a great place to meet others within your community and make lifelong friends. As a Volunteer you can play a vital role in ensuring the safety of the community in which you live and work. Each Volunteer is an integral part of a highly trained volunteer unit. You will work closely alongside other dedicated volunteers who make up the life blood of the organisation. The training and experience you will receive as a Volunteer will help you develop skills in leadership, communication, problem solving and personal organisation. These skills along with your membership to the NSW SES are highly valued by employers. Each NSW SES unit needs a wide range of Volunteers to function. Volunteers may come from many walks of life and have a range of skills and abilities. Roles in the NSW SES range from support in emergencies and natural disasters, as well as providing community education, to supporting other emergency service organisations. To find out more about volunteering with the NSW SES follow this link.
Help out by becoming a NSW RFS Member - The NSW RFS Warringah-Pittwater District - encompasses multiple brigades and units that provide fire and emergency services in the Pittwater area, including various operational, support, and specialised units. These units are part of a larger system of volunteers and staff within the NSW RFS. Contact details for all of these are available at: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/about-us/our-districts/warringah-pittwater/brigade-contact-details - contacting the captain of the unit you can contribute to is a good way to start to find out how to become and RFS NSW volunteer. The RFS offers a wide variety of training programs to cater to the different operational and non-operational needs of the Service. The training offered to members is developmental and encourages personal advancement as a member’s experience within the RFS increases. Some training offered by the RFS is linked to national qualifications, which are recognised outside the Service. RFS members have an opportunity to attain nationally accredited units of competency (UoC) which may contribute towards the qualification Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations) PUA20719. Internally, training is divided into five identifiable training bands from ‘Foundation’ through to ‘Strategic’. The training bands, outlined below, allow members to better identify, plan and navigate their own learning pathways during their time with the Service.
As a member of your local Surf Life Saving Club - if you live beside the sea, and even if you don't, there is a local surf club you can become a member of. Surf Life Saving has a role for everyone. In the water, on the sand or at the surf club – whatever your skills and interests there’s a place for you. Download SLS NSW's Get Involved Information Pack to find out the different ways you can get involved. Find out more here.
Marine Rescue Broken Bay and Marine Rescue Cottage Point - There are many benefits to volunteering with Marine Rescue NSW. You’ll meet new people, learn new skills, serve your community and help us in our mission of saving lives on the water. Our members come from all walks of life and there’s a job for almost everyone at their local unit, whether it’s monitoring and maintaining radio communications, crewing an offshore search and rescue vessel, or providing fundraising, administrative or other support. We are an inclusive organisation committed to reflecting the community we serve. If you’d like to be part of a growing, vibrant organisation providing vital safety services to the boating community, we welcome you to apply to become a volunteer with us.
Tutor on laptops, tablets and phones as part of AvPals or Computer Pals for Seniors Northern Beaches Inc. - connect those who don't 'compute' to the big wide world of the web they can explore - and maybe even find old friends.
Mentor with the Raise Foundation - Raise provides young people with a caring, independent volunteer mentor who shows up each week, just for them. With the time to listen, one-to-one support with a mentor empowers young people to talk through life’s challenges and help them cope better, today and in the future.
Community Co-op Northern Beaches (Warriewood) - Help collect and load large boxes (18-20kg) of fresh fruit and veg, which will ultimately be packed and delivered to community members in need.
Escorted Shopping Volunteer - MWP Care - find out more here: mwpcare.com.au/get-involved
Meals on Wheels (Mona Vale) - Can be regular or casual role. Once a week or fortnight, Monday-Friday, 11am-1pm approx. Call Milly Wallace on 02 9457 3900 or email Nbeachesvolunteer@kmow.org.au
Sailability Pittwater and Sailability Manly - Volunteers assist in many ways, including rigging boats, assisting people into and out of boats, administration, cooking sausages, driving our Support Boat, and taking participants sailing in specially designed small sailing dinghies which cannot capsize or sink. For Pittwater Contact Volunteer Coordinator: email pittwatersailability@gmail.com for Manly Apply: email warwickmckenzie@yahoo.com.au or call 0416 295 461.
Volunteer Tour Guide - Barrenjoey Lighthouse, NSW National Parks & Wildlife - Do you like wonderful scenery? Do you embrace a good walk in a beautiful location? Do you enjoy meeting new people and being part of a great team? If so, you may be interested in becoming a volunteer tour guide at Barrenjoey Lighthouse, with National Parks & Wildlife. You will need to be available one Sunday per month, 10am to 4pm, to conduct tours of the lighthouse with the team. Full training will be provided upon acceptance into the team. For further information, please contact Russ 0490 701 853, Team leader, Barrenjoey Lighthouse Crew.
Proveda - Be a Proveda Community Volunteer offering social support visits to people in your local area that otherwise would be without connection or support. Proveda strives to ensure that Volunteers are supported, trained and valued as part of our Community Volunteer team. Volunteers also receive ongoing support from our dedicated Volunteer Coordinator which enables the Volunteer to build confidence to deliver expert social care and support. Flexible times to suit your schedule. Additional requirements: Completion of the Proveda Volunteer Registration Form, followed by an onboarding process, which includes a free Police Check. All our Volunteers must be COVID vaccinated. Email for more information: volunteers@proveda.com.au
Surfrider Foundation Northern Beaches - Adopt a Beach Volunteer - An ocean conservation charity dedicated to the protection of Australia's oceans, waves and beaches through C.A.R.E - Conservation, Activism, Research and Education. From Palm Beach to Manly Beach - Visit Here for updates on beach location - and how you can help out, even with monthly Beach Cleans.
And that is just a few - in fact, whatever your interests, age or skills, or even lack of them, there will be a local group or interest that will suit you and connect you to your community and your community to you.
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Bushcare in Pittwater: where + when
Where we work Which day What time
Avalon
Angophora Reserve 3rd Sunday 8:30 - 11:30am
Avalon Dunes 1st Sunday 8:30 - 11:30am
Avalon Golf Course 2nd Wednesday 3 - 5:30pm
Careel Creek 4th Saturday 8:30 - 11:30am
Toongari Reserve 3rd Saturday 9 - 12noon (8 - 11am in summer)
Bangalley Headland 2nd Sunday 9 to 12noon
Bayview
Winnererremy Bay 4th Sunday 9 to 12noon
Bilgola
North Bilgola Beach 3rd Monday 9 - 12noon
Algona Reserve 1st Saturday 9 - 12noon
Plateau Park 1st Friday 8:30 - 11:30am
Church Point
Browns Bay Reserve 1st Tuesday 9 - 12noon
McCarrs Creek Reserve Contact Bushcare Officer To be confirmed
Clareville
Old Wharf Reserve 3rd Saturday 8 - 11am
Elanora
Kundibah Reserve 4th Sunday 8:30 - 11:30am
Mona Vale Mona Vale Beach Basin 1st Saturday 8 - 11am
Mona Vale Dunes 2nd Saturday +3rd Thursday 8:30 - 11:30am
Newport
Bungan Beach 4th Sunday 9 - 12noon
Crescent Reserve 3rd Sunday 9 - 12noon
North Newport Beach 4th Saturday 8:30 - 11:30am
Porter Reserve 2nd Saturday 8 - 11am
North Narrabeen
Irrawong Reserve 2nd Saturday 2 - 5pm
Palm Beach
North Palm Beach Dunes 3rd Saturday 9 - 12noon
Scotland Island
Catherine Park 2nd Sunday 10 - 12:30pm
Elizabeth Park 1st Saturday 9 - 12noon
Pathilda Reserve 3rd Saturday 9 - 12noon
Warriewood
Warriewood Wetlands 1st Sunday 8:30 - 11:30am
Whale Beach
Norma Park 1st Friday 9 - 12noon
Western Foreshores
Coopers Point, Elvina Bay 2nd Sunday 10 - 1pm
Rocky Point, Elvina Bay 1st Monday 9 - 12noon
Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities
Gardens and Environment Groups and Organisations in Pittwater
