In regional Australia, the shows go on (but more volunteers are always welcome)!

Published: March 26, 2024

While Covid and a series of extreme weather incidents have provided serious challenges for many  regional events in recent years, for the vast majority, the shows go on.

Of course though, there have been cancellations. And, when there are, a backdrop of falling volunteer numbers, is commonly cited as a contributory factor.

The most recent victim to the trend has been southwest WA’s Fairbridge Festival, which has just been cancelled again due to a combination of volunteer shortages, under-par ticket sales, and increasing costs.

The event’s Customer Service Manager, Lou Vermeulen, told the Grey Nomads it had been a very tough decision.

“For this event, we would be bringing in all the necessary equipment, toilets, showers, venues, etc., so a big cost,” she said. “Not exactly sure just yet about the low numbers of volunteers … we will be pushing out a survey to see if we can get a better understanding of this.”

However, organisers remain confident the event will be revived in 2025 and experiences elsewhere suggest this optimism is not unfounded.

It is only a few years ago that the future of one of the most popular events on the grey nomad calendar, Queensland’s Julia Creek Dirt N Dust Festival was being threatened by a volunteer shortage crisis.

The situation though has completely turned around and it’s all systems go for the next instalment of the event, which takes place next month.

And it’s a similarly optimistic picture for many otherevents popular with grey noamds.

The Australian Italian Festival in the Queensland town of Ingham, for example, is very much on track for the first weekend in June.

Organisers say they are hoping that hope to have lots of grey nomads at the dog-friendly event.

“We would love to have more volunteers, of course, and it is very easy,” said Festival Director, Dr Ann Vardanega. “Volunteering is such a social activity and a great way to immerse oneself into a community.”

Festival volunteers will have free entry and meal tickets. Dr Vardanega says anyone interested can pop into the festival office once in town, or email or phone ahead of time.

Similarly, it’s full steam ahead for the Capella Country Music Festival in the small Queensland town of Capella in May.

“Helpers are a real problem everywhere … even our CWA ladies have a battle,” said festival Secretary, John Hallam. “We are a bit lucky though as some of the artists hop in and help, which is good for them to meet their fan following.”

He said they were also helped by the fact they were on a natural tourist trail which starts at Winton, before going to Charters Towers, down to Capella and on to Bouldercombe, and then on to the coast at Bundaberg.

“We do get quite a few grey nomads but not many helpers,” Mr Hallam told the Grey Nomads. “It would be nice to have more but, so long as they enjoy the festival, we are happy.”

  • Do you like to volunteer at events as you travel? Have you found it a positive experience? Comment below.

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Possum
10 months ago

Unfortunately, volunteers tend to come from the ranks of “baby boomers” – many are getting too old to travel and assist.
Some of our CWA friends are bemoaning the lack of helpers, it seems that the younger country ladies are struggling to keep their farms and families, and simply cannot afford the time energy and money to be members.

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