A new Parks Victoria rule which requires all volunteers to get a Working With Children Check (WWCC) is apparently putting off large numbers of would-be helpers.
Before the pandemic, the ABC reports that volunteers on land managed by Parks Victoria hit a peak of just over 300,000 hours worked. But, in 2021-22, volunteers worked nearly 112,000 hours across Parks Victoria’s 244 parks and reserves … a little over a third of the previous record.
And Covid is reportedly not the main thing which is keeping people away.
The ABC reports that, in July last year, Parks Victoria introduced a new volunteer manual to guide how volunteers could work on managed land. One of the new requirements of the document was that every volunteer would require a WWCC.
A new national park policy is apparently deterring some volunteers. PIC: Rachel Claire / Pexels
Several volunteers involved in Friends and Landcare groups around the state told the ANC that the policy had led to a mass resignation of volunteers.
Former convenor of the Victorian Environment Friends Network, Paul Strickland, was one of them.
“My view is that they’re a tick-the-box exercise to make it look like they’re doing what they need to reduce risk and keep the insurance company happy,” he told the ABC.
The manual also required Friends groups to come up with a list of activities they would undertake, which must then be approved by Parks Victoria a year in advance.
“We’ve heard from several who say, ‘Well we just can’t get a committee anymore because of the burden of this extra paperwork,'” Mr Strickland told the ABC. “The upshot is that with these additional responsibilities, many groups are finding it discourages them from continuing … it’s just another bureaucratic step volunteers aren’t willing to take.”
Parks Victoria confirmed to the ABC that anyone who did not get a WWCC would not be permitted to work on the land it managed. Its policy goes beyond the Victorian Government’s policy that volunteers with incidental contact with children did not need a WWCC.
A spokesperson for Parks Victoria said it did not share personal or sensitive information about its staff or volunteers, and said it needed to have a consistent policy across all its volunteer groups.
“There is a wide range of risks and liabilities for both volunteer groups and individuals, as well as Parks Victoria, in the absence of consistent documented volunteer management practices,” the spokesperson told the ABC.
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Absolutely not. I was of the option it was mandatory but maybe this is a state thing. We all hear about the abuse to children by sporting coaches, scout leaders, clergy etc. My career included working with perpetrators of this type of crime and whilst it is true that it is generally someone that the child knows, generally does not mean exclusively. I have never met a perpetrator that has had a WWCC.
Travelling children tend to be very sociable, trusting human beings. My experience has taught me that travellers are sociable and kind so let’s give our little friends the greatest gift of all – protection. The form is easy and simply to fill out and does have a small cost.
I have and he drove a school bus
No I do not agree. Next thing will be any visitors to parks will require the same check. It’s ridiculous.
The world has indeed gone ‘MAD’…
Working with Children Check is simple to do. If you have nothing to hide you should get it as a formality. It should be compulsory for any worker paid or voluntary.
Being a volunteer in any area requires a wwcc so what’s the problem. It shows the person is of good character has no legal issues to there name and are safe to be around children even in a brief encounter. Volunteer wwcc do not cost anything to obtain and are easy enough to get. It takes a few minutes on line and the check then is issued easily as well. Grandparents are supposed to have them these days so really most older volunteers should already have them …
Just a note Paedophilia is not something to be laughed off or dismissed for the sake of a wwcc and in this day and age care must be paramount for children’s safety.
It’s all too much. The media has influenced people, so that if I say hello to some children, or even just smile at a child playing, adults around think I may have bad intentions.
Look, I’d get a WWCC if I wanted to volunteer, no problem, but I’m just saying that there’s less fellow feeling now days.
I agree with the policy, and it would not stop me from working on Park’s and would be happy to get the WWCC.,
Why should it put anyone off? Sounds like a pretty sensible & responsible initiative to me!
Working with children checks are one tool to help keep children safe. They are only the first tool. And while they might ‘put off’ a predator, & tick a box; they actually only prove that a person has not been red flagged or charged with abuse, they do not prove the are not an abuser. Sorry Janice but unfortunately I can tell you through personal experience that people who have WWCCs and done the ‘child safe training’ can still be abusers. In fact WWCCs could potentially give those in charge of kids a false sense of security.
Also if you have been unfortunate enough to be married several times and changed your name more than once the initial clearance can take ages and you better hope you have your divorce and marriage papers handy because they need to know dates name changed.
So do I agree with WWCCs when you MIGHT come into contact with children yes but that’s only the beginning.
I worked in the child care field all my life this is my hard earned advice to try and keep everyone safe. People who are with other people’s children should always be in view of other people. As a piece of paper proves nothing. In the end it’s supervision supervision supervision that keeps children safe.
If National Parks had the staff that they used to have they could do the work without volunteers. National Parks budgets have been cut drastically in the past resulting in low staff numbers.
Very very simple to do, it’s a real worry that so many don’t want to get it. What do they have to hide?
The more likely perpetrator of child abuse at a campsite would be a camper. Perhaps WWCCs for anyone using campsites?
Working with children is only effective to those that have been caught , but at least it stop’s those that have been convicted.
I think its mandatory in PWS Tasmania and has been for a few years. These days it a reasonable request. One would expect/hope that the “Working with Vulnerable people” card from one state would/should be valid across the country.
I am totally against WWCC for PV vols [ I have one ] for 1-2 working bees a year, our club has now twice failed to get enough to even hold a track working bee as they do not want to be bothered for ounce a year. PV should follow Govt guidelines. Most clubs do not allow children on working bees
It’s not just the WWCC it’s all the red tape and restrictions. All too hard. Why bother?
I would not be put off. We had to get Working With Vulnerable People cards to volunteer at RSPCA and it merely involved us filling in a short form. Police checks were then done and a few weeks later the card arrived.
On one hand if you got nothing to hide why not BUT being a Ex Volunteer to another Tourist Company here in the West We didn’t have to get a wwcc but if we were involved with children we had to .
As far as Camp Host I think a wwcc is a bit much as you don’t deal with children just adults , so no I don’t agree that they should get one !
Regards
Bill H
What’s the big fuss about WWC. It’s a simple process that offers some protection against perpetrators using volunteering as a means to gain access to children. The suggestion that it will lead to requiring a WWC to enter parks is a total nonsense. I worked in education and unfortunately with pedophiles on occasions. Any measure to protect children should be embraced rather than criticised.
No. As long as Parks will do the paperwork. And pay the fee. Red cross did police check, a few years ago
Parks Victoria are wrecking the Parks. They came up with all their garbage about Rock climbing in the Grampians as well, saying that the rock climbers are damaging the land. It is becoming such a sad state to live in.
It wouldn’t bother me to aquire a WWCC, or in effect, a standard ‘Blue’ card. Although, I understand that many prospective and current volunteers would find the order offensive.
It’s obvious the insurance company wants to minimise potential events that would require them to payout hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The only way to remove any such incidents involving minors, is to remove ‘all’ volunteers and all staff to boot…
It’s a crazy world we live in…It’s not enough that people with good intentions what to work for free, but they have to jump through hoops to do it…crazy…