National Volunteer Week 2025 (19th - 25th May) celebrates the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme Connecting Communities.

Volunteering creates lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities. It’s vital to the nation’s wellbeing but faces ongoing challenges.

National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. It is an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in our community and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go.

More than six million people in Australia volunteer through organisations across the nation. Australia’s communities and lifestyle are underpinned by the contributions of volunteers.


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS MP: 

“Central Victoria has a strong volunteer base, and these volunteers are the backbone of many of our community organisations.

“From Kyneton to Rochester, to every community right across this diverse electorate, volunteers are an integral part of our society and make an invaluable contribution to the community.

"National Volunteers Week is an opportunity to acknowledge local volunteers who play a vital role in many different ways, whether it be helping out in times of disaster or crisis, supporting the most vulnerable people in our community, or assisting with community events.

“A strong volunteering sector is a reflection of our combined efforts to foster community connections, promote change, and enrich our society.”