Volunteer with us
Whatever your interest, we've got a volunteering opportunity for you. Whether you want to make a hands-on contribution, gain new skills, help others, share your own knowledge and experiences, or just stay active and form new friendships, we may have just the right thing for you. Find out more about our volunteering opportunities.
Many of our local halls and community centres are run by volunteers on behalf of Council. Our volunteers do a wonderful job of ensuing that these facilities are run efficiently and meet the ends of locals, community groups, businesses and visitors.
Opportunities for volunteers include helping with the day-to-day running of the facility, attending meetings public relations, managing bookings, finances and committee administration.
More hall volunteers are desperately needed, so find out how you can help your local community.
Volunteer committees manage the following council facilities:
- Hinton School of Arts
- Karuah Community Hall
- Lemon Tree Passage Old School Centre
- Nelson Bay Community Hall
- Raymond Terrace Senior Citizens Hall
- Salt Ash Community Hall
- Tanilba Foreshore Hall
If you are interested in volunteering, speak with the committee contact directly.
Environmental volunteers provide vital support to our varying ecosystems, while also creating a strong sense of community and local pride. Give back to the land, work with a great group of people, and expand your skills in environmental protection!
For more details and to find out how you can join a group, visit our dedicated Environmental Volunteers page.
Cemeteries provide space for families to pay respect to their loved ones, and it's important that they are well taken care of. Our Cemetery group volunteers wok with Council and the community to improve our local cemeteries and undertake working bees
Our Cemetery groups are:
- West Ward Cemeteries Group
We also have four Sports Councils:
- Medowie Sports Council
- Tilligerry Sports Council
- Tomaree Sports Council
- West Ward Sports Council
Sports Councils consist of volunteers from local sporting clubs, schools, special interest groups, elected Councillors and community representatives.
Whatever your artistic or cultural inclination, there are a number of volunteer opportunities for you to help shape our community.
Our Strategic Arts Committee offers those who are passionate about promoting and developing cultural opportunities across Port Stephens.
The Heritage Advisory Committee provides our heritage interest groups to help with the conservation and management of heritage buildings, places and items.
Our Aboriginal Strategic Committee supports Council’s collaboration with the traditional owners of Port Stephens, the Worimi people, including the delivery of the Yabang-Gumba-Gu or the Road to Tomorrow Agreement.
The Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee helps enhance our rich diversity and culture by promoting peace, understanding and cooperation through international partnerships.
The Youth Action Panel gives local young people a voice both within Council and the wider community. This is a great forum to meet like-minded peers and develop leadership skills.
Our Port Stephens Australia Day Committee organises celebrations for Australia Day events in Nelson Bay, Raymond Terrace and Tanilba Bay.
Birubi Point Cultural Heritage Advisory Panel advises Council on the management plan required to protect the Worimi cultural and spiritual heritage and enhance the environment of the Birubi Point Crown Reserve and Birubi Point Aboriginal Place.
Whatever your artistic or cultural inclination, there are a number of volunteer opportunities for you to help shape our community.
Our Strategic Arts Committee offers those who are passionate about promoting and developing cultural opportunities across Port Stephens.
The Heritage Advisory Committee provides our heritage interest groups to help with the conservation and management of heritage buildings, places and items.
Our Aboriginal Strategic Committee supports Council’s collaboration with the traditional owners of Port Stephens, the Worimi people, including the delivery of the Yabang-Gumba-Gu or the Road to Tomorrow Agreement.
The Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee helps enhance our rich diversity and culture by promoting peace, understanding and cooperation through international partnerships.
The Youth Action Panel gives local young people a voice both within Council and the wider community. This is a great forum to meet like-minded peers and develop leadership skills.
Our Port Stephens Australia Day Committee organises celebrations for Australia Day events in Nelson Bay, Raymond Terrace and Tanilba Bay.
Birubi Point Cultural Heritage Advisory Panel advises Council on the management plan required to protect the Worimi cultural and spiritual heritage and enhance the environment of the Birubi Point Crown Reserve and Birubi Point Aboriginal Place.
Our Visitor Information Centre couldn't run without our volunteers. Local knowledge and love for Port Stephens helps to promote our area as a premier tourist destination. As a volunteer, you can assist with information, directions, tour and accommodation recommendations as well as administration and sales.
Contact the Visitor Information Centre to inquire regarding volunteering.
How to become a volunteer
Learn more about volunteering in Port Stephens by reading our volunteering booklet.
Contact a committee or volunteer group to find out more about what's involved. If you're interested, complete a nomination form provided to you by the committee or group.
If you're interested in volunteering in the Visitor Information Centre, the Ngioka Centre or at one of the Port Stephens Council libraries please contact:
Nominations for new volunteers are processed regularly by Council, and you will receive the outcome of your nomination via email from our Volunteers Program Officer. As a Council volunteer, you will be required to follow Council's Code of Conduct and other volunteer procedures.
If you are interested in Volunteering with Port Stephens Council, please complete the Volunteer Expression of Interest form.
Volunteering FAQs
Yes. We offer training and learning and development opportunities for our volunteers in the following areas, for example:
- induction
- cultural awareness
- financial record keeping and reporting
- computer training
- first aid training
- safe chemical use
- manual handling
- weed identification
Yes. Under Council's liability insurance, volunteers will be covered for loss, damage or injury caused to third parties. In addition, Council's personal accident insurance covers injury to volunteers while they are engaged in approved voluntary work for Council.
The 355c Committee undertakes some functions of Council and is appointed under Section 355 of the Local Government Act1993. The committee acts on Council's behalf and action which the committee undertakes is Council's responsibility. The majority of our 355c committees are for facility management and community development and engagement.