Volunteering

The City of Hobart recognises the importance of volunteers and the valuable contribution they make. We engage approximately 820 volunteers through different programs.

The following programs regularly engage volunteers for a variety of activities and events.

Mathers House and Criterion House

There are a range of volunteering opportunities as part of the Positive Ageing Program.

These include:

  • Dining Room Program Volunteers: Cooks, Kitchen Hands, Waiters
  • Meeters and Greeters: Peer support to welcome people into our centre, let them know about the positive ageing program, help them to find the answers to their questions on the internet, fill in online forms, book tickets
  • Program Facilitators: Most of our programs are run by volunteers and we are always open to new ideas. So have a look at what we do and get in touch if you think you can help
  • Hobart Older Persons' Reference Group: The Hobart Older Persons' Reference Group (HOPRG) is a group of older people who have an interest in Hobart. HOPRG works to build community and social connectedness for older people both locally and throughout greater Hobart. HOPRG's mission is to ensure that the voice of older people is heard, and that older people have the opportunity to be included and engaged in their communities. If you are interested in being a member of HOPRG, please phone 03 6238 2772 or email josephm@hobartcity.com.au.

If you would like to apply to register as a volunteer at Mathers House you can complete and submit the online form. A printable form is available on our forms page.

For more information phone 03 6234 1441 or email mathersplace@hobartcity.com.au

Youth Arts and Recreation Centre

The Youth Arts and Recreation Centre is a safe place for young people aged 12 to 25 to engage in social and skill development activities and offer creative opportunities in art, music, performance and much more.

Volunteers work with the Youth ARC staff to support the delivery of these social and creative programs, workshops and events plus centre operations. To best complement our programs and support the young participant we are seeking volunteers with skills and attributes in art, music, creativity, social engagement and with a great ability to work as part of a team.

To apply please email youthartsandrec@hobartcity.com.au to tell us about yourself and request a volunteer selection form.

For more Youth ARC information, visit the Youth Arts & Recreation Centre Facebook page or phone 0438 079 588.

Bushcare

Volunteers work with community Bushcare groups and the City of Hobart to help enhance wildlife habitat, protect threatened plants, maintain and develop tracks, and educate the community.

For more information visit the Bushcare page, the Bushcare Facebook page, phone 03 6238 2884, or email bushcare@hobartcity.com.au.

Trackcare

Trackcare is all about connecting mountain bike riders, bushwalkers, trail runners and rock climbers with the care, maintenance and construction of Hobart's great tracks and trails.

For more information please phone 03 6238 2711, or email coh@hobartcity.com.au.

Still Gardening

The Still Gardening Program, run by the City of Hobart, gives older people a chance to stay active in their homes and gardens. We support a team of dedicated and inspiring volunteers – Garden Mates – who go out and work one-on-one with older people in their gardens helping them keep on doing what they love: getting their hands dirty and enjoying the outdoors.

Find out more at the Still Gardening page, phone 03 6236 9349 or email StillGardening@hobartcity.com.au.

City Welcome Volunteer Program

The City Welcome Volunteer Program offers the opportunity to volunteer at various locations and events operated by the City of Hobart. People from all backgrounds who love to help other people, who are looking for social engagement, and who want to participate in the operation of COVID-safe events are encouraged to enquire.

Salamanca Market

Volunteers provide assistance, advice and a friendly welcome to people visiting the market. The core duties when volunteering at the market are summarised below:

  • Greeting visitors as they arrive and thanking visitors as they leave the market.
  • Assist with stallholder information such as where to find a specific stall or to find stallholders who sell certain items.
  • Escort visitors to stalls and nearby facilities, to bring an enhanced customer experience to the market.
  • Assist with general enquiries such as: location of nearby facilities, where is the closest public toilet or ATM and where do I find the Mona ferry terminal.
  • Helping reinforce market rules such as dogs and smoking.
  • Helping out with fun activations such as during Dark Mofo.

To fulfil the role of a Market Volunteer it is beneficial you have an understanding of the Salamanca area and surrounding facilities. You will need to be confident in dealing with large crowds of people, have the ability to assist and educate market visitors on current stallholders and have exceptional communication skills as you will be speaking to many different people.

Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre

Volunteers welcome visitors at the Travel Centre in a friendly 'meet and greet' manner, providing them with specialised assistance and advice on travel and tourism in Tasmania. The core duties when volunteering at the Travel Centre are summarised below:

  • Assist visitors with general enquires (for example, directions on finding a specific attraction, how to purchase bus tickets).
  • Identify visitor's interests to understand their travel needs, enabling you to provide them with travel recommendations.
  • Referring visitors to Travel Advisors for high level travel recommendations and to also process bookings and sales.

To fulfil the role of a Travel Centre Volunteer it is vital you have a solid understanding of tourism in Tasmania, experience working within the tourism sector or have a tourism background. It is desirable you also have relevant studies in tourism.

Hobart Airport

Volunteers provide a warm and friendly welcome to travellers, visitors and business partners to Hobart Airport and Tasmania. The core duties when volunteering at Hobart Airport are summarised below:

  • Assist visitors and other customers to ensure smooth facilitation through arrivals and departures processes.
  • Providing information about the Airport's services and facilities to customers.
  • Providing visitors with key tourist information to Tasmania.

To fulfil the role of a Hobart Airport Volunteer it is vital you have solid knowledge of Tasmania with a focus on southern Tasmania, exemplary customer service and communication skills. It is desirable you also have experience working within the tourism sector, have a tourism background or relevant studies in tourism.

MAC 02 Cruise Ship Terminal

Volunteers provide assistance, advice and a friendly welcome to visiting cruise ship visitors during the cruise ship season.

The core duties when volunteering at the Cruise Ship Terminal are summarised below:

  • Assist visitors with general enquires (for example, directions on finding a specific attraction, how to purchase bus tickets).
  • Assist visitor's travel needs and provide them with travel recommendations.
  • Referring visitors to the Travel Centre for bookings and sales.

City of Hobart community events

City Welcome volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and offer a range of skills to their volunteering. Our volunteers also develop new knowledge and skills through their volunteer deployments. From time to time, we invite volunteering at City of Hobart community events, particularly around providing a COVID-safe event. These events are diverse, entertaining and fun and a great way to experience a richer side of life in Hobart.

We seek to onboard volunteers who are interested in becoming long-standing volunteers, stay part of the program for a long period of time and are available on a regular basis.

For more information about the City Welcome Volunteer Program, please contact program officer Luke Cazaly at volunteer@hobartcity.com.au or phone 0417 546 018.

International Student Ambassadors

Volunteers are recruited on a yearly basis and represent international students by being involved at events such as Citizenship Ceremonies, Harmony Day, Volunteer Recognition Reception, Sister City events, and other key community activities. Volunteers also develop their own initiatives to make Hobart a more welcoming city.

For more information visit the International Student Ambassadors page, or phone 03 6238 2711.