Volunteer Resource Centres let down in the recent federal budget

Despite the need for them, volunteer resource centres have been let down in the recent federal budget. 

It is a heavy blow to the volunteering sector as a lack of funding support was handed down at the budget. After a tumultuous few years, volunteer resource centres (VRCs) across Australia have some tough decisions ahead. Some centres have shut already with others pending closure. This leaves volunteers and volunteer managers in the dark without vital support, recruitment and placement assistance that VRCs provide.

The National Network of Volunteering Centres (NNVC) says that sustainable funding has been ignored and the government has “turned its back on mainstream Australians, who have a long history of giving to their communities.”

As the only VRC in Melbourne’s west, we are considering the best options to continue helping our community, volunteers and volunteer engagers.

Our heart goes out to all those volunteer resource centres who have had to close their doors. 

We will continue to advocate for funding on a national level and for the vital place-based support VRCs offer.

Read ABC’s news article here.