There’s no better time than now to uplift and celebrate Queensland’s volunteers

When the time comes each Australia Day to honour the citizens who have made the biggest impact on our communities, it’s no surprise the list is dominated by volunteers. 

With the United Nations declaring 2026 as the International Volunteer Year, the 2032 Brisbane Olympics right around the corner and the recent findings of the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering now released, St Vincent de Paul Queensland says the time is right to uplift and empower our volunteers across the state. 

CEO Joe Duskovic welcomed the State Government’s recent public support of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering recommendations.  

The Inquiry recommends strengthening the sector by removing barriers to volunteering and fostering a culture that better encourages, resources and celebrates our volunteers. 

“Volunteers aren’t just an important part of our communities – they’re critical,” Mr Duskovic said. 

“When a natural disaster inevitably hits, you can find our volunteers on the frontlines, ready to help our communities rebuild. 

“Across Queensland, the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Members and Volunteers have been tirelessly dedicating themselves to helping our most vulnerable amid rising housing costs, growing homelessness numbers and an increase in cost-of-living pressures. 

“Anything we invest in our volunteers now will pay dividends in the future. 

“According to Volunteering Queensland, every $1 we spend on our volunteers returns a benefit of $4.70.” 

Mr Duskovic said the state’s volunteer numbers were still catching up from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Most volunteer-based organisations saw a dramatic impact in numbers from the pandemic, an impact that can still be felt today,” he said. 

“St Vincent de Paul Queensland wholeheartedly supports the recommendations put forward by the Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland. 

“We look forward to working with the State Government on their 10-year volunteering plan and hope to continue to build on this momentum well beyond the next decade.” 

Mr Duskovic encouraged all Queenslanders to consider volunteering as a way to not just help their communities, but to boost their own happiness, connection and physical and mental wellbeing.