The Heart of Our Communities: Why Volunteers Matter More Than Ever
Author: Belinda Young
Happy National Volunteers Week Everyone
When we think about the most powerful forces shaping our communities, we might picture governments, institutions, or economic systems. But there’s another force—quieter, more humble, and profoundly impactful—that often goes unnoticed: volunteers.
Volunteers are the heartbeat of communities across Australia. They’re the ones showing up early to set up chairs, staying late to clean up, checking in on neighbours, mentoring young people, fighting fires, coordinating community events, and helping run organisations like ours. And while their work may be unpaid, its value is immeasurable.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
According to Volunteering Australia’s most recent statistics, over 5 million Australians engage in volunteering each year. That’s around 1 in 5 adults donating their time, energy, and skills to causes they believe in. If the volunteering sector were a single industry, it would be one of the largest in the country.
More than 600 million hours of voluntary work are contributed annually in Australia—work that, if paid, would represent billions of dollars in economic value. Yet the true worth of volunteering goes far beyond dollars and cents.
The Ripple Effect of Volunteering
Volunteering strengthens the social fabric of our communities. It builds connection, fosters inclusion, and increases our sense of belonging. For individuals, volunteering can:
Improve mental health and reduce feelings of isolation
Offer a sense of purpose and personal satisfaction
Provide opportunities to learn new skills or build on existing ones
Create lifelong friendships and networks
In rural and outer suburban areas—like many parts of the Yarra Ranges—volunteers are often the first and last line of support for families, particularly during emergencies and times of crisis. From disaster response to maternal mental health support, it’s volunteers who fill the gaps.
A Growing Need, A Shrinking Pool
While the contribution of volunteers is enormous, there's a concerning trend: volunteering rates are declining. Between 2010 and 2020, formal volunteering dropped from 36% to 24% of the adult population, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this, with many community organisations still struggling to rebuild their volunteer base.
The reasons vary—rising work demands, economic pressures, caregiving responsibilities—but the outcome is the same: fewer hands to do more work. This makes it more important than ever to value, support, and actively recruit volunteers into our community spaces.
What We Can Do
At Mums of the Hills, we know that volunteers don’t just “help out.” They lead, they listen, they inspire. They make it possible for us to run our events, keep our hub open, reach out to isolated mums, advocate for systemic change, and create the village we all need.
If you’ve ever considered volunteering—even just a few hours a month—this is your sign. Your contribution could change someone’s week. Or their life.
Let’s create a culture that celebrates volunteering. That makes it easier to say yes. That recognises and rewards community contribution—not just during National Volunteer Week, but every day.
Because without volunteers, there is no community.
Spotlight on a MotHs Volunteer
Portrait of St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was discovered in the 1960s by a Polish archaeological team during an excavation of the Faras Cathedral in old Nubia, in present day Sudan. (Public Domain)
This isn’t our Anne… but the resemblance is uncanny.
Both wise.
Both watching over the people.
Both silently holding everything together (and probably muttering “for the love of all that is holy, check the pinned post”).
Since our very own Anne prefers to stay behind the scenes, we’re honouring her with this image of Saint Anne—protector of mums and low-key legends everywhere.
She might not want her face shown, but anyone who’s ever benefited from her quiet, steady leadership knows exactly who she is.
We asked that Anne from MotHs what it’s like being one of our online volunteer admins. Here’s what she said:
Best bit?
“When things go wrong! Storms, illness, emergencies. Fielding emails and comments from people willing to help in small and big ways. Most recently the missing boy, and the fires in the Basin. Making sure the info coming in is accurate and up to date—watching everyone share what they know to keep each other safe.”
Funniest bit?
“Knowing people for years through work or school, and then suddenly they realise I’m that Anne from MotHs. The look on their face is always gold.”
Hardest part?
“When members disagree and want a resolution, but you can see both sides. Sometimes you just want to say, ‘agree to disagree’—but that can leave everyone feeling a bit unheard.”
Like her namesake, our Anne quietly watches over a village—one inbox, one thread, one community emergency at a time. She may not want the spotlight, but today we’re shining it anyway.
Thank you, Anne. You are very much a saint in our books.