General News
14 November, 2025
Lend-A-Hand this November
This November a local community group are calling on locals to "lend a hand" and casually volunteer.
This month, the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Group (MVRG) are calling out for young and enthusiastic recruits for their ‘Lend-A-Hand-November’ campaign.
The campaign is MVRG’s vision where all local residents can casually offer to help out at community events in some way.
MVRG president Tony Macer said most people genuinely want to do their bit for the community, but are often reluctant to commit themselves to an organisation on an ongoing basis.
“Recent research has revealed that many Australians are willing to help out but are fearful of commitment, have little time or desire to attend meetings or administration tasks,” he said.
In response to this, the MVRG has started compiling a list of people who have offered to be placed on a casual volunteer list.
When those interested fill their details into the group’s online contact list, emails are sent out periodically when community events arise, with those available welcome to attend.
Mr Macer emphasised being on the casual volunteer list brings no commitment whatsoever.
“It simply means the person will receive an email when an event is on or a community group needs help with a one-off task,” he said.
“If you can’t help, just ignore the email. If you can help out for an hour or two, simply reply and indicate the time you can offer.
“A healthy community depends on goodwill and generosity so let’s all jump in and help.”
So far, the MVRG has taken on a handful of new members.
One of them, Chris Petty, found the pursuit of connections with others personally fulfilling.
“The reason why I jumped in is because I had a lot of spare time, there’s only so much gardening and cooking you can do, that’s my other passion. In COVID, I shut myself off and I had to push myself out the door,” he said.
“But when you think of others, you get some fulfilment and it’s about social connections, that’s why I did it.”
Similarly, Susanna Warner said giving yourself to the community can have many personal benefits.
“For years I was a registered nurse specialising in mental health, and I think the most important thing to look after your mental health is to be in community,” she said.
“It’s a great way to get to know people and contribute in whatever way you can.”
New residents to the shire are also encouraged to join the casual volunteers list, as a way to get to know community members and develop connections.
The MVRG aims to assist local not-for-profit groups who are looking for volunteers of all ages and are particularly interested in engaging with younger people in the 15-30 year old age group. They also recognise engagement of a younger perspective is vitally important to ensure sustainability into the future.
So far, 50 people have registered on the MVRG website, with the ‘Lend-A-Hand-November’ campaign looking to have hundreds of people register by the end of the month, a huge time for volunteering in the Central Goldfields, with the Energy Breakthrough expecting to see around 700 volunteers in action.
The MVRG urges everyone to sign up and participate.
Registrations can be made online, by googling ‘Maryborough volunteers’ or at https://maryboroughvolunteers.org.au or by phoning 0475 125 455.