Volunteering plays a critical role in keeping our communities connected, resilient, and supported in a world of constant change and crisis.
The theme "Volunteering for Change" highlights the power of local action to inspire movements, empower individuals, and ignite positive transformation in society.
This conference will delve into innovative ideas, share groundbreaking research, and feature real-world stories that showcase how we can adapt and grow volunteering efforts to meet the evolving needs of our communities.
Morning tea and
lunch provided
The Queensland Volunteering Conference is the largest official sector gathering in the state bringing together representatives from organisations across Queensland who involve many of our 2.8 million volunteers.
Conducted over two days, our conference program will provide inspiring, evidence-based, and educational content delivered by national and international speakers with plenty of networking opportunities. Delegates will attend in Brisbane or online across the state.
With an exciting program of keynote speakers, our presenters and panel discussions will cover a range of hot topics including; Youth, Diversity, National Standards, Governance, Leadership, Engaging Volunteers and Volunteer Satisfaction.
The conference theme for 2025 is Volunteering for Change - INSPIRE. EMPOWER. IGNITE.
This theme will provide the framework for an expertly curated program of industry keynotes, panels and networking sessions designed to spark creativity, foster innovation, and encourage bold steps towards a better future for volunteering. Delegates will participate in a dynamic event that inspires volunteering, empowers organisations and ignites positive change.
- Not-for-profit and charity volunteers, coordinators, managers and CEOs
- Government and corporate partners involved in volunteer programs
- Policymakers and researchers in the volunteer sector
- Volunteers seeking inspiration and new ways to contribute
Attending the Queensland Volunteering Conference 2025 will provide you with important sector insights and advocacy news, allow you to explore trends in volunteering, and offer valuable professional development opportunities. The Conference is also one of the major networking and partnership opportunities in 2025, an event not to be missed.
During the Queensland Volunteering Conference 2025, you can expect:
- Policy Updates: Learn about recent developments and challenges affecting the volunteering sector in Queensland.
- Future Trends: Discover innovations and ideas shaping the future of volunteering.
- Keynote Presentations: Insights from leading experts, thought leaders, and inspirational figures in volunteering and community engagement.
- Panel Discussions: Diverse perspectives on key issues facing the volunteering sector, with opportunities for audience participation.
- Skill Development: Learn strategies to recruit, retain, and motivate volunteers or enhance personal volunteering efforts.
- Leadership Training: Insights into effective leadership and management in volunteer settings.
- Tools and Resources Optimisation: Gain materials and techniques to implement immediately within organisations or projects.
Shane Harris is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience working with grassroots and large not-for-profit organisations. He is a strategic thinker with a talent for leveraging technology to achieve desired outcomes effectively and efficiently. As the founder of About Time Coaching, Shane provides coaching, mentoring, and training services that help busy professionals work from a place of rest and calm confidence.
He has a deep passion for volunteer engagement and understands the transformative impact that it has on individuals, organisations and the community. With his extensive experience, strategic mindset, and passion for volunteerism, Shane is an inspiring speaker that brings a unique perspective to the topic of productivity and doing more of what we want most.
Shane HarrisAbout Time Coaching
As a born and bred North Queenslander, Bridgette is passionate about helping Queensland’s vulnerable communities recover after natural disasters and build resilience for future events. This has led to a career in connecting with regional, rural, and metro communities across Queensland when they need it the most and leading philanthropic grants and volunteering projects, which help community organisations, clubs, charities, and First Nations Councils get back on their feet and thrive again.
As manager of RACQ Foundation, Bridgette established RACQ’ Foundation’s Community Assistance Volunteering Program, which has delivered 25 projects across the state, with more than 600 skilled and non-skilled volunteers pledging 34,000 volunteering hours. The Program won Volunteering Queensland’s Corporate Volunteering Award in 2020. Bridgette also oversees the Community Grants Program which has distributed $15.2M to 509 sporting clubs, community organisations and charities.
Bridgette’s passion for positive impact preceded RACQ and her career has spanned across the not for profit, event, sponsorships, and partnerships sectors. In addition to her role at RACQ, Bridgette owns and operates the family farm with her mother Robyn.
Bridgette MullerRACQ
Nathan Hulls is one of Australia’s leading Youth Motivational Speakers and specialises in training and development for students and adults in the areas of performance psychology, positive education, emotional intelligence, motivation and engagement.
He speaks to tens of thousands of people around Australia every year and is passionate about helping people understand themselves, be their best and make a positive difference in their world. Working with high schools, universities, local and state government organisations, as well as community groups, Nathan is an expert in helping adults understand teens and teens understand themselves.
Nathan is regularly featured in the media as a teen behaviour specialist – having appeared on the Today Show, ABC Radio as well as The Herald Sun, The Age and was a Featured ‘Girlfriend Guru’ in The Girlfriend Magazine.
When you hear Nathan’s story expect to laugh, cry, be engaged, inspired and empowered to live your life to the fullest!
Nathan HullsYouth Resilience Specialist
Spencer Howson describes himself as a tirelessly curious storyteller.
His career began in 1990 when he volunteered at Reading Radio 4RPH, but he’s best known for his 26 years with the ABC, including 15 years presenting the top-rating 612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast show.
After leaving the Breakfast show in 2016, Spencer held the position of ABC Program Quality Advisor, which involved coaching presenters and producers across Australia. From 2021-2023, he tasted the world of commercial radio, hosting Weekends on 4BC.
He has lectured Radio Production at the University of Southern Queensland, and is a Pathways Trainer at the Community Media Training Organisation. Spencer is a passionate advocate for diversity of voices in the Australian media, and in 2021 completed a Master of Arts, studying attitudes towards female radio presenters.
He’s currently a PhD student at Griffith University, where he’s researching the value of local radio to audiences in regional Australia.
Spencer HowsonBroadcaster, Event MC
Ashley Fell is a social researcher, TEDx speaker and the Director of Advisory at McCrindle. She is the author of two books on leadership and generational insights, titled Work Wellbeing and Generation Alpha. She is also the host of McCrindle’s podcast, The Future Report.
In addition to delivering keynote presentations at conferences, Ashley is booked to conduct training days, facilitate panels and deliver workshops across an array of industries. From generational change to the impact of technology, from key demographic transformations to social trends, Ashley delivers research-based presentations analysing global megatrends.
With academic qualifications in communications, an ongoing role in deploying and analysing national research studies, and with her position leading the advisory team at McCrindle, Ashley brings robust, research-based content to her engaging presentations and consulting.
Ashley FellDirector of Advisory, Social Researcher, Futurist and Generational Expert
Dr Ruth Knight equips managers and teams with evidence-based insights and practical tools that create meaningful social impact.
With extensive leadership experience in the community services and education sectors, Ruth understands the unique challenges and opportunities organisations encounter when engaging volunteers and measuring social impact. Her expertise includes helping leaders codesign and evaluate volunteer programs.
Dr Ruth KnightForum Design
Andrew Gourley is the Founder and CO of Red Frogs Australia Chaplaincy Network. Red Frogs is a support program for young people 15-25 yrs and it began in 1997.
Andy recognized that the culture of young people was dominated by alcohol and that excessive consumption of alcohol and other substances can lead to dangerous and life-altering behaviours. Therefore, Redfrogs mission is to provide a positive peer presence in alcohol-fuelled environments where young people gather, educate young people on safe partying behaviours, and promote and provide non-alcoholic and/or diversionary activities that engage young people in their environments.
RedFrogs is now the largest support network in Australia for Schoolies, Festivals and Universities students, RedFrogs also supports Sports, Concerts and Skateboarding events. Currently the Red Frog Chaplaincy program coordinates over 4000 volunteers to run its programs. Andy has developed the Red Frog program internationally and now froggers can be found in Canada, UK, South Africa, New Zealand, and France.
Andrew Gourley
Founder & CO, Red Frogs Australia
Associate Professor Kathomi Gatwiri is an ARC DECRA Fellow in the Faculty of Health at Southern Cross University. She is the president of the peak body Australian Women & Gender Studies Association (AWGSA) and a practising psychotherapist.
Kathomi is one of Australia’s leading Afro-diasporic scholars whose award-winning interdisciplinary research investigates the intersecting topics of racial trauma, belonging, blackness, and migranthood.
She is the Founder and Director of Healing Together, a service that provides accessible, culturally sensitive therapeutic support for racially minoritised people impacted by trauma. She is a sort after consultant and keynote speaker across Australia on topics of belonging and inclusion.
Associate Professor Kathomi GatwiriSouthern Cross University
Dr Toby Newstead is a leadership scholar at the University of Tasmania, specialising in virtues-based leadership development, leadership ethics, and leadership in the volunteer sector.
Her research has been published in the top management journals, and she recently published a book on leadership and virtues. Dr Newstead teaches into the Executive MBA and coordinates the Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Organisational Capability, and she regularly delivers impactful workshops, keynotes, and facilitation sessions for industry.
Dr Newstead’s research, teaching, coaching and facilitation has local and international impact, shaping the leaders of today and tomorrow.
Toby NewsteadSenior Lecturer in Management (Leadership), University of Tasmania
Tram Tran is a third-year PhD candidate at the University of Tasmania. Her research interests encompass leadership, volunteer leadership, and the sustainability of volunteer workforces.
Tram holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, and has a strong interest in volunteering. These experiences have provided her with a firm grounding and fuelled her passion for research.
Tram’s PhD research aims to advance the knowledge of leadership and leadership development within the volunteer context and to identify effective practices for organisations and governments to better support and retain volunteers.
Tram TranPhD Candidate, University of Tasmania
Amber Tsai is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics.
Her PhD research explores the relationships between leader behaviours, volunteer motivation, satisfaction, and commitment.
Amber’s publications offer practical insights for volunteer leaders to better understand and respond to volunteer motivations, sustain engagement, and evaluate effective leadership behaviours.
Dr Amber TsaiPostdoctoral research fellow, University of Tasmania
Alice is a Brisbane-based lawyer at Justice Connect’s Not-for-profit Law. Alice was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 2015 while working as a Judge’s Associate in the Supreme Court of Queensland. She subsequently worked in employment law and not-for-profit law at a law firm in Brisbane before joining Justice Connect in 2021. Alice has experience advising charities and not-for-profits about governance, corporate structure, charity registration, tax concessions, contract law, workplace law, mergers, and regulatory compliance. In her current role she provides legal advice and training to a range of community organisations.
Alice HusbandJustice Connect Not for Profit Law
Dr Mark Armstrong, CSC was appointed to the role of Chief Officer, Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) in February 2024. He has led the SES through a phase of reform that saw the SES move from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to be a Service within the department of the Queensland Police Service. The reforms included the introduction of new legislation and a significant uplift in budget and capability. The Queensland SES consists of over 5000 volunteers and 200 paid staff in over 300 locations around Queensland.
Previously, as senior Australian Army Reserve officer he commanded the Queensland component of the ADF support to the 2022 South-East Queensland floods and Operation COVID-19 Assist. In his corporate career Dr Armstrong has worked in senior strategy, supply chain and HR roles in companies such as Coca-Cola Amatil and Symbion. He has recently completed a PhD examining the contribution and reform of a part-time workforce.
Mark ArmstrongChief Officer, Queensland State Emergency Service
About Time Coaching
Shane Harris is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience working with grassroots and large not-for-profit organisations. He is a strategic thinker with a talent for leveraging technology to achieve desired outcomes effectively and efficiently. As the founder of About Time Coaching, Shane provides coaching, mentoring, and training services that help busy professionals work from a place of rest and calm confidence.
He has a deep passion for volunteer engagement and understands the transformative impact that it has on individuals, organisations and the community. With his extensive experience, strategic mindset, and passion for volunteerism, Shane is an inspiring speaker that brings a unique perspective to the topic of productivity and doing more of what we want most.
RACQ
As a born and bred North Queenslander, Bridgette is passionate about helping Queensland’s vulnerable communities recover after natural disasters and build resilience for future events. This has led to a career in connecting with regional, rural, and metro communities across Queensland when they need it the most and leading philanthropic grants and volunteering projects, which help community organisations, clubs, charities, and First Nations Councils get back on their feet and thrive again.
As manager of RACQ Foundation, Bridgette established RACQ’ Foundation’s Community Assistance Volunteering Program, which has delivered 25 projects across the state, with more than 600 skilled and non-skilled volunteers pledging 34,000 volunteering hours. The Program won Volunteering Queensland’s Corporate Volunteering Award in 2020. Bridgette also oversees the Community Grants Program which has distributed $15.2M to 509 sporting clubs, community organisations and charities.
Bridgette’s passion for positive impact preceded RACQ and her career has spanned across the not for profit, event, sponsorships, and partnerships sectors. In addition to her role at RACQ, Bridgette owns and operates the family farm with her mother Robyn.
Youth Resilience Specialist
Nathan Hulls is one of Australia’s leading Youth Motivational Speakers and specialises in training and development for students and adults in the areas of performance psychology, positive education, emotional intelligence, motivation and engagement.
He speaks to tens of thousands of people around Australia every year and is passionate about helping people understand themselves, be their best and make a positive difference in their world. Working with high schools, universities, local and state government organisations, as well as community groups, Nathan is an expert in helping adults understand teens and teens understand themselves.
Nathan is regularly featured in the media as a teen behaviour specialist – having appeared on the Today Show, ABC Radio as well as The Herald Sun, The Age and was a Featured ‘Girlfriend Guru’ in The Girlfriend Magazine.
When you hear Nathan’s story expect to laugh, cry, be engaged, inspired and empowered to live your life to the fullest!
Broadcaster, Event MC
Spencer Howson describes himself as a tirelessly curious storyteller.
His career began in 1990 when he volunteered at Reading Radio 4RPH, but he’s best known for his 26 years with the ABC, including 15 years presenting the top-rating 612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast show.
After leaving the Breakfast show in 2016, Spencer held the position of ABC Program Quality Advisor, which involved coaching presenters and producers across Australia. From 2021-2023, he tasted the world of commercial radio, hosting Weekends on 4BC.
He has lectured Radio Production at the University of Southern Queensland, and is a Pathways Trainer at the Community Media Training Organisation. Spencer is a passionate advocate for diversity of voices in the Australian media, and in 2021 completed a Master of Arts, studying attitudes towards female radio presenters.
He’s currently a PhD student at Griffith University, where he’s researching the value of local radio to audiences in regional Australia.
Director of Advisory, Social Researcher, Futurist and Generational Expert
Ashley Fell is a social researcher, TEDx speaker and the Director of Advisory at McCrindle. She is the author of two books on leadership and generational insights, titled Work Wellbeing and Generation Alpha. She is also the host of McCrindle’s podcast, The Future Report.
In addition to delivering keynote presentations at conferences, Ashley is booked to conduct training days, facilitate panels and deliver workshops across an array of industries. From generational change to the impact of technology, from key demographic transformations to social trends, Ashley delivers research-based presentations analysing global megatrends.
With academic qualifications in communications, an ongoing role in deploying and analysing national research studies, and with her position leading the advisory team at McCrindle, Ashley brings robust, research-based content to her engaging presentations and consulting.
Forum Design
Dr Ruth Knight equips managers and teams with evidence-based insights and practical tools that create meaningful social impact.
With extensive leadership experience in the community services and education sectors, Ruth understands the unique challenges and opportunities organisations encounter when engaging volunteers and measuring social impact. Her expertise includes helping leaders codesign and evaluate volunteer programs.
Founder & CO, Red Frogs Australia
Andrew Gourley is the Founder and CO of Red Frogs Australia Chaplaincy Network. Red Frogs is a support program for young people 15-25 yrs and it began in 1997.
Andy recognized that the culture of young people was dominated by alcohol and that excessive consumption of alcohol and other substances can lead to dangerous and life-altering behaviours. Therefore, Redfrogs mission is to provide a positive peer presence in alcohol-fuelled environments where young people gather, educate young people on safe partying behaviours, and promote and provide non-alcoholic and/or diversionary activities that engage young people in their environments.
RedFrogs is now the largest support network in Australia for Schoolies, Festivals and Universities students, RedFrogs also supports Sports, Concerts and Skateboarding events. Currently the Red Frog Chaplaincy program coordinates over 4000 volunteers to run its programs. Andy has developed the Red Frog program internationally and now froggers can be found in Canada, UK, South Africa, New Zealand, and France.
Southern Cross University
Associate Professor Kathomi Gatwiri is an ARC DECRA Fellow in the Faculty of Health at Southern Cross University. She is the president of the peak body Australian Women & Gender Studies Association (AWGSA) and a practising psychotherapist.
Kathomi is one of Australia’s leading Afro-diasporic scholars whose award-winning interdisciplinary research investigates the intersecting topics of racial trauma, belonging, blackness, and migranthood.
She is the Founder and Director of Healing Together, a service that provides accessible, culturally sensitive therapeutic support for racially minoritised people impacted by trauma. She is a sort after consultant and keynote speaker across Australia on topics of belonging and inclusion.
Senior Lecturer in Management (Leadership), University of Tasmania
Dr Toby Newstead is a leadership scholar at the University of Tasmania, specialising in virtues-based leadership development, leadership ethics, and leadership in the volunteer sector.
Her research has been published in the top management journals, and she recently published a book on leadership and virtues. Dr Newstead teaches into the Executive MBA and coordinates the Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Organisational Capability, and she regularly delivers impactful workshops, keynotes, and facilitation sessions for industry.
Dr Newstead’s research, teaching, coaching and facilitation has local and international impact, shaping the leaders of today and tomorrow.
PhD Candidate, University of Tasmania
Tram Tran is a third-year PhD candidate at the University of Tasmania. Her research interests encompass leadership, volunteer leadership, and the sustainability of volunteer workforces.
Tram holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, and has a strong interest in volunteering. These experiences have provided her with a firm grounding and fuelled her passion for research.
Tram’s PhD research aims to advance the knowledge of leadership and leadership development within the volunteer context and to identify effective practices for organisations and governments to better support and retain volunteers.
Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Tasmania
Amber Tsai is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics.
Her PhD research explores the relationships between leader behaviours, volunteer motivation, satisfaction, and commitment.
Amber’s publications offer practical insights for volunteer leaders to better understand and respond to volunteer motivations, sustain engagement, and evaluate effective leadership behaviours.
Justice Connect Not for Profit Law
Alice is a Brisbane-based lawyer at Justice Connect’s Not-for-profit Law. Alice was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 2015 while working as a Judge’s Associate in the Supreme Court of Queensland. She subsequently worked in employment law and not-for-profit law at a law firm in Brisbane before joining Justice Connect in 2021. Alice has experience advising charities and not-for-profits about governance, corporate structure, charity registration, tax concessions, contract law, workplace law, mergers, and regulatory compliance. In her current role she provides legal advice and training to a range of community organisations.
Chief Officer, Queensland State Emergency Service
Dr Mark Armstrong, CSC was appointed to the role of Chief Officer, Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) in February 2024. He has led the SES through a phase of reform that saw the SES move from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to be a Service within the department of the Queensland Police Service. The reforms included the introduction of new legislation and a significant uplift in budget and capability. The Queensland SES consists of over 5000 volunteers and 200 paid staff in over 300 locations around Queensland.
Previously, as senior Australian Army Reserve officer he commanded the Queensland component of the ADF support to the 2022 South-East Queensland floods and Operation COVID-19 Assist. In his corporate career Dr Armstrong has worked in senior strategy, supply chain and HR roles in companies such as Coca-Cola Amatil and Symbion. He has recently completed a PhD examining the contribution and reform of a part-time workforce.
Volunteering Queensland would like to acknowledge and thank the following sponsors for their amazing support of our 2025 conference. Without this assistance we would not be able to deliver such an exceptional program.
Emails: events@volunteeringqld.org.au
Phone: (07) 3002 7600
- Admission both days
- All keynote and plenary sessions
- Conference reception
3rd March 2025
Conference Only $495 Member
- Admission both days
- All keynote and plenary sessions
- Conference reception
3rd March 2025
Conference Only $225 Member
- Admission both days
- All keynote and plenary sessions
- Conference reception
19th March 2025
Volunteering Queensland has for 41 years been the state’s peak body for advancing and promoting volunteering. It represents over 300 volunteer involving organisations comprising over 3 million volunteers and supports thousands more through a wider network.
Beyond the direct networks, Volunteering Queensland advocates for the value of volunteering and the rights and wellbeing of all volunteers in Queensland. Volunteering Queensland’s work spans training (including accredited courses), information sharing, advice, consultation, research, advocacy, disaster and other specialist volunteer engagement and management, resource development, communication and capacity building.
Volunteering Queensland values its partnership with Queensland Government which includes a range of programs and initiatives that supports best practice and the growth of the capacity of volunteering involving organisations. These include Care Army, The Neighbourhood and Care Army Connect Workers initiative, digital inclusion programs and EV CREW disaster volunteer management services. Volunteering Queensland believes firmly in the power of volunteering to strengthen and connect our Queensland community.
Join us in shaping the future of
volunteering in Queensland.
If you still need to become a member of Volunteering Queensland, consider joining to access exclusive discounts and resources.
Membership
Volunteering Queensland is the state peak body solely dedicated to advancing volunteering for the economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being of Queensland
Volunteering Queensland acknowledges and recognises the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which we live and work, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. We are committed to reconciliation with our First Nations People – Australia’s First Volunteers.
