National Volunteer Week has brought fresh attention to the quiet network of people who keep communities running behind the scenes, from emergency responders and charity workers to sporting clubs and migrant support groups.
Among them is Karthick, a volunteer firefighter with the Country Fire Authority and supporter of the Victoria State Emergency Service, who says the week has been less about celebration and more about recognising the everyday commitment volunteers continue to make across Victoria.
“National Volunteer Week has been a meaningful opportunity to recognise and appreciate the incredible work volunteers do every day in supporting the community,” he said.
For Karthick and many others in emergency services, Volunteer Week still looked much like any normal week. Training continued. Emergency call-outs remained part of the routine. Teams gathered for recognition events and morning teas, while volunteers moved between operational work and community engagement.
Australia’s volunteer workforce remains one of the country’s largest civic networks. According to government and sector estimates, millions of Australians contribute unpaid hours every year across emergency response, healthcare, sports, welfare and local community programs.
Emergency services in Victoria continue to rely heavily on volunteers, particularly in outer suburban and regional areas where rapid population growth has increased pressure on frontline services.
Karthick said many people underestimate the level of commitment required from volunteer firefighters.
“One of the biggest misunderstandings is that volunteers are ‘part-time’ in terms of commitment or responsibility,” he said.
“While we volunteer our time, the level of training, dedication, and responsibility involved is very good and it is pretty much like a career member.”
“Volunteers spend countless hours training, maintaining equipment, attending fundraising events, supporting education programs and preparing for emergencies long before major incidents occur”
He said volunteers spend countless hours training, maintaining equipment, attending fundraising events, supporting education programs and preparing for emergencies long before major incidents occur.
That commitment has become increasingly visible in Melbourne’s west, where migrant communities are taking a larger role in volunteering and emergency response.
Karthick said multicultural participation had strengthened local organisations by bringing language skills, broader community connections and greater trust during emergencies.
“We are seeing more volunteers from migrant and multicultural backgrounds stepping forward, getting trained, and actively participating in emergency response and community support,” he said.
“We are seeing more volunteers from migrant and multicultural backgrounds stepping forward, getting trained, and actively participating in emergency response and community support”
He said the shift was particularly important in rapidly growing suburbs such as Point Cook and Werribee, where culturally diverse communities often benefit from clearer communication and familiar faces during emergencies.
Volunteer organisations across Australia have also faced recruitment pressures in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic, although Karthick said participation remained steady overall in many areas.
Beyond statistics and unpaid labour estimates, he believes volunteering creates something harder to measure.
“Volunteering has given me a strong sense of purpose, responsibility, and connection to the community,” he said.
“What keeps me attached to volunteering is the people. The bonds formed with fellow volunteers, the trust built within the community, and the shared commitment to helping others create a strong sense of belonging.”
As Volunteer Week events continue across the country, Karthick said younger Australians should not underestimate the value of giving even a small amount of time to community service.
“If you are willing to get involved, you will always find supportive teams, involvement, and opportunities to grow in ways you may not expect,” he said.
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