BY DAKOTA TAIT
The Hunter Volunteer Centre could soon close its doors, after failing to secure a lifeline in the latest Federal Budget.
More than half of the National Network of Volunteer Resource Centres are slated to shut or reduce services, because of a more than $3 million funding gap.
The network says 27 of its centres, which help to recruit and support volunteers in the community, are likely to cut their services or close entirely by the end of the financial year.
Local organisations and programs have already been struggling to find hands for a number of roles since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hunter Volunteer Centre CEO Tony Ross says the loss of the centre will only exacerbate the issue.
"If you remove Volunteer Resource Centres out of the community, where do people go?" he said.
"It's potentially fair to say, some people find their own way to a volunteering opportunity, but my concern is what happens if that's not a positive experience? Where do those people then turn to?"
"And for those that aren't aware of what volunteering opportunities do exist, where do they go?"
The funding arrangement was initially changed under the former Coalition Government, prioritising online recruitment resources rather than face-to-face services.
Mr Ross says the funding remains the same, but he's not convinced the move has been successful.
In the meantime, he's approached Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, in the hopes she'll take the issue to Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth.
"We're just hoping obviously Labor sees the light, or sees what I would argue is the stupidity of taking community-based funding away from community," Mr Ross said.
"With all the investment the current government is giving to volunteering, it just seems an unusual position to take."
