It takes about 150 people working behind the scenes to make our Festival happen each year, and these are all are volunteers. As the Tablelands Folk Festival is an Incorporated Association we have an elected committee, as well as an organising group. All committee positions are open for nominations each year, as are the positions on the Organising Group.
Volunteers do everything that needs to be done to make the Festival happen. They check in performers, sell tickets and merchandise, check wristbands, answer phones, set up venues – you get the picture. The fun-loving, community-minded individuals who decide to get involved and become part of the Festival community give our event its heart and soul.
Why Volunteer?
Ask any of our return volunteers why and you’ll be amazed at the range of answers. Mostly it’s because you cross over from being an audience member to being part of the Festival. You are not just attending the Festival, you are part of the family making it happen. The friendships, the camaraderie, the sense of community and the shared laughter that come out of working at the Festival, more than compensate for giving up a few hours out of each day. There are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills or pass on knowledge.
Some reasons to volunteer during the festival:
- It’s fun!
- Try something new, different
- It’s a manageable commitment
- Enjoy the social event, meet new people, make new friends
- Personal and professional development and fulfilment
- Learn and develop new skills
- Use existing skills in new and exciting ways
- Have an active part in a wonderful event
- Earn a free ticket for (usually) 8 hours of volunteering
- Be recognised as a doer
- Become a part of the Folky family
The Commitment you are making
As a volunteer you are committing to a minimum of 8 hours work over the Festival period (Thursday to Monday). If you choose to work pre or post festival this time commitment may be more depending on the team.
Volunteer Benefits
Volunteers who complete 8 hours at the festival, 12 hours pre and post festival receive:
- A Season pass to the festival
- An invitation to the volunteer party on the final night at the Festival.
Who Can Volunteer
Volunteering is open to anyone over the age of 18.
Things to Consider before you volunteer
When you volunteer for the Festival you are agreeing to work a minimum of 8 hours over the Festival period. Please consider the following before you volunteer:
- Are you able to commit to a minimum 8 hours of volunteer work?
- Are you available for the entire Festival period?
- What type of volunteer work are you interested in?
- Do you have any specific skills that you can bring to the festival?
- Are you willing and able to work late nights?
- What do you want to gain from the experience?
- Do you have any physical limitations?
Consider all of the above and the team description when you are selecting your team preferences.
Volunteer Positions
The following positions are open to volunteers. The number of positions on each crew is finite, so once all positions on that crew are filled no new applications are taken.
Pre Festival:
Festival Setup Thursday – Assist with setup of marquees, stages and lighting etc. Work as part of a team under supervision.
Festival Setup Friday – Assist with setup of marquees, stages and lighting etc. Work as part of a team under supervision.
During;
Doors – Monitor access to ticketed venues for valid wristbands. Assist in tidying venue space between performances. Cheery disposition essential.
Festival Desk – Assist on the Festival Desk selling merchandise and tickets. Assist patrons with queries. Required to handle cash and EFT. Cheery disposition and ‘can-do’ attitude essential.
The Tidy Team – Maintain festival precincts in a clean and hygienic condition.
Children’s Festival – Assist core volunteers with the setting up and supervision of children’s activities. Blue card an advantage but not essential.
Concert MC’s – Introduce Performers at beginning of each concert. Make general announcements as directed by Festival Director or Stage Manager. Requires people with stage presence and microphone experience.
Will Do Anything – For generally handy folks who are willing to help out wherever needed.
Post
Pack Down Monday – Assist dismantling and packing away festival equipment.
Application Process
When Expressions of Interest open, view the info box on this website’s home page to apply.
Choose your preferred team and fill in the online application. You may number all the boxes in order of preference, number a couple of boxes or just place the number 1 in the “I’ll do Anything” box.
Some crews fill up fast, so please select a number of preferences in case your first choice is no longer available. Please add any relevant information ie licences, blue card, previous volunteer history or any relevant skill etc that you have that will be beneficial to the position(s) you are applying for.
We have a finite number of positions, and once these are filled we are unable to take any more volunteers.
What happens next:
Once you have submitted your application you will receive a confirmation email, and your application will be forwarded to the relevant area coordinator for consideration.
When the final selection of team members is made, you will receive an offer of position and roster times/dates from your team coordinator. If clarification of the information you provided in your application is required they will contact you prior to this process.
If you agree to the offer of position, confirm your acceptance via email. Once this is complete you will be rostered into that position.
CONTACT: For any general volunteer enquiries, or for clarification of the volunteer process please contact the volunteer coordinator at volunteers@tablelandsfolkfestival.org.au