Australian Volunteers At Work

One in five Australians over 15 works not for pay, but for other rewards. Enthusiasm, passion and humour infuse these stories that reflect the interests and concerns of all Australians - our love of sport and the arts, interest in the environment, justice, health, education etc. 2001 will be the International Year of Volunteers.

Since 1951 thousands of volunteers from all over Australia have worked in developing countries across the world.This is the story of the organisation that made this possible, the Overseas Service Bureau later known as Australian Volunteers International. From its origins as a community-based association expressing solidarity with people in newly independent countries, it grew into a significant organisation managing a suite of international development programs.The organisation's activist impulses and principles were evident as it responded to the critical international issues of the times. It supported opponents of apartheid in Southern Africa, worked in Cambodia when Australia had no diplomatic representation there and in Vietnam when Australian aid had been suspended, nurtured relationships with Indonesian NGOs during Suharto's reign, supported civil society across the Pacific Islands, and provided significant and timely support for East Timor's self-determination.This book explores the organisation's growth with increased government funding and the accompanying challenge of maintaining its own values and identity in an era when decolonisation presented increasingly complex demands.

For Australians and New Zealanders wanting to explore the options of working overseas in a voluntary capacity, this book provides a comprehensive overview of what to expect. Both long-term placements and short-term experiences, such as workcamps, are covered. There are three main sections: development issues (including security), organisations in Australia and New Zealand offering opportunities and advice from those who have 'done it'. The author, Peter Hodge, taught in Zimbabwe for two years as an Australian Volunteers International volunteer.

Timely, lively and unflagging in its coverage of an extraordinary range of organisations and individuals, Volunteering takes the first comprehensive look at why Australians give so much of their time for free.

"Australian Volunteers International is an organisation helping to solve problems in countries experiencing difficulties.This interesting book explains how it helps those in need. If provides information on: its work and history its core values where it works around the world a timeline of its activities its main concerns, campaigns and classic actions the people who work for the organisation ideas for what you can do.Four profiles of individuals from around the world who work

Since the early 1950s Australian Volunteers International has been at the forefront of assisting people-centred development projects and programs around the world. Their work focuses on reducing poverty, providing health and education services, promoting human rights and gender equality, and protecting the environment. The beautifully produced new book 'A Place in the World: Stories from Australian Volunteers International' celebrates the achievements of AVI and honours the amazing work of over 7,000 volunteers who have given a significant part of their lives to assist in global development as well as acknowledging the countries and organizations that have hosted the volunteers.

This is the first academic text to examine the role of volunteers in sport, linking theory and research to provide clear guidelines for successful volunteer management. The authors are well known for their research in this subject and cover the key issues.

Australians have always volunteered to help in emergencies, especially when the nation has been at war. During the Boer War, World War I and World War II, volunteers from all walks of life raised money, assisted with nursing and rehabilitation, and provided food and clothing. Servicemen and women were helped both at home and in the field. The main wartime volunteer organisations were the Australian Red Cross, the Australian Comforts Funds, the Salvation Army, and the YMCA with the YWCA. Their story and the stories of countless wartime civilian volunteers is told for the first time, revealing important aspects of Australian social and political life. For example, it was the pressure of the volunteers that forced governments to act on essential matters like repatriation benefits for returning soldiers and for the welfare of their dependents.

Volunteers through history - International Year in Australia - Australian volunteers overseas - Working in Australia - Volunteers in emergency services - Volunteers for the environment - Becoming a volunteer.