Allan Weeks said the festival was at risk due to an ageing volunteer population.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
In Volunteers Week, we recognise the hard work of the lesser-known and lesser-seen individuals giving up their time to serve the community.
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The importance of volunteers in regional communities, I’m sure, is not lost on anyone - however, the dire need for volunteers from organisations is slowly eating away at many groups.
This pressure cooker of constantly looking for volunteers has eaten away at one of Kyabram’s foremost and populous events in the town’s calendar.
The RV Country Music Festival brings tens of thousands of dollars into the town’s economy, with hundreds of tourists spending money at the Spring Market, which coincides with the festival, as well as staying in the town for three or more days.
Allan Weeks, a well-known champion for volunteering, is worried about the future of the festival and the state of their volunteer program, which mainly depends on a small group of ageing individuals and volunteers travelling from far and wide.
He emphasised that as technology advances, even long-standing traditional festivals must adapt, creating a pressing need for volunteers with digital skills to ensure their continued success.
“Most of our volunteers are getting older. I’m coming up 84, John Veenstra, who takes care of all the musicians, is coming up 88, and the guy that does our park is coming up to 81,” Mr Weeks said.
“There’s a lot of things that need to be done – marking to be done, rubbish that needs to go out, toilets – there’s a myriad of jobs, but we really haven’t got any young ones on a working committee, the majority of them are retired and come out of the industry.”
He said the festival was the most at risk of not running than any other year in its history due to a lack of young blood offering up their time.
And it’s not a singular occurrence.
Leader Thelma O’Keefe said not enough volunteers and interest had lead to the unit’s closing.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
In 2024, the Free Press reported that the Kyabram Girl Guides would be closing after 98 years of serving the community due to poor volunteer numbers.
Thelma O’Keefe, the last remaining volunteer of the Kyabram unit, made the heart-wrenching decision to close.
She pinpointed the core issue as a widespread hesitation within the community to step forward and volunteer.
However, there are many organisations like the Kyabram CFA, SES and 1st Scouts that are seeing recruitment numbers of young people grow.
Loddon and Kyabram SES members Rebecca McDonald, Layton Miller, Gail Octigan, Renee Webb, Paul Octigan and Bill Murray.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
The Kyabram SES unit ran a recruitment drive last year and saw 10 people jump on board and make a difference in their communities.
Deputy controller Gail Octigan said the insertion of six junior volunteers into the unit had created a different atmosphere.
“They’re a buzz and so enthusiastic ... but to bring them on board, means that we’re growing our unit for the future,” she said.
Controller Paul Octigan said putting young people in positions to learn to lead gives them an opportunity to add something extra to their resume while helping out their communities.
He stressed they don’t only seek volunteers to go out to incidents, but they appreciate getting help from those who want to do behind-the-scenes work such as admin, finance and events work which all make the unit tick.
The increase in young volunteers in some organisations could be a hopeful sign that not all is lost on groups who desperately need more volunteers.
“We’re always looking for volunteers to get the event up and running ... we need young volunteers more than ever,” Mr Weeks said.
To get involved with the RV Country Music Festival, contact Allan Weeks on 0427 812 600.
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