Major events across the region are under threat of cancellation due to dwindling volunteer numbers.
Tongala’s two most popular community events have been axed, sparking fears that volunteer shortages are threatening the survival of local festivals across the region.
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Tongala Development Committee president Jason Kelley confirmed the Christmas Hay Bale Trail and the town-wide garage sale would not be held in 2025.
The five-member committee has been shouldering the responsibility for organising four major events each year, a responsibility that used to be shared with a larger group of volunteers.
Mr Kelley said that with no-one coming forward to help, they had to reduce the stress.
“We’ve asked for volunteers so many times, but not one person put their hand up,” Mr Kelley said.
“So, we’re just at the point where we are thinking, why are we doing this anyway?”
The loss of these events, Mr Kelley fears, risks the town’s identity.
“We’re a drive-past town ... Without these events, you lose the chance to have an impact on people where they get to see how great a place Tongala is,” he said.
The issue extends far beyond one small town.
The State of Volunteering Report revealed regional volunteers dedicated an average of 332 hours annually — that's more than eight full working weeks — compared to just 208 hours for their city counterparts.
Formal volunteer numbers, including official event committees, have also dropped since COVID-19 and have not recovered.
It’s not just small towns like Tongala feeling the burnout.
Kyabram’s Tastes and Tunes has already faced the reality of cancellation.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
Kyabram’s Tastes and Tunes and RV Country Music Festival, both bringing thousands of people and dollars into town, are also facing an uncertain future.
Despite this year’s festival being a resounding success, the Tastes and Tunes committee has announced it won’t be running the event in 2026, overwhelmed by licensing requirements, grant applications and chronic volunteer shortages.
Committee member Tania Chiswell noted a steady decline in members.
“We had 12 on our original committee … and then nine this year,” Ms Chiswell said.
“Everyone loves a night out, but no one wants to do the work … we’re busy the whole time.”
Allan Weeks leads the team at the Kyabram RV Country Music Festival.
RV Country Music Festival president Allan Weeks said there was a real fear that this year could be the last time Kyabram saw the RVs roll into town.
He highlighted how digital grant applications, online ticketing systems and social media promotion had created new hurdles for older volunteers, while bureaucratic requirements continued to multiply.
The problem is exacerbated by an ageing volunteer base taking on complex modern roles.
“Most of our volunteers are getting older. I’m coming up 84, John Veenstra ... is coming up 88, and the guy that does our park is coming up to 81,” Mr Weeks said.
“We really haven’t got any young ones on a working committee, the majority of them are retired and come out of the industry.”
Avoiding becoming a ‘drive-past town’
Campaspe Shire Council director of communities Jo Bradshaw said council acknowledged that event sustainability was “threatened” by declining volunteer numbers.
Council offers hands-on support with event applications and general assistance.
Where volunteer capacity is limited, grant funding may be used to engage staff or contractors to support key aspects of the event.
But aside from local government support, the issue whittles down to not enough raised hands.
Mr Kelley confirmed they did not want to cancel events, but it was impossible with the small committee they had.
“If you can give five hours, or even just one hour a week, to helping organise these events, every hand helps,” he said.
Ms Bradshaw echoed this plea.
“Volunteer burnout is a whole-of-community issue, not just an events issue,” she said.
“Events build social connection, civic pride and economic resilience. Without new volunteers, we risk losing not just events, but the shared experiences that define our towns.”
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