Community clubs and associations are all experiencing the same difficulty in finding volunteers to fulfill critical roles and their answers are all the same; if no one steps up, their group will cease to exist.

“It’s an ongoing challenge to maintain the appropriate numbers to keep the Gerroa Community Association effectively running,” says President Roy Schmidt, who isn’t alone with three other associations all on the hunt for more members.

The GCA, Gerringong Music Club and Illawarra Folk Club have critical roles that aren’t being filled, even the Gerringong Christmas Parade is in jeopardy of not going ahead this year with no new organisers.

While semi-retired locals are more prone to joining community groups, young people with full-time jobs are also encouraged to put their hand up as the work only involves a couple of hours a week.

“You as an individual will feel positive and good because you’re helping other members of the community,” says Roy. “Then as a result, you become a part of the community.

“You get to know other people on the committee and outside at social events, which is a huge benefit. Most of my best friends are people I have met through the committee.”

The GCA has been searching for a new hall manager, after they moved to fill the position of secretary, and a general committee member. 

“You can’t run the Association efficiently with four to six active committee members. You need at least seven or eight to spread the work around and help carry the load,” Roy says, who will be down to six members shortly.  

For Gerringong Music Club, they are referring to themselves as ‘lucky’ for finding a new, young musical director after months of searching, however, they still need a publicity officer and, in the near future, a new treasurer.

She hopes the new musical director will pull in more younger people, as the majority of their members are over 80 years old.

“The Club can’t function without people,” says former musical director Bobbie Miller, noting it isn’t uncommon for lots of organisations to have trouble finding people.

“We would have had to close if we hadn’t managed to fill positions on the committee.”

Bobbie believes COVID has made people reluctant to get out and be involved in the community, especially the older age group.

On social media, the Illawarra Folk Club admitted it has been harder to find willing people to fill their office bearing jobs over the past few years.

“Sadly, we are now at a time where we will not have an honorary treasurer,” the post read.

The long held tradition of the Gerringong Christmas Parade is, at this stage, not going ahead due to no one stepping up and taking the reins [Gerringong Christmas Parade needs new blood].

The Parade has been organised by a group of four local women for the past four years, after the baton was passed on by Gerringong Rotary who ran the event for many years.

Organiser Julia O’Keefe says they are still on the hunt and hope someone comes forward soon as the Parade involves preparation in the upcoming months.

Roles on offer:

Gerroa Community Association – contact President Roy Schmidt for more information on 0418 449 678

General committee member and Hall Manager: Caring people who enjoy being involved in community matters.

Gerringong Music Club – contact former Musical Director Bobbie Miller for more information on 0413 967 385

Publicity Officer: Someone who can design posters, write press releases, and is familiar with social media.

Treasurer: Someone who is good with numbers and bookkeeping.

Illawarra Folk Club – contact Secretary of The Illawarra Folk Club Graeme Morrison for more information on 0412 358 333

Treasurer: A certificate of accountancy from TAFE or a University degree would be ideal, as would a student learning book keeping. A knowledge of accounting standards as well as tax and companies act would be preferable. The position would require about 20 hours a month with more input around Festival time.

Gerringong Christmas Parade – email [email protected] for more information

Organisers: Any local or community group who love Christmas and want to continue the tradition.