If you love something about this town, whether it is the surf clubs, the op shops, the community events or the local Lions Club, chances are a volunteer is behind it.

But as numbers dwindle, the pressure on those who remain is growing.

Across Kiama, long standing organisations are struggling to find fresh faces willing to lend a hand.

Some groups have adapted by becoming more flexible, while others are looking for ways to revitalise engagement.

Without more volunteers, some of Kiama’s most treasured community services could face an uncertain future.

For Boni Maywald, who coordinates the Wrap with Love knitting groups at local libraries, success lies in a flexible, inclusive approach.

“We do not have a hierarchy. No president, no treasurer, no meetings. Just people coming together to make blankets for those in need,” she says.

“It is not rigid, it is not onerous, and it is completely inclusive. People can move in and out as they want to.”

The structure allows each person to contribute in their own way, without the burden of formal roles or obligations.

“We go around the table, share ideas, and help each other. People who normally would not put themselves forward end up leading small groups, passing on skills.

Knowledge is not held for power, it is shared.”

This kind of fluid volunteering model works well for creative, skills-based groups. But for organisations like Kiama Lions Club, Rotary and Zonta who raise funds and run large-scale community projects, more structure is needed.

Jim Webb, a long-time member of Kiama Lions, acknowledges that finding people to take on leadership roles is becoming harder.

While the club has committed volunteers, securing members willing to step into key organising positions such as president, secretary or treasurer remains a challenge.

Despite the challenges, Lions Club members remain deeply committed to their community.

Many, including Jim’s own family, are heavily involved in volunteering, particularly through sport.

His daughter Emma, for example, has served as treasurer of the Warilla Rugby League Club for several years and has been a top fundraiser for Dementia Australia’s Memory Walk, an event Jim, his grandchildren and Emma have participated in for years in memory of his late wife Helen.

Jim remains optimistic.

“We have just welcomed two new members and have another one joining soon,” he says. 

“And in the past fifteen years, women have become an essential part of our club. Now, about 20% of our members are women, and we have strong leadership coming through.”

The club is also exploring new ways to connect with younger volunteers, including building relationships with local sporting groups like the Surf Club and Netball Club.

“It is about making those links and keeping the club relevant,” Webb says.

While the impact of COVID 19 made things difficult, Jim believes Lions is coming through the other side.

“Some people want a different type of club, something more flexible. We have to adapt, but at the end of the day, we need committed people to keep things running.”

Jim has sometimes wondered whether his grandchildren have been put off volunteering after seeing how much their family has dedicated to it over the years.

But his grandson Lleyton offers a different perspective.

“The economy is tough, especially for younger people,” he says. “Take me, for example.

I work two jobs and barely have time for anything else. If volunteering does not pay the bills, it is hard to prioritise over paid work.

Living costs are high, and for those who have moved out of home, every dollar counts.”

His comments reflect a broader reality. Many younger people are juggling work and study while dealing with the rising cost of living. 

Lleyton and his grandfather Jim Webb

They are not opposed to volunteering, but they need opportunities that are flexible and manageable alongside their work and financial commitments.

How Can Kiama Reverse the Volunteer Decline

The solution is not simple, but there are strategies that could help.

1.More flexible roles. Many people want to help but cannot commit to regular, long term positions. Short term or casual volunteering could be a way forward.

2.Direct invitations. People are more likely to volunteer if they are personally asked, rather than just seeing a general call out.

3.Highlighting the benefits. Volunteering is not just about giving back. It is about community, connection and purpose, something we all need.

4.Leverage the media. Through the media volunteer opportunities reach a wider audience, showcase real-life impact, and inspire action by telling compelling stories that connect with the community.

Despite the challenges, Kiama’s volunteers are not giving up.

Whether it is a knitting group quietly making blankets for those in need or Lions Club members putting in the hard yards to raise funds, and those in the heart of the community is still beating strong.

The question is, who will step up next.

Find out more about Wrap with Love here

Find out how to join the Kiama Lions Club here