Volunteer Information

Over the years, tens of thousands of athletes, spectators and officials have been involved in the Arafura Games, alongside thousands of hardworking volunteers, without whom the Games wouldn’t be possible.

10 reasons to volunteer

1. Experience working at an international multi-sport event
2. Gain new skills and experience in your area of volunteer work
3. Free entry into all venues so you can see the sports action when you’re not rostered on
4. Free transport on Games buses to and from the venues
5. As part of the team, you receive an Arafura Games shirt and hat for your role during the event
6. Receive a certificate of appreciation – a record of your achievement to place on your resume
7. Become an ambassador, not only for the Arafura Games but for Darwin and the Northern Territory
8. Meet inspirational people – athletes, coaches, officials and other volunteers
9. Gain personal satisfaction and a sense of pride in contributing to an event that benefits our community in so many ways
10. Meet new people from different backgrounds and make life long friendships with people from all over the world

Volunteers making their mark
Wednesday 4 May

National Volunteers Week is set to be celebrated duly in the Northern Territory this year, when more than 1200 volunteers will gather to offer their help at the 2011 Arafura Games.

Volunteering SA & NT Chief Executive Officer Evelyn O’Loughlin said having the biennial sporting event and National Volunteers Week in the same week was a “great way to celebrate the contribution volunteers make to our community”.

“They (the volunteers) might think it’s a small thing, but their help and effort builds up to a big movement – their gift of time and talent is incredibly valuable for the Games and is important to recognize their work,” she said.

Mrs O’Loughlin said she was “excited to see more than 1200 people come together for the Arafura Games to give something back to their community”.

“I guess they wouldn’t do it if they couldn’t see the value of supporting such a great event which brings 

Nik Quatermass, 13, said he was excited to be volunteering as a ticket runner in his first Arafura Games.

“My friends were talking about getting involved and I thought it was a great thing to do – something I haven’t done before,” the Year-8 student said.

“Volunteers are important; they help by being part of the team that makes everything come together.”

Since the inception of the Arafura Games in 1991 thousands of volunteers have helped behind the scenes, at food stalls and information booths, sports venues and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
 

Volunteer Profiles

Who: Doreen & Ivan Walsh
Position: Organisation Opening Ceremony & Sepak Takraw, VIP transport

Having been retired for almost twenty years, Doreen and Ivan Walsh are far from being tired of work.
Going into their third year as volunteers for the Arafura Games, the couple, who has been married for 53 years, is excited about helping their community.

“We’ve always enjoyed life and enjoyed what we’re doing and where we’re doing it – and the Arafura Games are a special part our life in Darwin,” Mr Walsh, 75, said. “We’ve been coming to Darwin for holidays for years and we always thought working for the Arafura Games would be a nice thing to do. When we came here to live in 2006 we knew here was our chance.

“We just like to be around people. And probably it’s a Darwin thing as well – we like to do our bit for the community we live in.”
The couple, who have been doing volunteer work “of some sort or the other” for all their lives, said being volunteers in the 2011 Arafura Games workforce was a “good way to be out and about, to be well and happy”.

“And it breaks the monotony of the all year-long routine,” Mrs Walsh, 74, said. “When the Arafura Games come along, you’ve got something different to do and something new to talk about,” she said.

Mr Walsh, who organised the dance groups of the 2009 Arafura Games Opening Ceremony and helped during the Sepak Takraw competitions, said the event was an “opportunity for the Northern Territory and its people”. “The amount of good will the Northern Territory gains through the Games can’t be counted in dollars,” he said. “Local athletes get the chance to compete on a high international level, and Territory kids get involved through their schools programs – it’s a great way to get people interested in community work and volunteering.”

Who: Venaska Chelliah
Position: Dancer in the 2011 Opening Ceremony

Going into her second Arafura Games, 17-year-old Darwin dancer Venaska Chelliah can’t wait to perform in the 2011 Opening Ceremony – although it will be “a bit scary”.

“There will be a lot of people, it will be very exciting, but nerve wrecking,” she said.
The young dancer said she had been “very nervous” to dance in front of a crowd of thousands of people during the 2009 Opening Ceremony, but she was looking forward to the thrill when performing in this year’s Games.

“I keep asking myself ‘How can it be better this year’ – the ceremony two years ago was absolutely fantastic.”

Venaska said participating in the Opening Ceremony was a “great way to support Darwin and show off the community spirit” – and a chance for “young talents”.

“It’s a good opportunity for young people in Darwin and the Northern Territory, who want to perform on a big stage in front of a lot of people. You get to learn a lot when you’re part of such a big show.
“There are not many opportunities in Darwin to be part of something as spectacular as this.”

Who: Justine Cowling
Position: Communications volunteer

For Justine Cowling the Arafura Games are all about “adrenaline and excitement”.

The communications volunteer, who has been involved in the 2001, 2003 and 2005 Games, said it was the variety of adrenaline-rich sports and exciting people that made her engagement with the sporting event worthwhile.

“During the Games it is like Christmas time – people are open and friendly and excited and there’s a wonderful atmosphere,” she said. “The best ting is that I get to go to different sports that I normally wouldn’t watch – I get to see so many new things. When I first went to the table tennis I couldn’t believe the speed at which the ball goes across the table. And in the water polo competitions I saw how the players tackle each other under water – something I’d never been aware of before.”

The self-employed bookkeeper said she was looking forward to meeting new people in the 2011 Arafura Games.

“The Games have really grown from a small event to something huge – with top-of-the-range entertainment like Jess Mauboy and Icehouse, athletes from all over the world and the Paralympic Championships," she said.

“It’s nice to see that our city can do this – not the big Sydney or the big Melbourne, no, Darwin brings this great event to the people every two years.”

Who: Boyd Scully
Position: Boxing coordinator

Former professional boxer Boyd Scully knows his sport – and can’t wait to share his love for boxing with athletes and spectators at the 2011 Arafura Games.

“The Arafura Games are important for our athletes to get to meet boxers and coaches from other countries. It’s an opportunity for athletes to compete on a high level to check out their ability, strength and weaknesses – and to learn from that.”

The Darwin-born boxer, who represented Queensland in the Australian titles in 1956, can look back on an impressive boxing career which dates back to the 1950s.

“I started as an amateur boxer in the 50s and back then I worked my way up to become #8 in the lightweight division in Australia – not too bad for a bloke from Darwin, I’d say.”

Having volunteered for the Arafura Games since 1993, Boyd is proud of being an essential part of the Games.

“I’ve been volunteering for the Games for 18 years now – it is such a good thing for young sportspeople to learn and to get experience from a high quality event,” he said.

“And on a personal level, I enjoy meeting all the good people who are involved in putting the Games together every two years. I am looking forward to this year’s Games and the boxing, and I’ll be doing my best to help make it a great event – just for the love of it.”

Who: Pam Smith
Position: Accreditation / VIP Driving / Medal Presentation

When Pam Smith first signed up as a volunteer for the Arafura Games in 1999 it was nothing more than a time filler for her.

12 years on Pam hasn’t missed any of the Games, having done “almost anything” from medal presentation to accreditation and VIP driving.

“It’s so much fun,” the 65-year-old said.

“The people you meet are almost like a second family, and you get to make so many new friends from all over the world – and many of them are people you stay in contact with over the years.”

Spending three days a week in the two months lead-up to the Games as a volunteer, Pam is passionate about the biennial event.

“People seem to think I’m a bit of a special volunteer, because I’ve been doing it for so long now – but I really enjoy it,” she said. “I think it’s the combination of meeting new people and making new friends in a very friendly and family orientated atmosphere that I like most about the Games.

“And then there’s the Sepak Takraw – it’s gotta be one of the best visual sports.”

Who: Faridah Antwertinger
Position: International Liaison Officer and Treasurer for the Northern Territory Sepak Takraw Association

Ensuring the exciting and unique sport of Sepak Takraw receives the recognition it deserves is one of the driving forces behind Faridah Antwertinger’s involvement as a volunteers for the 2011 Arafura Games.

 Volunteering for her second Games, in 2009 Faridah was also the International Liaison Officer and worked as a Media Officer.

 “It gives me the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and from different countries and make friends,” Faridah said.

 Helping to lift the profile of the Northern Territory and supporting “great community events” are also benefits of the Games according to Faridah.

 For Faridah, an Information Resource Officer at Charles Darwin University, volunteering at the Games also gives her a strong sense of achievement.

 “It means that I am contributing as a Territorian as well as supporting the unique Sepak Takraw.”

 Faridah said that anyone considering volunteering for the Games should do so.

 “It is a lot of fun … you get to meet people and make lots of friends, learn new skills and may be even travel. It is very rewarding in many ways.”