ShelterBox calls for Gold Coast volunteers
ShelterBox will gather volunteers in Burleigh Heads this August and invite more Gold Coast locals to get involved.
What’s happening?
ShelterBox Australia is bringing its annual national volunteer conference to Burleigh Heads this August and inviting Gold Coast locals to take part.
The gathering will unite disaster relief volunteers, ShelterBox staff, Rotary and Rotaract partners, and community members from across Australia. It is also open to people who are new to the charity and want to learn how they can help.
The program will combine practical workshops, team activities and real-world disaster response scenarios. Attendees will learn how ShelterBox supports displaced families while building teamwork, leadership and humanitarian response skills.
Existing volunteers can reconnect and share their experiences, while newcomers can meet the people already supporting the charity’s work.
Why it matters?
ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and aid to families who have lost their homes through disaster or conflict.
Its support can give families a safer place to stay while they begin recovering from sudden displacement and loss.
ShelterBox is currently responding to earthquakes in the Philippines and Venezuela. It is also working amid crises in Sudan, Gaza, Lebanon and Somalia.
Volunteer Program Manager Kieryn Deutrom said the annual gathering was one of the most energising events on the charity’s calendar.
“Each year, we take over a campsite for a weekend that brings together ShelterBox staff, volunteers, and like-minded people who are passionate about making a difference,” Deutrom said. “It’s a great mix of hands-on learning, team activities, and plenty of time to connect and have fun.”
The conference gives volunteers a clearer understanding of that work while preparing them to support ShelterBox within their own communities.
Local Impact
Hosting the conference at Burleigh Heads gives Gold Coast residents a direct way to learn about international disaster relief.
Participants can hear from experienced volunteers, develop practical skills and explore ways to support the charity beyond the event.
Newcomers are welcome to attend, while existing volunteers are encouraged to reconnect and share what they have learned.
ShelterBox hopes attendees will carry that knowledge into local clubs, organisations and community groups across the Gold Coast.
“We’d love for this to be more than just a weekend away,” Deutrom said. “We’re looking for people who want to take what they learn back to their community groups or clubs, whether that’s raising awareness, organising a fundraiser, or getting involved with ShelterBox longer-term.”
That involvement could help strengthen fundraising, public awareness and volunteer participation across the region.
By the Numbers
ShelterBox has supported more than three million people affected by disasters and conflict around the world.
Its emergency shelter and aid work has reached families across around 100 countries.
The Burleigh Heads conference will run for three days, from 21 to 23 August.
Zoom In
The weekend will give attendees a practical look at how ShelterBox responds when families suddenly lose their homes.
Rather than focusing only on presentations, the program will include workshops and scenarios based on real humanitarian conditions.
These activities will show how teams make decisions, work together and respond to the needs of displaced families.
New volunteers will learn alongside experienced members, creating opportunities to ask questions and hear first-hand accounts.
The shared setting will also allow ShelterBox staff, volunteers and community partners to build stronger relationships.
Zoom Out
ShelterBox Australia forms part of the global ShelterBox network, which provides emergency shelter and aid during major crises.
The humanitarian organisation was founded in partnership with Rotary International and has since grown across the world.
Its work centres on quick responses, practical assistance and respect for the dignity of people facing displacement.
The Gold Coast gathering supports that wider mission by building an informed and active Australian volunteer network.
It also continues ShelterBox’s long connection with Rotary and Rotaract members who support humanitarian work through their communities.
What To Look For Next?
The conference will be held at Burleigh Heads from 21 to 23 August, with existing and prospective volunteers welcome.
ShelterBox hopes the gathering will encourage more Gold Coast residents to remain involved after the weekend.
Participants may return to their clubs and community groups with ideas for fundraising, public awareness or ongoing volunteer work.
More information is available HERE or by contacting Kieryn.Deutrom@shelterbox.org.au.