The tourist season has kicked off well for the Grey Nomad Project, with a number of volunteers contacting the coordinator about opportunities available in Barcaldine.
Grey nomads are people aged over
50 years who travel around Australia.
Many grey nomads spend considerable time exploring inland Australia and outback towns, making a substantial economic contribution to rural communities.
They have a wide range of skills that could be of use to people in isolated rural communities on a volunteer basis.
Located in central west Queensland, Barcaldine township, with a population of 1,500 people, lies at the junction of the Matilda and Capricorn Highways.
It is estimated that as many as 15,000 visitors travel through the town each year, 70 per cent of which are grey nomads, with a number of regulars who stay for two or three months.
Established in 2007, the Barcaldine Grey Nomad Volunteer Program is a pilot project that aims to tap into this pool of largely retirees who visit Barcaldine each year.
Funded through the Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush initiative, the project benefits the community by encouraging the grey nomads to stay longer, meet local people and become part of the community.
Barcaldine Regional Council communities have shown full support for the project by forming a Grey Nomad Action Group to coordinate the projects activities.
The group sources projects from local not for profit community groups and organisations and matches their needs with the skills and experience offered by the travelling volunteers.
Volunteers are encouraged to get involved in the local community and are welcomed to community activities to show the region’s appreciation of their efforts.
A number of the volunteers currently making contact are still in the planning stage of their visit to western Queensland, with the volunteer options in Barcaldine high on their must do list.
The Barcaldine Grey Nomad Action Group recently registered all current community volunteer opportunities in Barcaldine on the Go Volunteer website at www.govolunteer.com.au
A list of all the currently listed volunteer opportunities in Barcaldine are listed there.
For further information contact Douglas Stewart, Project Coordinator, on (07) 4651 5600.
