Volunteer Conference

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Volunteer Conference

The Volunteer Conference is an opportunity to thank District Managers and Region Teams, provide important organisational updates, supply training, and network across Districts, Regions & State. The theme of this conference is Guiding Light: Illuminating leadership.

District Managers and Region Teams will come together at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley with the State Team, Board Members and staff for an exciting program including sessions outlined below.

EV26020

Program:

Saturday 8.30am - 5.30pm
- WAGGGS Leadership Mindsets
- Membership
- Presence in the Community
- Compliance
- A selection of afternoon Breakout sessions including District Finances, Community Lens, Optimise Impact, First Aid and Skills Presenter.

Saturday Dinner 6pm
- Guest speaker

Sunday 8.30am - 2.30pm
- Early morning breakout sessions including State Lead focus areas (Youth/Olave, AGP, Outdoor & Leadership).
- Late morning breakout sessions including Her Money, Her Future, Dressing for Success, Mind, Body & Soul, District Harmony and Serving our Community.
- Afternoon plenary session and wrap up.

When:

Friday 31 July - Sunday 2 August

Where:

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley
430 Wine Country Drive
Lovedale NSW 2325

Who:

District Managers
Assistant District Managers
District Administrators
District Managers in Training
Region Team Members
State Team
Board

Cost:

$100
This includes 2 nights accommodation at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley in either a twin room or triple villa, all conference sessions, all meals on Saturday and Sunday for the duration of the conference.

Friday Dinner:

Friday dinner is available at your own expense in the Lovedale Brewbar or Gather Restaurant. We have booked tables in both areas between 6pm and 9pm. Please indicate your preferred area during the registration process to assist the venue in managing our large group. More information on dining options can be found here.

RSVP:

Registration closes Tuesday 30 June unless filled prior.

Getting There:

Driving is the easiest way to get to the resort and this is supported by the large parking lot. If driving or car pooling is not an option, please let us know in the registration process if you require assistance with transport from a local airport or train station and we will do our best to accommodate this.

Additional Information:

- Consider discussing rooming and sleeping arrangements with other attendees so this information can be included correctly in your registration. You will be able to indicate your preferences of who to share a room &/or king bed with.
- Please see session descriptions below. You will need to select session preferences during registration. We will do our best to accommodate your preferred sessions however none are guaranteed.
- You can select 'Register' and save your responses to the registration questions. Return later if you need to make changes or complete additional questions. You will only be registered when you 'check out' and pay your registration fee.

Session Descriptions:

Selection 1 - Saturday Afternoon: Choose one or two options. First Aid and Skills Presenter options will each take the full Saturday afternoon to complete. If you select these options and are allocated to them, you will not be able to attend other sessions in this timeslot. District Finances, Community Lens, and Optimise Impact sessions are all shorter sessions and you will be able to attend 2 of these 3 sessions.

District Finances: Strong districts are built on sound financial foundations. This practical session explores how to confidently manage and prepare your District finances, ensuring sustainability for the future of Guiding. We’ll cover key areas including budgeting, funding property maintenance, accessing grants and funding sources, fundraising, and managing day-to-day finances like invoicing and bill payments. You’ll leave with simple, practical tools and greater confidence to support your District’s financial health—so you can focus on delivering quality Guiding experiences for girls, now and into the future.

Community Lens: Seeing your community through a new lens can unlock new pathways for growth. This session explores how to use local knowledge, demographics, and connections with community groups and resources to better understand who you serve—and who you could reach. You’ll gain simple, practical strategies to grow youth membership and adult volunteers, strengthening Guiding’s presence and relevance in your area. Leave inspired to build stronger local connections and open the door for more girls to experience the magic of Guiding.

Optimise Impact: AI & Social Media: Explore how AI can streamline planning, spark new ideas, and reduce admin load—freeing up more time for meaningful Guiding. You’ll learn how to use AI to draft program outlines and create visual resources. The workshop unpacks how social media works now: what captures attention, what builds trust, and how to share Guiding stories in ways that reflect our values and strengthen community connection. Through hands-on activities, Leaders will practice turning real Guiding moments into simple, high-impact content while considering safety, privacy, and digital wellbeing. Participants leave with practical tools, ready-to-use templates, and renewed confidence to use digital platforms.

First Aid: This HLTAID011 Provide First Aid course is for anyone whose first aid is expiring within the next three months or has recently lapsed. Delivered in our supportive Guiding environment, this session will refresh your essential skills and ensure you meet current requirements. Best of all, there’s no upfront cost—this course is fully covered by Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT.

Skills Presenter: Guiding is full of capable, passionate leaders—this session is the first step in the GGA trainer pathway, helping you step confidently into the Skills Presenter role. Designed for adult volunteers, it supports you to turn your existing expertise into engaging, well-structured workshops for others. You’ll explore practical frameworks for designing two-hour sessions, build confidence in your delivery, and strengthen your communication and facilitation skills in a supportive, inclusive environment. You’ll leave ready to design purposeful workshops, lead with confidence, and reflect on your impact—creating richer, more consistent Guiding experiences where every girl can thrive.

Selection 2 - Sunday Early Morning: Choose one option. Sessions will be held by State Leads for Youth/Olave, AGP, Outdoor or Leadership.

Selection 3 - Sunday Late Morning: Choose two options.

Her Money, Her Future: Building Financial Confidence: Financial security is a cornerstone of confidence. This supportive session is designed to help women build strong financial foundations, no matter where you are starting from. We will discuss simple, practical ways to look ahead, grow your financial knowledge, and recognise where to turn for trusted, professional guidance. Leave feeling more informed, capable, and in control—ready to make decisions that create greater security for yourself and those you care about.

Dressing for Success: Confidence starts from within—and how you present yourself can help that confidence shine. This session explores what it means to dress for success: feeling comfortable, capable, and proud of who you are. Together, we’ll also look at how our presentation supports us as role models for Leaders as well as young people, reflects our values, and represents our organisation with pride. You’ll leave with simple, practical tips to build personal confidence, align with the Guiding brand, and show up as your best self—ready to lead with authenticity and impact.

Mind, Body & Soul: In the midst of busy lives, it’s easy to put yourself last. Mind, Body and Soul is a gentle and uplifting session designed for women balancing work, family, and Guiding commitments. Together, we’ll explore simple, realistic ways to care for your wellbeing, build resilience, and reconnect with what energises you. Through reflection and shared experience, you’ll be encouraged to prioritise yourself—not as a luxury, but as a necessity. Leave feeling refreshed, supported, and inspired, with practical tools to nurture your wellbeing so you can continue to give your best—to Guiding, and to yourself.

District Harmony: Strong Districts are built on strong relationships. This session explores how to foster harmony within District teams by building trust, communication, and a shared sense of purpose the Guiding way. Through practical strategies and shared experiences, you’ll discover how to navigate challenges, celebrate differences, and create a culture of respect, collaboration, and support. You’ll leave with simple, actionable tools to strengthen connections, manage conflict positively, and uplift those around you. Together, we’ll create Districts where Leaders feel valued, teamwork thrives, and every Member is empowered to support girls on their Guiding journey.

Serving our Community: Serving our community is at the heart of Guiding. This session explores how building meaningful connections with local youth and service organisations can strengthen your impact and enrich opportunities for girls. Together, we’ll look at practical ways to create partnerships, share resources, and work collaboratively to build stronger, more connected communities. Grounded in the Girl Guide Promise to serve, this session will inspire you to extend Guiding beyond your District and into the wider community. Leave with ideas and confidence to build lasting relationships that make a real difference.

Questions:

Please contact the Events Team on [email protected] or 1300 447 548, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm AEST.
Registrations close 30 June 2026 unless filled prior.

When

31/07/2026 - 2/08/2026

Where

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley 430 Wine Country Drive LOVEDALE NSW 2325

REGISTRATION & REFUND POLICY EVENTS:
Unless specified otherwise, you must be a current and active Member of Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT to attend. Membership must be current before registering. Adult Members, Ongoing Volunteers, and event participants over the age of 18 (or 16 if local jurisdiction requires) must be CSCF compliant to attend or their ticket to attend will be cancelled and a refund will be issued.
For large in-person events, registrations close 3 weeks prior to event date, unless sold out prior (or unless specified in event information).
There are no name changes or refunds after registration close date.

REFUNDS
All refunds must be requested via email. Refunds are not offered after the registration close date.

CANCELLATIONS
If an event is cancelled, registrants will be refunded. However, in the event of the cancellation of a fundraising event, ticket price will be refunded minus the amount of the donation included. If a course is cancelled attendees will be offered a transfer to another instance of the same course.