Ever wondered who keeps Adelaide’s festivals running smoothly? These young volunteers share why getting involved offers the ultimate festival experience – and invaluable behind-the-scenes skills.
From the global beats of WOMADelaide to the vibrant buzz of Adelaide Fringe, South Australia’s festivals aren’t just built on bright lights and headliner acts – they run on the goodwill, dedication, and enthusiasm of volunteers.
As National Volunteer Week unfolds from 19-25 May, we meet three young South Australians who’ve swapped tickets for high-vis vests, discovering community, friendships, and personal growth along the way.
Finding a home away from home: Janya’s story
When Janya arrived in Adelaide from India as an international student, volunteering at festivals helped her find her place in a new city.
“I started volunteering just to find new ways to explore events, meet new people, and find a sense of community,” she says.
Janya began at WOMADelaide feeling “slightly nervous,” unsure of what to expect, but was quickly embraced by the friendly festival atmosphere.
“Everyone was so nice, it was easier than I expected. I met great people there – it was very fun.”
Over three years, she moved from crowd-ushering to helping manage Volunteer HQ, and recently stepped into a last-minute production support role.
While she humbly insists, “I’m not playing a big role,” she acknowledges volunteers often make a real difference in small, meaningful ways.
“There would still be festivals without volunteers, they just wouldn’t be as good!”
Volunteering not only taught Janya practical event management skills – like how rosters and check-ins work – but also boosted her confidence in connecting with people.
“I used to hate small talk, but now I can do it well,” she says.
More importantly, volunteering gave her a genuine connection to South Australian culture and community.
“This state has a lot of festivals and contributing to them makes me feel more at home,” she says. “My sense of belonging is stronger now.”
New experiences around every corner: Benny’s story
Benny, a software engineering student, started volunteering at WOMADelaide four years ago after finishing school. Encouraged by family to “try it out,” Benny quickly discovered joy in the unpredictable nature of volunteering.
“Spending time as a volunteer forces me to interact in ways I otherwise wouldn’t,” he says. “You discover something excellent you never expected.”
Whether guiding festival-goers, managing crowds, or keeping walkways clear, Benny thrives on the variety volunteering brings. Each year offers something different, reinforcing Benny’s belief in embracing new experiences.
“If you’ve been given the opportunity and you can take it, you should. It’s a worthy experience for anyone to have,” he says.
Benny’s enthusiasm even convinced his brother to volunteer this year, showing how the volunteering bug can easily spread.
Lifelong volunteer, global adventurer: Anna’s story
Anna, 24, started volunteering at just 14 as a Junior Leader with the Girl Guides, and she’s been hooked ever since.
Aside from “Guiding,” she’s volunteered for netball, the Scouts, gymnastics – as well as the Adelaide Fringe and Adelaide Festival.
What keeps Anna coming back to volunteer at festivals year after year is the excitement and unpredictability.
“I think Fringe is such a quintessential part of SA culture and I’m a big arts fiend in all its forms,” she says. “It’s a great way to meet like-minded people and it’s really fun.”
“You never quite know what you’ll end up doing – I have traffic marshalled, supervised bins, cut out hundreds of stickers to name a few roles. There’s lots of variety and you can pick what interests you.”
She’s passionate about encouraging hesitant newcomers to take the plunge. “Just do it!” she urges.
“There are so many opportunities out there and definitely something to suit everyone.”
Why SA’s festivals need you
The Festival Volunteer Network (FVN), an independent non-profit facilitated by Festival City Adelaide, connects volunteers to major festivals and events across the state.
With millions of visitors flocking to SA’s festivals each year, volunteers aren’t just helpers – they’re essential to keeping the show on the road. Volunteers play critical roles, from greeting patrons and managing queues to helping with sustainability initiatives and behind-the-scenes logistics.
Five great reasons to volunteer
- Personal growth: Boost your confidence, improve communication skills, and discover abilities you didn’t know you had.
- Career advantage: Volunteering demonstrates initiative and practical skills, giving your resume an edge and helping you stand out in job applications.
- Wellbeing boost: Volunteering is proven to improve mental health and reduce stress by fostering a sense of purpose.
- Broaden your horizons: Exposure to diverse cultures, art forms, and people through the varied events you’ll encounter.
- Perks of the position: Many festivals offer free or discounted tickets for volunteers, as well as special ‘thank you’ parties.
Ready to join in?
If you’re inspired to get involved, the Festival Volunteer Network makes it easy:
- Explore Festival City Adelaide’s Volunteer page for upcoming opportunities.
- Complete the straightforward online sign-up via its BeCollective platform.
- Be the first to know about upcoming volunteer opportunities!
Visit Festival City Adelaide’s Volunteer page and start your own volunteering journey today.
