General News
15 August, 2025
Volunteers needed for EB
Locals are encouraged to give whatever time they can, from a few hours to multiple days, to help Energy Breakthrough (EB) happen this year.
Volunteer applications for the 2025 EB are now open, offering a variety of roles for anyone interested in helping out.
The event, running from November 19 to 23, needs over 700 volunteers to come together each year.
Roles range from wristbanding, judging, packdown and more all making for a memorable event for 5000 students, across 250 teams, from 100 schools.
EB educational coordinator Nigel Preston said volunteering has numerous benefits from strengthening social bonds to sharing in the atmosphere of the event.
“It really is about that sense of community, and giving back, and being able to see the infectious enthusiasm of the students that are participating,” he said.
Maryborough Volunteer Resource Centre (MVRC) president Tony Macer echoed Mr Preston’s sentiment while emphasising the important role volunteers play in the events success.
“It’s good fun and a real sense of achievement,” he said.
That sense of achievement still gives Mr Macer a buzz years after previous EB events.
One year the event was a wash out and, at the last minute, all the camping had to be moved to the local Salvation Army.
“I thought it was going to be chaos, moving thousands of people, but it was a magic moment,” Mr Macer said.
The experience of pulling together as volunteers to make the impossible happen is why he hopes the local community will get involved.
“It all worked because volunteers chipped in,” he said.
Their efforts will be appreciated largely thanks to the support of Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud.
Executive officer Julie Driscoll said their support of volunteers aligns with the community bank’s purpose to make stronger, connected, and more vibrant communities.
“This just aligns with that purpose so clearly,” she said.
Their financial contribution goes toward the uniforms, catering, and infrastructure for volunteers. They also organise gift bags to show their appreciation and even have members who volunteer themselves.
“It doesn’t take much of a barrier for people to hesitate to volunteer so if … we can help with those, then that will make people more likely to volunteer,” she said.
Ms Driscoll said volunteers nominate themselves for what they want to do for as long as they want to do it — although people tend to keep coming back.
“If we can give them a hook we don’t need to do much to keep them there because they get the enjoyment and see the benefits themselves,” she said.
Those interested in volunteering can apply at my.eb.org.au/register or find more information on the EB website.