Volunteer
Byron Writers Festival
Join the team!
As a not-for-profit organisation, Byron Writers Festival relies on the generous support of volunteers both year-round in the office and for the annual Festival.
A thank you to our Volunteers
We would like to thank the many dedicated volunteers who assist us with a multitude of daily tasks. For example, without our magazine mailout team, we would not be able to get northerly out to our members. Other volunteers regularly help us to manage and keep a tidy borrowing library, assist with the endless piles of administration, and lend a hand with many more tasks too great to mention. Should you wish to volunteer in the office year-round, please contact Simone on [email protected]
By far the greatest volunteer support we receive is assisting with the annual Byron Writers Festival. We have a fantastic team of 140 tireless volunteers who help us pull off an exciting literary event every year.
Festival Volunteers
Volunteer applications for 2024 have now closed. Thanks to all who applied, we will be in touch soon!
Volunteer FAQs
The Frequently Asked Questions (below) will assist you to understand the application process, roles and expectations of being a Byron Writers Festival Volunteer.
Should you have a query regarding volunteering at the festival, please contact: [email protected]
- What is the timeline for the volunteer application process?
- What are the key dates for Festival Volunteer Team requirements?
- When will I know if my application is successful?
- How old do volunteers need to be?
- Is there any selection criteria to be a volunteer at Byron Writers Festival?
- Is the Volunteer Orientation briefing compulsory?
- Do I require any qualifications to be a festival volunteer?
- What sort of roles are available as a volunteer?
- What are the specialised roles that require certain skills and experience?
- What if my availability changes after I have submitted my application but BEFORE applications close on 31 May?
- If my availability changes AFTER applications close on 31 May, what should I do?
- I have some health or mobility restrictions. Will I be able to volunteer?
- I am from interstate, can I apply?
- What does the festival provide for its volunteers?
- Will I receive a Festival Pass in exchange for volunteering?
- Will my food and travel costs be reimbursed?
- Is there a uniform for volunteers?
- If my volunteer application is unsuccessful, can I still attend the festival?
- Have another question?
What is the timeline for the volunteer application process?
Wednesday 22 April
- Our volunteer applications open.
- The application process closes.
- The Volunteer Coordinator will be in contact via email to advise if your application has been successful. Please also check your junk mail and add [email protected] to your contacts.
- Selection is determined by availability to work across multiple festival days, experience and skill set to best meet festival requirements.
- Please note that due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback on your application results.
- Roles and rosters will be confirmed and sent to successful applicants.
- Compulsory Volunteer Orientation and safety meeting on site for all volunteers.
- Volunteer agreements signed and returned.
What are the key dates for Festival Volunteer Team requirements?
- The festival weekend runs from Friday 9 August – Sunday 11 August
- Our Workshop Program runs from Tuesday 6 August – Friday 9 August
- Our Primary School Program runs on Wednesday 7 August
- Our Secondary School Program runs on Thursday 8 August.
- Satellite and Feature Events run from Thursday 8 August – Sunday 11 August.
When will I know if my application is successful?
The Volunteer Coordinator will email you to confirm if you have been successful by the end of June. If you are not successful in the first round of offers you may remain on the contact list as a stand-by in case positions become available.
How old do volunteers need to be?
Volunteers are required to be a minimum of 18 years old.
Is there any selection criteria to be a volunteer at Byron Writers Festival?
- A love of books, ideas, reading, writing and festivals is a great start.
- Our volunteers are friendly, reliable, punctual, flexible and are team players.
- Please note that selection is determined by availability to work across multiple festival days, experience and skill set to best meet festival requirements (please provide relevant detail in your application to help with selection).
- You must be available to attend the Volunteer Safety and Orientation Briefing on Saturday 3 August, even if you have been a volunteer for the Byron Writers Festival in the past.
Is the Volunteer Orientation briefing compulsory?
Yes. This briefing covers essential Workplace Health & Safety information, allows you to become familiar with the festival site, gives you the opportunity to meet your team and be briefed by your Team Leader, and you will receive your volunteer t-shirt.
Do I require any qualifications to be a festival volunteer?
Our volunteers come from many walks of life and have varied qualifications and skills; the common factor is that you are all keen to be involved, and work towards the goal of bringing a successful festival to the region. However, there are some specialised roles that require specific skills and experience.
If you are working on the Schools Days, you are required to have a valid Working With Children Check. If you are working in the festival bar, you are required to have completed Responsible Service of Alcohol training.
What sort of roles are available as a volunteer?
The application form will ask about your skills and experience and give the option to select your top three role preferences. While we make every effort to match volunteers with their choices, there are no guarantees as rosters are determined by availability, experience and festival requirements.
Here is a sample of the roles on offer:
- Office Administration (pre-festival)
- Bump-in / Bump-out (involves some heavy lifting)
- Partnership, Sponsorship and Photography assistants
- Bar staff / Barista
- Schools Days
- Workshop Assistants
- Satellite Events Assistants
- Ticketing and Gates
- Venue Supervisors
- Ushers
- Stage Managers
- Author Liaisons
- Accessibility Assistants
- Parking and Traffic Management
- Volunteer Registration
- Information Booth
- Greenroom
What are the specialised roles that require certain skills and experience?
- Primary and Secondary School Days involve presentations by some of Australia’s best-loved children’s authors. Preference for Schools Days is given to those applicants with previous experience. You must hold a Working with Children’s Check for these roles. https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations/working-with-children-check
- If you wish to work a coffee machine you must have professional barista training.
- To serve alcohol, a current NSW RSA is required. Hospitality service staff need be confident with tray service, fast and able workers, and be physically mobile.
- For Venue Supervisors and Team Leaders who will be managing volunteer staff, leadership and previous Byron Writers Festival experience is required. These roles are vital in managing the smooth operation and wellbeing of the teams. They are open to experienced festival volunteers (Byron Writers Festival or other events) and are subject to the approval of the Volunteers Coordinator.
- To assist with bump-in, bump-out and site assistance, you need to be mobile, physically fit and able to do heavy lifting.
- The Greenroom is the preparation and relaxation area for festival guests and presenters. Roles in the Greenroom are for experienced festival volunteers who are familiar with the event operations, are professional, reliable and calm.
What if my availability changes after I have submitted my application but BEFORE applications close on 31 May?
Please check your calendar prior to application. If your plans do change, email [email protected] by 31 May with ‘Availability Change’ as the subject heading.
If my availability changes AFTER applications close on 31 May, what should I do?
Please advise the Volunteer Coordinator ASAP [email protected]
Label your subject heading with your name and ‘Availability Change’ or ‘Cancel Application’.
Please note that any changes made once rosters are created cause a great deal of work and may affect a number of fellow volunteers.
I have some health or mobility restrictions. Will I be able to volunteer?
Yes, absolutely. We aim to be as inclusive as possible. We will endeavour to find a role that will suit you. Please advise us of any restrictions in the online application so that we may cater for your abilities.
I am from interstate, can I apply?
Volunteer positions are open to locals and interstate visitors. All volunteers are responsible for their own transportation and accommodation and are expected to commit to the shifts and roles assigned as per the roster.
What does the festival provide for its volunteers?
- The chance to be involved in a vibrant, literary cultural event.
- You will receive a clear role description, shifts and any training required for your volunteer position.
- All volunteers will receive a Workplace Health & Safety and site induction at the Volunteer Orientation Day.
- Light refreshments are provided for volunteers for each shift of the Festival weekend. Pre-festival and offsite roles will need to cater for their own food and beverage needs.
- You’ll receive a limited edition Byron Writers Festival volunteer t-shirt to be worn whilst on shift and to take home afterwards.
- An opportunity to attend the festival in exchange for your volunteer work.
- An invitation to the post-festival volunteer thank you party.
- A great sense of being part of a fab team, the chance to make new friends and a wonderful, warm volunteer experience.
Will I receive a Festival Pass in exchange for volunteering?
Volunteers receive Byron Writers Festival passes in exchange for work.
You may attend the festival prior to and/or after your rostered shifts. If you work a full day, you will receive an alternate day’s pass in exchange.
Workshop assistants may participate in the assigned workshop but do not receive a festival ticket.
Pre-festival, Schools Days and Satellite Event volunteer work accrues hours towards various passes depending on the type and amount of work. The exchange will be clarified with confirmation of your role and roster.
Will my food and travel costs be reimbursed?
- No. There is paid parking available onsite but volunteers will be offered a daily parking pass at no cost. We encourage our volunteer team to carpool to this year’s festival site. You will need to notify the Volunteers Coordinator if you need a parking pass for your shift.
- We do encourage everyone to carpool to the festival site or jump on the free festival shuttle bus leaving from Byron. Find out more information here https://byronwritersfestival.com/travel/
- Carpooling is a wonderful way to get to the site and meet fellow volunteers. Join the Facebook group for Volunteers to connect and organise: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bbwfvolunteers/
- Light refreshments will be provided for volunteers each day of your rostered shifts. Please ensure you have adequate lunch, snacks and sustenance, a water bottle and are prepared for any specific dietary requirements.
Is there a uniform for volunteers?
Volunteers are provided with a Byron Writers Festival volunteer team t-shirt, which must be worn while on duty. You must also wear closed-in shoes during your volunteer shift. The weather can get quite cold at this time of year, so please wear/bring a long sleeve shirt/thermal to wear under your volunteer t-shirt.
If my volunteer application is unsuccessful, can I still attend the festival?
If you are not successful as a volunteer this year, you are welcome to purchase a ticket to attend. Unsuccessful applicants will be allowed to purchase 1 x 3-Day pass at the Early Bird rate.
Have another question?
Please email [email protected]