Horseshoe Bay Reserve parkrun
Published on 15 May 2023
National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering, taking place from 15-21 May 2023.
This year’s theme is The Change Makers, recognising the contribution of volunteers around the country and encouraging others to consider volunteering.
Horseshoe Bay Reserve parkrun, which takes place every Saturday at 7am at South West Rocks has been a volunteering success story since it launched on 6th October 2018
During that time, 146 different people have volunteered at Horseshoe Bay Reserve parkrun, carrying out a combined total of 1,385 different volunteer roles. Their volunteer contribution has supported 2,194 people to complete the 5k course on 7,736 occasions.
What’s more, 142 people who have completed Horseshoe Bay Reserve parkrun did fewer than 30 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly when they first signed up with parkrun.
This means local volunteers are increasingly supporting people to take the first steps in their physical activity journey, which has major health and economic impacts for the community.
parkrun events are free and open to anyone. People can walk or run the 5km course, help out as volunteers, or simply spectate and socialise.
Participants can push a pram, bring their dog on a short lead or take part with their family. There is no time limit and nobody finishes last, thanks to volunteer ‘Tail Walkers’ who provide support and encouragement on the course.
Faye Vickers, volunteer Event Director at Horseshoe Bay Reserve parkrun, said everyone in the community is invited to give parkrun volunteering a try.
parkrun is all about having fun in a relaxed and welcoming environment. All the volunteer roles are super simple and there are a wide variety of opportunities, from welcoming first timers to marshalling on the course to handing out finish tokens as people finish the 5k.
“We even have volunteers during the week, for example who coordinate our volunteer roster and post on our social media channels. Our volunteer roster is never full and there is a role to suit everyone!”
Horseshoe Bay Reserve parkrun is one of 470 parkruns across Australia, with more than 143,000 different people volunteering at the free weekly events since the country’s first parkrun in 2011.
A recent national survey of almost 38,000 Australian parkrunners revealed that people who volunteer experience significant health and wellbeing benefits.
99% reported that they volunteer to feel a sense of purpose, while 93% said it makes them feel part of their community.
For 86%, their main motivation is simply that it’s fun, and 84% of people said it makes them happier. Four in five respondents said volunteering at parkrun gets them outside, while three quarters said they volunteer to meet new people.
parkrun registration is free at www.parkrun.com.au/register
If you are interested in volunteering you can email the event at horseshoebayreserve@parkrun.com, message them through the Horseshoe Bay Reserve Parkrun Facebook Page or simply come along on a Saturday morning