All hands on deck for Frolic

WHEN lawyer Carol Grimshaw became chair of Ballarat Frolic Festival’s advisory board, she said she couldn’t have felt more welcome.

“I’m a 51-year-old woman, and I get the feeling that the group genuinely really cares,” she said. “Nobody is ever left alone in any situation. It’s so perfect.”

Ahead of the regional LGBTIQA+ fest’s winter program, Frolic Dark Rainbow, festival organisers need more volunteers and supporters like Ms Grimshaw to fill various roles.

She said organisers are seeking warm, welcoming people who value equality, have a sense of fun, skills to share, and a desire to help the community.

“Our members and advisory group are quite diverse, from all sections of culture, backgrounds, and professions,” she said.

“We have working groups in the areas of governance, policy, and regulation, finance, fundraising and grants, and volunteering and community engagement, who take care of socials and marketing.

“We’re completely volunteer run and funded, and the amount of hours the members put in to get these festivals going is more than a full-time job, in addition to the full-time work they’re already doing, so we need all hands on deck from right across the community.”

Ms Grimshaw said advisory group members are also keen to hear from mid-to-top tier finance and advisory firms who could guide the organisation as it develops into the future.

“We’ve talked with a law firm about it doing some pro-bono work for us and would like to hear from others who might have that background in pro-bono, to support the next steps for BFF,” she said.

“We will be looking towards operating even more on a charitable basis.”

Traditional event volunteers are needed as well to assist with ticket monitoring and visitor safety.

“Volunteering with us is a way to connect to local community,” Ms Grimshaw said. “It’s a great way to meet wonderful people, and to give back.

“It’s an opportunity to contribute, and an opportunity to be trained in whichever ways people need. We welcome enthusiasm as much as having existing skillsets, because everybody can learn.”

Head to frolicfestival.org/volunteer. Frolic Dark Rainbow will be held from 22 to 24 June.