City seeks Easter helpers

NOT the traditional egg hunt, the City of Greater Bendigo is instead on the hunt for volunteers to assist in running the four-day Bendigo Easter Fair.

City manager of tourism Terry Karamaloudis said over 80 volunteers aged 15 and over are needed to run the 150th Easter Fair.

“You don’t need to give up lots of your time during the long weekend, it can be as little as a four-hour shift,” he said.

“We’re planning to transform Bendigo’s beautiful Rosalind Park and surrounding streets into a vibrant precinct for family-friendly entertainment with stage shows, activities, carnival rides, live music and roving performers over the four-day long weekend.

“This year’s Torchlight Procession will be held on Easter Sunday followed by fireworks and the Gala Parade on Easter Monday, when the world’s longest Golden Dragon Dai Gum Loong will embark on his first solo parade outing.”

Former volunteer Jahmiele Hicks, who first got involved with the event when she was 16, encouraged anyone to give it a go.

“I did a few years in a row, doing all different roles across the grounds, helping other people, assisting kids and running different sections in Rosalind Park,” Ms Hicks said.

“Being Easter time, it was all positive and everyone was in good spirits. It was a lot of fun.”

As a volunteer Ms Hicks was also involved with the State Government’s FReeZA program behind events for young people and has helped in festivals across the state.

Her work paid off as she was able to find full-time employment at Bendigo Venues and Events.

She said whether you’re looking for a career in events or not, there are many benefits from volunteering.

“There’s nothing to lose really, it’s always going to be something that gives rather than takes from you,” she said.

“Especially in my case it was something that gave me a lot of connections and I was able to really push myself up the ladder.

“Even if it’s just for the one event and you just want to give it a go, it’s always an interesting perspective to see what goes on behind the scenes and the people that do the work.”

To become a volunteer head to bendigoeasterfestival.org.au.