![Bundanoon Highland Gathering vice president and publicity officer Alaistair Saunders. Bundanoon Highland Gathering vice president and publicity officer Alaistair Saunders.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/C5T5utnEbuCCVHhsQW5GNd/7ca0b0e0-3dfa-4e18-8ea6-4331a1cd8b60_rotated_270.JPG/r0_0_3024_2759_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"We need people" is the message Bundanoon Highland Gathering vice president and publicity officer Alaistair Saunders has for the wider community.
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Alaistair joined the 'Brigadoon' committee in 1997 and said volunteers were desperately wanted.
"You can't sit back and say it'll be right. It's not easy," he said.
"Two of our long-term committee members are retiring after Brigadoon in April 2023," he said.
"They look after logistics and amenities, and the volunteers. Everything comes with a job description.
"It's absolutely crucial people volunteer.
"Volunteers make it happen."
His renewed call for volunteers comes after the news that the Geelong Highland Gathering in Victoria was permanently cancelled in 2023 after 166 years due to an ageing committee.
Alaistair, who turns 81 next month, said while he had a vested interest in the Scottish festival due to his heritage, he had to be realistic.
"I don't mind doing it. It keeps the grey matter ticking over," he said.
"But I need someone to shadow the committee so the knowledge is not lost."
Bundanoon Highland Gathering committee members are located anywhere from Canberra, Goulburn and Sydney, with meetings occurring once a month.
"We cover a considerable area," Alaistair explained.
"There's no need to drive. You can join the meeting on zoom.
"So it's not unrealistic."
The Bundanoon Highland Gathering Inc. is a not-for-profit registered charity that distributes money into the village.
Alaistair said that once the costs were taken into consideration and after appropriating a small management budget for the following year, all surplus money was distributed back into the community.
"The committee ensures that it recognises the commitment of those local volunteer and charity groups who give countless hours of labour to the gathering for their assistance in the preparation and organisation of the day by disbursing money raised on a proportional basis to each organisation," he said.
"If your group or club wants to earn some extra money for the coffers then get in touch with us. It's a nice way to earn money for your organisation by giving up your time to assist us.
"To date, Brigadoon has disbursed over $1.4 million back into the community.
"Not a bad effort for a small volunteer committee."
The Bundanoon Highland Gathering Inc.-"Brigadoon" is looking for new members to join our dedicated committee.
Logistics Coordinator:
- Coordinate the committee's logistical and amenities for the gathering
- Requires good communication and negotiating skills
- The ability to organise deliveries and collections.
- Coordinate and organise the distribution and erection of tents
- Coordinate collection of waste
- Coordinate the location and maintenance of Port-a-loos
- We have been working with the same organisations for some considerable years, so everything is in place
Volunteer coordinator:
- Coordinate volunteers to work at BRIGADOON
- Assessment and prioritisation of staff requests for volunteer assistance
- Development of volunteer job descriptions
- Advertising of positions
- Screening of applications
- Volunteer orientation and training
- Management of staff/volunteer relations
- Development and review of the organisation's volunteer policies and procedures
- Supervision, evaluation and formal recognition of volunteer contributions
The committee is looking for people to shadow the present portfolio holders.
Positions available:
- Arena coordinator
- Publicity media assistant
- Logistics coordinator assistant
- General members to back up the remainder of the committee.
If you're interested in joining the Bundanoon Highland Gathering committee, email Alaistair Saunders at publicity.brigadoon@gmail.com
Brigadoon will go ahead on April 1, 2023.
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