Becoming a volunteer
The best way to become a volunteer is to contact the College to discuss what volunteering options are available that may match your interests, availability and skills.
Some suggestions are:
assisting with the P&C eg attending meetings, assisting with fundraising events
becoming a sports coach
supporting learning and reading assistance programs
mentoring students
camps and excursions
working in different areas of the College eg Resource Centre, Classrooms
Who can volunteer?
People who wish to do voluntary work for any organisation that brings them in regular contact with children must first obtain a Blue Card. This is to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of children.
If you are a volunteer, you can expect an induction that covers the basics of your role and working environment, such as:
responsibilities and tasks
Mandatory All Staff Training for Visitors and Volunteers
health and safety
behaviour management procedures.
Volunteers are supervised by authorised staff. The level of supervision depends on the work being done and whether there is direct contact with students. Volunteers working directly with children are overseen by a staff member who can readily observe activities.
Benefits of volunteering
Volunteering benefits everyone involved. Students benefit from the support of volunteers who bring life skills, expertise, knowledge and diversity to a range of activities in the College. Some benefits for volunteers include:
a sense of giving back to the community
making a difference for children and students
confidence building
a sense of belonging and feeling valued
learning new skills.
Children and students also benefit from volunteer programs by:
improving self-esteem and self-confidence
learning 'real life' and effective citizenship skills
enhancing leadership, communication and planning skills
promoting community engagement and positive relationships
gaining new friends and teamwork experiences.
All volunteers will need to sign in and sign out the College Executive Building.
Volunteer parent exemption
From 20 September 2025, parents volunteering for an activity their child participates in generally will not need a blue card.
This exemption will be standardised across all child-related employment activities. It allows parents to continue to participate in activities with their children.
It will not apply to parents volunteering for activities not involving their own child; overnight excursions or camps; if their volunteering includes close personal contact with another child; or if the parent is a restricted person.
If you are a parent and have been relying on the volunteer parent exemption for any activities not covered by the new exemption rules, you must obtain a blue card that is linked to Meridan State College. If you do not, you cannot continue in regulated activities.
Learn more about the Queensland Government Blue Card system volunteer parent exemption.