UNPRECEDENTED interest in Generations in Jazz (GiJ) has prompted calls for more volunteers for the May 4 to 6 event in the Limestone Coast.
GiJ volunteer coordinator Fiona Unger said a record number of participating schools in 2018 and the popularity of headline act
The Cat Empire had triggered a surge of inquiry from festival goers.
“More than 5100 emerging musicians from 130 schools from across Australia will travel to Mount Gambier, along with jazz music fans and a star-studded line-up of guest artists,” she said.
“We have already recruited 150 volunteers to help cater for the crowds, but with more bands and vocal groups coming to perform on the Saturday, we need to double that figure to ensure that the weekend goes off without a hitch.”
Thanks to the wide reach of social media, some of this year’s first time volunteers will be travelling from as far away as Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and even New Zealand to undertake volunteer roles, including site construction, traffic and parking management, stage management, office support, ticket booth and merchandise sales, festival photography and guest chaperoning.
“There is room on our team for all abilities and skill sets and you certainly don’t need a music background – we are just looking for enthusiastic people who are interested in people and who are able to donate some hours to this fantastic community-run event,” Ms Unger said.
An estimated 4000 volunteer hours were clocked up during the three days of last year’s festival alone, with thousands more poured into planning and preparation work throughout the year.
“Generations in Jazz brings so many visitors to South Australia and certainly raises the profile of the region, so we rely on volunteers to ensure it runs smoothly – without them there would be no festival,” Ms Unger said.
“This is also an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in what it takes to produce a festival from the start-up phase.”
Former Wesley College St Kilda Road student Hunter Griffin is among the new volunteer recruits for 2018 and will be helping to manage the various Generations in Jazz social media accounts.
Now studying at Monash University, the 18-year-old came to the attention of organisers after posting a candid online video of his school Generations in Jazz experience to YouTube.
“I’ve been to five Generations in Jazz events and I’m really looking forward to coming back this year – it’s so much fun seeing all of the performers and bands and it’s a really inspiring atmosphere,” he said.
Event organisers said Hunter was the perfect example of the ongoing influence the festival has on its participants.
“We love receiving the requests to volunteer from past participants who attended the festival as school participants and still want to be involved after graduating,” Ms Unger said.
“Their contribution demonstrates to us how much the event means to them.”
Download the volunteer registration form at www.generationsinjazz.com.au/volunteering or email volunteers@generationsinjazz.com.au for further details.
