Volunteer at Girls Rock! Melbourne
There are lots of volunteer opportunities at Girls Rock! Melbourne’s events - and you don’t necessarily need musical experience. Check out the roles below to see if anything fits your experience and skills. Or if you have a different idea about how you can help out, fill out the application form.
Volunteer roles
Instrument Instructor
(Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Drum Kit, Keyboards, & Vocals)
*Musical experience required; teaching experience beneficial. Must be available from approximately 10am-3pm (to be confirmed) with breaks.
Our campers will possess a varying range of skill levels – some have been playing for years, many have never touched a musical instrument in their lives. Instructors are responsible for working with other teachers to plan lessons, teaching and creating a supportive learning environment for the campers. Classes will likely involve a combination of team-teaching a group of 5-10 people and solo teaching in smaller groups with occasional one-on-one instruction.
Band Coach
*Musical experience required. Must be available ALL WEEK for an AM and/or PM shift
On the first day of camp the campers form bands with each band assigned a band coach. The coaches provide help and guidance in all aspects of working as a collaborative creative team: setting up, tuning, songwriting, learning how to play together, figuring out stage moves, etc. The coaches may also be called upon to mediate band disputes, as well as note specific positive behaviours for later recognition.
Mental Health Crew
*No musical experience necessary.
Must be available all week for an AM and/or PM shift.
Our curriculum covers conflict resolution and team-building, but we need registered counsellors, youth workers, and mental health professionals to be on-site during the camp week, for the occasions that campers or volunteers have personal issues arise and will need to talk to someone and/or be referred to services elsewhere.
Gear Crew (Roadies)
*No musical experience necessary. Flexible hours.
Roadies are vital! We need folks to help set up, break down, and move equipment throughout the week. Responsibilities include setting up the camp site, re-configuring rooms for band practice every day, helping with load-in/out on showcase days, etc. Head roadies are also needed (people who can be at camp for all or most days and provide continuity throughout the week). Great for the organised person who wants to help out at camp and learn a bit about what happens behind-the-scenes!
Ground Crew
*No musical experience necessary, but experience working with young people is a bonus. AM and PM shifts are available, but you must be available at least 2 days over the week.
Ground Crew are the cogs that turn the wheel of camp. As a part of Ground Crew, you may assist with the check-in and out of campers every day, provide support in workshops, monitor visitors, coordinate in-camp communication, give directions, answer questions, file camp paperwork, organise daily attendance sheets, create and print our Showcase Programmes, and sell merch. Some computer work and photocopying (or visits to Officeworks) may be involved.
Kitchen Crew
*No musical experience necessary. Food Handler's Certificate is required for some positions. Shifts are flexible but the most support is needed at lunch time (approximately 11am-2pm).
During camp week, Kitchen Crew will help in labelling, storing, and distributing camper lunches, organising camper snacks, and putting out donated food for the volunteers. You will also help with tidying up after meals and keeping our kitchen clean and safe for everyone!
Workshop Facilitator
*No musical experience necessary. Must be able to attend one full day of camp.
Present your hour-long workshop to groups of 25-30 campers twice on the day it is offered. Campers will attend loosely divided by age, first the 12-14 yr olds, and second the 15-17 yr olds. Volunteers are needed to lead our workshops including; Songwriting, Self Defense, Image & Identity, Zine Making, and Screen Printing.
We are also seeking volunteers to propose a workshop of their own creation! We are always interested in expanding our workshop offerings; please propose a workshop if you are interested! Other camps' workshop topics have included Media Literacy, Tips & Tricks of Playing Live, Women in Music Herstory, Contact Mics and Alternative Instruments, Positive Body Image Dance, DIY Recording, etc.
Camp Photographer
*No musical experience necessary. Flexible hours are available to suit your schedule.
This volunteer is responsible for taking each band’s official band photo and wandering around taking photos of all of the activities and action happening during camp, and sending them to staff or hosting them online somewhere they can be accessible campers. We will hopefully be projecting the photos on stage during the showcase on the Saturday of camp, so this volunteer must be able to get the band photos finished and sent to staff at least one day before the showcase. This volunteer must provide their own equipment. Band members will sign a media release form before camp.
Sound Engineer (Lunchtime & Showcase)
*Sound engineering experience required. Must be available at lunch time on weekdays for approximately 1 hour, and/or 11am-5pm Saturday. You can sign up for as few or as many shifts as you'd like.
These positions run sound for the half-hour lunchtime performances and the Showcase on Saturday. You may also be interested in running a sound-related workshop while you're at camp. Let us know!
Showcase Support
*No musical experience necessary. Must be available on Saturday January 14th, 2017 from 11am-6pm.
Various roles are available covering roadie and ground crew responsibilities. Help prepare campers to go onstage, move gear around, hand out programmes, run small errands, and help our Showcase will run smoothly!
Camp Nurse
*No musical experience necessary. Commit to whatever amount of time suits you- AM/PM shifts are available if you cannot be there for the full day.
We are in need of registered nurses to be on-site during the camp week, just in case!
Lending of Musical Gear
GR!M provides instruments for participants through the generosity of adult musicians, who donate the use of their gear for the week. A perfect job for the guitar/bass that's been sitting unloved under your bed for months, or the drum kit in your shed!
A special note to male-identified volunteers
Girls Rock! Melbourne is primarily led by and for female, trans, and non-binary folks. We also value diversity, inclusion, and sensitivity toward all individuals, regardless of gender identity or expression. The organisation welcomes the support of male-identified allies and expects male-identified allies who would like to volunteer to respect the importance of leadership by women, trans, and non-binary people.
Get involved
If you are interested in volunteering for Girls Rock! Melbourne, please fill in our application form.