We want to take a moment to thank the incredible efforts and dedication of our Words on the Waves volunteers – not only for their hard work during the festival, but their hard work contributed year round, whether that’s at our satellite events or behind the scenes as part of our volunteer committee.
It is impossible to overstate the value of these contributions. When we first launched in 2021 – in between COVID lockdowns – Words on the Waves was 100% volunteer powered. These days, it’s more like 80, 85% volunteer powered – but, what we’re achieving has changed just a tad. From 47 authors in our first year to over 100 this year, from four venues to nearly 15, 1500 attendances to over 6000… safe to say, the growth has been significant.
A constant throughout all this has been our mission – which is to deliver an immersive annual festival and to enrich the cultural landscape of the region year-round – and our people.
Our volunteer committee has remained practically unchanged in five years, which is unheard of. In our festival volunteer workface, we see the same smiling faces, year in and year out. Our Volunteer Coordinator Ash has calculated that this year, ⅓ of our team were repeat volunteers. And, phenomenally, that the hours donated by this festival volunteer workforce was 600+ hours… and that was just for the festival.
These efforts all make a difference. Feedback from the publishing industry is that we are a festival that looks after its authors – which means, more authors will want to come in years to come. This year alone, we received these glowing testimonials:
Firstly, thank you so much for the invitation to be part of such a brilliant festival – it was so well run and everything from the warmth of the volunteers to the stunning views from the venues was so special. Steph Vizard
Congratulations to you, your team and the army of volunteers who make up Words on the Waves. It’s such a buzz. Michael Burge
Congratulations on conceiving, organising and executing the most beautiful festival. All your staff and volunteers were marvellous, as were your warm, generous crowds. Clare Wright
Volunteers were particularly friendly and kind Gail Jones
This is backed up by feedback from our audiences – the beating heart of what we do. In our survey, they gave Volunteers the highest rating out of all the categories they were quizzed about – with a glowing 4.79 out of 5 stars. That’s higher than the program – not that it’s a competition!
All of this to say – thank you once more for making Words on the Waves the success it continues to be. Everything you have done – be that greeting a festivalgoer at the door, fetching an author a coffee, helping with a rowdy line of school students or baking cookies – is truly essential to what we do.
On behalf of Words on the Waves Writers Festival – thank you again and here’s to many more years of creating something we are all proud of.
– Angela Bennetts, Festival Director
Volunteer Thank You evening, 5/9/25, with special thanks to host Upstairs Wines
