Volunteering is slightly lower in the Agnes Water and 1770 communities with 454 (15.9 per cent) people aged 15 years and over providing volunteer services. This compares to 16.2 per cent for the Gladstone Region.

The number of volunteers in Agnes Water and 1770 has slightly increased over time with 359 volunteers in 2011, which increased by 84 in 2016 with 449 people volunteering. The number of volunteers increased a little further between 2021 and 2016, with 11 more people volunteering. This means Agnes Water and 1770 had an in volunteers of 95 between 2021 and 2011.

There have been changes in the percentage of population volunteering across all age brackets, with decreases across six and increases across three.

There was a 5.5 per cent reduction in the percentage of volunteers aged 35-44, which was the largest decrease between 2011 and 2021. Followed by those 45-54, with a 5.1 per cent reduction.

The biggest increases seen during this period were those aged 65-74, making up 13.9 per cent of volunteers in 2011, 15.6 per cent in 2016 and 25.1 per cent in 2021 which is an increase of 64 from 50 in 2011.

There was a 4.7 per cent increase in volunteers aged 75-84, with 10 volunteers in this age bracket back in 2011 increasing to 34 in 2021.

There are currently seven active community groups in the area, 11 community sporting groups and three large community-led destination events, the Agnes Water Blues and Roots Festival, 1770 Cultural Immersion Festival and the 1770 Festival.

Considerations:

• Volunteer numbers are increasing slightly as is the age of volunteers. If is a reduction in younger volunteers over the long term could have an impact on sustainability and viability of community groups, events and sport and recreation organisations.