NYE On The Hill
Volunteering FAQ’s
IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENT DATES
REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER - BEFORE 1st DECEMBER
Roster Delivery - On or before Sunday 19th December
Event Days and Gate Times - Thursday 30th December 2023 11:00am - Saturday 1st January 2024 2:00pm
KEY CONTACTS
Staff & Volunteer Manager - Tom
email address: volunteers@thehillsarealive.com.au
+ HOW DO I APPLY?
Please complete an application form here
+ HOW MANY HOURS DO I HAVE TO VOLUNTEER FOR?
Generally we ask our volunteers to complete 2x 5 hour shifts in exchange for a ticket to the event. There are also pre-event shifts available, consisting of 1x 9 hour shift in exchange for a ticket.
+ WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOLUNTEER?
We love volunteers that are accountable, communicative, fun and easy-going and who love working as a team! Remember to ensure you pack appropriate attire for the weather conditions, a sun-smart hat, water bottle, and closed toe shoes. You're going to have a great time if you think ahead to prepare yourself for your shifts. Work appropriate costumes encouraged!
+ DO I NEED TO PROVIDE MY OWN TENT?
Yes! The Hills are Alive is a BYO camping gear (tent, mat, sleeping bag etc) event. Volunteers have access to the general camping area of the site.
+ IS THERE A VOLUNTEER CAMPING AREA?
There is no specific camping area for volunteers, you’re free to camp wherever you like in the general camping area!
+ CONDUCT
The Hills Are Alive Group is an equal opportunity employer. We expect everyone to treat each other with respect and dignity. We promote the principles of merit and fairness in its employment practices. We require that all of our employees & suppliers conduct themselves according to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and behaviour when dealing with our attendees, guests, suppliers, colleagues and other stakeholders.
The Hills Are Alive Group seeks to provide a work environment that is safe for workers to work in. Harassment, bullying and workplace violence will not be tolerated by the Company or anywhere onsite. If at any time you feel you need more information, support or to report workplace harassment, bullying or workplace violence please see your manager or another department manager.
+ IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
The Emergency Control Organisation (ECO) is the team responsible for enacting emergency response roles in support of emergency services. Please report any incidents, emergencies or suspicious activity to your direct Manager, the Safety Officer on shift, the Staff & Volunteers Manager or the Event Manager.
+ WHEN DO I GET SENT MY VOLUNTEER TICKET?
You don't! Once you have been confirmed and you have received your roster you are locked in to a volunteer position. You will not require a ticket to the event, when you arrive to the festival you will receive your festival wristband as you pass through the volunteer lane of the ticketing area.
+ WHAT IF I’VE ALREADY PURCHASED A TICKET TO THE FESTIVAL?
Please email the Volunteer Support Team at volunteers@thehillsarealive.com.au so they can assist.
+ WHEN DO I FIND OUT IF I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AS A VOLUNTEER?
From Monday the 11th of October you will receive notification of whether you have been accepted. Applications will stay open until all positions have been filled!
+ WHEN DO I FIND OUT WHAT ROLE AND SHIFT TIMES I HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED?
Initial roster release will take place on or before Sunday the 19th December. All position descriptions and arrival procedures will be made available at this time. Your allocated shifts will take into consideration your provided information given in your application form, if this changes please email the Volunteer Support Team at volunteers@thehillsarealive.com.au
+ DO I HAVE TO BE ONSITE AT A SPECIFIC TIME AS A VOLUNTEER?
The short answer is no. It is advised you aim to be onsite a minimum 1 hour prior to your initial start time so that you can park your vehicle if you have one, enter the festival site and get ready for the start of your shift without needing to rush! You may arrive at any time during the event, and if your first shift starts prior to gates opening we will advise how this affects you.
+ DO I HAVE A UNIFORM?
You will be provided appropriate PPE which is to be worn during the shift and then returned at the end of your shift. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory. Be practical and sensible when packing for the festival, look ahead at the forecast, bring warm things, layered things, water-proof things, sun-smart things, water bottle etc.
+ WILL I BE PROVIDED WITH MEALS AT THE EVENT?
As a volunteer we generally do not feed you during the festival, unless you are advised otherwise. You will be given access to the Welfare Station where you can make yourself a tea, coffee, have some snacks or utilise the hot water urn however you desire :) There are also a variety of food vendors on-site that you can buy food from. Please familiarise yourself with the terms & conditions of entry and be aware that no alcohol, glass, drinks or food is to be brought into the event.
+ SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
We love the earth and are doing our part to take care of it. We encourage all of our festival friends to make sure our festival habits are good for the environment! With this, only approved packaging is allowed within the festival site and must be 100% biodegradable. Please try and minimise as much landfill and plastics use prior to arriving at the event site.
+ WHAT IS THE VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT?
The Volunteer Agreement outlines the engagement and expectations as a confirmed participant and volunteer at the event. We utilize a payment gateway that securely stores your details which are held until successful completion of your allocated shifts, at which point your payment is refunded back to you!
A nominal, refundable fee is processed so that we have your details and in the unlikely event you do not complete your shifts, or break the terms & conditions of the event or the Agreement, you will be charged the full price of an event ticket plus a $100 administrative fee.
+ WHAT HAPPENS IF THE EVENT IS RESCHEDULED?
If for any reason (including COVID) the event is rescheduled, if you have already confirmed your position, it will be held for you unless you advise us that you can no longer make the rescheduled date, or you no longer wish to attend :)
ROLES AND DESCRIPTIONS
ARRIVAL ATTENDANT
Arrival attendants help to direct cars into the carpark in a neat and orderly fashion, helping campers on their way to the campsite and providing a cheery “Welcome to the Hill!”.
TICKETING & COVID SIGN IN
Ticketing Attendants check and scan tickets, assist with providing correct accreditation (wristbands) to patrons, ensure all patrons sign in for Covid tracing, and help ensure everyone gets into the festival in the quickest and safest way possible!
GATE ATTENDANT
As a gate attendant for the festival your role ranges from greeting your fellow campers to the hill, to helping out with baggage transport, monitoring one of the entrances to the festival or even being a Rock Guardian!
Baggage attendants help with transporting luggage to and from the carpark and the campgrounds; lifting luggage onto and of the tractor and assisting patrons to collect or drop off their things. Being stationed at the entrance to the festival means you’re the first person that everyone sees on their way into the festival, so being cheerful, helpful in your directions and letting out a merry “Welcome to the hill!” is a must.
Attendants at Gates help to control the flow of attendees and traffic, check wristbands and be generally helpful!
Rock Guardians are stationed at the local lookout with looks back over the festival, and are an interface between the general public passing by and the event. You are tasked with the important role of keeping a lookout for anything out of place or people in need of assistance. You may also be required to assist at an interactive activity space that sometimes graces us at the lookout.
ENVIRO TEAM
As an important part of the festival, members of the Enviro Team help with the general cleanliness and upkeep of the Hill, assisting Management with sweeping through the campsite and arenas at optimal times to ensure the grounds stay in tip top condition for the farmers cows and sheep! Help promote good reusable and environmental practices with patrons, and party with the planet!
MERCHANDISE TEAM
Reporting directly to the Merchandise Manager, you will be assisting the Merchandise department with counting, displaying, stocking, and most importantly selling the various pieces of awesome band and event Merch we have available!
BAR TEAM
You must provide a copy of your current Victorian Responsible Service of Alcohol qualification (RSA) to the Volunteer Coordinator prior to the festival. Unfortunately for this event we cannot accept anything other than a Victorian certificate.
PLEASE NOTE: RSAs must be refreshed every 3 years to be considered valid. If you have an interstate certificate you need to have completed this in a classroom environment, which will allow you to complete the bridging course to obtain a Victorian RSA. For any further questions or inquiries please visit the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation Website HERE.
Duties are fairly standard with most bartending roles; but generally involves serving the Farmer’s selection of drinks to his guests in a safe and responsible manner and keeping the bar areas clean and hygienic. Please understand that, whilst we are at one big party, it is expected of you to respect liquor licencing and not to be intoxicated or to consume alcohol during your shift.
ARTIST SERVICES
The artist liaison team will work directly with the Artist Liaison Manager to help facilitate the artist area/s backstage. This includes organising and setting up riders, cleaning rooms between artists, and helping to ensure the performer's time at the event is as enjoyable as possible!
PLEASE NOTE: This is a highly sought after position, and preference will be given to industry students/volunteers with previous experience in this role.
SITE CREW, DECOR & SIGNAGE
A vital part of the Festival team, help give us a hand with building the festival! Reporting to the Site Management Team, you will assist in transforming the farm into the amazing NYE On The Hill Festival!
LOO CREW
This role receives the most kudos from all patrons. You are the guns that keep the Loos stocked with TP and sawdust. Minor cleaning may be asked of you (sweeping the stalls) however if things are yucky all you have to do is hang an ‘out of order’ sign up and wait for the boss to come sort it out.
BUDDY TEAM
Our Buddy team is a highly important position within the Volunteer Department, helping us ensure everyone is having a good time and staying safe! Roaming around the festival you will be handing out sunscreen, water, checking on patrons and making sure everyone is feeling great and having an even greater time!
+ COVID SAFETY
Volunteer, worker and patron safety are our top priority. We ask that you please do not attend your shift if you answer yes to any of the following questions:
• Are you or have you been feeling unwell at any time in the past 48 hours?
• Do you have any known covid-19 symptoms?
• Have you recently travelled from overseas?
• Have you been in contact with any known cases of covid-19 in the past 14 days?
All workers and volunteers must sign in using the QR code and also record their IN/OUT shift times with their manager. Where possible, all work groups should try their best to stay within their work group ‘bubble’. This will help to mitigate risk should a suspected covid case pop up. Please follow the following safety directions while working at the event.
• MAKE SURE YOU’VE SCANNED INTO THE VENUE
• KEEP A SAFE 1.5M DISTANCE FROM OTHERS WHERE POSSIBLE
• BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS PERSONAL SPACE
• REGULARLY CLEAN AND SANITISE YOUR WORK AREA
• HAVE YOUR MASK AVAILABLE TO WEAR IF YOU CANNOT DISTANCE YOURSELF FROM OTHERS
• MINIMIZE YOUR MOVEMENT AROUND THE VENUE
• FOLLOW THE DIRECTION OF OUR SECURITY, STAFF AND MARSHALLS
• PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE, INCLUDING WASHING YOUR HANDS
• COUGH OR SNEEZE INTO YOUR ELBOW
• IF YOU BEGIN TO FEEL UNWELL, PLEASE PUT ON A MASK AND SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
+ CONTACT DETAILS
Please feel free to email the Volunteer Support Team at volunteers@thehillsarealive.com.au for further info if you have any other questions or queries.