Volunteering Tasmania, in conjunction with the University of Tasmania, is showing all the different
ways that young people give back to the community.

They are raising awareness of youth community participation via an Instagram competition: ‘Random
Snaps of Kindness’ for this year’s National Youth Week.

“Young volunteers give an average of 12.5 hours a month to benefit our community. Our goal
is to give those hard workers the recognition they deserve, and break down the myth that young
people don’t demonstrate care for others or give their time,” said Volunteering Tasmania CEO
Adrienne Picone.

“Through working with University of Tasmania Researcher, Dr Nicholas Hookway, we know
that young people show kindness every day in many different ways, including volunteering” she said.
Any Tasmanians between the ages of 13-25 can submit photos on Instagram using the #kindsnaps
hashtag, and @volunteeringtas to win prizes.

The photos should represent the donation of time or another act of kindness, and entrants are
reminded that they must read the terms and conditions found at www.volunteeringtas.org.au prior to
entry. Prizes include iPod Nanos and gift vouchers.

In addition to prizes, the images will be displayed from 13th – 15th April during National Youth Week, at
both the Hobart and Launceston University campuses. A launch event will be held for each region on
that week. Entrants from anywhere in Tasmania are eligible to enter, win prizes, and attend the
events.

This event was made possible by a grant from the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Background:

Dr Nicholas Hookway is a sociologist in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Tasmania. His research is driven by
a fascination with how people care and connect in a changing world. The kindness study – completed with UTAS colleagues
Associate Professor Daphne Habibis and Dr Anthea Vreugdenhil – is the first in the world to examine the social composition
of kindness and how it is changing across generations.

As Tasmania’s Peak body for volunteering, Volunteering Tasmania (VT) makes a positive impact on volunteerism, and as a
result, helps to improve and sustain our wonderful community and the people within it. VT believes that all members of our
community equally deserve the right to be included in volunteering, and experience the benefits. Their mission is to create
an environment which promotes and sustains effective volunteerism.
Bonnie Tuttle