A glance around the Bathurst Eisteddfod office at BMEC reveals the critical role volunteers play in this popular community event.

This year, 100 volunteers have signed up to ensure the 69th eisteddfod runs like clockwork, and with 4000 performers taking part in 500 different sessions, every last one is needed. 

Volunteer co-ordinator Pam Andersen was responsible for creating the intricate roster on which the event turns. 

For the next three weeks at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, volunteers will man the doors, write up the results, do the on stage announcing, carry out backstage work, act as secretary for the adjudicator, work the lights, corral the children, hand out the prizes and sell tickets in the evening and on weekends. 

Some people are only able to volunteer for one session, some have put their hand up for 16 sessions, it all depends on how much time they are able to commit. 

Ms Andersen said the volunteers come from all walks of life, but the majority are older retired people because they have more time to spare. Others became involved when their children were small and just carried on. 

Some volunteers have been giving their time to the eisteddfod for decades, including Nona Dart, Marg Ashelford and Carole Eastment. 

However, it is not the sole domain of the experienced. This year there are a number of high school students from Denison College and St Stanislaus’ College volunteering their time in a work experience capacity. 

Eisteddfod organisers view this as a very hopeful sign because the future of the event lies in the hands of the younger generation.

Apart from the satisfaction of giving something to the community, some of the students also receive study credit for their efforts. 

“They are doing a terrific job and it gives them a really good background,” Ms Andersen said.

“The eisteddfod wouldn’t run without volunteers,” she said.

Larraine Griffin is the sponsorship co-ordinator for the Bathurst Eisteddfod and also volunteers during the event.

She said what she loves about volunteering during the eisteddfod is meeting other people and getting to hear the performances on stage.

“My children benefited from the eisteddfod so I enjoy giving something back,” she said.

Ms Andersen said they would love to see some new faces volunteering at next year’s eisteddfod.

She said people can pop into the office during the event to sign up. 

Ms Andersen said next year it will be a really big event because not only will it be the 70th eisteddfod, it will also be Bathurst’s bicentenary.

The music section continues today with choirs, percussion, verse speaking, piano and orchestral strings.