All rogaines and supporting WARA activities are organised and carried out by volunteers - that is how the WARA functions and why the cost of participating is so low.
The WARA Committee are our elected volunteers, and in addition many generous members take on annual roles to make sure events are at interesting venues, advertised, catered for, supplied with working equipment etc AND run smoothly.
Thanks to all those who have volunteered in past events. You can check out past volunteers in the volunteers hall of fame.
However additional help is always needed for each rogaine.
If you have done 5 or more events since you last volunteered, then it's time for you to step up.
WIIFM? “What's in it for me?
As a valued volunteer you will be supporting a wonderful organisation – WARA - by sharing the load and contributing your unique skillset. In addition, you will meet interesting people, develop new skills, gain experience in different roles, learn from others, maybe experience the release of “feel good” chemicals like oxytocin and vasopressin, which can create a "helpers high".
Depending on the volunteer role you may either participate in the rogaine or just grab a map & compass and take a walk between duties. Coles or Woollies vouchers are an added incentive.
Event Volunteering
To volunteer before, during or after an event, check out the information below then go to the volunteer grid, pick a suitable date and role and email the volunteer coordinator at
Not sure what to volunteer for? or how to volunteer? then read on...
Event roles include
- Setters & Vetters
- Control Collection
- Safety Officer
- First Aid Officer
- Admin Leader
- Admin
- Event set up & pack up
- Camp Manager
- Hash House
- Truck Driver
- Trailer driver
- Truck loading & unloading
For most roles, there is a manual here that you can read, along with training that you will be invited to 1-2 weeks before the event. On the day you will be part of a team so if you are still unsure of anything you can simply ask.
If you're unsure of what to volunteer for, then read on!
Admin Leader
Admin
Hash (cooking)
Setting & Vetting
First Aid
Truck Driver
Truck loading
Trailer Driver
Also, the collection of volunteer manuals are available here.
You will lead the team that ensures the event is run smoothly by managing all administrative functions including scoring. Duties are many and varied, but not difficult or onerous.
Time Commitment - Depends on the length of Rogaine
- Attend the pre-event meeting to set up the wrist tags
- Be available by 5 pm on the Friday night for 12/24 hour events(pre-registration)
- A roster will be organised for the duration of the rogaine
Pre-Requisites
- Preferably have previous experience in Admin and exposure to Navlight.
Duties
- Be familiar with the contents of the Admin manual and of the sequence of tasks described in the manual. See https://wa.rogaine.asn.au/information/volunteer-info/manuals-for-volunteers
- Co-ordinate the setting up & packing away of the admin tent
- Manage the volunteer sign-off sheet and distribute gift vouchers as appropriate
- Before registration opens
- Familiarise the admin team with the various roles required during the registration process, allocate personnel to the various roles and make sure each person understand their role and the overall workflow
- Undertake training (esp. Navlight) where appropriate
- Ensure all is ready for registration to open (compasses allocated, all folders and equipment out
- Set up the event clock
- Before the event starts
- Manage the registration process and make sure resources are reallocated depending on where the bottlenecks are (usually wrist tag distribution)
- Perform the role of Team change person/money persona and oversee/assist the Navlight person
- Pre-register teams
- Encourage rogainers to collects controls, pack hash, or unload truck etc
- Attach wrist bands
- During the rogaine
- Set up activity rosters for the team
- Set up the finish punches
- Confirm all DNS teams and update Navlight accordingly
- Collect safety cards from returning teams
- Remove wrist tags from teams when finished
- Extract spare copies of map for WARA map archive and give to truck driver
- After the rogaine
- Check the preliminary results to be read after event before issuing to setters
- Allocate badges to teams as indicated in the results list and provide badges to setters to issue as results are read
- Collect all punches from setters to return to Admin coordinator
- Tally monies taken during the event
You will be part of a team, ably led by an experienced admin leader, that ensures the event is run smoothly by managing all administrative functions including scoring. Duties are many and varied, but not difficult or onerous.
Time Commitment - Depends on the length of Rogaine
- Possibly a pre-event meeting &/or a couple of hours on the Friday night
- A roster will be organised for the duration of the rogaine
Pre-Requisites
- High school age children may volunteer for Admin but only in the company of a Parent/Guardian or Mentor/Cadet leader. Mentors and Cadet leaders should have a current WWC registered with WARA.
- Willingness to become familiar with Navlight, WARA’s rogaining software.
Duties
- Assist with setting up & packing away of admin tent
- Before the rogaine starts
- Pre-register teams
- Hand out maps, controls & safety cards
- Encourage rogainers to collects controls, pack hash, or unload truck etc
- Attach wrist bands
- During the rogaine
- Ensure sufficient toilet paper, hand-wash and water is available during events with hire toilets
- Record details of volunteers who are casually rogaining
- Collect safety cards from returning teams
- Remove wrist tags from teams when finished
- For those familiar with with Navlight, WARA’s rogaining software
- Make team changes
- Process tags and generate team scores
- Provide preliminary results to be read after event
- After the rogaine
- Assist with allocation of badges to teams
First Time?
The Admin Manual is available on the website (https://wa.rogaine.asn.au/information/volunteer-info/manuals-for-volunteers) and contains detailed descriptions of each task undertaken by the admin team during the event.
Hash House
You will be part of a team that is cooking for hundreds of people, but don't let that put you off! Even if you are not Jamie Oliver it doesn't matter, as there are straightforward instructions to follow for WARA-style food preparation. You may even learn the simple secret to making WARA-quality rice!
Pre-Requisites
- Children 15 years and older may volunteer for the Hash House but only in the company of a Parent/Guardian or Mentor/Cadet leader. Mentors and Cadet leaders should have a current WWC registered with WARA.
Time Commitment - Depends on the length of Rogaine
- Possibly a couple of hours on the Friday night
- A roster will be organised for the duration of the rogaine
Hash House tasks include
- Help set up cooking equipment
- Prepare food - eg: Assemble cheesies cut cakes, cut up mushrooms, etc.
- Cook food
- Keep a supply of hot water available
- Clean up pots, etc. as you go.
- Chat to fellow volunteers & hungry rogainers about anything and everything from rogaining to the meaning of life.
- Help pack up the cooking equipment
First Time?
A comprehensive Duties List and training video has been developed for 12- and 24-hour rogaines and is available from the nominated Hash Leader or Volunteer Coordinator.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nfdV8Z6tGuzjmwX4lj61VuJq1FkZum3Q/view?usp=sharing training video by Steve Sertis
Additional resources are here
- 12hr_Hash House Duty_list_2024.pdf
- 12hr roster chart.xls
- 24 hr Hash House Duty list.doc
- 24hr roster chart.xls
- Camp Layout Map.pdf
- Hash House Layout Example 2013.pdf
- Camp layout map 2013.pdf
- Power On quick reference guide.pdf
- Power trouble shooting guide.pdf
- Switching battery banks quick guide.pdf
- WARA HH Leader Notes 12Hr.doc
- WARA HH Leader Notes 24Hr.doc
- WARA HH Leader Notes Upside Down.doc
Setting & Vetting
Setting or vetting an event will improve your rogaining. As there are no controls to confirm your location, to place a control perfectly, you have to utilise all your previously-acquired rogaining skills - map reading, pace counting and compass skills (with a good dose of concentration thrown in). It makes for some of the best rogaining practice possible, as well as being a rewarding and enjoyable experience in its own right. Don't feel you will be on your own, the committee can offer assistance and help if you run across any issues, and there is a Setting & Vetting Seminar held each year that will help prepare you for the task.
Not counting the time required to hang controls just before the event, you will normally spend about six days in the field for a 24 and 12 hour event and about four days for a 6 hour event. Meeting with and seeking approval from landowners is normally a setter’s task, and this will add to the time required. Areas that provide good access by vehicle, such as farms, will require less time.
During the day before the event both the setters and vetters are expected to pitch in and assist with the establishment of the hash house site, unloading the truck and the erecting of tents. Other volunteers and competitors will be available to help with this. Taking direction from the Camp Manager is helpful if you are new to the task.
The First Aider is a vital part of the rogaine team and typically treats strains, sprains, scrapes, blisters, and possibly ticks bites.
For each event, a Safety Plan is prepared by the Safety Officer and given to the Admin Lead. It contains details of the nearest hospital which has already been advised that a Rogaine is happening in their area - for Bush Rogaines only - and information regarding the location of and contact details for the nearest emergency services such as hospitals, police and fire brigade.
Pre – requisites
- First Aiders need to be 18 or older
- Minimum requirements being a current First Aid certificate and
- Current Working with Children (WWC) card.
Note: WARA will assist you obtain the necessary prerequisites and pay for both. All you need to do in return is to occasionally be our First Aid Officer at events.
Time commitment – Depends on the length of the rogaine
- The duration of the Rogaine plus set up and pack up time.
Duties
- Assist with setting up & packing away of First Aid tent including tables and stretchers.
- Meet with Safety Officer and review Safety Plan together
- Show Safety Officer the location of the Red “emergency” bag
- Provide the Patrol Vehicle/s with First Aid kits and portable stretcher
- Wear the Fluoro First Aid vest
- Provide first aid assistance with consent and be mindful of infection control
- Record treatment details
- Keep the Red “emergency” bag ready for immediate use.
Reports
- Any incidences to the First Aid Coordinator
- Inform the First Aid Coordinator of any stocks that need reordering.
First time?
If you haven’t volunteered as a WARA First Aider before, a “mentor” will familiarise you with the contents of the first aid boxes, run through the necessary record keeping and remind you of the WARA Interacting with Children Guidelines.
Pre-Requisites
- Age 18+
- Current MR Truck Licence or equivalent.
Time commitment – Depends on the length of Rogaine & the distance from Perth
- 1 to 2 days prior to rogaine collect truck from hire company, pick up food and WARA equipment.
- Drive to rogaine and assist with unpacking.
- After rogaine – pack up, return WARA equipment to the shed then drop off truck.
Duties
- Pick up the truck.
- Become familiar with the raising & lowering of rear tray.
- Liaise/discuss with Event Coordinator or ? re pick up, loading & drop off times and rogaine destination.
- Meet equipment team at the storage shed where a bunch of people help loading the WARA gear into the truck.
- Collect the food from the catering place.
- Drive to the rogaining site where the equipment is unloaded with the help of another bunch of people.
- After the rogaine almost the reverse happens; the equipment is loaded at the rogaining site and unloaded again at the equipment shed before truck is refuelled and returned to the hire place.
Note
- For a 24 hour event the truck driver may not compete in the rogaine for safety reasons but can grab a map to find few controls.
- The truck may need to be parked at least 1 night at the driver’s residence.
- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nfdV8Z6tGuzjmwX4lj61VuJq1FkZum3Q/view?usp=sharing shows the raising and lowering of the rear tray
Reports
First Time? Contact the
The truck is loaded at the WARA equipment shed in Morley then unpacked at the rogaine and the reverse happens at the end of the rogaine. Make sure you wear suitable clothing & footwear and it’s advisable to bring a pair of gloves. Gear to be packed/unpacked includes tents, tables, boxes of cooking gear, and various other pieces of rogaining equipment. You may opt to assist at the Morley shed, the rogaine or both.
Duties at the shed
- Packing is on Thursday of the week of the rogaine
- Meet at the equipment shed late afternoon to assist in packing – time to be negotiated/advised.
- Unpacking after the rogaine
- Meet the at the equipment shed to assist in unpacking – time to be advised.
Duties at the rogaine
- Unloading the truck – may include tent erection
- Meet at the rogaine site to assist – time to be negotiated/advised.
- Unpack the gear as per the instructions of the Camp Manager or member of the equipment team
- Loading the truck – may include tent packing
- Meet at the truck to assist – time to be negotiated/advised.
- Pack the gear as per the instructions of the Camp Manager or member of the equipment team.
Note
- Loaders & unloaders may compete in the rogaine.
- Safe lifting practices to be applied.
First Time? Contact the
The WARA trailer contains the power system and other miscellaneous rogaine equipment. It needs to be taken to the rogaine in time for setting up.
Pre-Requisites
- Current drivers licence
- Robust vehicle with tow ball
Duties
- Arrange to collect trailer from the equipment shed at Morley.
- Tow the trailer to the rogaine in a timely manner – maybe assist with setting up.
- Return the trailer to the equipment shed after the rogaine – usually on the Sunday.
First Time? Contact the