18/06/2026
In the aftermath of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Sam Johnson rallied 11,000 young volunteers to “muck in” shovelling silt to help his community recover.
What started as a grassroots response has since evolved into a movement engaging more than 160,000 students around the world including around 800 in South Australia. The Student Volunteer Army award program, delivered locally by Volunteering SA&NT with State Government support, creates pathways for volunteering and recognition for contribution.
As conversations continue today at the 2026 National Volunteering Conference, hosted in Adelaide by Volunteering SA&NT about the future of volunteering in Australia, Sam’s message is simple: See an idea. Make it happen.