Welcome to 2026! As we step into a new year, we at Palms International Volunteering carry forward our commitment to authentic relationships, solidarity, and community-led development. This year marks a special milestone—65 years since Palms first sent volunteers abroad in 1961. From those early days to today, over 1,550 Australians have shared their skills with communities across 40 countries.
In this first Palms Post of 2026, we invite you to discover ways to get involved—whether through volunteering abroad, joining our Timor-Leste Encounter or simply staying connected with our community of changemakers.
Celebrating 65 Years of Reaching Beyond
1961-2026: Six and a Half Decades of Solidarity
This year, Palms International Volunteering celebrates 65 years of preparing and supporting Australians to serve alongside communities in our neighbouring nations. What began as the Paulian Association in Sydney in 1956—with groups forming across 100 communities to address social inequality—expanded to international placements in 1961.
Since then, Palms has placed over 1,550 individuals in 40 countries, building long-term partnerships focused on localising skills and supporting community-led development. As we enter this milestone year, we remain committed to our founding vision: enabling people to reach beyond every barrier of culture, religion, nationality and gender to achieve a just, sustainable, and peaceful world.
Thank you for being part of this 65-year journey. Here’s to the next chapter.
Thank you to Our Christmas Appeal Supporters
Tenkyu Tru Olgeta
We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to our Christmas Appeal. As a small, independent organisation—not funded by the Australian Government—we rely entirely on the generosity of our community to continue this work. Your generosity supports the placement of skilled volunteers with partner communities across the Pacific and Asia, and Africa—helping to sustain programs in health, education, agriculture, and community development.
Your contributions make a real difference: they help cover volunteer preparation and training, in-country support, and the ongoing partnerships that enable communities to build self-reliance. Thank you for being part of this work.
Director’s Reflection
Simplicity in a Complex World
This January has been one of the most disrupted and disturbing that we have had for some time: Read more…
Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser
Join us for a snag | Bunnings Rozelle | February 28
Nothing says community quite like a sausage sizzle! Join the Palms team at Bunnings Rozelle as we fire up the BBQ to raise funds for our Global Mission Program.
Swing by for a snag (or two), grab a cold drink, and help support grassroots communities around the world – one sausage at a time.
Every purchase helps communities become architects of their own development by:
- Supporting skilled volunteers in sharing their expertise
- Strengthening grassroots organisations working towards lasting change
- Fostering sustainable, locally-led solutions to poverty
- Building authentic cross-cultural relationships that go beyond borders
Whether you’re mid-hardware run or just passing by, we’d love to see you there!
If you can spare an hour or two to volunteer please send us an email on admin@palms.org.au.
Global Volunteering Information Session
Thursday 19 February 2026 | 7:00-8:30pm AEDT | Online
Discover the impact of volunteering abroad with Palms International Volunteering! With over 60 years’ experience preparing and supporting people to mentor abroad, your life experience could sustain a self-reliant future for those with least opportunity—and the experience could change your life forever.
Join us for an online session where you’ll learn about current opportunities in Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Cambodia, and beyond. We currently have placements for trades teachers, permaculture mentors, agribusiness advisors, English teachers, and community development specialists.
Register your attendance today
Experience Timor Leste
Encounter Tour: 14-27 May 2026
Bemvindo ba Timor-Leste! Experience the diversity of Timor-Leste—from the bustling capital of Dili to small remote communities where dedicated organisations are building self-reliance and sustainability.
Palms Encounters are ethically run small group tours (maximum 10 people) that provide curious travellers with authentic insights into daily life and culture. Throughout your journey, you’ll witness the work of our local partners and have the opportunity to learn about the role Australians can play in reducing global poverty by supporting local initiatives.
Highlights include: the sights of Dili, the historic mountain town of Balibo, the enclave province of Oecusse, and the pristine waters of Atauro Island—home to the most biodiverse reef in the world.
Choose between:
- Active Trek Encounter – spectacular hikes interspersed with community engagement
- Cultural Focus Encounter – a deep dive into Timorese traditions and daily life
Cost: $5,999 per person (includes accommodation, meals, guide, activities, visas, and in-country transport-internal flight, sailboat, 4WD and ferry)
Register your interest or book now
Frontline Inspiration
A Palms Volunteer’s Journey with Reloka Foundation in Timor-Leste
Andie Maxell, Permaculture Specialist in Hera Timor-Leste, works with Reloka Foundation on their colour botanic garden in Hera and supports the KIWA Initiative—a 12-month program providing economic empowerment to women through natural dyes in two remote communities in Oecusse and Ermera.
A highlight came in October when Andie and the Reloka team attended the International PermaYouth Convergence in Ermera with young people from their Oecusse project. “There were hundreds of young people from across Timor-Leste and abroad,” Andie writes. “I saw such joy on their faces—they were all brought together by this shared enthusiasm to address climate change.”
On what she’s learned about development work: “I’ve learnt that aid is more about education than it is about providing material ‘things’.” Read Andie’s full story here.
Current Opportunities to Serve
Our partner communities are seeking skilled volunteers who can contribute to sustainable development initiatives:
- Trades Teachers for Carpentry, Electrical, and Plumbing (Mt Hagen, PNG)
- Permaculture Mentor (Oecusse, Timor-Leste)
- Community-based Agribusiness Mentor (Vemasse, Timor-Leste)
- Mission Station Manager/Mentor (Simbu Province, PNG)
- Basic English and Computer Teacher (Vemasse, Timor-Leste)
- Auditor and Continuous Improvement Officer (Simbu Province, PNG)
View all current opportunities
Why Support Palms
Every act of support—whether financial or through spreading the word—helps sustain our mission and ensures skilled Australians can continue serving alongside communities who request their expertise. Here are some ways you can make a difference:
- Become a member – Have a voice in Palms’ future direction
- Set up a recurring donation – Even a small monthly gift provides reliable, ongoing support for our programs
- Leave a bequest – Include Palms in your will to create a lasting legacy
- Spread the word – Tell friends, family, or colleagues about volunteer opportunities
- Buy raffle tickets – Support our Easter Raffle (drawn 1 April 2026)
- Volunteer in Australia – Help out in our Petersham office
Learn more about supporting Palms here
Get Involved in Australia
In the Palms Office
As a small team, we are always excited to welcome those with skills and time to share in our Petersham office. We have opportunities for event coordinators, website designers, office all-rounders, and more.
Please email palms@palms.org.au if you would like to get involved.
Palms International Volunteering acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People have to their lands and waters. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and specifically acknowledge the Gadigal and Wangal People of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which the Palms office is located.