For the past decade, Flinders students have produced short documentaries and now online video ads (OVAs) for websites, social media and mobile devices, with the aim of recognising volunteers’ selfless generosity, increasing volunteer participation and promoting the work of worthy organisations.

As the State Government-funded Office for Volunteers project nears its target of 100 volunteer YouTube videos by the end of the year, a suite of new videos is being unveiled today, including one for the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) of SA.

The RDA SA’s marketing and fundraising manager, Justin Dent, is looking forward to the new video raising awareness about the children’s organisation.

“We always need more helpers to give children the chance to enjoy the great outdoors on horseback,” Mr Dent says.

“It’s a unique chance for children living with disability to participate in a fun and inclusive recreational activity.”

The video was shot at the RDA’s Oakbank riding centre, with volunteer Kate Howie. Flinders’ Screen and Media student Kurt Roberts led production, along with a student team of James Long as the director of photography, Nat Schilling as editor and Alex Salkicevic working with sound.

Kurt says he is pleased with the finished result, and what was gained from creating it.

“It was a great experience to work with the clients and be able to experience working in a new environment,” he says.

“The best part was the crew working together to create a video that RDA was happy with, and produce a finished product which was like we originally envisioned.”

Lecturer in screen production and Community Voices Program coordinator Dr Tom Young is equally happy about the program.

“It is fantastic at the end of semester when I receive extremely positive feedback from the volunteer organisations. They praise the students for their commitment, professionalism and exceptional work,” Dr Young says.

“This is very important because these videos will represent these volunteer organisations, and if they’re happy, then the Community Voices Program is a success.”

The latest of the 60-second promotional videos will be launched at Flinders University on July 12, with the latest promotional documentaries available online this week.

The Office for Volunteers has funded production and air-time exposure for the videos with more than $500,000 over the past 10 years. The program has involved more than 200 Flinders students, with each video taking up to 250 hours to make.

The latest videos include Riding for the Disabled SA, Cancer Care Centre, ARPA Orchestra, Drug ARM Australasia and Second Chances – with short documentaries for Asbestos Victims Association SA, Catherine House, Foodbank SA, Surf Life Saving SA and the Migrant Resource Centre due out by the end of 2016.

The Hutt Street Centre, Community Nurseries Network, Adelaide Hills Natural Resource Centre and Eyre Peninsula Community Foundation were among the volunteer organisations supported last year.

All videos from previous years are available to watch online here.