General News
3 February, 2022
“It’s not over” - Jung market faces volunteer shortages
THE Jung Market has been running ever since 1990 but that has changed as organisers have run into a volunteering obstacle.
THE Jung Market has been running on the last Saturday of each month, every month and every year since 1990 but that has changed as organisers have run into a volunteering obstacle.
Usually, the market would run on the fourth Saturday of every month and on the third Saturday of December, but now the market will be running in December and months with five Saturdays.
The market ran on January 29 and is currently set to run on April 30, July 30, October 29 and December 17 for this year.
Volunteer organiser Carlos Boussac said that the decision to drop the market from 12 days a year down to five days a year was not easy but it had to be done.
“The reason is very very simple, it’s the lack of volunteers,” he said.
“It’s a community market and the community is not so much up to it anymore.”
Due to COVID guidelines that must be followed for the market to continue, eight to 12 volunteers are needed to set up and run the market.
Extra volunteers are needed to assist in the early morning set up, checking sellers into the space, putting up signage, more frequent cleaning and volunteers stationed at the front gate for QR code sign in and vaccination certificate checking.
“We used to be able to run and set up the market with maybe three or four people,” Mr Boussac said.
“Not only are volunteers required, but with COVID we need more people to run the market itself.”
Mr Boussac said that the fate of the market lay solely in the hands of the community.
“The feedback first was to close down, but we don’t want that,” he said.
“We fought back with the volunteers that we have and see if we can do it every three months or so.
“If the spirit of the community does not keep going and showing, local events will shut down.
“It’s not over, we’ll do anything to make it right.”
The changes to the market dates are a temporary setting until more volunteers put their hand up to help the market.
“The good news is, if we can find people to step up then we’ll resume the market every month,” Mr Boussac said.
“Jung Market will not shut down at this stage … we just need more help.”
Due to COVID, Mr Boussac said that he understands how difficult times are right now and why people wouldn't want to volunteer.
“It’s just very hard to do something for the community and the community doesn’t respond so well,” he said.
“People are scared to volunteer, to be mixing and to be out there if they catch something.”
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Mr Boussac said that volunteering at the market is an “amazing and rewarding experience” if people are able to push through the work to set up.
“It’s a little bit like going to the gym, you don’t feel like it but once you are there, you’re grateful that you made the choice,” he said.
Mr Boussac said that the Jung Market is by the community, for the community and that his phone is always on for those who wish to sign up to volunteer.
Those wishing to volunteer for the Jung Market can contact Mr Boussac on 0490 500 615 or message the Jung Market Facebook page.