Down the Pothole: Talking Volunteering with Diana Roberts and Aline Binetruy
Down the Pothole: Nimbin’s Volunteers and the Search for Diamonds (and Community Spirit)
At 10:00 a.m. on NimFM 102.3, the airwaves hum with chatter, laughter, and the familiar twang of local life. “Down the Pothole” host Andrew—better known as The Lateralist—welcomes two guests: Diana and Aline from the Nimbin Chamber of Commerce. The topic? What keeps Nimbin alive and connected: its volunteers and the Nimbin Interagency.
The People Who Keep It Going
Nimbin, as Diana reminds us, runs on volunteer energy. From community gardens to festivals and the local radio itself, the town’s rhythm depends on people giving their time and heart.
“There are a few paid positions,” she says, “but most of our organisations run on volunteer input.”
Diana’s own journey into community work started decades ago. After moving from Sydney in the early ’80s and spending years building her home, she realised something was missing.
“I needed that intellectual stimulation again,” she laughs. “I found it through volunteering—it took about six years to really find my tribe.”
That sense of belonging sparked the creation of the Nimbin Interagency, an initiative born from the Sustainable Nimbin Community Plan. The goal is to strengthen Nimbin’s not-for-profits by connecting them, reducing duplication, and helping new volunteers find their way in. The Chamber hosted the first meeting—over 30 organisations showed up, buzzing with ideas.
A small grant followed, enabling projects to take shape.
Finding Home Through Giving
For Aline, volunteering is both a personal and community story.
“When I joined the Chamber three years ago, I found my home here,” she says. “You meet people, you feel useful, and you start to belong.”
The focus of the grant is on honouring volunteers—creating events and spaces that celebrate the invisible work keeping Nimbin afloat. One idea in motion is a Volunteer Celebration Day in March. Another is a youth expo, coordinated with groups like Nimbin Youth and Nimbin Central School, introducing younger generations to volunteering and combining community service with hands-on work experience.
The Interagency also envisions shared training opportunities and pooled resources—from first aid to effective meeting skills—so small organisations can build capacity together.
New Roots and Old Stories
Between projects, Diana finds joy in two new commitments: helping the Landcare group restore the old Aquarius Festival park and assisting the Aquarian Archive, which preserves Nimbin’s countercultural history.
“We’re turning the Community Centre corridor into a walking museum,” she says. “It’s exciting—and it’s community at its best.”
Andrew, the host, reminds listeners that NimFM itself is run entirely by volunteers—proof that giving back keeps the town’s spirit strong. So if you’re listening from the hills, the main street, or your kitchen table, consider this your invitation. Whether it’s digging in the park, sorting old photos, or joining a committee, volunteering in Nimbin isn’t just about helping out—it’s how you find your people.
And who knows—somewhere down the pothole, you might even find diamonds
