Lend a hand: volunteer at the Big Aussie BBQ 2026
Every year, the Big Aussie BBQ turns a corner of New York City into a little slice of home — snags on the grill, cold drinks, backyard games, and a few thousand Aussies (and honorary ones) all in the one spot. And every year, it only happens because of the people who put their hand up to help.
We're a volunteer-run, community-first, proudly free event. There's no big events company behind the curtain — just a team of legends in lanyards making sure the day runs. On Saturday, August 15, 2026, we'd love you to be one of them.
Who runs the day
The BBQ is powered by three groups:
Officials — the America Josh team, running setup, safety, and keeping the whole show on track.
Captains — volunteers who lead a small crew at a station, whether that's the sizzle, the bar, or the games. You'll rally your team and keep your patch humming.
Crew — the hands that make it happen: serving snags, pouring drinks, welcoming guests, and pitching in wherever needed. It's the easiest way to jump in.
Where we need a hand
There's a job for every kind of helper, and most shifts are just a couple of hours — plenty of time to still enjoy the day. Here's what we're filling:
Set-up (10am–12pm) — get the site ready before the gates open.
Registration table (11:30am–5pm) — the first friendly faces guests meet.
Bar (11:30am–5pm) — pouring alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Food service (11:30am–5pm) — handing out the good stuff. No cooking required.
Games (1pm–5pm) — running the Thong Toss, the Weet-Bix eating challenge, and all the backyard classics and sports.
Clean & pack-up (from 5pm) — the heroes who put it all away at the end.
Not sure where you'd fit? No dramas — just tell us you're happy to help with anything and we'll find you a spot.
What you get out of it
A lanyard, a real role, and a proper behind-the-scenes view of the day.
A crew of new mates — volunteering is the best way to meet people at the BBQ.
The warm glow of knowing you helped pull off the biggest Aussie day in New York.
A snag and a drink when you're done!
How it works
Register — tell us your name and which jobs suit you.
Get briefed — we'll send a quick rundown and your shift before the day.
Show up — collect your lanyard, meet your Captain, and dive in.
Sign on
Fill out our quick volunteer form — it takes about two minutes — and we'll sort you a role and a lanyard. You can also read more on the Get involved page.
One last thing: if you're lending a hand, make sure you've also registered for the BBQ itself so we've got your spot locked in. See you on August 15 — thongs on, sunscreen ready.