I'm in the mood for some whinging.
For the past 3 years I have been a volunteer in Big Rides in 3 Australian states. "Big Rides" are 9 day supported cycling holidays, and is run mostly by volunteers. There's the Great Victorian Bike Ride, NSW Big Ride & Cycle Queensland. I just got an email from Cycle Queensland, and have been told that my volunteer application has been declined. I have been a catering volunteer in all these rides, and that makes me a regular. I'm usually on the catering short-list for up and coming rides.
But this years cycle Queensland is way up in North Queensland (I'm from Sydney) and I don't think many regular volunteers from sydney will be accepted on this trip. They're providing some "free " transport from Brisbane, and I have no trouble paying my way up to Brisbane to meet that transport. It would have been a great trip this year, getting a chance to see North Queensland. It just shows that experience from dedicated volunteers doesn't mean much at all.
Oh well, there's always the Great Victorian Ride - I may even ride my bike on that one.