Volunteer stories
Never volunteered before? Interested in volunteering? Read these volunteer stories to discover the joys of volunteering.
Harry Whelan: Young volunteer with a mission
By Jenny Springett
"Initially I just wanted to become more active in my community by being involved in local youth affairs but, over time, this has evolved into something much greater. Gradually I saw a need to enable and motivate other young people to speak up and speak out".
Harry Whelan is truly a remarkable and enterprising young man. For the past three years, Harry (18), has contributed more volunteer hours and commitment than many other people are able to give in a lifetime.
His first community involvement, while still a student at Casimir Catholic College in Marrickville, was working with the Canterbury Youth Council, an association he continues to this day even though he has many new responsibilities. While gaining more and more direct contact with wide community networks of young people and service providers, Harry soon saw a need to motivate other young people to become involved. Moreover, he became more acutely aware of the negative media coverage often associated with the activities of young people and that was something he thought needed reversing.
Harry's volunteer work over the past three years has been extensive and each new role leads to more challenging and demanding situations. In 2005, his important roles included working as Youth Advocacy Team Leader with World Vision and being a member of the NSW YMCA Youth Parliament Taskforce. His current roles include positions as youth national board member with the Association of the Welfare of Child Health, and as a drug and alcohol peer education program facilitator with Rosemount Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services.
He is also a Bridge to Volunteering and Student Community Involvement Program facilitator with The Centre for Volunteering. This allows Harry to use his public speaking skills in schools to inspire young people to volunteer to make a better society. He also volunteers as The Centre's youth advisor advising staff on issues pertaining to young people and how to best attract and involve them in volunteering.
For his own commitment and dedication to the community, Harry Whelan has already received two awards—a Commendation of Community Service in recognition of services to the community by the Wests Club in Ashfield in 2004, and a Youth Commitment Award in conjunction with NSW Children's Week for making an outstanding contribution to the community in 2005.
On top of all this outstanding community work, Harry continues to juggle his time volunteering with the demands of tertiary education. He has already gained several certificates and is now studying a Diploma of Community Welfare at Ultimo TAFE.
Harry sees his voluntary work as a process and is proud to be involved in the idea of motivating young people to tackle the issues that confront the status and wellbeing of youth and children today and in the future. Harry believes it is not only important but also fulfilling for young people to get involved with the broader community "even if it is to start by joining local activities and cultural events".
So, whether you are young or old or somewhere in between, Harry Whelan can certainly be an inspiration to us all. To use the old saying, 'youth knows no fear'.
Karen Taylor: Bridge to Volunteering Presenter with The Centre for Volunteering
By Jenny Springett and Karen Taylor
"From my experience working as a Bridge to Volunteering Presenter with The Centre for Volunteering, I have gone from being frightened of taking risks to 'having a go'. I have learnt to say 'I can!' instead of 'I can't!' and I have found the volunteering experience incredibly rewarding. I challenge anyone to do something positive for themselves and others!"
In 2002, I rang The Centre for Volunteering and asked them about what was involved in becoming a volunteer. They suggested I attend the Bridge to Volunteering seminar for two hours held every Friday morning. The lecture I attended was informative and, I must admit, my first thought of what volunteering involved was visiting people in nursing homes or serving in a Salvation Army shop—not that there it is anything wrong with that, as Seinfeld would say—but I was amazed at the different types of volunteer positions that were available.
There were positions available in fields as varied as counselling, designing web sites, acting, tutoring, community radio, photography, being tour guides for the ABC or art galleries or museums, and helping deaf children with sign language. You could also work on special events and get involved in festivals, fundraisers and street fairs for City to Surf, Clean Up Australia Day and the Royal Easter Show.
At that time, I was in full-time employment and 'put it on the backburner' until 2004 when I was made redundant after working in the same office job for over 28 years. To say I was an emotional wreck was an understatement. I had no self-confidence and was frightened of 'taking risks' in my working and personal life. I went from working five days a week to literally nothing and the days just drifted into each other. I wasn't ready to throw myself back into office work in a hurry and so I thought seriously about volunteering.
I attended a second two-hour Bridge to Volunteering talk and, while watching the lecturer presenting the information, I thought that would be something I'd like to do. I applied for the position of Bridge to Volunteering Presenter, passed the interview and attended some extensive training. I remember presenting my own first Bridge to Volunteering talk, I was very nervous (lucky they couldn't see my knees shaking!), my heart was beating so fast, but I thought if this is the worst it gets, then that's okay. I felt a sense of achievement. From there, I was sent to various high schools to talk on the benefits of volunteering in front of about 100 students at a time.
As well as presenting the Bridge to Volunteering, I now regularly visit schools, attend various expos and give talks to groups and as a result of my involvement I have even secured a paid position as well—something I had only dreamed of achieving in the past.
The Experience
What are the benefits of volunteering for me? I feel valued—volunteering gives me a sense of purpose. It's a challenge—I've had the opportunity to try something I probably would never have had the chance to do in the paid workforce. I have met some wonderful people I normally wouldn't have met. It has broadened my outlook on life. It also looks good on my résumé and, if you are in between jobs, it gently eases you back into the workforce.