LASALLIAN VOLUNTEERS

BALGO! A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE

Author: Ms. Pearl Bartlett, former Lasallian Volunteer

My name is Pearl Bartlett from Chichester, England. I was a Lasallian Volunteer in Balgo Hills, Western Australia, for 11 months. I had previously volunteered at St Cassian’s Centre Kintbury UK for two years; I decided to continue my Lasallian service and experience a whole new and exciting culture in Balgo, which was an opportunity I will never forget.

My primary role was as teaching assistant at Luurnpa Catholic School, helping students with Maths, English, Art, and many other subjects. I also helped in t h e Mangarri (food) room, serving students breakfast and lunch, and helped with the upkeep of the school grounds, by mowing lawns and cleaning. The staff at Luurnpa School were so helpful and encouraging. They all have a passion for helping the students learn, which was such an inspiration to see.

I also had the opportunity to work within the local community by helping at Warlayirti Art Centre and the Kapululango Aboriginal Women’s Law and Culture Centre. All the artists and elders were happy to tell me their stories and taught me so much, including the local language Kukatja, which was an important part of immersing myself within their culture.

It isn’t easy to pinpoint my favourite part of my year as a Lasallian Volunteer because I was lucky enough to experience so much. I loved working in the school and helping the students with their learning, and just chatting and having a yarn with them, learning about their lives and stories. I also enjoyed the time when I played AFL football with the community; even though it was in the scorching heat, I enjoyed everyone’s company and the opportunity to meet new people. I had never played AFL before (which was very obvious), but the encouragement everyone gave each other to get involved was immense.

I have learnt so many new life skills. Excursions in the outback with the students, collecting bush tucker, was such a memorable experience and something I shall never forget, as well as seeing the most stunning scenery (the stars at night in the outback are something to behold).

I would encourage anyone thinking about becoming a Lasallian Volunteer in Balgo to apply! No matter how far away you live or who you are, if you have a strong passion for helping others, do it!

Take a chance, try something different, and step out of your comfort zone; you never know what you may find. My experience from the Lasallian Volunteer program has opened so many pathways for my future.

“AN INCREDIBLY EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE FOR ANY YOUNG GRADUATE WHO WANTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORLD”

“I really tried to learn about myself during that time, and understand how I would like to make a difference in the world”.

Like most younger people, Rhys Jack has travelled many roads discovering and developing the self, including where one can “make a difference” for the world. Growing up in a family of three boys in leafy Cherrybrook, on the outskirts of Sydney, he attended Oakhill College, Castle Hill from 2002, graduating in 2007. Attracted to sport in a proud rugby union school, he opted for rugby league! Under the expert tutelage of Br. Malachy Yates and other teachers, the team flourished. A man of many skills, Br. Mal gave the team a lesson in good table manners the day before a team presentation night! All good fun, remembers Rhys. Further study at the local Macquarie University was for a business degree, while playing semi-professional Rugby League for a couple of years at the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers clubs. A career in the construction industry followed. At the same time, Rhys’ life took a new road with a desire to keep up the Lasallian spirit that he had maintained from schooldays. Rhys volunteered in Papua New Guinea, helping at Lasallian Schools in Mannar, Hohola and Bomana. During the Volunteer program, he taught English and assisted on various projects.

“Gap-years” and volunteering may be somewhat remote for those finishing Year 12 at present, but Rhys sees it as “an incredibly eye-opening experience for any young graduate who wants to learn more about the world. The things I learnt on those trips taught me much more then what I was able to teach or give during the experience. I was very thankful that I did it when I did”.

He remembers playing cricket and soccer with the kids. They were full of energy and happy to just be outside running around freely. “I probably most remember the people and teachers I met overseas though, people like Mick Brosnan who was continually volunteering and organising containers of donated goods and also teaching the school boys about building and construction”.

With this ‘self-education’ under the belt, he did more travel, finished two uni degrees, working at some absorbing construction sites, like Barangaroo, and kept up his fitness with football. “I really tried to learn about myself during that time, and understand how I would like to make a difference in the world”.

Those younger years of exploration has found fruit in several operations since. Rhys has become a strong advocate of the Black Dog Institute, because of his strong belief in the area of mental health, especially of young men. He writes and speaks on his blog, about it from his learnings, as well as promoting it on his website. “Putting yourself out there to share your experience” can possibly help someone who is struggling. Another venture that has helped the community was trekking the Kokada Trail in Papua New Guinea in 2015. Rhys wanted the experience of relating to his great-grandfather’s during the Second World War, and from that, with others, raised some funds and awareness for a number of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) charities.

LASALLIAN VOLUNTEERS

A REAL SENSE OF FULFILLMENT

Author: Gabby Russo, Marketing & Community Liaison Coordinator - Oakhill College

Georgia Brown, former Oakhill College Student, realised she wasn’t ready to start university, so she applied for the Lasallian Volunteer program and never looked back.

Why did you volunteer?

While I was finishing Year 12, I realised I wasn’t motivated enough to start university. I’d had a real sense of fulfilment, by helping out and giving back when I went to the Philippines in Year 11 as an Lasallian Youth Leader. I had actually missed the deadline to volunteer for La Salle, but another girl had pulled out, and I saw the advertisement which was to go to yourtown in Queensland, which appealed to me, so I applied and was lucky enough to be chosen.

Where were you placed?

I was placed at yourtown in Deception Bay, Queensland for 11 months. yourtown is a social work centre facilitated by volunteers, who run a young parenting program, to help out mums and dads under 25, and kids under 5. Most of the people at yourtown are disadvantaged and have come from troubled backgrounds or poverty. Volunteers counsel the parents and we help them with all the responsibilities of parenting, as well as encourage them to have positive interactions with the kids.

What was the experience like?

A little bit daunting at first, as I was leaving all my friends and family. Also, Amy my volunteer partner and I were the first to go to Deception Bay, so we didn’t have the chance to ask other people what it was like, or know what the expectations were. We weren’t sure what it would be like to live with the Brothers, but it was great. They were so interesting to talk to, inspiring and helpful, and this was an awesome opportunity to live with and learn from them. They were very positive, experienced and well-travelled, and we enjoyed listening to their stories. The Brothers had all retired up to Scarborough, as they enjoyed living in the community. It was a real family environment. I really enjoyed working with the families, and I felt a real sense of fulfilment, as I was making a difference to their lives and really helping them out.

What were the highs and lows of your time volunteering?

There were many highs, such as having the kids really opening up and trusting you. Also getting to know them, and hearing their stories and life experiences were inspiring and motivating. I also worked in a school in Scarborough, and formed close connections and friends particularly with Year 12. I feel like I gained so much knowledge and wisdom during my time away. There weren’t many lows, but I did miss my family and friends at times, and being away from home.

LASALLIAN VOLUNTEERS

What advice do you have for anyone who is thinking of volunteering?

My advice would be to go for it. This is pretty much a once in a lifetime opportunity. It has helped me so much as a person and I have more clarity now about what I want to do with my life. I’ve got to see the many pathways that I can choose. This was such a good opportunity.

How has it been to move back to Sydney?

It is a bit weird moving back into my family home, after being so independent and self-reliant for so long. I feel that I have improved as a person, and definitely matured.

What are your plans for the future?

After my extended gap year, I am now working full time, and planning to go to university next year to study psychology.