Celebrating our volunteers

Michelle Birks

Second-Hand Uniforms volunteer Michelle Birks initially started her St Michael’s volunteer journey as a Year Level Rep. “It was a great way to meet people, connect with staff and have fun. I also helped out at many Open Mornings and really enjoyed the opportunity to talk with families who were wondering about St Michael's. It’s funny, I enjoyed those mornings more than I thought I would and really missed them in lockdowns.”

Coming from a family that has a long history of volunteering, Michelle believes that the need to help others truly runs in her blood. “Volunteering is something that had always been part of my life growing up. The enjoyment of volunteering has continued into my adult life – I’ve volunteered with a lot of nursing organisations, primary schools, basketball teams and now St Michael's – my family tells me that they think they’ll see me at the op shop next!” As it is with the St Michael’s community, families tend to be spread all across Melbourne and come from all different walks of life. Volunteering is one way in which Michelle sees and appreciates connections that can be made within the wider community. “Volunteering always involves working with other parents and you get to meet interesting people. I don’t think there are many schools that have the same diversity of postcode, and I love having fascinating conversations at the same time as making a difference.” Speaking about what she finds most rewarding about her volunteering roles at St Michael’s, Michelle says that it’s the life lessons that she can pass on to her children that has the biggest impact. “Knowing that it really helps, knowing that it shows my kids what an important part of life it is, provides such a sense of fulfillment. I also love the feeling of having a real sense of belonging at the School. Whenever I am at St Michael’s it feels relaxed and a happy place to be – you can’t ask for more than that.” Michelle reflects upon her current volunteering role with great enthusiasm, having only recently discovered the Second-Hand Uniform (SHU) shop. “This has quickly become a definite favourite and I wish I had discovered it earlier! Everyone has a great time – we surprise each other with hidden skills, learn new ones and reduce waste at the same time, which is fantastic! I have to admit, I didn’t realise that SHU had so many really good quality garments – another thing I wish I had discovered earlier.” Looking back at her volunteer journey at St Michael’s to date, Michelle says she feels a great deal of pride and satisfaction from the role and has had some great experiences over her tenure. Her time with the PCA is also coming to a close as she sees the last of her family members go through the school gates for the final time in 2022. “I have been lucky enough to go to a few of the trivia nights over the years – which require a lot of volunteers – and they are fantastic fun! My son, Tom (12M), is in his final year, so after this year, I’m going to be stepping down. I feel as though our St Michael’s journey has gone by too fast – I’m really going to miss it.” We thank Michelle for her longstanding relationship with the School and wish her and her family all the best for the future.

Vanessa Byers

As the PCA Coordinator, Vanessa Byers supports Year Level Representatives (YLRs) and the PCA executive team by setting up their events online and maintaining the events calendar on the PCA SchoL page. Vanessa mentions that her volunteer role came about after experiencing St Michael’s events herself. “I really enjoyed attending School events and being a part of the School community, so a YLR suggested I might like to volunteer. I was a YLR before taking on the Coordinator role. I have loved my experience so far and I haven't looked back!”

Speaking about her experience, Vanessa sees the volunteer program as a great way to get to know other parents at the School and to contribute to the School's strong sense of community. “The PCA events team and the Year Level Representatives put so much effort into creating events that bring people together, so I get a lot of satisfaction from supporting them in their endeavours.” When asked about what gives her the most satisfaction about the role, Vanessa believes that the School’s values and connection to the community are what makes St Michael’s stand out. “I think it’s reflected in the way the teachers, staff, students and parents interact, and that makes it an enjoyable community to participate in. I also think the School's longstanding history of interaction with the local community makes it a particularly special place to be.” Weathering the storm of COVID lockdowns, Vanessa had to manage many event cancellations, but never failed to see the community spirit shining through. “I admired the PCA's persistence and commitment to finding ways for parents to connect throughout the more heightened moments of the pandemic. I also find meeting new parents a highlight, and I love hearing so many people say how welcoming they find the School.” Thinking about her favourite St Michael’s memory so far, Vanessa finds it hard to pinpoint one in particular, with a plethora of wonderful experiences. “Every year has had something special about it! It has been great fun to watch my daughter Nola (3 Dora Beatrice) go through the various "rites of passage", like the 4YO Kindergarten Dinner Party or the Nativity Play in Year 1, so I look forward to many more special experiences in the years ahead.” We thank Vanessa for her invaluable contribution to St Michael’s and can’t wait to see what exciting events and wonderful memories are made in the near future.

Vincent Fantauzzo

We were very excited to sit down with St Michael’s parent and volunteer, Vincent Fantauzzo. Vincent is known as one of Australia's most prominent artists and photographers, having won the Archibald People's Choice Award more than any other artist. Vincent is also an Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts at RMIT.

For many years, Vincent has volunteered his time to conduct art demonstrations in the Junior School. “When I’m teaching the children, I stand at the front of the room and ask them to describe something creative, which I mockup for them. I then ask them to make their own version of the artwork and tell them that whatever they make is good enough – there are no mistakes when it comes to art. I love to give them the freedom to fail.” Speaking about how he began volunteering for the School, Vincent says that it started off as a casual request from one of his son’s teachers. “I was asked to run an art lesson during the Holiday Program. It wasn’t something that I was really doing at the time, but it felt right to give back and educate the next generation about art and what it can be in its various forms and qualities.” Vincent is passionate about making art as accessible as possible. “If you look at what’s happening with cooking, for example – you can ask children about 5 famous chefs, and a lot would be able to name people they’ve seen on TV or online. If you ask them to name 5 artists, I find that a lot of the time they don’t necessarily know. I want to make art fun, teaching them that creativity knows no bounds and it can translate to all different sorts of life outcomes.” Reflecting on his own experiences growing up, Vincent talks about the need to reinforce creativity in children. “Kids have a right to have an opinion on art, and all of their creations are worthy. I’ve seen it happen a thousand times, including with myself – children make art and they feel it’s not real enough – and that puts them off wanting to be creative” When asked about what brings him the most joy out of his volunteer role, Vincent says that it’s all about the moment that someone realises what art can mean to them as an individual. “All creative expression is important and we all see art through different eyes. Whether it’s creating collages, painting pictures, or even dressing a different way, art has this really therapeutic way of expanding people’s minds." Vincent’s volunteering journey started when his eldest son started in Kindergarten, and has now gone all the way through to Year 7. “It’s been really great seeing that transition from the Junior School into the Senior School. I worried that it might be too easy, but from what I’ve seen, it changes enough for the students to be able to socially reset and gives the older kids empathy for the younger ones. It's the various Co-Curricular programs that the School has to offer that Vincent says makes St Michael’s appealing. “Whether you want to focus on theatre or sports, art or mathematics – there’s enough of a mix so children don’t miss out. My boys have friends with such diverse interests and backgrounds, whether it’s footy or performing arts, and that’s really great to see.” Vincent says that St Michael’s has a very special place in his family’s life, and loves the sense of community. “It’s very inclusive and very diverse. You really get the sense that the School attracts people from all different walks of life. I also love the sense of equality when they’re at School – it feels like they are on a level playing field. I would have loved to have gone to a school like St Michael’s.” One final reflection from Vincent and his time with St Michael's – “The experience has made me want to teach or show kids art more often. It’s a really nice thought that by volunteering, these young people have inspired me to want to do more.” We thank Vincent for his time and generosity, and we can’t wait to see the creative endeavours he takes part in in the future.