vitality
Volunteering SA&NT Inc.
Spring 2009
Mid North Community Connections Calling All Event Volunteers Riding for the Disabled First Aid Volunteer What are you doing on November 5?
IN THIS ISSUE
12 4 Cover and pictured above: Corporate Volunteering BT Financial Group & City of Prospect Photographer: John Nieddu
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Volunteering SA & NT Inc. Head Office 1st Floor Torrens Building 220 Victoria Square Adelaide SA 5000
www.volunteeringsa.org.au Board: Janet Stone (Chair), Julie Pollard (Deputy Chair), Tim Jackson (Treasurer), Sue Keith, Sandra Waite, Mark Witham, Bruce Hammond, Evelyn O’Loughlin.
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CEO: Evelyn O’Loughlin Editor: Denese Wyatt editor@volunteeringsa.org.au Advertising & Graphic Design: Robyn Haworth design@volunteeringsa.org.au Staff, Volunteers, Consultants: Evelyn O’Loughlin, Tracey Miller, Alex Werchon, Robyn Haworth, Annette Barlow, Martyn Paxton, Denese Wyatt, Sascha Loffler, Anna Williamson, Jo Larkin, Kaye Mahomet, Liam Hanna, Robyn Toi, James Sadler, Ellen Tindale, Sue Keith, Azidah Abdul Aziz, Lynette Bacon, John Carli, Kyla Casey, Socheat Chak, Moira Deslandes, Pam Evans, Mark Fielder, Richard Geyer, Janice Kain, Pauline Keane, Janis Kerr, John Kimber, Alastair McFarlane, Tony Mitchell, Fran Moore, Jane Osborn, Joseph Rankoff, Josephine Swiggs, Shirley Terrell, Ian Tonkin, Bob Watson, Community Sector Business Services, Eleonora Zappia & Associates, Promote That, EPAC Salary Solutions, Pride Business Solutions Pty Ltd, Bliss Web Engine, Business SA, Volunteering WA, Wendy Northey, Teresa Forest, Sue Watchman, Edvance Diversity, Troy Poulish, David Waylen, Jennifer Adams. Students: Josh Wells, Smitha Sugathan, Yu Shimonosono. Partners - Aboriginal Reference Group: Bruce Hammond, Herb Mack, Ken Liddle, Maxine Turner, Lenore Chantrelle, Elizabeth Hurrell, Jessica Koolmatrie, Anna Caponi.
25 Deadline for Summer 09 Edition Bookings 23 October Artwork 6 November Letter box 4 December
Subscribe to Volunteering SA&NT’s quarterly Magazine. editor@volunteeringsa.org.au
or phone 08 8221 7177
Contents
From the Desk of the CEO 3 Office for Volunteers 4 Working Party for Volunteering 5 Travis Rogers, A Man of Many Strengths 6 Northern Passenger Network a Wombat Winner 7 Mid North Community Connections 8 Corporates Spin to Cure Diabetes 9 BT Financial Group & City of Prospect Community Project 10 Volunteering Project Achieves Excellent Outcomes 11 Why is Volunteering Seen as ‘Women’s Work’? 12 Volunteering is for Everyone 13 VSA&NT at the Alice Springs Show 15 National Pioneer Womens Hall of Fame 16 Royal Darwin Show a Success 17 A Need to Help 18 What are You Doing on November 5th? 19 Calling All Event Volunteers 20 South Australia’s Extreme Weather 20 A Lifetime of Caring 21 Recognising the Support of Volunteers 22 A Passionate Volunteer 23 Kaye’s Corner 24 51 Years of Volunteering at the State Library of SA 25 VSA&NT Partners 27
© Volunteering SA&NT Inc. Articles may be reproduced providing copyright is acknowledged. Publishing date September 2009. The opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily shared by Volunteering SA&NT Inc.
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CEO REPORT
From the Desk of the CEO Evelyn O’Loughlin Chief Executive Officer Volunteering SA & NT (VSA&NT)
Please join us for our AGM & breakfast at Ayers House on Wed 14 October 2009 – see our website for details www.volunteeringsa.org.au
The past 12 months have flown by and each day has been as exciting and invigorating as the next. I am indeed very fortunate to work in a sector where people’s passion to make a difference within their community and environment is proudly worn as a badge of honour, and rightly so. Nowhere is this more evident than in our country regions and I was reminded of this again on a recent trip to Wallaroo for the official opening of the Copper Coast Volunteer Resource Centre. As a Renmark girl, who lived and worked in Port Pirie for several years, I would like to acknowledge and recognise the dedication of our country volunteers, volunteer managers and organisations. Across country areas, in service and sporting clubs, in schools, committees, emergency services, and in so many other ways, volunteers are giving their time and skills, and making outstanding commitments to their communities. In fact, 52% of people in Country SA volunteered over a 12 month period compared to 39.5% in Adelaide1. Historically, and through qualitative research, it has been found that, in contrast to their metropolitan counterparts, those living in regional areas saw themselves inextricably and personally linked with their community through a need to work together. In good times and in bad, such as drought and bushfire, smaller and relatively isolated towns often focus on local causes that have resulted in remarkable and positive outcomes; and we thank them for their wonderful community mindedness. But not only can volunteering be great for our communities – it is a personally enriching way of life. Research points to volunteering as having health benefits for those who get involved, showing there is a definite association between 1 Giving Australia: Research on Philanthropy in Australia 2005 Report, Our Community Inc.
volunteering and psychological and physical well-being. While volunteer involving organisations are always seeking the support of positive, healthy people, it is actually the volunteering experience itself that brings happiness, life satisfaction, self-esteem and a sense of control over life. Recently we conducted a survey of our members and supporters and heard loud and clear from many respondents that regional and remote areas are seeking equity of opportunities with their metropolitan counterparts, particularly in training. At present the majority of State Government training funds for volunteers have been earmarked for metropolitan Adelaide. Furthermore, some SA regions have a number of competing volunteer services and others none at all. This creates an inequitable service model. We are currently lobbying Government for this imbalance to be addressed. Many of you will know that we pursue every opportunity to conduct training in regional and remote areas, as evidenced by our recent training in Whyalla, Port Lincoln, Riverland and Point Pearce, but without funding this often becomes an impossible task. It is vital that the Government responds to these calls and we are always working at improving and promoting the interests of volunteering in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Whether it be meeting with State or Federal Ministers, providing position papers to guide Department policy or working on confidential issues within volunteering organisations, we will always push hard for the betterment of volunteering, and it is never more rewarding than when the benefits are felt right through to the individual level. If you would like your voice to be heard or if you feel there is an area we can help improve volunteering, we would welcome hearing from you.
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OFFICE FOR VOLUNTEERS
Message from the Office for Volunteers
by Andrew Hamilton, General Manager 2009 has continued to shape up as another exciting year! As in previous years, the Volunteers Day Concert was once again a huge hit providing some very funny and interesting entertainment to an enthusiastic crowd. The Community Voices Program, now in its third year, delivered some fantastic TV commercials and documentaries which will be of significant benefit to the local community groups involved. There are also new Volunteer Resource Centres popping up all over the State, the Volunteer Support Fund is currently open for application and we’re already looking forward to the annual State Volunteer Congress in December! One of the joys of working with the Office for Volunteers is undoubtedly working with the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, planning the annual Volunteers Day celebrations. This year’s concert was once again, a resounding success, with more than 2,500 South Australian volunteers registering to attend. I was particularly excited to have two great performers, comedian and Bob Volunteers arrive at the Adelaide Downe musician and jazz singer Festival Centre for the Volunteers and vocal artist Mr Day Concert on 8 June 2009. Percival, recognise the importance of this day and agree to perform amidst their already hectic Cabaret schedule. Meanwhile, MC, Peter Goers continued to get the audience laughing. This all complimented the more significant event of the day where the Premier of South Australia, Mike Rann and the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR presented the prestigious Volunteers Day awards to some deserving volunteers for their outstanding and committed contribution to volunteering in our State. Recently, I was pleased to attend the annual launch of one of my favourite programs called Community Voices. Run in partnership with the Screen Studies Department at Flinders University, the Community Voices program allows students to team up with community groups to develop a television commercial or short film. The videos, officially launched in June by Minister for Volunteers, Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP, will be used to publicise the participating organisations and to encourage volunteering in the community. I’m delighted that the program, which helps to raise awareness of volunteering, recruit volunteers and celebrate the contribution that volunteers make to the community, also proved beneficial for students, who said Community Voices provided them with
Flinders University students work with Flinders Medical Centre volunteers on the making of a short documentary film as part of the 2009 Community Voices program. valuable practical and professional experience working with clients in a real world production environment. A win for all involved! In another exciting initiative, we have seen the official launch, through the largest volunteer infrastructure program in the State’s history, of three new volunteer resource centres. Volunteering Barossa & Light Volunteer Resource Centre opened in March, followed by Hills Volunteering in May and the District Council of Copper Coast Volunteer Resource Centre, located in Wallaroo, in August. Each Centre will become a pivotal service to their local community providing a central hub for volunteering promotion, information, resources and support. Through the initiative, 12 Council’s have been provided with seed funding to establish a volunteer resource service, so watch this space - there are more to come! Finally, the Volunteer Support Fund is once again open and we are currently accepting applications. You might want to hurry however as applications close on Monday, 12 October 2009. Last year, we were pleased to receive more than 220 applications, highlighting some of the ways community groups around South Australia support their volunteers. There were some very interesting projects funded in 2008, including the installation of insulation in the Classic Jets Fighter Museum hangar, providing wet weather clothing for Cleland Wildlife Park volunteers and purchasing safety equipment and ID badges for Friends of Parks volunteers. I encourage you to keep an eye on our website and our fortnightly e-newsletter, The State of Volunteering Online, for more news about these exciting initiatives. You can subscribe to the e-newsletter by visiting www.ofv.sa.gov.au/newsletter. htm. For further information, visit www.ofv.sa.gov.au or contact the Office for Volunteers by phoning 8463 4490 or emailing ofv@saugov.sa.gov.au.
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STATE GOVERNMENT DFC
Working Party for Volunteering
by Lois Kelly and Susan Maiorana, DFC An exciting collaboration has recently emerged between the Department of Families and Communities (DFC) and VSA&NT. A Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Home and Community Care (HACC) Working Party for Volunteering (WPV) made up of staff from HACC funded CALD agencies and from DFC and VSA&NT is meeting regularly to discuss the issues of ageing volunteers and diminishing volunteer workforce. The WPV is an outcome of a CALD HACC Forum held in 2008 where it was identified that CALD organisations which are reliant on volunteers, face viability concerns due to ageing and recruitment issues. The WPV meets bi-monthly and CALD Coordinators from Greek, Italian, Jewish, Filipino, Chinese, Lebanese, Polish and Maltese HACC agencies are actively identifying barriers to volunteering workforce issues specific to particular cultural communities, and exploring culturally appropriate ways in which these concerns might be addressed. Part of the work undertaken by the WPV has been to develop and circulate a survey for the CALD sector. From this, baseline
data has been collated (number of agencies experiencing recruitment/retention difficulties; ages of existing volunteers; methods and avenues currently used to attract volunteers; number of agencies that have drawn on VSA&NT to assist in recruitment; awareness of resources available and potential volunteer sources; roles that could/couldn’t be undertaken only by members of their own ethnic group, and culturally specific issues around training and development). The data will inform further strategies developed and shared. Benefits already evident from this work are increased networking and joint problem solving between CALD Coordinators, increasing awareness of VSA&NT as an available sector resource for recruitment assistance and new volunteering approaches being trialled by CALD agencies. Continuation of the work has potential to significantly and positively contribute to solutions to this well-recognised sector “big issue”. If you are interested in finding out more about the VWP or have ideas to contribute, please contact Jo Larkin from VSA&NT on 8221 7177.
CALD HACC Working Party for Volunteering Page 5
REGIONAL NEWS
Travis Rogers, A Man of Many Strengths
by Kathryn Hardwick-Franco, Regional Volunteer Coordinator, Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board
His innovative vision for the Eyre Bio-Regional Permaculture Group has been wide ranging yet manageable for the group, sitting within their comfort zone. In a few short months, he embraced his role as Chair, excelling at strategic planning and revitalising the group with his vision. He has created a highly professional permaculture DVD which demonstrates the benefits of permaculture, the ethics that sit behind permaculture principles and ways in which permaculture can help the environment in a highly professional format.
Travis Rogers works tirelessly for the environment in the capacity of a volunteer. He’s truly passionate about environmental work and has achieved many successes, in part, due to his infectious enthusiasm, but also due to good old fashioned sheer hard work. As is often the case with award winning volunteers, Travis currently holds a variety of volunteer roles with a variety of organisations. He is Chair of the Eyre Bio-Regional Permaculture Group, as well as Publicity Officer for the group. He is a member of the Parks and Reserves Port Lincoln Committee, a member of DiG on Eyre (a Port Lincoln group focused on community gardens) and a member of the Port Lincoln Volunteer Steering Committee. As a result of his work in urban natural resource management, the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board (EPNRM) nominated Travis for the Port Lincoln Rotary Club Pride of Workmanship Award, which Travis won. His passion is contagious.
“You never walk away from Travis without feeling better about everything,” exclaims Gerry Boal.
Other volunteers find it easy to connect with Travis, making it easy for them to support his innovative ideas. Fellow volunteers describe him as enthusiastic, uplifting, bright and friendly and as a person who can get projects moving. “He is also spiritually uplifting – no matter how bad the situation is he can always find a little green shoot,” says Christine Houweling.
He has also created a DVD on Murray’s Point highlighting an environment that supports 14 threatened species. Travis has updated the group’s permaculture brochure, giving the group a professional tool to use for advertising the group and recruiting new members. In addition, he has developed a training resource entitled “What weed is that?” which he has made freely available to the community. He organises permaculture displays at the local library, facilitates mini workshops in the local library, at schools and in other cities across the Eyre Peninsula. He has implemented Occupational Health Safety and Welfare (OHSW) principles into the Permaculture Group, using National Standards and Best Practice processes developed by the non-government organisation, Conservation Volunteers Australia. He ensures there is maximum media coverage for permaculture across the entire Eyre Peninsula in the local newspaper, on local radio, on television and is working on obtaining a banner for the Port Lincoln esplanade. He also represented the group to Honorable Jay Weatherall MP, Minister for Environment and Conservation. One of Travis’ many strengths, and a large reason for his success, is his ability to create and maintain diverse networks. As permaculture becomes an urban natural resources management paradigm through which increasingly greater numbers of people think and work, his volunteer effort will only result in greater on-ground change. Recent volunteer collaborations in which Travis has been involved include working with Liam Hanna, Regional Development Officer VSA&NT, helping to implement a Volunteer Steering Committee for Port Lincoln as well as looking at how to instigate a Volunteer Resource Centre for the Lower Eyre Peninsula. He has also worked with Kathryn Hardwick-Franco, Regional Volunteer Coordinator, EP NRM Board, accessing administration support from EP NRM Administration Volunteers, becoming an EP NRM Registered Group, accessing EP NRM funding and free insurance for his group through membership with the EP NRM Board as well as attending training held by the Board in OHSW, using the media and engaging the youth. Travis has been working with Susan Holland, NRM Education Coordinator, EP NRM Board, presenting training sessions for teachers in permaculture and how to develop “wicking box gardens” in schools. In addition,
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REGIONAL NEWS Travis has worked with Anna Angus, Regional Healthy Weight Project Coordinator, Country Health SA, implementing permaculture principles into the community in the form of community school gardens as well as embracing the idea of a Community Advisory Group that is working towards community gardens.
and the Board sponsored Travis’ travel between Port Lincoln and Adelaide.
Congratulations Travis and may all that you plant thrive, ”As a result of his volunteer because you create the very work, he is improving people’s best environment in which lives,” it can grow – be it green, or otherwise. reports Ms. Angus.
Travis has also worked with Kevin May, Regional Commander, Country Fire Service because of the interest the CFS has in permaculture principles related to using native vegetation as a natural fire break.
As a vibrant, young volunteer prepared to take on leadership roles, implementing a variety of innovative initiatives, it is only fitting that he was nominated to attend a Reception in honour of the Queen’s birthday at Government House, with His Excellency, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR. VSA&NT and the EP NRM Board worked together to nominate Travis
For further information, please contact Kathryn Hardwick-Franco, Regional Volunteer Coordinator, Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board on 8682 7513.
Northern Passenger Network a Wombat Winner
- the highest recognition for volunteering. The Premier of South Australia, The Honourable Mike Rann MP and the Minister for Volunteers, Tom Koutsantonis MP honoured the great contribution made by Northern Passenger Transport Network Volunteers by presenting the Wombat Award to the service during Community Cabinet visit in Port Augusta, on 20 July 2009. The Northern Passenger Transport Network is based in Melrose and auspiced by the District Council of Mount Remarkable on behalf of supporting councils of Orroroo/Carrieton, Flinders Ranges, Northern Areas, Peterborough and the Regional Areas of Port Pirie and joint funding bodies of HACC and DETI. It contributes to the community by providing accessible and affordable transport for the frail, aged, disabled, isolated and low income people.
This Volunteer Service addresses the lack of public transport in the Mid North, and with the aid of vetted and trained volunteers and community vehicles, affordable transport for people is provided to access much needed appointments at Hospitals, Doctors, Specialists, Dentists, Centrelink, and Legal Aid. The service started with one car and one volunteer and has now grown to five cars and 55 volunteers. Although its operation relies heavily on Councils’ involvement, it could not function without the dedicated volunteers who donate their time, energy and care to the project. Northern Passenger Transport Network is about to celebrate its 10th birthday and covers the Council regions of Mount Remarkable, Northern Areas, Orroroo Carrieton, Peterborough, Flinders Ranges and regional areas of Port Pirie. The project is now an automatic contender for the “Andamooka” award. This community project award recognises volunteers who have undertaken a community project that has resulted in significant community benefit.
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REGIONAL NEWS
Mid North Community Connections
by Tracie Hawkins, Regional Volunteer Program Coordinator, Port Pirie Regional Health Services The Port Pirie and Regional Community Volunteer Working Group is a very passionate and committed group of volunteers and volunteer managers from Arts, Heritage, Tourism, Environment, Family & Community Services, Sport & Recreation, Emergency Services and Health. It promotes sharing of information, resources, skills and access to training whilst providing a forum for discussion of issues which effect volunteers and volunteer coordination. Planning of regular events to promote and recognise volunteering and advocating on behalf of the volunteer sector is a key objective, and building partnerships on volunteer issues across government/ non government organisations is the aim! The Community Volunteer Working Group (CVWG) was established in 2000 when the need to share resources, member’s skills and a forum to discuss issues which effect volunteers and volunteer coordination was first identified. Building and strengthening partnerships for improved community outcomes is one of the many positive achievements of the CVWG. The group allows access to training opportunities for the professional development of volunteers and those involved in the coordination of volunteers. Training is also shared across sectors; this enables more training opportunities, cheaper training and better outcomes for clients. The CVWG also provides support and an opportunity for networking for Volunteer Managers and Coordinators.
Some of the many CVWG achievements are: • Partnering with the local newspaper has enabled a free regular monthly newspaper column to promote volunteer groups called “Our Volunteers”. • Articles are placed in VSA&NT’s Vitality Magazine on a regular basis. • Guest Speakers are asked to attend monthly meetings to increase the group’s contacts and opportunities for partnership building. • Volunteer awareness displays have been setup at numerous community events eg. Career Expo’s, The Social Health & Well Being Day, Community Shows and Fairs. • Partnering with so many agencies allows sharing of resources such as training opportunities and recognition ideas. • A monthly radio segment on volunteering issues has been created on Trax FM. This segment is called Volunteer Voices. • Pooling resources, skills, knowledge and time has enabled many successful annual volunteer recognition events to be held during National Volunteers Week and International Volunteers Day to celebrate, recognise and thank volunteers for their contribution.
Organising events on a regular basis, to promote, recruit and recognise volunteering within the region and advocating on behalf of the volunteer sector is some of the group’s objectives, whilst providing opportunities for networking from region to government and other non-government organisations on volunteer issues. The group currently has a membership of 40 Volunteer organisations. These are listed below: Paper Talk, Soroptimist International, SAFECOM, Lifeline, Mission to Seafarers, Trax FM, Volunteering SA&NT, Port Pirie Community Centre, St Vincent De Paul, SA Ambulance, Port Pirie Regional Council, Camp Quality, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Port Pirie Regional Health Service, Lifeline Warehouse, Northern Passenger Transport Scheme, Meals on Wheels, St Josephs House, Port Pirie Community Corrections Centre, Uniting Care Wesley, Lealhome Helping Hand Aged Care, Port Pirie Tourism and Arts Centre, Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery, Heartbeat, Victim Support Service, ATRC/ OZZIEBIZ Group, Adelaide Womens and Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, Sailing Club of Port Broughton, Families SA, St John, YMCA, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Christian Community Centre, Goods @ Gertrude, Port Flinders Development Assn, Friends of Hammill House, The Smith Family. Page 8
CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING
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This has included a three page spread in the local newspaper, presentations about volunteering to local schools, newsletter articles, banners produced at local kindy’s and Kids Writers corner in the local paper, as well as a large (imitation) cheque for $198,975 presented to the local mayor, representing one day of volunteer hours for Port Pirie and surrounding areas. This concept has now been used by other volunteer groups and organisations throughout South Australia. The Big Thank You Event – Ecumenical Service and dedication of volunteers paved area in the local park for International Year of the Volunteer in December 2001. “Thanks Very Much” – Free Movie Night for volunteers. Launch of Volunteer sign on a tripod in Ellen Street . Established a central point at Pt Pirie Regional Library for potential volunteers to visit and gather information on volunteer opportunities. A website has been developed to enable potential volunteers to research more information about volunteering opportunities in our community.
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Signage at three city entrances “Port Pirie welcomes and values volunteers”. A Volunteers’ Expo has been held on a number of occasions.
•
All of these achievements highlight how building and maintaining partnerships can assist with increasing the capacity of the community to ensure volunteers are available and well trained to provide services to community members, and regularly recognised in an appropriate way ensuring better health and community outcomes with their enhancement of services available. ‘Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has’ Margaret Mead
Corporates Spin to Cure Diabetes
by Carmen Bishop, Development Coordinator - SA, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) The Spin to Cure Diabetes was held on 15 May 2009 in Rundle Mall, Adelaide.
supporting “Spinners” on stage – making sure participants were hydrated, their bikes in order and recording distances travelled. We sent each of the volunteers a thank you letter/email and link to the photos. On the day we provided them with refreshments and snacks. Thank you so much for the opportunity for connecting us with this fantastic organisation. “Thanks for allowing us to participate in the Spin to Cure Diabetes Day on Friday. We felt tired at the end having watched everyone cycle so hard! It was a great atmosphere with the music and the fitness guys pumping everyone up. We were impressed with how well everything was organised as well.” Coralie Lockwood, SA Sales Manager - Endocrine & Neuroscience, Eli Lilly Australia Pty Ltd.
Eli Lilly staff wearing their orange and black “Pit Crew” t-shirts. Nine staff from leading pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly took part in the Spin to Cure Diabetes, and without their support the event could not have run so smoothly. JDRF were able to raise $40,000 for the Adelaide event, enabling us to support the best research in Australia to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
The next event on the SA JDRF calendar is the Walk to Cure Diabetes Sunday 18 October 2009, Wigley Reserve Glenelg. Registrations are now open on-line at www.jdrf.org.au/walk
Eli Lilly staff, coordinated by Eli Lilly staff member Coralie Lockwood, worked tirelessly from 10.30am until 2pm Page 9
CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING
BT Financial Group & City of Prospect Community Project
by Karen Buenger – Volunteer Development Coordinator, City of Prospect Early in 2009, VSA&NT sent an email to all Volunteer Involving Organisations requesting projects suitable for “Corporate Groups” within the Community. City of Prospect responded to this call and created a community based project of a “working bee” type, to beautify an underused area on Wilcox Avenue, near Prospect Oval, for community use. Activities included some minor landscaping of the grounds (planting and placing of mulch) and the painting of the old air-raid shelter located on the site. This is the first step in a
future plan for this area to be utilised by the community as a park area. The project was accepted by a team from BT Financial Group who successfully completed the areas transformation within a day and had a great time in the process. Take a look at the photos of the Corporate Group in action! City of Prospect would like to recognise the wonderful Corporate Group for their hard work and the contribution they have made to our community, the project was a huge success! We would also like to thank VSA&NT for providing us with the opportunity to work with this group.
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INNOVATIVE VOLUNTEERING
Innovative Volunteering Project Achieves Excellent Outcomes In today’s world of volunteering, it’s important to engage volunteers in roles and with time lines that suit them. Flexibility is one of the keys. Innovation and measured risk are others. That is how, through the vision of one local council employee, a skilled migrant gained paid employment and five local councils developed a resource that welcomes and connects volunteers.
Innovative Councils Michelle Hodshon, Volunteer Development Officer, City of Salisbury received an email from Tomas Alves, a skilled migrant who wanted to volunteer. With experience in all aspects of video production, Tomas did not fit in any available position, so it was necessary to create a new and specific role for him. Michelle realised the potential to develop a unique project working collaboratively with other local councils, which would add benefits for Tomas and the Councils involved. Tomas, on the other hand, would learn about local government, expand his networks and increase his exposure in the hope of gaining paid work. As a result, the Councils would achieve an Australian first; cross council project targeting volunteer recruitment. Michelle had created strong networks with four local councils so engagement in a collaborative effort was seamless. The enthusiastic team met, brain-stormed ideas and decided on the development of a DVD that welcomes volunteers to their organisation. A project brief outlining the aims and objectives, proposed content and format of the DVD, time-line and estimated costs was then developed. Each council was given responsibilities with the coordination of the project led by Michelle.
also informed Tomas that there could be the possibility for a cross-council project. After a few weeks, Michelle contacted Tomas to advise that four councils were interested and it was time for all to come together for a brain-storm session to identify a project that would engage Tomas’ skills, that he would find rewarding and would meet the Councils strategic goals. After a project was developed Tomas immediately started volunteering and was soon in the thick of filming and editing. As a benefit of volunteering with the Salisbury Council, Tomas was eligible to apply for internally advertised paid roles. Now primed with local and cross-council knowledge and experience and with Michelle as a referee, he applied for a role in Library Services and was successful. Through his volunteering Tomas gained: • Engagement in paid employment. • Feeling appreciated and valued through volunteering. • Developing networks. • Learning about local government in Australia. Through the development of Connect, many achievements have been made, both personal and organisational. If you would like to learn more about the project, contact Michelle Hodshon on mhodshon@salisbury.sa.gov.au If you would like to view www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDygvliAUFE
Nine months later, representatives from the Local Councils including Mayors, Elected Members, Directors and Managers, CEO’s from Peak Volunteering Organisations and the volunteers who starred in the DVD were entertained with the Launch of the ten minute DVD titled “Connect – Volunteers. Communities. Councils.” The project team identified another outcome from the project, they decided to use Connect not only to welcome volunteers to their organisation but also as a promotional tool to engage people in volunteering.
Connect,
visit
Pictured left: Thomas Alves (Volunteer Producer), Evelyn O’Loughlin (CEO VSA&NT), Peter Hayworth (EO Northern Volunteering SA, Sue Keith (Board VSA&NT), Viv Barker (EO Southern Volunteering SA Inc).
The challenges that the Local Government Organisations that faced and overcame were: • Identifying a volunteer opportunity outside the ‘usual’ volunteer roles. • Creating a rewarding role that suits the skills and motivation of the individual. • Working across council borders. • Developing a resource welcoming volunteers and promoting volunteering.
Tomas’ Journey Tomas Alves arrived in Australia from Brazil in November 2007. After finding it difficult to gain paid work, he was advised by a friend to consider volunteering. Tomas applied to the Salisbury Council and was contacted by Michelle who was enthusiastic about engaging Tomas in a role that enabled the use of his media and production knowledge and skills. She
Pictured above: Project team comprising Sheila Willox (Township of Gawler), Tomas Alves (Volunteer Producer), Michelle Hodshon (City of Salisbury), Lynette Seccefein (District Council of Mallala), Matthew Taylor (City of Tea Tree Gully), Colleen Moyne (Township of Gawler) and Roxanne Withers (City of Playford)
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SOCIAL INCLUSION
Why is Volunteering seen as ‘Women’s Work’?
by Jane Osborn
I have been a volunteer for more than 30 years and the reaction of my peers to this activity has amazed me. When I was an interviewer, people were interested in what I was doing until I mentioned that I interviewed potential volunteers; then the conversation ceased. I felt marginalised. When I worked at a hospice, people’s reaction was worse, they didn’t ask me any questions about what I did, and when I mentioned that I was unpaid, they actually told me I must be stupid to work in such a depressing place. I felt stigmatised.
with his/her role in a specific organisation and is thus related to organisational commitment. The establishment of Role Identities and Specific Role Identities has been found to affect the retention rate and performance of volunteers and also can predict the numbers of hours worked and volunteers’ intent to leave the organisation.
I decided to investigate possible reasons for these reactions. I learned that in the 19th century volunteering was women’s work as the social system was based on rigid roles for each sex, paid work for men and unpaid housework and community work for women, which meant that they had no economic independence. Volunteering enabled women to become more than domestic adjuncts to men. Because this work was unpaid their contribution was invisible. Voluntary work perpetuated the sexual stereotype and was based on the strong commitment to the nuclear family. Work performed in situations where there is disadvantage, death or illness, becomes dirty work that is stigmatised by society. Volunteering in a hospice may be seen as both invisible and dirty work, but the stigma attached to it is less than working with those living with HIV/AIDS. The potential for stigmatisation by one’s peers should be considered by those contemplating volunteering in either of these fields. The work that volunteers perform is always invisible work as it is not paid, and because of this it is not validated by the community at large. Because of this marginalisation, volunteers can develop a strong Role Identity, seeing themselves as “volunteers” and associating with people who share this identity. Volunteers who are involved in dirty work are likely to develop a strong Specific Role Identity because the stigma associated with tasks they undertake restricts communication. The only people they can discuss their work with are others performing similar roles. Role Identities are self conceptions, or self-definitions that people apply to themselves as a consequence of the role they occupy. Specific Role Identity occurs when a volunteer identifies
Jane Osborn The information above does not ameliorate the negativism attached to the general attitude to volunteerism, but it does put it in an historical and contextual position and perhaps this may help to engender change. People ask me what I do now and I reply “Research” their response is “What into” and when I tell them “Volunteering’” I get the same blank stare but at least I now know why. I no longer feel stigmatised as research is not dirty work, however feeling marginalised remains an issue for me. Attitudes are very difficult to change (people change their socks more often), but if volunteers’ standing in society could be raised it would help the cause! The full version of this article will be submitted to Australian Journal on Volunteering for publication in the near future.
Doing It! This handbook has been designed by Volunteering SA&NT and is intended for Volunteer Managers and staff in organisations that wish to involve young people in volunteering.
Price: $4.20
FREE POSTAGE AUSTRALIA WIDE To order, phone 8221 7177 Country Callers 1300 135 545 Page 12
SOCIAL INCLUSION
Volunteering is for Everyone!
by Anna Williamson VSA&NT’s Volunteer Inclusion Project offers a one day a week placement service for people with a disability who wish to volunteer. Since the inception of the project, 27 people have been placed and are now enjoying their volunteering experience. The stories of Clinton, Matthew and Cathy highlight the important contribution that volunteers make when given the opportunity. There are many organisations, like Meals on Wheels, Edmund Rice Camps (SA) Inc and the Charles Young Residential Care Centre (ECH Inc), mentioned below, that are now offering tailored volunteering opportunities, demonstrating a growing commitment to inclusiveness.
Clinton
Matthew
Matthew had been thinking about volunteering for a year or so. His interest started in catering, so he wanted to be involved in a community activity that went with food. Matthew applied to become a volunteer in the Up the Hill Program at Flinders University and started this year. He is really enjoying this volunteer role, especially his involvement with the students. In June this year, he applied to become a volunteer with Edmund Rice Camps (SA) Inc. He was welcomed from his first contact, has been on two camps and is having a ball as well as working hard in the kitchen.
Cathy
Meet Clinton, he is in his 20s and loves his footy and cricket. Clinton approached VSA&NT when he found out about the Volunteer Inclusion Project. He wanted to assist people in his local area as a volunteer and his Meals on Wheels local branch at Ladywood Drive in Modbury Heights seemed perfect. Thanks to a wonderful friendly reception from Wendy in January this year and careful nurturing from Ruth and all of the staff at the branch, Clinton is really enjoying his volunteering. He is a hard worker who lives by his watch so he suits the time driven atmosphere at Meals on Wheels well and has become part of the team.
Cathy’s interest in volunteering was to assist in aged care. She had noticed an aged care centre only minutes away from her home and wanted to help out there, if possible. This would mean she could travel to work independently in her chair. The Charles Young Residential Care Centre (ECH Inc) welcomed her from the beginning, providing a perfect placement. Cathy is assisting with the diversional therapy program, helping with craft, games and other activities. She has displayed a wonderful ability to relate to all the people who live at the centre, who feel comfy with her and eager to become involved in activities.
For enquiries about the VSA&NT Volunteer Inclusion Project, contact Anna Williamson on 8221 7177 or email anna.williamson@volunteeringsa.org.au
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TRAINING
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VOLUNTEERING TERRITORY
VSA&NT at the Alice Springs Show
by Robyn Toi - Administration Officer, VSA&NT Alice Springs The Central Australian Show Society has organised the Alice Springs Show since the first show in 1960, held at Anzac Oval (called at the time “The Alice Springs Oval”) in the middle of the city centre. The 1960 Show was held at a different time, 29 April, Friday and Saturday 10am to 10pm both days. Nowa-days its from 9am to 9pm at Blatherskite Park, has loads more activities, entertainments, features stands, displays and promotions from all areas of our community.
Royal Flying Doctors is always well supported by the rural and remote communities, and it was great to see the stand, and support, the auxiliary is generating for this great service to the outback. No Show would be without its competitions, and there was certainly no shortage of competition in the baking section, with Adam Giles (MLA Braitling) taking out 1st prize with his carrot cake in one of the baking grades. Pets and animals were displayed, primped and polished, brushed and braided, dressage, jumps, western riding, cattle, dogs, chooks and horses ... all of them champions.
Robyn Toi and Angel Akarana Angel Akarana took out the Alice Springs 50th Show Girl award at this year’s show from twelve entrants from around the centre. Angel is a wonderful role model for volunteering, and volunteers with several different organisations as well as assisting in one-off events. She can be seen regularly attending and supporting throughout the community.
The Alice Springs Show also brings organisations both big and small out of the wood work ... Alice Fun Flyers Club had a great display as did AS-RSPCA and Arid Land Environment Centre. It would be impossible to name them all, however, yet again it was a great opportunity to self promote and also to “show off” just a little of what these organisations are achieving. The
The very athletic “Flying Pigs” landed in a Para pool of water, might I add making a very big splash in the process ... no pigs were hurt, injured or drowned in the process ... all good clean fun.
Mary Meldrum, at the NT Government Education Stand Plenty of interest for volunteering by individuals and organisations made this years Alice Springs Show weekend a wonderful success and our Alice Springs Office is really looking forward to next year’s event.
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VOLUNTEERING TERRITORY
National Pioneer Womens Hall of Fame
by Lynne Peterkin, President
When you visit the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame in the Old Alice Springs Gaol you will be greeted at reception by one of our 30 volunteers who help run this significant museum and local attraction.
Administration Assistant Karen Cilka
Entrance to exhibition building Three shifts operate from 10am to 5pm daily, on a roster system. Volunteers meet and greet visitors, handle entry fees, sales in the book and souvenir shop, and offer guiding services to groups. Volunteers are also required for archiving, assisting with displays, data processing, minor maintenance, cleaning and gardening. In addition to these regular tasks, volunteers assist with fundraising such as raffles and organising events held at the Old Gaol.
Entrance to NPWHF Old Gaol
If you have some free time to spare and would like to volunteer your help, whether you live locally or are just passing through, please contact us by emailing operations@pioneerwomen.com.au or phone (08) 8952 9006.
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VOLUNTEERING TERRITORY
Royal Darwin Show a Success
by James Sadler - Regional Development Officer, VSA&NT Darwin “I’m proud of the efforts of our helpers. As an organisation we always emphasise the importance of thanking volunteers so I’d like to say first of all thank you to Eva for all her help The Foskey pavilion before the hordes of people arrived. over the duration of the Royal Darwin show. She’s a gem!” The three day extravaganza of the 58th Royal Darwin Show was a very successful venture for Volunteering Territory.
While the show was visited by 45,000 people, which represents about one third of the city’s population, it was feared that show crowds may be down this year.
James Sadler
Cherry Court, Chief Executive of the Royal Agricultural Society NT, was worried that recent events might have tarnished an established crowd favourite. “Research has shown that people in the current economic climate are conserving their money and not going out as much.” she said. “H1N1 flu has had so much media exposure that some adverse affect was a given. Also the Darwin Show sits right in the middle of the dry season when there is so much competition from other events – the Moscow Circus was in town for four weeks prior to the Show.” Kaye Mahomet, James Sadler and Eva Lawrence staffed the stand and talked to dozens of people looking to volunteer. All in all, two dozen new volunteers registered with us and many more left our stand with more awareness of the volunteering opportunities in the Top End of Australia. The Royal Show has garnered us new volunteers, new contacts with volunteer involving organisations and reinforced established links with teachers, volunteers, community service workers and so much more.
VSA&NT’s stand at the Royal Darwin Show
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EMERGENCY VOLUNTEERING
by Sarah Lucas
A Need to Help
On Saturday 7 February 2009 deadly, ferocious, unrelenting fires destroyed the peaceful communities in the leafy hills of Melbourne’s fringes. Over that weekend, as the devastation and despair unfolded through television reports, I saw our history books being rewritten and I had an overwhelming feeling- that could so easily have been us … my family and our houses. I tried hard to put myself in the shoes of these people – some who had lost everything including loved ones - but I simply couldn’t. As I lay awake during the early hours of Monday morning, I decided that somehow I would try and help. Not quite knowing where to start, I rang some of the major charities and found that most were asking for monetary donations only. I knew of course that money was important – but where were they going to spend it when most of the shops had burnt down? Those who had been left with nothing would immediately need things like clothes, food, toiletries, toys. I rang St Vincent de Paul and spoke to the wonderful Wayne Borbridge who said they were happy to accept goods and then I rang John and Andrew Eastwood from U-Store and they wanted to help too, offering their many locations around Adelaide as points where goods could be dropped off and stored. When a couple of companies said they would transport everything to Victoria ... things were beginning to come together. I called radio station 5AA, hoping to speak to Amanda Blair – and spoke to her assistant, the very lovely Monique Bowley and she thought it was a good idea and suddenly I was on the radio and that’s when things began to snowball. I quickly found out that If you want to get a message out to the public, then Amanda’s the person you call.
Next, Channel 7’s Today Tonight were on board, spreading the word and Amanda contacted Charlie Downer – he was happy to donate the use of a large pavilion at the Adelaide Show Grounds and on the Tuesday morning, people came by the hundreds to donate goods and volunteer to help. The response was completely overwhelming. The volunteers were amazing – we had people who were aged 18 through to those who were 80. Some lived close by, some drove hours to get there. They came day after day, after day. The atmosphere was astonishing – the chatting, the laughing, the friendships being made, along with a lot of hard work. In total we had more than 1500 volunteers over the eight days that we were there. The range of donations received was completely amazing: clothes, shoes, blankets, goods for animals, bikes, gardening equipment, generators ... everything that you could think of. Little boys and girls donated their toys, some people even spent their entire weekly budget on food and toiletries for the fire victims. Donations from the corporate sectors began to pour in - tens of thousands of dollars worth of toiletries; $50,000 worth of brand new toys; brand new clothes; footwear; prams; highchairs; cots … the list goes on. The trucks were packed and driven directly to the fire affected areas. Yarra Glen relief centre is approximately 12kms from Kinglake – it was one of the main areas where the homeless were living in tents, on football ovals and surrounds. The goods were personally handed out by me and the others that travelled there. To hand a brand new toy to a child that had lost everything was the most rewarding thing that I have ever done. The end result was: we did what we set out to do. All together we delivered 23 semi trailers full of fantastic donated goods and those goods have been sent in continually as needed over the last four months. We keep in regular contact with Peter Montgomery the head of the Yarra Glen relief centre. Talking on radio with Amanda and myself the other day, he said that the goods that we provided totalled 90% of the relief goods that have been sent to the affected areas - 90% !! Each and every one of you should feel so proud that we made a real difference.
L to R Janet Stone - Chairperson VSA&NT, Evelyn O’Loughlin - CEO VSA&NT, Sarah Lucas Page 18
There are so many people to thank, too many to mention, but I thank everyone sincerely for their support. This relief charity effort was nicknamed Sarah’s Bush-fire Appeal – but the reality is - that is just a label. It was the hard work, dedication and donations from all involved that made it possible.
IVM DAY - 5 NOVEMBER 2009
What are You Doing on November 5th? Did you know that November 5 each year is International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMDay)?
Manager is still undervalued, and IVMDay offers the opportunity to “Celebrate through Education”.
IVMDay seeks to provide an opportunity for Volunteer Managers right around the world to promote the critical work they undertake. After all, without Volunteer Managers (whether they be paid or volunteers themselves) professionally going about their work, organisations would struggle to maintain numbers, not receive the necessary training to do their work or be rostered in an orderly fashion!
The day was first celebrated in 1999 and is led by a small committee of volunteers who are supported by a much larger “International Supporters Group” which includes VSA&NT as well as the Australasian Association for Volunteer Administration.
Sadly, in too many organisations, the role of the Volunteer
You can learn more about IVMDay by visiting the website at www.volunteermanagersday.org or contacting the committee’s Chairperson Andy Fryar at andy@ozvpm.com
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EVENT VOLUNTEERING
Calling All Event Volunteers! Are you interested in being part of making an event happen? Events rely heavily on volunteer support, and your interests and skills will influence the type of event you volunteer for and the role you will play at your chosen event. If you’re interested in sports, you can volunteer for swimming, running, motorcross, and tennis events, whereas if your interests are in entertainment and celebrations, you might want to volunteer for concerts, or Womadelaide etc. The January 2010 Mountain Bike national championships have been secured for three years in Adelaide. The mountain bike clubs organising the event have an extremely good reputation for running a well organised event that is held in partnership with State Government, as the Office for Recreation and Sport manage the mountain bike park at Eagle on the Hill, with Events SA (South Australia Tourism Commission) being a funding body for the event. The event aims to provide an exception level of service for Australia’s elite MTB athletes and spectators to the Event.
Some roles volunteers fill in events are: • Spectator Services • Marshalling • Attending Drink Stations • Logistics • Pre-Event Office Assistance • Registration • Driving
Assess your availability
Before you put your name down as a volunteer for an event, it is important you assess your availability. Ask yourself how much time you have to give – how many hours you want to give, which days are suitable for you to volunteer. If you want to be part of an event team, then register now with Denese at Volunteering SA&NT on 8221 7177 or email denese.wyatt@volunteeringsa.org.au and when we receive a call for event volunteers, we will advise you of the volunteer opportunities. Event organisers, take note: VSA&NT can provide training for your Volunteer Managers and volunteers.
South Australia’s Extreme Weather
Book Review
A book about people exceptional weather.
and
The result of a close collaboration with the Australian Meteorological Association (AMETA), research funding was received from the History Trust of South Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology has also made a major contribution to its production and provided considerable support in kind.
“Heat waves, snowstorms, floods, droughts, tornadoes, rain and hail. South Australia’s weather ranges from idyllic What makes the book special from the point of view of snow to destructive bush fires volunteer organisations is that profits from the sale of the and death.” book will go to the Royal Society for the Blind (RSB) and in Sixteen human stories, some never told before, put you there at the time, telling how people cope, how they survive and, sadly, how they sometimes fail to survive in exceptional weather conditions. These tales have been captured in more than 150 compelling images and each weather event is re-examined by South Australian meteorologists of the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology. Using today’s knowledge, the sometimes surprising and always interesting results are put together in a new book by the members of the History Unit, a part of the volunteer group at the Bureau of Meteorology in Adelaide. It’s the third book with which the Unit has been involved at the Bureau and titled: South Australia’s Extreme Weather: Its Human Impact and leads us to reassess past history.
return, RSB will undertake marketing of the book. Chief author Dr. Tony Rogers is thrilled that such a good cause will benefit directly from the year and a half of work that has gone into the research and writing. “It is also great that the connection with RSB should bring the book to a wider audience”, he said. South Australia’s Extreme Weather: Its Human Impact will be available from any RSB office (check white pages for locations) - Knapman House 230 Pirie Street, Adelaide or the RSB Corporate Office, 254 Angas Street, Adelaide. It will also be available from the website or by ringing 1800 675 554. During the Royal Adeliade Show it will be on sale at the RSB stand. RRP is $29.95.
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MEMBER SHOWCASE
A Lifetime of Caring
by Eugena Hoggins, Community Care Officer, St John SA members of the community in particular, started as a young girl, culminating as a home visiting nurse, a job she has held for over 40 years. Four years ago, Royline responded to an advertisement for the St John Community Care Program. The program matches volunteers with older people or younger members of the community living with disabilities, who are isolated and require social support. Royline’s passion for assisting the elderly came to the fore and she responded immediately. She is now also a St John Community Care volunteer. Since then, Royline has been a regular visitor to three members of the community. She has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each person and listening to them regaling stories of their past. When I ask about her own family, Royline tells me she was widowed in 1977, and raised her daughter on her own. She is very proud of her daughter, a registered nurse and three grandchildren. As I talk with Royline, it becomes apparent that she is a very busy lady combining home nursing and volunteer work, four animals, hobbies which include gardening, sewing outfits for dolls & teddies, and maintaining the up-keep on her home. I ask about time for herself and her family and Royline replies, “my family has always known that I have a love for older people. I now organise my volunteer work around family commitments so I am able to do both.”
Royline, St John Ambulance First Aid Volunteer When I first met with Royline, I was struck by her warmth and humility. She welcomed me into her home without hesitation so I could ask her about her role as a St John Ambulance volunteer. Royline completed a senior first aid course through St John years ago and after receiving her certificate, was approached by the instructor and invited to attend a volunteer meeting. The rest, as they say, is history. Royline is now a St John Ambulance First Aid volunteer, providing first aid at local and major events. Royline tells me that as a volunteer she is “honoured to be invited” to attend the Premature Babies Christmas Party held at the Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital each year. Reaching into a cupboard for her photo album, we look through photos taken in previous years. Royline says “It is wonderful to see the babies that have been born throughout the year that have returned for the party”. Royline describes her fellow First Aid volunteers as “a bunch of really happy people. I class them as part of my family,” she says. She tells me that her desire to help others, especially older
“It is really fulfilling and makes me very happy”. I ask if it’s hard being a volunteer in two volunteer programs for the one organisation, and Royline states “being in one program is a huge benefit for the other. Being a St John First Aid Volunteer meant I became aware of the Community Care Program and I am so thankful for that”. Royline has also recently completed a Non Commissioned Officer’s Course through her First Aid volunteering and is waiting for the outcome. This will mean she becomes a Corporal and will undertake duties as requested by the Divisional Superintendent. I comment on how fantastic it is to be recognised and promoted for her service, Royline states “as a volunteer I don’t need reward or recognition. If I can leave someone at the end of the day thinking that I put a smile on their face, well, that is reward enough”. What a wonderful lady! For further information, please contact Eugena on 8306 6933 or eugenak@stjohnsa.com.au
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MEMBER SHOWCASE
Recognising the Support of Volunteers
by Graham Jaeschke, General Manager - The Smith Family The Smith Family relies on volunteers to help in our regional offices, to provide administration at the State office and to assist our students with peer reading support, tutoring support through our Learning Clubs and secondary school and tertiary mentoring support.
As luck would have it, my family has been involved in planting trees for many years on a stretch of our family farm along Magpie Creek, near Brinkworth in the Mid-North of the state. We were able to mobilise the family to plant a tree/shrub for each of our volunteers.
Like most not-for-profits, we could not function without our volunteers.
As an added bonus for our volunteers, the Spiny Daisy that was planted is listed as critically endangered and the planting is part of a local environmental initiative to save this very rare shrub. There are only five sites identified in Australia and these cuttings were taken from the site on the old railway line running next to our farm at Hart.
As part of National Volunteer Week, The Smith Family held three functions to recognise our volunteers. A morning tea was held in our Adelaide office, a lunch at our Smithfield Plains office and an afternoon tea at our Morphett Vale office. All events awarded certificates to our volunteers. We donated a book to City West Childcare as recognition of their service and special awards went to the following volunteers: • Peter Green • Jan Chinnery • Barry England • Rose Morris • Patricia Njuki • Peter Thompson • Simon Trangmar • Maria Turin • Sonya Kling – over five years of volunteering • Vicki Brown – over five years of volunteering • Pauline La Rouche – over five years of volunteering We also wanted to do something for the 200 volunteers who help us throughout the State. We decided that we would like to plant a tree on behalf of each of our volunteers as recognition of their support and to symbolise the journey our students undertake to reach their potential through education.
The Smith Family is looking to further expand our volunteering efforts this year to assist our work and provide much needed mentoring support to many more disadvantaged students in South Australia. For more information, please call our office on 8224 1400 or go to our website: www.thesmithfamily.com.au. More information can be found on the Spiny Daisy at www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/bcp/pdfs/spiny_ daisy_info_sheet.pdf
Spiny Daisy planting
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MEMBER SHOWCASE
A Passionate Volunteer
by Kay Milton, State Manager - RDA South Australia Children riding ponies being led by caring adult volunteers is a common sight at Riding for the Disabled (RDA), yet RDA is much more than pony rides.
As a Physiotherapist, Jill brings special qualifications to the role and readily shares this knowledge with riders and volunteers. Her own knowledge of disabilities is invaluable.
In 2008, 380 riders with disabilities received horse riding therapy and active recreation assisted by nearly 600 volunteers, using 92 horses.
Jill’s association with RDA SA goes back many years to when RDA first came to Australia, when a group ran on her farm in Gippsland. Her parents were involved as committee members, which has influenced Jill as she is now President of the Centre at Northern Area and has been for some time.
For most of those volunteers, RDA is their favourite charity and their important gift is the time they donate each week to help run one of 13 official RDA centres in South Australia. Jill Shelton is one of those volunteers. Jill lives at Tusmore and volunteers at RDA Northern Area at Globe Derby Park where she is President of the committee and a Level 2 Coach.
Jill’s says, “If you can help, you should help” and this is evident from her 30 years as a volunteer with RDA.
Jill, who grew up with horses but now lives in the city, says volunteering with RDA is a great way for her to keep up her love of horses while being able to bring that love and experience to other people, especially those with disabilities.
Page 23
Anyone interested in finding out more about RDA can contact us on 8331 1833 or visit www.rdasa.org.au Call Kay Milton on 8331 1833 for further information.
KAYE’S CORNER
Kaye’s Corner
by Kaye Mahomet - Volunteer Manager VSA&NT
The review has included the development of an integrated standards matrix demonstrating the relationship between those which most often apply to volunteer involving organisations; the Service Excellence Framework (SE), the National Standards for Volunteer Involving Organisations (NS), the draft Community Care Common Standards (CC) and the Home and Community Care Standards (HACC). Development of the matrix has included: • •
• •
Kaye Mahomet Ensuring that your agencies policies and procedures comply with the vast range of quality standards and government legislation is a daunting task! VSA&NT understands that complying with the minimum legislative requirements, let alone striving for best practice, can be quite a challenge for many smaller organisations with limited resources. We are currently reviewing our policies and procedures to ensure our management systems represent best practice.
Researching the NS, HACC, CC and SE Standards. Applying the standards to VSA&NT through audits to HACC, NS and SE Standards to give a greater understanding of how the standards work in practice. Identifying the strengths and weakness of each of the three standards. Mapping the relationship between the elements of each standard to each other.
VSA&NT is also collaborating on several research projects and bench marking against other national and international standards to inform the revision of our policies and procedures. As part of this work we plan to develop policy templates, supported by policy development guidelines, to assist our members to develop policies for their specific volunteer needs. If you have a specific issue around policy and procedures please contact Kaye Mahomet on 8221 7177 or email kaye.mahomet@volunteeringsa.org.au
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Page 24
VOLUNTEER STORY
51 Years of Volunteering at the State Library of SA
by Jo Chesher - Volunteer Coordinator Tony Arbon’s extraordinary achievement of 51 years volunteer commitment to shipping collections at the State Library was celebrated with staff, family and fellow shipping enthusiasts at a farewell function this week. Alan Smith, Director of the State Library, expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Library and presented Tony with a copy of Ill starred captains: Flinders & Baudin by Anthony J. Brown, which had been personally inscribed by the Premier, the Hon. Mike Rann.
Tony is the longest serving volunteer at the State Library, and possibly in the state. As a young boy he visited the Port River with his father on a regular basis and this fostered a keen and enthusiastic lifetime interest in world shipping. Since becoming a volunteer at the Library in 1958 he has collected and compiled information on world maritime history and Australian maritime and river shipping history. The Arbon Collection was accepted by the Library in 1976 and now covers 27 metres of shelf space. Tony has also had considerable input into the Arbon – Le Maistre Collection of Shipping Illustrations, and over the years he has generously assisted staff and the public with research enquiries on the extensive range of shipping covered in both of these collections. For volunteer enquiries contact Jo Chesher at State Library of South Australia by phoning (08) 8207 7215 or email chesher.jo@slsa.sa.gov.au
Pictured: Alan Smith, Director State Library of SA, assists Tony Arbon to cut his farewell cake as Bob Le Maistre watches on. Photography by Toby Woolley, State Library of SA.
Page 25
OUT AND ABOUT
The City of Prospect Recognition Ceremony (National Volunteer Week)
Minister Koutsantonis at VSA&NT’s “Afternoon Tea to meet Minister Koutsantonis”
Rosa Colanero and Evelyn O’Loughlin at VSA&NT’s “Afternoon Tea to meet Minister Koutsantonis”
Advancing Whyalla training session. Participants sing to share their culture
Gareth at the Disability Expo At radio 5AA, Evelyn O’Loughlin with Dorothy Joel, who was a founding member of the Lyell McEwin Ladies Auxiliary and is celebrating 50 years as a volunteer at the hospital this year
James and Eva at the Royal Darwin Show
Page 26
PARTNERS
Volunteering SA&NT would like to acknowledge the support of the following partners:
Through the Department for Families and Communities Office for Volunteers Attorney-General’s Department Page 27