
4 minute read
Volunteers
from Annual Review 2019
by Yalari
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2019 Volunteering Snapshot
In 2019, volunteers from all walks of life and professions generously donated their time and expertise to further Yalari’s work and to help our students be the best they can be.
We continue to work to ensure that both Yalari and our volunteers mutually benefit from the involvement of volunteering. We are constantly looking for new ways to engage and involve our volunteers, so they can further enrich and support our program while providing a relevant and engaging experience for them.
Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who play a vital role in the ongoing success of Yalari’s programs and initiatives.
Student Tutoring
There were many generous people across the country who gave their time to tutor Yalari students. Tutoring involves supporting the student, or group of students, to develop their skills and understanding of a particular subject. Yalari tutors provide expertise, experience and encouragement as they assist the student to identify issues, to problem solve and develop new skills.
Yalari Dinner Committees
Our volunteer dinner committee members play in integral role in the organisation of Yalari’s dinners. In 2019, our dinner committees in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane did an outstanding job which contributed to the overall success of these events.
Yalari Dinners
Each year, Yalari’s volunteer dinner crews perform an outstanding job across all the states, selling raffle tickets, hosting tables, assisting with the auctions and setting up and packing down. Simply, we cannot conduct our Yalari dinners without our volunteers. They play a major role in the fundraising activities on the night and contribute to the smooth operation of the event. A big thank you to all the individual volunteers and the organisations who coordinated their staff to help in 2019: Deloitte, Turner & Townsend, RPS Group, Herbert Smith Freehills, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute, Envato and Lipman Karas.
Board and Advisory Councils
In 2019 we had seven board members, five of whom work on a voluntary basis alongside our Founding Director and Managing Director, offering their expertise to lead and guide Yalari’s strategic direction.
Members of the NSW Regional Advisory Council (established in 2018) have continued to work to increase awareness and support of Yalari within New South Wales. The council operates under the control and direction of the board.
Yalari Camps, Events and Administration
Many wonderful people donated their time to volunteer at Yalari student camps and events. We also have a team of regular, dedicated people who helped us in an administrative capacity at the Yalari office.
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NADIA AND JANET’S FRIENDSHIP
I love tutoring and have been tutored by Janet from Year 7 to Year 12. Janet has helped immensely with my maths. I was failing maths in year 7 and now I’ve improved to an A . To be now passing in maths is a big achievement for me. Janet has also helped me grow as a person not just a student. She is an amazing person and tutor.
- Nadia Seriat, Yalari Year 11 student, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School It has been a great pleasure to tutor Tyeena and Nadia at St. Margaret’s. I have been tutoring the girls for about 5 years now and have watched them grow so much over that time. I mainly tutor them in maths and I know it is not their favourite subject but I think they are no longer frightened of numbers on a page and sometimes quite enjoy it. I enjoy it very much when I can see they are gaining understanding in the subject and their confidence grows. I am not a teacher but I feel I have enough skill to help the girls and encourage them in their studies. It has been very rewarding for me.
- Janet Van Homrigh, Yalari Volunteer Tutor
200+ Active Volunteers ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS 7,000+ Volunteer Hours VOLUNTEER HOURS
Yalari’s National Volunteer State Awards
Yalari is proud to be part of National Volunteer Week, a national movement to thank the six million Australians who volunteer their time to worthy causes.
In 2019, and as part of the celebrations, Yalari held its annual National Volunteer State Awards to recognise the considerable impact of our volunteers. Congratulations to our 2019 award winners who were nominated by their peers. SERENA SEWARD VICTORIA SHANICE FLEMMING WESTERN AUSTRALIA Yalari alumni Shanice Flemming (left), Jayde Marshall and Della Bedford (right) volunteered at the 2019 Orientation Camp.

Yalari Alumni
In 2019, the Yalari alumni increasingly contributed to the organisation. Giving hundreds of hours in volunteer time, alumni assisted Yalari in running all of its major events including camps and fundraising dinners, formed part of fundraising organising committees and they represented the organisation at speaking engagements and events throughout the year.
Alumni were also invaluable during the 2020 scholarship interview process, often travelling to remote areas of Australia to interview prospective scholars. We are humbled to see our alumni ‘giving back’ to create opportunities for the younger students.
SARAH CUNNINGHAM SOUTH AUSTRALIA
JEANNIE AUTY NEW SOUTH WALES DELLA BEDFORD ALUMNI GLENDA BOTICA QUEENSLAND