Volunteer Week Celebration at The JNC

National Volunteer Week runs from to 21-27 May,  and on 25 May 2018 The Junction Neighbourhood Centre celebrated our wonderful volunteers at a High Tea at Boonie Doon Golf Club in Pagewood, NSW.

The JNC’s General Manager, Janet Green, said: “Volunteer Week offers an opportunity to thank volunteers. We recognise the generous contribution of volunteers throughout Australia.  This year’s theme, Give a little. Change a lot ,  represents the profound impact volunteers have on their community when they offer their time and skill.

“We could not do it without you”

Green shared some statistics on volunteering across Australia: “Around 932 million hours were volunteered in the last period measured – the year 2016.

“Volunteering activities contribute around 740 million hours to the Australian community annually.

“In terms of the The JNC, we have two volunteers to every staff member. You work in all areas with us, volunteering in our programs for families, running our creative groups like art, writing, dancing, and jewellery making; working with older people; taking a role on our Board; helping with tax, offering JP services, running wellbeing groups, supporting us with events, and tutoring people in computer work, English conversation, and much more.

“We could not do it without you, ” concluded Green.

“Good for the soul”

At the event, The JNC’s volunteers expressed the pleasure volunteering brings them. Nihal, a shopping support volunteer, said: “My first goal is to make someone happy. Helping someone else makes me happy.”

Lily accompanies people on outings. “I learn from the people I help,” she said.

Vijay volunteers because she “wanted to interact with people. I wanted to mix with the community.”

Ilda has been volunteering with a number of organisations for over 13 years. “I love every minute of it,” she said. “I enjoy communicating and giving something for my community.”

Wolf  offers shopping support, and has worked with The JNC and its predecessor at Bondi Junction, ECHO Neighbourhood Centre, for more than 11 years. “Volunteering is good for the soul; it makes you happy.”