“I don’t speak Italian, but I speak Italian numbers!” Rodger is a volunteer at the Bull Creek Multicultural Centre. He’s learned how to count from 1-20 in Italian so he can call out the bingo numbers for the Italian customers.
Rodger loves mixing with everyone at the centre and says that one day he, himself, might come along to the centre. “Meanwhile if I go to Italy I can just quote numbers,” he added.
Chorus volunteers Phyllis and Lois, also known as the Tuesday girls, deliver meals to the homes of seniors and people living with disability.
“Once you are retired and have time on your hands, I think it’s a great thing to do to give something back to the community,” said Lois. “I believe you really get what you give, and certainly volunteering with Chorus has enriched my life in many ways, not least because I met Phyllis and we have such a wonderful friendship.”
“I barrack for the Fremantle Dockers and whoever is playing the Eagles,” says Greg, pictured right. Ron, pictured left, is a West Coast Eagles supporter.
They have worked together as volunteers at Chorus Kitchen for a combined 34 years! And despite their football differences they are best mates. They both enjoy helping out in the kitchen and meeting people when delivering meals. “Sometimes we’re the only people customers see all day,” says Ron.
We said farewell to Wendy who has contributed an incredible 33 years to Chorus Kitchen.
Wendy has made a lot of friends at Chorus Kitchen. “Absolute pleasure… Easy to get on with… So efficient… Wendy did everything we asked of her,” were some of the snippets heard at her farewell party.
We presented Wendy with a china tea cup and teapot because as Wendy said: “I do like a cup of tea in a china cup.” Wendy officially handed over her apron to fellow volunteer, Margaret. Thank you for your wonderful contribution Wendy, being a friendly face for people who are often lonely and for being so efficient at the same time.
“It was a fun and productive day and I enjoyed working with your team,” said Linda after volunteering with the North Perth gardening team. “Credit to John and Andrew on their efficient, friendly service. I could see that customers were very happy.”
Andy gives back to his community by volunteering with Chorus. Andy lives with early onset dementia, and getting out with the gardening team and helping others helps him stay positive.
Santa Maria College students volunteered with the gardening teams and were able to complete their community service hours with Chorus.
“During our time at Chorus, we have developed new skills. What you do for others in the community and the impact you are making to the lives of others is truly inspirational, and we are so proud to be a small part of such a big help to others,” said students Olivia and Neve, who helped the Carlisle gardening team.
“We would like to specially thank Lee, Maria, Paul, Rachel, Rod and Jack for the guidance and kindness that they have shown to us throughout our sessions, we are so thankful to have met you.”
Ruby and Amalie went out with the North Perth crew. “We loved spending the day outdoors and helping people tidy their gardens. We even got to learn a few new skills!” they said.
(Photo L to R: Amalie and Ruby put on their gardening gloves)
“Working as a group enabled us to get through a very large garden. The HBF team attacked the jungle with ferocity,” said Ben from our Chorus North Perth gardening team. One day they helped collect 560kgs of green waste!
“There’s a feeling of giving back and understanding some of the circumstances that people are in,” said the HBF team. “Being able to help out and make a bit of a difference to their lives, and help them get ahead was quite rewarding.”
One of the HBF team members chatted with a 102-year-old customer in her native language Greek so the experience was extra special for the customer.
We love a garden transformation, and RAC WA also rolled up their sleeves with the Wanneroo gardening team on another big job. The testimonial from the customer’s daughter says it all:
“I cannot express how happy both my father and I are of the absolutely magnificent job the team did at his house. It was a mammoth task and they really made a huge difference. I want to express my gratitude and happiness to the whole team that worked so hard on my dad’s jungle. They have made such a difference. It is also so much safer for him.”
Volunteers enjoyed a ‘thank you’ garden party in the beautiful lower gardens of Government House. The International Volunteers Day event was hosted by the Governor of WA Kim Beazley and was attended by more than 600 volunteers, dignitaries and volunteer organisations.
Chorus and Curtin University of Technology worked together to produce an Australian Volunteering Trends Study. The study was released earlier this year, and the knowledge around current volunteers has shown us the way when it comes to 2019 retention strategies, recruitment methods, and new ways to volunteer in the 21st century.
