Volunteering

When the sense of compulsion which goes with work is replaced by the sense of freedom which goes with volunteering the change is profound.

When you are giving to others you know that an angel is there. You can feel the warmth. Giving someone a rose is not just about the rose, it is about the feelings that are generated for both the receiver and the giver.

I started volunteering when my children were in primary school and have continued throughout my lifetime. I learned lessons both joyous and painful and am a better, wiser person as a result

Role Organization Duration Contributions/Responsibilities
Committee member Rose Park Primary School Parents Association Served for three years Suggested and successfully lobbied for closure of a section of an adjacent street to increase the school’s playground space.
Founder Hindmarsh Youth Cooperative Served for two years Started South Australia’s first worker’s co-operative under new legislation introduced by the Dunstan government.
Observer Prisoners Action Group Attended several meetings Gained familiarity with attitudes and issues of prisoners.
Trainee volunteer Correctional Services Attended training Inspected Yatala Men’s and Women’s Prisons. Did not continue into active volunteering due to unexpected external demands.
Committee member Men’s Contact and Resource Centre Served for three years Explored the meaning of a new “manhood” in response to feminism. Learned about the issues and functioning of the men’s movement.
Community Representative District Council of East Torrens Attended for eleven years Involved in local government affairs, spoke at public meetings, made submissions, got to know councilors and staff, contributed to council issues and discussions. Presented with commemorative glasses for contributions.
Chairperson Lofty Barossa Consultative Committee National Parks Served for ten years Convened meetings on sensitive issues in National Parks, awarded “Consultative Committee of the year” during chairmanship.
Chairperson, Convener Friends of Morialta Barns Served for three years Raised $800,000 for the restoration and preservation of the heritage listed Morialta Barns.
Committee member Friends of Marble Hill Ruin Served for one year Commenced bus tours of the Marble Hill ruin, raised funds for heritage preservation.
Founding member Responsible Use of Bird Scarers (RUBS) Served for two years Lobbied for control of excessive bird scaring gas gun explosions, negotiated new by-laws adopted state-wide.
Committee member Mount Lofty Ranges Conservation Association Served for four years Ordinary membership
Committee Member Marble Hill Radar Tower Action Committee Until resolution Helped move a proposed radar tower from Marble Hill to Mount Lofty.
Member Friends of Morialta-Black Hill Conservation Park Served for four years Ordinary membership
Member East Torrens Historical Society Served for three years Raised funds by conducting tours of the Society’s historical display.
Member Playford Memorial Statue Committee Served for one year Suggested commemorating Sir Thomas Playford, assisted with fundraising and staging a memorial event.
Volunteer Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital Served for two years Assisted in the Helen Mayo clinic for postnatal depression, cared for babies and small children, helped mothers.
Golden Guru Volunteering SA&NT Inc. Joined in December 2010 Mentor to senior managers and CEOs of not-for-profit organizations.
Speaker Volunteering SA&NT
Member SA Government; Citizen’s Jury; nuclear waste storage
Committee Member Multi Faith Association of South Australia
Board Member Graham Smith Peace Foundation
Founder Co-Housing Association of South Australia
Founder Voice of Youth Award
Founder Making Adelaide world famous and Rich