Volunteers show the power of community at Kiama Expo
Cassandra Zaucer
25 May 2023, 3:03 AM
It was a big turnout at yesterday’s Volunteer Expo at the Farmers Market with over 30 volunteer organisations lining Coronation Park.
The Bugle caught up with a few of them and found out why people should volunteer.
WIRES Illawarra – Gayle Tarrant and Heather Milroy
Receiving thousands of rescue calls a year, WIRES Illawarra, who serves from Helensburgh to Gerringong need rescuers more than anything.
“People should volunteer to help our native wildlife in their worst moments. Anybody who joins can learn how to rescue any animal, and learn lots and lots of skills.” - Heather Milroy
NSW Rural Fire Service
The NSW branch of the Rural Fire Service boasts 70,000 volunteers, making it the largest volunteer fire service in the world.
When asked why people should join the RFS, Steve Whitmore had one word that summarised everything: “community.”
RFS brought along one of its service vehicles, which proved a hit among the expo’s younger attendants.
CWA Kiama Evening branch – Dianne Tierney, Sandra Hansen, Julia Howe and Mara Koplin
The CWA evening branch brings women and families together to form a network of friendship and support.
They take part in fundraising and will donate $3000 to Kiama High school for the next three years because “no child should be embarrassed about their financial situation”.
The money will assist students in purchasing uniforms, taking part in extracurricular activities and more.
CWA Kiama Daytime Branch – Jillian Wilson
“Women should join for the friendship and to be involved in the community.
“We’re not just about scones, although we still have ‘sconversations’.”
The simple gift of a bag was parked next to them who use donated fabric to make drainage bags for breast cancer patients.
They have donated over 20,000 bags and counting to hospitals across the nation.
St John Ambulance NSW - Kiama Combined Division – Taysha Kirby and Joelle Robson
The St John Ambulance provides pre-hospital emergency first aid for events around Kiama.
“People should join to learn first aid.
“It’s really important to know. When something happens you want to know what to do.
“We also get free entry into the events around here provided we give that medical attention so that’s also a very valid reason to join St John.”
Marine Rescue – Courtney Troth and Geoff Troth
The Marine Rescue volunteers work to save lives on the water and they are always on the search for more volunteers.
“It’s something completely different from their normal daily lives.
“We’re out on the water having fun with people that are really friendly. We’re all out there to help people which is a great thing.
“It’s a great place to meet people, and get training, including first aid. We’re a registered training organisation so you can become a verified crew or skipper.”
Kiama Boomerang Bags – Karen Fowler and Glenys Watson
Kiama Boomerang Bags are currently focusing on two projects: making bags out of donated fabric to rid the environment of plastic shopping bags – an initiative which began 10 years ago – and collecting uniforms from schools to prevent them going to landfill and recycling them into new products such as school vests and new fabrics.
All money raised goes back into the community.
Sing Australia – Maree Shepherd, Margaret Price, Christine Hall and Pat Boniface
Sing Australia has groups all across the nation and sing for the fun of singing.
“We have a lot of fun and make great friendships. There are opportunities to travel and meet people in other groups across Australia.
“When you see other Sing Australia people you feel like you’re part of a big family so it’s a wonderful thing to belong to.”
They volunteer their time to sing at events throughout Kiama, including the Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival, the Anzac Day dawn service and at nursing homes.
“We’re not a choir, we’re a group of people who love to sing and we connect through singing.
“So many people say ‘my voice isn’t good enough to be in a choir’, everybody's voice is good enough to sing.”
They meet every Wednesday at the Joyce Wheatley Community Hall from 7pm.
Kiama Red Cross – Lyndon Mccorkell, Barbara Clayton and Sandra Kinmond
The Red Cross organisation assists with disasters across Australia and internationally. They are also involved in a range of programs that help people locally – like the homeless, young parents, migrants and vulnerable people.
Other than being a great cause, another reason to join the Red Cross is because “you can do as little or as much as you want”.
“It’s not something you need to put your life to and we appreciate any help we can get. We’re a nice group of people.
St Vincent De Paul – Michele Micallef, Sue Svenson and Thea Blanch
Not to be confused with the shop, St Vincent De Paul runs the drop in centre at the Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church for people in need.
“We help people out with food, clothing, shelter and basic requirements when they're struggling.
Hammond Care Champion Life – Alison McCaig and Lisa Beckett
Hammond Care works to improve the quality of life for people in need by getting them out of their four walls.
“Majority of our residents all have a diagnosis of dementia, so they are all in a place of need.
“Our job is about sharing the joy, and you get so much out of it.
“We’re investing in a relationship with someone and having a companion to better their lives and allow for them to flourish.”
Kiama Lions Club – Bobbie English with The Bugle's Cassandra Zaucer trying to find a scoop
Kiama Lions Club ensures their work is more than just “turning a sausage”.
The money they raise goes toward initiatives within the local community, across the nation for disasters and internationally to help with big disasters.
“It is the sense of giving back to the community, the friendships you make and the fun you have that make it all worth it.”
Friends of Peace Park – Colin Hollis and Jill Millbourn
Friends of Peace Park is a small organisation that maintains Kiama's Peace Park towards the south end of Manning St. The group has worked to revatlise the park to transform it into rose-lovers paradise. All roses on display at the expo were grown and cultivated at Peace Park by volunteers.
U3A - Charles Walker
U3A, also known as University of the Third Age offers a bevvy of educational courses for the mind and body, catering to those 50+ who still have an appetite for learning.
“It’s about learning from each other and being active in your elder life. If you keep your mind and your body active, you’ll last longer and have a better quality of life. That’s why we do it. And it’s cheap as chips, I’m surprised more people don’t do it.”
Blue Haven - Jeanette Dodge, Roslyn Richardson and Megan Lopes
Blue Haven has an undeniable presence in Kiama, but it still needs volunteers to provide servides to its community and residential care homes.
“Because you get so much more back than you put in, it’s so rewarding. And the clients are all so grateful and they’re so wonderful. And why not? What else would you do with your time?
UOW Graduate School of Medicine - Debbie Lawrence and Shawn Tyler
The University of Wollongong's Graduate School of Medicine needs volunteers for its simulated patient program. Volunteers participate in scripted role-plays by presenting symptoms to assist medical students with diagnosing their presented condition.
“It’s a proven fact that people who volunteer have better mental health outcomes than those that don’t. So it’s actually good for the mind, good for the body and good for the soul.
“With volunteering for the graduate school of medicine, you are literally helping train the next generation of medical practitioners. It’s a very valuable thing they’re doing.”
Rotary Club of Kiama and Gerringong - Pauline Thwaites, Graham Hanna and John Kenny
Members of the Rotary Club for Kiama and Gerringong were present at the expo. One of the largest volunteer organisations in the world, Rotary's mission is to ""provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through [the] fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders."
