狗年大吉 HAPPY NEW YEAR
Volunteerism 志愿者之谈 文／译◎ Elvie Yap 叶俐廷
Every dedicated volunteer is a precious resource for a not-for-profit organisation, like Chung Wah Association. The annual large-scale Perth Chinese New Year Fair involves a significant number of volunteers at every stage of the event, from planning to site decoration. Volunteers play a vital role in the sustainability of our community services. Thanks to all the long-standing and committed volunteers who have actively contributed to the services provided by the Chung Wah Community & Aged Care and Chung Wah Chinese Schools. As the Chinese New Year is around the corner, our editorial team has specially interviewed four active volunteers about their volunteering experience and how they celebrate Chinese New Year in Perth. 对于一个非盈利机构而言，最珍贵的资源莫过于是多年来任劳任怨的志愿者。每年的春节活动，从活动策划到场地布 置，基本上每个环节都少不了志愿者的参与。中华社区及长者服务和中华中文学校，一直有一批不离不弃的志愿者在默默 地扶持着这些服务的运作。趁着春节的来临，特此找来四位长期付出的志愿者分享他们的体验和对农历新年的体会。
Beata FUNG李灿薇
Originally from Hong Kong
Migrated to Perth at the end of 1992 1992年底和家人从香港移居珀斯
Twenty-four years ago, Beata first joined the Chung Wah as a community visitor under the government-funded Community Visitors Scheme (CVS). She heard about the recruitment of community visitors through the Chung Wah
二十四年前，李灿薇通过西澳多元文化广播6EBA的中华广东话
Cantonese radio program broadcasted on the WA Multicultural Radio, 6EBA.
广播节目，得知中华会馆的长者服务欲招募社区探访员(CVS)，于是
The CVS is a program that trains and arranges volunteers to regularly visit
就报名参加。这项社区探访计划（CVS）是让志愿者定期探访养老院
socially isolated Asian residents in nursing homes or hostels in Perth, and to
中的亚裔长者，给他们带来友情和陪伴。
provide companionship and friendship.
Beata到养老院探访的首位老婆婆只能讲台山话，此方言也是
Beata first visited an elderly female who only spoke a rare Chinese dialect,
Beata父母的母语。由于父母很早离世，面对这位长者常令她感到份
Taishan. This was the dialect that Beata’s parents used to speak. As her
外亲切，犹如自己的母亲般对待。
parents passed away at a young age, Beata had a strong feeling of familiarity
Beata是中华会馆资历较
with this resident and she treated her like her mother.
深的志愿者，她所参与过的中
There is no doubt that Beata is one of the most experienced Chung Wah
华会馆旗下的义务工作十分广
volunteers. She has been involved in a variety of volunteering roles include
泛，其中包括了：养老院亚裔
visiting elderly residents in nursing home, presenting community news as a
长者探访、广东话广播节目主
Cantonese radio broadcaster, introducing Chinese cultural information to
持人、给到访中华会馆的学生
school-visit students, teaching English to seniors attending the Evergreen
介绍中国文化、中华长者服务
College of Chung Wah Community & Aged Care, and helping out at Chinese
长青学院教导英语、中华春节
New Year events.
活动志愿者等等。
She strongly urges community members who have ample time to contribute
她十分鼓励有空闲时间
their language capabilities and cultural knowledge to help other people in need.
的社区朋友，可以利用自己的
Being a volunteer of a big family provides a platform for you to meet other
语言专长、文化知识，多多帮
volunteers from a diverse cultural background, as knowing more friends can
助社区内需要 帮助的人。此
make your life more satisfying.
外，也可以认识不同文化背景 的义工，扩大社交圈子，从而 充实自己的生活。
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