Welcome to the new edition of Volunteers Vibe! My name is Steven Walker and I am your new Volunteer Support Officer. Let me begin by acknowledging the wonderful work my predecessor, Ryan Mouthaan, has done in the volunteer support office. He has left some huge shoes to fill and I hope I can live up to his legacy. I look forward to meeting you all as I begin to get my bearings, but in the meantime get familiar with this issue of your volunteer newsletter and if you have any questions, or simply want to say hi, you can get me on 9978 4216 or s.walker@mosman.nsw.gov.au. Happy volunteering! Steven Walker, Volunteer Support Officer
What’s New? In the spirit of Volunteers Week, I would like to send out a huge thank you to all the volunteers currently assisting in council services. Without the help of volunteers, like yourselves, many of Mosman Councils services, indeed the services of councils and other organisations worldwide, simply could not operate as they currently are. You, as volunteers, ensure the longevity of the volunteer programs you engage with ultimately making a valuable contribution to society as whole. Your work strengthens communities and provides avenues toward social cohesion and a sense of belonging. Be proud of the work you do as volunteers in whatever capacity you do it, you are AMAZING! You will find further information regarding National Volunteer Week here: http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/national-volunteerweek-2015/
Volunteering Opportunities Do you love the smell of freshly ground coffee or do you have a secret desire to be a barista? Are you a conversationalist with a desire to meet new people? If so, why not come along and operate our new coffee machine – you will be making coffee for people attending the centre on Wednesdays between midday and 2pm whilst also providing information about the services offered in the ADS office. If you are interested, please contact Steven Walker (9978 4216) at the council offices.
Meet a Volunteer Jo McCawe – Community Transport Volunteer Jo is a volunteer with Community Transport Out and About Trips for the elderly – which she has been doing for the last 5 years. She especially enjoys having conversations and building friendships with all the passengers as she is aware that this may be their only social interaction for the week. She is always in a happy mood with her bus friends so they all have a positive attitude to face the day. She aims to make the event memorable and a ‘sunny experience’. Jo has a lovely story about one of the trips where she was telling the women passengers about a Charity Ball she was to “You will always get attend and her need to locate a long pair of gloves for the occasion. The women were all very interested and advised something valuable back her where to purchase the gloves and the etiquette of wearing them. (These women came from a time where this was if you are prepared to put essential knowledge in society!!) They also had helpful hints from a bygone era of how to remove moisture from crystal something in.” decanters when Jo wanted to have them washed and ready for her Christmas lunch occasion. She spends quiteofa percentage herwere!! week helping others (including visits to a local hospitals and to What a fountain informationof they the home of an elderly friend). She takes pleasure in caring for others and believes it comes from her family upbringing. Jo says if you have an hour in a day to volunteer and help someone else – do it – it will make you feel positive about your actions and you will want to do more as time becomes available. A very cathartic experience! About the Community Transport Out and About Trips for the Elderly Each Wednesday the bus takes 10 to 12 residents for a social outing including morning tea and lunch. The passengers are collected from their homes and returned to them after the trip.
Remember...... Since the renovations at the council, you will all need to go through the Service Centre main hall to access the facilities and/or talk the Mosman Volunteer Co-ordinators. (Only Mosman Council employees will have a swipe card to access the office doors.)
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Mosman Council Volunteer Reception This year’s volunteer reception was a smashing success. We had a wonderful turn out volunteers spanning a variety of council services, and were able to award those volunteers whose length of service had reached 5, 10, and 15 years. Thank you to everyone who attended and congratulations to all awardees.
The above photos are but a sample of those taken at the event. Should you want copies of these pictures or to see if we have any of you from the event, just give me a call or flick me an email. s.walker@mosman.nsw.gov.au or 9978 4216.
Meals on Wheels ...............more than just a meal! Mosman Meals on Wheels delivers high quality, well-priced meals to Mosman’s older residents, people with a disability and their carers. The varied menu offers a huge selection of delicious meals, salads, sandwiches, soups and desserts each day. But, we provide more than just a meal! Come rain or shine, our happy team of volunteers deliver meals and visit people who might otherwise be lonely or isolated. Every day, a friendly smile, a quick chat and a nutritious meal enables many people to remain living independently at home. Ask any of our 100+ volunteers and the main reasons given for why they volunteer are “helping people to live independently in their own homes” and “making a difference to somebody’s day”. Last year, three of our volunteers enjoyed afternoon tea with the Mayor as a thank-you for their 20 years of volunteering; Joy remembers her early days of volunteering for Meals on Wheels when in addition to delivering the meals, volunteers would ladle out soup on-the-go, collect all the money and help with the cleaning on their return to the kitchen! The majority of Bill’s 20 years in Meals on Wheels has been as a volunteer driver until recently handing over the steering wheel to let someone else deal with the hectic Mosman traffic. Meals on Wheels clients enjoy Bill's friendly, caring manner and Bill says he enjoys the exercise of his fortnightly delivery run!
For 20 years Helen has been a valued member of the Food Services team. Helen says she “loves helping people”, volunteering every week in both Meals on Wheels and the Community Restaurant.
A big thank you to all our wonderful volunteers!