Volunteering Stories from our People

Vicinity offers all employees two days Volunteer Leave each year, allowing them the time to engage in activities to support their community and causes close to their hearts.

In celebration of National Volunteer Week 2023, three of our team across the country have shared their volunteering stories with us.

"I am the Cricket Coach of the SA State Cricket team for players with an intellectual disability.

"The National Cricket inclusion championships provides the opportunity for players with various disabilities to compete in a tournament at a high performance level against other states in Australia."

"As a past player and passionate person about cricket I saw this as an opportunity to give back to the community and the sport I have been involved with for many years.

"This role has given me the opportunity to guide mentor and coach players with an intellectual disability who do not get the same opportunity in mainstream sports. The best part is connecting people with a disability together and giving them the opportunity to play a sport they love in an inclusive environment.

"Volunteering is a great opportunity to give back to the community and make a difference in people’s lives."

"My volunteer leave was associated with the Chain Reaction Challenge which is a 1,000km in seven days cycling event to raise money to support kids in need. 

"I am on the organising committee for the event and through a Vicinity team sponsorship I was also team leader for team Vicinity.

" This year was my 8th challenge and committing to doing this each year raises a lot of money for children’s charities. It's also great for the camaraderie with the 45 or so senior executives that also do the ride each year.

 "The best part was that we raised over $1-million for three charities including So They Can, Baptistcare Hope Street and, a minor charity partner, Bridging the Gap Foundation.

"My advice would be to get involved with volunteering and/or charity events that you are passionate about and don’t be afraid to take yourself out of your comfort zone to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

"I am a Volunteer Firefighter for the Country Fire Service.

"I started as a cadet when I was 15 and then moved to a firefighter once I was 18. Most of my volunteering with CFS is after hours as that’s when we tend to get more call outs. We respond to things like structure fires, car fires, car accidents, grass fires and Floods just to name a few.

"I have been with the CFS for 11 years and was lucky enough to be awarded a ten year medal last year. I absolutely love being a Firefighter.

"Last year I was lucky enough to get put on a training course for operating pumps. This was a two day course (Friday Night & Saturday during the day) that helped me learn more about the pumps on the CFS trucks and the best way to achieve the best result when fighting fires.

"Honestly the best part about being a CFS volunteer is knowing that you are potentially helping someone on their worst day and giving them a small bit of comfort during a scary time.

"Being with the CFS has also helped build my confidence in many ways."

"I think my advice to anyone who wants to volunteer is to just do it, you never know where it may take you.

"I have made some amazing friends through CFS and been introduced to new volunteering opportunities like my Local Melodrama show.

"I've helped waitress and on the bar and actually almost got up on the stage this year to act in the show - I know I said I was more confident because of CFS but I am not that confident!

"I was then Introduced to Scouts because of Melodrama. I was a volunteer Scout leader for 7 years but I recently moved to the committee. Scouts and Melodrama have also given me some lifelong friends as well as some great training opportunities

"The training you get through things like Scouts and CFS - First Aid for example - can be used in your personal life as well as your Volunteering life.

"I am a member of the Sapphire Committee. We are a philanthropy group that supports the Children’s Hospital Foundation,and are passionate about making a difference in the lives of sick kids.

"I was approached by Children’s Hospital Foundation to join this committee as I have always been enthusiastic about sharing my time and network to benefit charitable organisations.

"The best part about volunteering is knowing that you are contributing towards incredible research and equipment that directly helps people.

"At the Sapphire Committee, we've have been tasked with ‘reinvigorating’ how we raise funds. Our group has come up with some incredible experiences and events that we will roll out over the next 12 months, however the biggest challenge has been ensuring that execution of these events results in us hitting our fundraising target.

"My advice for people wanting to volunteer is to look locally. A lot of the large charitable organisations require certain availability, experience and certifications. Smaller charities in your local area are usually the ones with little or no funding and really benefit from new volunteers. If you pick something you are passionate the time spent volunteering quickly becomes just another part of your every day.