Autumn Newsletter for Volunteers

“Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don’t live in the world all of your own.”

— Albert Schweitzer

Welcome to Volunteer for Knox News

Registered Volunteers
Autumn 2022

Welcome to Volunteer for Knox Autumn newsletter. We have been working hard to celebrate our volunteers and Volunteer managers this year post-Covid lockdowns. It’s a breath of fresh air to get out and about again to connect with our Knox community! Check out our Term 2 training calendar and sign up for a course provided by our local community houses.

Volunteering Victoria Awards

Volunteer for Knox co-ordinator Sally Dusting-Laird was announced as the Runner Up in the Volunteering Victoria Awards in the Community Partnerships category for her work at the Westfield Knox Community space. The event was held at Government House on Friday 25th of March and attended by the Governor of Victoria the Hon Linda Dessau AC.

Sally has managed the Community Space at Westfield Knox Shopping Centre for the past eight years, an initiative for community groups to promote volunteering and showcase what they do best. The space is provided rent free by Westfield and through this partnership Volunteer for Knox has connected with over 300 Volunteer Involving Organisations and hosted around 2000 events.

Knox Festival 2022

Volunteer for Knox loves to engage with community and promote volunteerism and what we do in the City of Knox. This year we participated in the annual Knox Festival and it was certainly a wonderful feeling to be out and about with the crowds again. Even the rain couldn’t keep people away.

What a treat it was to join Orana Neighbourhood House, The Basin Community House, Mountain District Learning Centre, Rowville Community Learning, Coonara Community House and Swinburne Skills and Jobs Centre at the Knox Festival in early March. Together we are strong, skilled and can offer our community an abundance of opportunities in volunteering, learning, leisure and more!

The rain didn’t deter the general public from venturing outdoors as we experienced a steady stream of individuals and families stopping by for a chat! We hosted a children’s activity creating Insect Hotels from a simple mug and nature and it was a huge hit with both children and adults! Over 120 Insect Hotels are heading to gardens ready to attract bees and insects! Sustainable play at its best!

Mayor Susan Laukens stopped by to say hello and share her support for the wonderful work that we are all doing. Each of our organisations created an attractive and inviting set up that really drew the crowds in to talk about what is on offer!

The festival was full of positive vibes with everyone attending relieved and happy to be out and about among our community once again. With a range of rides, eateries, entertainment and demonstrations adding to the atmosphere.
This event was very timely allowing us to showcase our unique opportunities available to a community that is well and truly ready to receive it. It really is a testament to how hard we have all worked getting through Covid. So, congratulations and well done team!

Volunteer Opportunities Spotlight –
Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is a vital community service, providing meals to our elderly, disabled or vulnerable people in Knox. We are looking for volunteers to collect the prepared meals from the Civic Centre in Wantirna South, and deliver them to our customer's homes with a smile and a chat.

The role requires you to have your own car, a current driver's license and covid-19 vaccination. Each shift is approximately 3 hours and we'd love you to be able to do 2 or 3 days through the week (Monday to Friday) but that is negotiable. Training will be provided.

This volunteer role is perfect for students, retirees, unemployed or people working part-time or casually.

By giving a little of your time, you will bring joy into someone else's life as well as ensuring they have healthy meals to eat. Many of our volunteers have created life-long friendships and connections with both customers and fellow volunteers. Did you know that Knox City Council offer Meals on Wheels?

Supporting Seniors to remain independent in their homes by delivering meals.
If you would like to volunteer and join the supportive and social team at Knox Council then call 9298 8728. Vehicle is required. Spend a few hours of your week helping others in this rewarding role!

Bridges – Connecting Communities

Bridges is one of our wonderful volunteering involved organisations!
Bridges offer a range of valuable services for the elderly and individuals with a disability from transport services to the amazing Pet companion program!

To volunteer for Bridges email us at office@volunteerforknox.com.au It's never been easier to begin your volunteer journey!

Friends of Koolunga Reserve

Friends of Koolunga Reserve has been Volunteer for Knox’s most popular service in the past 12 months with 70 people expressing interest in roles as Environmental and Conservation Assistants.

Friends of Koolunga reserve are a group of volunteers who help to restore the bushland at the reserve, on Forest Road, in Ferntree Gully. They plant back local indigenous species (trees, shrubs, grasses, herbs, etc.) and remove weed species and work closely with Knox City Council.

Koolunga Native Reserve is owned by the City of Knox and is based at the bottom of the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges and the flora reflects that of the ranges and also the surrounding lowlands.

Friends of Koolunga Reserve registered with Volunteer for Knox in 2019.

Co-ordinator Moyra Farrington said many of the volunteers attend for short term projects but some have stayed on.

“We love to welcome new volunteers and make the experience interesting, friendly and rewarding in learning new skills and try to give them the feeling that their efforts are very much appreciated.”

When the volunteers are referred from Volunteer for Knox they are asked to contact Moyra who welcomes them into the group and gives information about their activities and educates them about the local plants, birds, animals and specific projects.

“We plant, weed, take surveys of birds and wild life and engage closely with the local community via Facebook and run community events,” Moyra said.

“Volunteer for Knox has provided extra assistance and introduced many new and interesting people to our group.

“Volunteers enable us to accomplish much more work in planting and weeding and generally maintaining our reserve. Most adapt quite quickly. The tasks aren’t complicated or too demanding.

Volunteer for Knox Training

Not everyone is a natural at administration, “tech stuff”, supervision and leadership, but you can always learn and upskill! Start building on your skills by enrolling in a Volunteer for Knox training session facilitated by trainers at the five Knox Community Houses, the governance team of Volunteer for Knox. Click below to take a look at our Term 2, 2022 Training calendar.

www.volunteerforknox.com.au/training

Volunteering

If you know someone that wants to volunteer but doesn’t know where or how to start this fabulous journey please tell them to contact us at Volunteer for Knox to guide them or check out our current opportunities here:

Become a volunteer