Our Term 3 Volunteering program finished last week and again our Year 11 students have left a positive legacy in the local community with their enthusiasm and willingness to give back.
Their commitment not only made a tangible difference to those they helped but also fostered valuable skills such as teamwork, empathy, and leadership. Many students reported that the experience gave them a deeper understanding of community needs and inspired them to continue volunteering beyond the program.
We are incredibly proud of their efforts, and we look forward to seeing how they carry these values forward in their future endeavours.
My time at Big Group Hug has helped me realise truly how difficult it is for not only the unfortunate families are across Melbourne, but the hardships in operating a non-for-profit organisation determined to help others with limited resources from the community. My experience enabled me to connect with the warmhearted volunteers who devote time out of their lives and allowed me to realise the struggles in Melbourne.
For the past three weeks myself and four other Year 11 students have attended Villa Maria Aged Care on a Thursday afternoon. These weeks have been a bundle of joy and a learning experience for us all. We got to play games with the residents like bocce and talk to them about their life and ours. It was a humbling experience to see the residents at any age beat us in bocce, just proves age is just a number. It was a pleasure to put a smile on the residents faces especially to the ones that may not have the privilege of having visitors on a regular basis. I encourage all students if given the opportunity to attend and volunteer at any organisation to take on the challenge and give back to the community.
I went and volunteered at Vinnies Op Shop in Thornbury on High St. Going into my volunteering placement, I was not sure what to expect, but once I arrived and settled in it was amazing and warming to be a part of. Whilst there, I helped in the pricing of items and shelving of them. The workers at Vinnies helped show me the correct ways to take care of items and display them in a correct manner. My experience at Vinnies was inspiring. It taught me the qualities and the bare minimum it takes to show care to the community, the less privileged and how much it means to them and everyone.
During my three weeks of volunteering at Exodus Community Village in Heidelberg, I had the opportunity to engage with the local community and learn about its unique history, including the Olympic housing legacy. My role involved helping set up marquees, chairs, and preparing light snacks and lunches for residents, as well as assisting with a community BBQ. Beyond the practical support, I was able to connect with residents, share conversations, and be part of a warm and welcoming environment. Overall, it was a rewarding and memorable experience that gave me a deeper appreciation for community spirit and connection.
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