These four women have found the secret to fulfilment

Years ago, I picked up the phone to hear a voice on the other end thanking me for the difference I’d made in her life. I was confused at first; although I visited this woman – and many others – while they were in a detention centre, I didn’t do anything besides bring food and a smile. She disagreed. “Your visits reminded me that I was still a human being,” she explained. I have carried that conversation with me ever since.

Around five million Australians (24.8 per cent of people aged 15 and over) volunteer their time.Credit: CACTUS Creative Studio / Stocksy

If you’re thinking about volunteering for a cause close to your heart, you’re in good company. According to Volunteering Australia, some five million Australians (24.8 per cent of people aged 15 and over) volunteer their time, with those aged between 40 and 54 the most likely to pitch in with their time and talents.

The most common types of organisations for which Australians volunteered? Those relating to sports and recreation took up the lion’s share, at 30.7 per cent. Religious groups, and education and training, took up the second and third positions at 23.1 per cent and 18.8 per cent respectively.

“It costs nothing to be kind”

Eliza Batchelor, recruiter, 30

Those who come to our workshops often seem surprised that I’m volunteering, rather than getting paid.

“I’ve long been an advocate of giving back to the community and providing support to those in need. That’s why it made sense to help facilitate workshops for [cancer charity] Look Good Feel Better in Brisbane hospitals after I left the beauty industry. I’d witnessed their work offering free in-person and online workshops and providing Confidence Kits to help patients manage the appearance-related impacts of cancer treatment, and I wanted to put my skills to good use.

Those who come to our workshops often seem surprised that I’m volunteering, rather than getting paid, to help them, but I’m convinced I get as much out of being involved with the program as they do.

Once I’ve set up my workshop, which looks like a bathroom vanity, I run through cosmetics and skincare applications, show people how to wear turbans and other headwear, and give them products from the lovely cosmetic companies who support us. Although they’re education sessions, what thrills me is the way patients connect with one another in this relaxed environment, having a laugh and often exchanging numbers to grab coffee after the workshops.

The beauty of volunteering with Look Good Feel Better is that our rosters are released early in the year, so I can plan. I run two- or three-hour workshops once or twice a month in warmer months (immunocompromised systems mean we tend to avoid winter), then head to work afterwards. I work for a mining company that’s incredibly supportive of my volunteer work.

I always tell people who are unsure if volunteering is for them to choose a field they’re passionate about and ask to sit in on an information session – or, in our case, a workshop. It costs nothing to be kind and give your time to those doing it tough.”

“Medicine heals … but so does love”

Phoebe Thomas, naturopath, 49

I understood that with no voice of their own, they needed all the help they could get.

“Animals have been ‘my people’ for as long as I can remember. As a child growing up on a farm, it wasn’t enough that we had all sorts of animals; I was forever trying to bring home and save new ones. I stopped eating most meats when I was five and began volunteering with organisations such as Animal Liberation as a teenager because experience had taught me that animals weren’t just animals as a collective – each had its own personality, likes and dislikes, and mates. I also understood that with no voice of their own, they needed all the help they could get.

Between my career as a naturopath, my tea business and my 10-year-old son, I wouldn’t say I have a lot of spare time. But last year I started feeling strongly that I wanted to help animals more than I had been.

I’d been following [Victorian animal sanctuary] Edgar’s Mission on socials for some time, in awe of the way creatures brought in close to death blossomed into healthy, happy, playful individuals thanks to loving care of the team. Even though the sanctuary is a 2½-hour return drive from my home, and there was a training period, I knew it was the place where I’d not only fit in but do work I could be proud of.

I’m a ‘sanctuary hand’, so much of my day is cleaning out animal houses and the yard. Every so often, I’ll do extra shifts – like coming in for Book Club, which is where volunteers sit down and read books to the animals in a soothing voice. We have one pig, Leon Trotsky, who insists I rub his belly as I read and happily grunts his way through every page.

Obviously, there are challenging aspects to volunteering here – it’s heartbreaking to see the condition the animals are in when they first come – but the flipside is that you see them flourish, love and trust again. Medicine heals, but you know what? So does love.”

“I like that I can make a difference”

Jacki Townson, retired, 59

After semi-retirement, I found myself with a little more time on my hands and immediately knew I wanted to put it to good use.

“I’ve been volunteering in one way or another since I took up my first post as a ‘clubbie’ [surf lifesaver] at my local beach aged 16. Everyone in my family volunteered and my parents taught us the importance of helping others and making a difference.

Over the years I’ve put my hand up for all sorts of organisations, from working as a mobilisation coordinator at Disaster Relief Australia and as a Lifeline counsellor to assisting with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, [charity] Challenge Southern Highlands and The Bloody Long Walk.

After semi-retirement in 2022, I found myself with a little more time on my hands and immediately knew I wanted to put it to good use. The Starlight Children’s Foundation was already familiar to me through their magnificent wish-granting program and the more I investigated, the more I wanted to be involved. I applied as soon as the charity reopened post-COVID and committed to helping one day a fortnight.

Interacting with kids is the cornerstone of what I do. I’m really average at arts and crafts and really good at losing at video games, but that doesn’t stop me from getting involved. I’ll take any opportunity to help the littlies and their families escape their reality for a moment and have a giggle together. It isn’t always easy to see kids who are sick or in pain, but being able to distract them keeps me coming back and asking what I can do next.”

“Helping families is my greatest passion”

Andrea Wang, student, 16

I strive to enact real change in people’s lives.

“My volunteering journey began when in year 8 when I put my hand up to serve students in our school tuck shop, a role that was one day a week at first but soon became daily because I enjoyed helping out so much.

This year, I felt a call to work on youth issues and got involved with the Logan Youth Action Group, as well as the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament, where I consult the community about the issues which challenge us, then advocate for my peer group. Currently, we are finalising a youth bill on mandating trauma-informed practice within Queensland schools.

I love helping others. Even the slime-making business I have on Etsy was created to help kids with sensory issues and disabilities, and it was a way for me to feed my creative energy while doing good. While my business continues on the side, my work with Logan Youth Action Group and YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament allows me to meet members of the community and get a thorough understanding of the issues they’re facing. I strive to enact real change in people’s lives.

When you’re working towards your HSC, there’s a lot to balance. I set aside around seven hours a week for work outside of school and my business, which sounds like a lot but doesn’t feel like it because the majority of my friends volunteer with me. Volunteering, I’ve discovered, helps you meet other like-minded people and working together on projects you believe in strengthens your bonds.

People my age are likely to be engaged in the causes that affect us most, such as climate change and protecting the environment. We also know that students are more likely to be engaged with volunteering after they’ve seen a youth advocate working. We’re trying to inspire!”

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