Profiles - Testimonials
Read some examples of people who benefit through volunteering, including:
- Centre for Learning and Professional Development (CLPD) Volunteers
- University Archives Volunteer Group Volunteers
- Radio Adelaide Volunteers
CLPD Volunteers
Ron Seidel
After nearly 40 years teaching in my own discipline and in management I retired and joined CLPD as a volunteer. I am an electronics engineer with postgraduate qualifications in computer science and education. In becoming a volunteer I hoped to give to others some of the support and opportunities given to me during my career. I have been befriended and made welcome in many countries in both professional and private capacities.
International students face a number of challenges; they have come to a foreign country with a different social context and unfathomable humour, and a language filled with metaphors and idiom. In addition, most international students find learning in Australia to be more independent and that they have to develop greater skills in analysis and argument, and to debate their ideas in seminars and workshops.
I hope to be able to enhance the learning of international students, to encourage them to enjoy themselves and to have new cultural experiences, and to support them when going through those more demanding periods all students experience. I know that I will learn much from international students and I hope that they can learn a little from me. Our students, international and local, are the world leaders of tomorrow.
University Archives Volunteer Group Volunteers
Michelle Peak
Why do I enjoy my voluntary roles at the university? I think it is because I meet people who are passionate about history and music as I am. I am a Radio Adelaide Volunteer as well as working at the University Archives Volunteer Group. Through my work in these roles I learn about Adelaide as well as music. I am a long term concert goer who has lived most of my life here, but I am still learning about both, through my voluntary roles.
Radio Adelaide Volunteers
Paris Dean
Paris Dean first came across Radio Adelaide when he was interviewed by one of our journalists at a May Day rally in 2000. Paris then fronted up to the next Radio Adelaide Information Night.
6 years later, Paris's passion for politics and political discussion has only grown stronger and he's one of the informed and entertaining Represent team, on air Fridays at 6pm. "I like the chance to talk about issues and at Radio Adelaide we have the editorial freedom to explore and discuss in different ways," he says. Now studying politics and philosophy at the University of Adelaide, Paris spends a lot of the week noting down things he hears or reacts, ready for the dynamic interplay of the Friday program.
The Represent team of Sam Deere, Richard Ensor, Jake Wishart and Paris are building a loyal following with their mix of hard issues, youth perspectives, byplay and diverse music. Some long standing community radio loyalists have suggested its one of the best community radio programs they've heard - so check it out!
And if you're interested in becoming a volunteer - call us on 8303 5000 to find out the date of our next Information Session.
Bianca Harvey
Bianca is one of the regular happy faces at Radio Adelaide. She is the Adelaide University Student Radio director, runs the Local Noise show on Tuesday nights and also presents The Range on Friday. As well as all this, at the age of 22 she has also completed a Bachelor of Science (with honours) and is part way through a Law degree. When she's not studying or at Radio Adelaide, Bianca likes to fuel her passion for the local music scene by seeing live bands and finding potential candidates for Local Noise (Tuesdays, 9pm) when you can hear some of Adelaide's up and coming talent live to air.
Bianca has been volunteering at Radio Adelaide for nearly four years. What keeps her coming back? "Radio Adelaide is a great place to be, it has a great atmosphere and you get an experience here that you don't get anywhere else. The people are the best part about Radio Adelaide. You can be yourself here."
Whilst Bianca clearly has a bright future, what she really wants to do is dance in the streets of Brazil with a fluoro pink whistle, or be a singer in a band. Whatever she does it's clear that Bianca is an asset to Radio Adelaide. Catch her on Tuesdays at 9pm for Local Noise and Fridays at 4pm for The Range.
Stephen Sokvari
Stephen "Sox" Sokvari moved to Adelaide in 1997 after years in the band scene in Sydney as a drummer and guitarist, plus producing music-based and current affairs shows at 2SER and RRR. His interest in radio drew him to 5UV and the station manager at the time, Jeff Langdon, encouraged him and mate Nigel Lawrence to start a world music program called Out of This World. The idea was to play real world African and Latin based music, which then evolved into blues and roots. Seven years later Out of This World is still going strong, although Sox now prefers to describe it as "a musical detour off the mainstream highway."
Sox believes that Radio Adelaide is a great community station with very good resources. "I love the attitude of the people; they're comfortable and easy going." He encourages people to get involved and says it's great for your confidence and self-esteem. "Subscribe first and then become a volunteer even if it's just to ride the bike to keep the generator going," he says in his sense of humour.
Neil Smart
Neil has been with the station in various capacities since 1994. He started as a volunteer, became a staff member, left to join the ABC for a year (where he discovered that community radio makes far more interesting and diverse radio than anyone else) and is now back as a volunteer. He's been heavily involved in current affairs, producing and presenting the breakfast show and community radio's national current program, Undercurrents - the precursor to the Wire.
His other great passion is for music and is one of the presenters on Latitudes (Thursday evenings 10pm to midnight). Asked what keeps him coming back to Radio Adelaide, Neil said, "I like the freedom. Particularly the editorial freedom where current affairs is not driven by the scoop mentality of almost all other media. I have the freedom to chase important stories that mainstream media have discarded because they're considered no longer topical or of no interest to their demographic. And the people who make the station what it is … I love working with them."
