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Profiles - TestimonialsRead some examples of people who benefit through volunteering, including:
CLPD VolunteersThomas Parker Being new to Adelaide, volunteering for the CLPD is a great chance for me to meet new people who are also often new-to-town. Chatting with these international students provides me with a whole new perspective on international issues and a glimpse of different cultures. Improving their English is something that really just happens - we often stumble across a new word they are unfamiliar with, or I might read through a draft of theirs. I don't really feel like a volunteer whenever I meet with my students - more like I'm catching up with a mate.
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 VolunteersMichelle 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.
Cr R. Joy Ricci (CTTG) At present I am a PhD student researching the life of Lin Yutang, a transcultural writer, philosopher, philologist, inventor and poet. Thirty years of teaching included specialist training and work in the fields of special education (3Rs), physical education, music (recorder and singing), art (pottery) and ESL migrant teaching. Highlights of my volunteer teaching include ESL teaching at Vietnamese refugee camps in Hong Kong and LAP teaching at Mary McKillop College. Volunteer work led me to local government representation. I am presently an Elected Member for Water Gully Ward in the City of Tea Tree Gully, their champion with the Natural Resource Management Board of SA and a spokesperson between Dernancourt, Australia, and Dernancourt, France. My interests include Aboriginal advancement, poetry, photography and poodles. My background as a teacher and more recently as a research student gives me insight into the value of archival records and respect for the professionals who provide these resources for posterity. When the opportunity arose to contribute to the University of Adelaide archival recording work through its volunteer program, I was delighted to offer my time to give back a little of what this university has done for me and the experience is proving most rewarding.
Radio Adelaide VolunteersParis 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.
George Sremcevic and Myk Mykyta During National Volunteers Week in May, at the celebration event we were proud to see two of our longest standing volunteers recognised with the Premiers Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding contributions as volunteers. George Sremcevic from the Voice of Serbia is our longest serving ethnic broadcaster and Myk Mykyta has been involved in a wide range of arts programs. Both have clocked up more than 30 years of volunteer involvement.
Tim Laurie Radio Adelaide was lucky enough to have Tim get involved with the station back in 2001. Presenting and producing Profusion Youth Arts Radio for three years. Now aged 20, he's currently presenting The Range every Tuesday at 4pm and the Student Radio show Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing, 11pm alternate Tuesdays. Whilst Student Radio took its summer break last year, he presented a summer metal show. In his spare time he studies Media and Philosophy, plays in bands (F Scott Fitzgerald and …Of the Human Condition), also making recordings of other bands using his own small home studio. His favourite band is Led Zeppelin……as he says, "you can't go past Stairway". His future plan consists of doing Honours in philosophy and then continue to study philosophy until they get sick of him. Then hopefully he'll be able to write about and teach philosophy. He obviously loves philosophy! It may be a little evident from his interests, but Tim collects guitars. He currently has ten.
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."
The Waite Volunteers
Lyn Mackay Lyn Mackay came to Urrbrae House when she was undertaking work experience. Lyn was a mature person who had led a full and varied working life but she was now seeking volunteer opportunities in new areas. From the beginning Lyn was a perfect match with Urrbrae House, she was keenly interested in history, had a high level of interpersonal skills and good rapport with everyone she worked with. Lyn began her volunteer work as an Urrbrae House guide but her role has grown and developed over the years to include many other tasks. Lyn is now a casual employee who supervises a wide range of events at the house and helps out with administrative duties where needed. Lyn's role as a volunteer has also grown and now Lyn has a number of volunteer positions. She continues as a guide for group tour bookings and on the program of free tours held on the first Sunday of the month. Lyn is also a volunteer guide in our primary schools program; she plays the role of Annie Farquaharson, the housekeeper in 1892. Lyn as housekeeper steers the children through activities as servants in the house kitchens. Lyn is also a member and Treasurer on the Friends of Urrbrae House committee. She looks after the finances of the group and is involved in planning and organising many of the social and fund raising events in the annual program. Lyn is a now an indispensable member of our team and a friend of all of us at Urrbrae House.
Emma Kinnane Emma has been a volunteer at the Waite Arboretum since March 2003, working on, amongst other things, the botanical artwork for a series of interpretive signs for the Arboretum grounds. She studied art at school and enjoys painting and drawing in her spare time, having only recently taken up botanical drawing. She completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Adelaide, majoring in Zoology and Botany, with an Environmental Science focus. As a result, her botanical understanding has certainly assisted in the accurate reproduction in her illustrations of various species. At present, she is employed in function co-ordination and computer / office work, but hopes to find employment within the Environmental Science field soon, whilst continuing with the drawing of plants. Emma says, "Volunteering at the Waite has been a stimulating and rewarding experience in beautiful surroundings. It is also great fun!" |
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