Meet our Volunteers
Our volunteers include alumni, students, staff and the public.
At the University of Adelaide, we foster and encourage volunteer satisfaction by way of learning new skills and making professional and social contacts.
James Cowley
PhD candidate for School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
Volunteer for Children's University
When I was in school, I was always inspired by scientists. It was so important to be able to talk to them and to realise they were just like us, people who were just as excited by chemical reactions and lasers and microscopic bugs! From then on, I knew I wanted to grow up to be that scientist, to repay the favour and inspire the next generation of young scientists. While volunteering in Port Pirie with Children's University, we were lucky enough to run some workshops with a special needs class from a local high school. Being able to share in their excitement as we made a mess extracting sticky DNA snot from strawberries while discussing how it makes us, was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had through volunteering. They inspire me to keep learning and to keep teaching.
Bill Wallace
President of The Friends of Urrbrae House and Volunteer Urrbrae House, Tour Guide and History Program for Primary Schools
It's a pleasure to be involved in volunteer work at Urrbrae House. As a tour guide, it's wonderful witnessing visitors' amazement as they walk into the building's main hall and see the authentic decor and innovations inside. I have always felt a great sense of gratitude for Peter Waite's benefaction. It was this appreciation that sparked my own desire to give back.
Emily Hack
Student Health and Wellbeing Ambassador (SH&WA)
I have always been a strong believer in volunteering for good causes and I am passionate about developing happy and healthy communities. When the SH&WA program was advertised, I leapt at the opportunity to contribute to the university community in a meaningful way. The thing I love most about my volunteer role is the diverse group of people I get the pleasure of working with. Engaging students to talk about their wellbeing with friends is one of the most enjoyable things I like about my volunteering.
David Penn
BEc 1994, BCom 1996, MBA 2010
AU Sport President and volunteer of the AU Cricket Club
I am currently the President of the AU Sports Board and coach the women’s cricket team. I’ve had an enormous amount of enjoyment from my involvement in sport. Coaching allows me to give something back, hopefully by passing on my knowledge and enthusiasm for the game. I’d encourage anyone to get involved in volunteering and to contribute in some way. All clubs, sporting or otherwise, need plenty of good volunteers to help them thrive.
Elisabeth Cobos
Student Health and Wellbeing Ambassador (SH&WA)
I was inspired to volunteer with the SH&WA program for several reasons; to support fellow students, to destigmatise mental illness, to find a community of like-minded people and for personal and professional development, most specifically, to challenge the anxiety I experienced with working in groups. I love many aspects of the program and am grateful for the opportunity to propose and lead my own student wellbeing project called Student Parent and Carer Support. It is a privilege to lead a project that I am passionate about, especially when there is the potential to positively impact the wellbeing of an entire subgroup of students.
Peter Chisholm
Volunteer in the Urrbrae House gardens
I was introduced to the Urrbrae House gardens by a dear friend, Torben Davidson, who was a volunteer for many years. He convinced me to get involved and I’ve never looked back! I’ve been volunteering in the gardens for 14 years and it is a part of my life. I would encourage people to volunteer – it’s a great feeling to give back and help out.
Margaret Harrison
Volunteer in the Barr Smith Library’s Theatre and Performing Arts Program
I have volunteered with the Theatre and Performing Arts Program since it began 10 years ago. I love theatre and concerts and their history so this volunteering position is the perfect fit – it is interesting and has a genuine research purpose. I have made many friends and we love to reminisce about performers and shows we’ve seen in the past and loved, which often helps with cataloguing. Volunteering at the University is one of the best things I’ve done in a long life of volunteering.