WRSC students take part in Y Challenge

Olivia Siaosi  – the Salvation Army, Epping

Olivia Siaosi began her work at the Salvos in Epping with an extensive induction.

“There was huge book on the policies and procedures”. It was just as well that Olivia read everything as she has had to work in a wide range of roles in the organisation.

“I’ve done everything from working in the warehouse, where they receive, sort and price donations, to the shop floor where the main tasks are sorting, cleaning and assisting customers.

“I even had some time on the phones, answering queries”.

As I arrive to interview Olivia’s supervisor, the staff are setting up the furniture and manchester area with a pre-Christmas sale display.

“All sorts of people come in. There are the people looking for unusual things and bargains, but there are also people who are really doing it hard. It’s nice to be able to help people”. Working at the Salvos has given Olivia a higher profile in the community.

“I live locally but now people recognise me in the street and stop to Say hello”.

Olivia recognises that she is gaining as much as she is giving in this Y Challenge volunteering activity.

“The people here are so nice and they treat me so well. They often ask how school is going. I feel accepted and this has helped me to grow more confident in dealing with people.”

– Lillian Leptos, Y Challenge Coordinator

Megan Culhane – Preston West Primary School

From Epping it’s a quick run south to see Megan Culhane at Preston West Primary School.

I wanted to meet Mr Andronicus, Megan’s supervisor. He had just sent me an almost impossibly glowing report on Megan and her work with his colleagues.

Megan is particularly well placed to work with Mr Andronicus in the Arts area. She has always had passion for dance and particularly ballet. Her enrolment at the Brunswick School of Dance has influenced her desire to possibly become a dance teacher in the future.

Even now, she sometimes takes responsibility for teaching some of the younger dancers. Megan very much enjoys working with the prep students, regardless as to whether she is placed in the Art room or in mainstream classes, supporting students with their academic subjects.

“The children are really curious and sometimes they ask me about high school. Whether I’m helping with worksheets or just playing with them during free time, it all feels good. Basically, I just really enjoy helping and supporting people”.

The preps are chatters and there is a torrent of conversation with Megan about their trips, interesting things they’ve done, or in fact anything.

oday a couple of bright littlies are launching forth about the Bird of Paradise flower they have brought in for show and tell. Megan has clearly established a warm and supportive relationship with them and Ben Corrs, their class teacher.

– Lillian Leptos, Y Challenge Coordinator

Volunteers at Vinnies in Edwardes St Reservoir

Ragaa Timbira

With Vinnies in Edwardes St Reservoir opening recently and being short of volunteers, the arrival of three William Ruthven SC students looking for a I arrive at the shop on a busy Friday afternoon to find Ragaa Timbira collecting a selection of glamorous dresses and teaming them with accessories in preparation for the pre Cup Day sale.

Vinnie’s manager has picked the right person for this job as Ragaa has always been interested in fashion. Before being taken on as a volunteer, Raja had never stepped inside an opportunity shop, but she has realised that in these sorts of shops, a wide range of really great clothes can be found.

Volunteering is not new to Ragaa who regularly volunteers at her church, where she has been involved in a wide range of fundraising activities.

For Ragaa the best part of her work as a volunteer is the opportunity to interact with a wide cross-section of people.

Sarah Harik

Sarah Harik has spent several visits at Vinnies, sorting out the book section. It’s a never-ending job making sure everything is organised in categories.

“Customers are always looking through the shelves and they don’t often replace the books where they belong. It’s also an opportunity to look through books that we don’t have in the school library. I thought I might like to read The Hunger Games Mockingjay”.

Like Ragaa, Sarah is also involved in volunteering. The Nubian community is involved in a variety of community projects and they are always grateful for a helping hand from enthusiastic young people like her.

Revival Siaosi

Revival Siaosi at first found it a little stressful when customers asked her for information.

“We wear the same blue aprons as the regular staff and they assumed we knew where everything was. It took a while to understand the layout of the store”.

For Revival, its important for volunteers to really think about their interests and skills before they offer to become volunteers.

“In the community there are loads of opportunities to do volunteering. You have to think about what sort of environment you feel most comfortable in. When you are happy, you will probably be more use to other people” she explains.

Wearing the school uniform at their volunteering placements, the William Ruthven students are also ambassadors for the college and showing the people of Reservoir that as well as teaching our students the skills and content they will need in order to navigate their futures, the college places an emphasis on developing in our students the values that will guide them to become productive and active citizens within their community.

– Lillian Leptos, Y Challenge Coordinator