Volunteer Services Report: Alison Keene

[13 November 2007 | The Centre for Volunteering]

The VRS is sorely missing its longest-serving volunteer at the moment. Billie has been working at Volunteering NSW for 26 years, but has been unwell recently, and we wish her a speedy recovery. Her stories of pre-computer days, when each of the thousands of volunteers were listed in a card index, and sent hand-typed letters, always make us grateful for technological advances!

Alison Keene, our Volunteer Services Coordinator, recently visited two organisation members: the Nepean Volunteer Service Inc and the Inner West Neighbour Aid.

Alison had a luncheon meeting with the Nepean Volunteer Service Inc. They are supporting some tremendous programs in and around the Penrith region, including a thriving neighbour aid and community visitors' scheme. Alison enjoyed meeting with some of the volunteers, who were committed and enthusiastic about their work. Alison commented that the volunteers "are obviously being very well-supported!"

If you ever thought that annual general meetings (AGMs) were tedious affairs, think again! Alison had a very encouraging and fascinating time at the AGM of the Inner West Neighbour Aid (IWNA) organisation. Apart from eating the delicious jam and cream scones, she heard about the thriving programs the organisation is running, from gardening services to a new initiative called 'Beyond Home', which supports elderly residents in their transition from their own home into a care facility. All these programs were well resourced by their incredibly hard-working volunteers, and there was a general feeling of positive team work and satisfaction in knowing the IWNA volunteers are doing a great job in their community.