Meet Warrigal Wollongong
September 16th, 2025
Tell us about Warrigal Wollongong. What is your mission?
Warrigal Wollongong is a modern seaside residential aged-care home offering 155 places. Situated near Wollongong’s golf course, it features light-filled courtyards, balconies and outdoor areas designed to feel welcoming and homely.
As a not-for-profit, community-owned organisation, Warrigal is guided by the values of Integrity, Respect, Compassion and Innovation. Its vision is simple yet powerful: to create a world where older people feel known, loved and connected.
What are your programs and initiatives?
Warrigal Wollongong offers a wide range of programs that support the physical, social, and emotional wellbeing of its residents. Volunteers play a vital role alongside the leisure and lifestyle team, supporting activities like games, crafts, social visits, café service, and bus outings. They also run unique initiatives like Cycling Without Age Illawarra, where residents enjoy trishaw bike rides along the coastline, helping them stay active and connected with the community.
How do you involve volunteers in your programs?
Founded by volunteers in 1964, Warrigal Wollongong still places them at the heart of everything it does. Volunteers support a wide range of activities – from companionship and coffee catch-ups to gardening, walking groups, activity facilitation and even governance as Company Members.
How do your volunteers make a difference in the community?
With more than 520 volunteers contributing over 33,000 hours each year, their impact is enormous. Through conversation, shared experiences, or simply being present, volunteers create connections that encourage belonging and joy for older people and help bring Warrigal Wollongong’s vision to life every day.
Warrigal regularly features inspiring stories on its website that show the difference volunteers make – from small acts of kindness to lifelong friendships. These stories highlight how meaningful volunteering can be, not only for residents but for the volunteers themselves.
What resources and services have helped support your volunteer program?
Warrigal Wollongong is committed to continually enhancing its volunteer program, and The Centre for Volunteering has been an invaluable partner. Its training, online resources and advertising channels help attract new volunteers, keep the team up to date with best practice and strengthen program management.
What have you learnt about the value of volunteering and/or volunteer management?
Volunteers have shaped Warrigal from the very beginning, and their contribution remains vital today. They create meaningful connections, build trust and bring joy to the lives of older people. For Warrigal, volunteer management goes beyond coordination – it’s about nurturing relationships so residents and volunteers alike benefit.
What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering?
In the words of one Warrigal Wollongong volunteer: “Just do it – you won’t regret it!” Volunteering at Warrigal means making new friends, learning new skills and giving back to your local community. There’s something for everyone, and every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.
Membership
The Centre is proud to support organisations like Warrigal Wollongong, doing important work in the community.
The Centre for Volunteering has been an invaluable partner. Its training, online resources and advertising channels help attract new volunteers, keep the team up to date with best practice and strengthen program management.”
– Warrigal Wollongong