CONNECTION THE VOLUNTEER - The City of Unley - Sa.gov.au

Volume 17
No. 4
November 2011
IN THIS ISSUE
• International Year of
Volunteers – photo
• Volunteers Live Longer
• New Volunteers
• Farewell to Anne
Fleetwood
• My Volunteer
Experience
• 100 and Not Out!
• Clarence Park
Childcare Centre
• Museum: Corporate
Volunteering
• Unley Bus Service
• Eastern Region SRF
Program Friday Sewing
Class
• Toy Library
• Together Offering Your
Skills (TOYS)
• Mobility Scooter User
Study
• Obituary: Beth
McLaughlin
• Volunteer Vacancies
• The Anam Cara Letter
Writing Project
• Tour Down Under 2012
THE VOLUNTEER
CONNECTION
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF VOLUNTEERS + 10
This flower bed can be viewed in the park opposite the Adelaide Oval or in
Victoria Square
VOLUNTEERS LIVE LONGER
To find out more, visit
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110906144038

The Volunteer Connection November 2011 Page 2
Alison Bryne – Museum
Allison Symons – Goodwood Library
Amelia Holloway – Museum
Anne Milne – Museum
Bex Abukker – School holiday program and
Community Visitors Scheme
Bill Edwards – Choir
Brian James – Community Visitors Scheme
Brian Malin – Let’s Dance
Brian Moore – TOYS
Carmen Wilson – Eastern Regional SRF
Cassandra Scott – Clarence Park Childcare
Centre
Cecile Storrie - Choir
David Pring – TOYS
Deborah Freeman – Choir
Dee Baird – Family History Records
Doug Kemp – Community Visitors Scheme
Elham Masoomi – Community Visitors Scheme
and Home Library Service
Eric Sanders – TOYS
Fran DeGaris – Choir
Frank McHugh – Unley Bus Service
Gabie Hume – Community Visitors Scheme
Geraldine Pinero – School Holiday Program
Glenn Watson – Advisory Group
Ian Brand – Advisory Group
Jen Wharton – Clarence Park Childcare and
Community Visitors Scheme
Jill Hu – Unley Community Centre & Clarence
Park Childcare
Joel Catchlove – Advisory Group
Farewell to Anne Fleetwood
A warm welcome is extended to you all.
After much deliberation, Anne Fleetwood decided to hang
up her chef's cap on Friday, September 16. Anne started
working at the Citizens Centre on 11 January 1999 and, in
that, time has managed to churn out an amazing 88,000
plus meals.
The Centre celebrated with a farewell for Anne combined
with a thank you to our volunteers on Wednesday, 14
September, at the Arkaba hotel.
It was a tearful week with so many people that Anne had
to farewell including a number of volunteers whom she has
worked closely with during the past 12 years. Centre
patrons also grew to love her, and her catering contacts.
We wish Anne all the best for her retirement and hope she
now has time to “stop and smell the roses”.
John Barton – Social Transport
John Levy – Advisory Group
Jonathan Pritchard – English Language Program
Julie Matthews-Kuerschner – Museum
Julie Mitchell – Advisory Group
Julie Phillips – Museum
Kate Hubmayer – Advisory Group
Laurence Eddie – Goodwood Library
Lavinia Li – Unley Community Centre and
Clarence Park Childcare
Lawrie Martin - Choir
Louise Temlett – Fullarton Park Centre English
Language Program
Mahdisa Azimi – Clarence Park Childcare Centre
Margaret Hooper – Choir
Marilyn Tullett – Unley Community Centre and
Community Visitors Scheme
Melissa Brow – Advisory Group
Michael Raphael – Advisory Group
Nasreen Jahan – Community Visitors Scheme
Nella Rossi – Unley Community Centre
Nicole Prince – Museum
Norm Forest – Museum
Pauline Griffin – Home Library Service
Roni Knauerhase - Choir
Roslyn Islip – Museum
Sharon Stevens – Community Computing
Sonali Fernando – Clarence Park Childcare
Centre
Stella Vroulis – Goodwood Library
Vanessa Zhang – Unley Community Centre
L to R: Stella Oppes, Anne Fleetwood, Kate
Grivell and Maria Giuliani

My Volunteer Experience
Maria Giuliani, Community
Services Officer (left) with
Anne Kong
Since 7 July 2011, I
have volunteered
at the Unley
Citizens Centre
Circuit Meal
Service preparing
food and serving
afternoon tea two
days a week. I
enjoy helping
others and, at the
same time, I am
learning many
new things from the friendly management team,
volunteers and the caring patrons.
I have learnt to cook chicken with tomatoes and
now I cook it at home for my husband. He loves it
and gives the “thumbs up”. This is a brand new
experience and very different from my Asian
dishes.
Participating in volunteer work is the ideal way to
integrate into the local community and develop
an understanding of the differences in culture.
Kim, my sister, who lives in Malaysia, agrees with
me as she also experienced volunteering during
her first stay in Sacramento in the USA about 10
years ago. Moreover, I have the full support from
my husband.
Through volunteering, I have made many new
friends. Most are easy to mix with because of
their friendly nature. I always look forward to
going to the Centre even though it is just twice a
week. I enjoy the one hour walk each day where
I guess it is the best time to “stop and smell the
flowers”. My volunteer experience has shown me
that I can bring joy to older people and this
reminds me of my parents in Malaysia.
I was very impressed when I received an
invitation titled "Volunteers Change the World"
from Kate Grivell, Centre Coordinator. The event
was to farewell Anne Fleetwood on her
retirement and to acknowledge the Centre
volunteers.
The gesture of appreciation by the City of Unley
touches me.
ANNE KONG
Unley Citizens Centre volunteer
The Volunteer Connection November 2011 Page 3
100 and Not Out!
I first met Eileen in 1999 when I drove the Unley
Community Bus and took her and several ladies
to the Library. Always happy and cheerful, we
often finished the afternoon with a coffee in the
Unley Shopping Centre. Eileen shared lots of
stories about her life and, being a good cook,
she gave me lots of recipes! Over the years, we
have become good friends and go out for lunch
occasionally. I now visit her regularly since she
moved out of her home at Black Forest last year,
after 37½ years and into low care at Resthaven
at Westbourne Park.
Eileen was born on March 6, 1911 at Two Wells
into a family of four children. She attended
Kilburn School and later worked at Spicers and
Detmold, a packaging company. While working
there she married Walter Amber, firstly living in
Prospect and later at Black Forest. They had one
son, who has three children, and now Eileen has
five great
grandchildren
whom she sees
often.
Marie with her special friend
Eileen
Eileen and
Walter loved
travelling
extensively
throughout
Australia in their
caravan. I
have always
been impressed by the amount of walking Eileen
does. When living at Black Forest she regularly
caught a tram to Glenelg, went for a walk along
the beach, ate a fish meal and then returned
home. Even now at Resthaven she regularly
walks around the block.
Eileen is enjoying Resthaven. She has made
many friends, participates in craft activities,
keeps up to date with her beloved “Crows” and
is involved in exercise classes.
Eileen is an inspirational lady who is in good
health. She is very special to me, and enjoys
each day as it comes.
Written with love
MARIE ROBERTS
Volunteer Community Bus driver
Please let Karen Jenkinson know (phone 8372 5116, email kjenkinson@unley.sa.gov.au) if you
would like to share your volunteer experience in the next newsletter.

The Volunteer Connection November 2011 Page 4
Clarence Park Childcare
Centre
Todd the dinosaur, the policeman,
and the aspiring teacher.
Howdy all, for most of you who don’t know my
name, it is Todd. I would like to begin with
extending my thanks to Karen, the Unley
Volunteer Management Officer, for asking me to
write a small something and everyone else for
giving me the unforgettable memories which are
the inspiration for what you are about to read.
This year started with my becoming a volunteer
for the Unley City Council, a step that has led me
past many smiles. At first, I was helping with the
Tuesday morning ‘Storytime’ at the Unley library,
which holds a nostalgic flavour from my youth. As
a young child, I myself used to attend these
Storytime sessions and it is just as I remember it,
enchanting. I stayed, as a volunteer, with the
YAC (youth advisory committee) team for about
6 months in total and will never forget the time I
spent there, the Unley Library is magic. I recently
started back at study and as a result my Tuesday
mornings became cluttered with large books
and inkless pens, a far cry from my favourite
cupboard filled with crayons, glitter, jellybean
table clothes and endless things that make
‘Storytime’ a wish come true.
However, now my Wednesdays are as sporadic
as they are enjoyable. I currently volunteer at
Clarence Park Child Care Centre, and feel all
too often as if I am being taken care of. This
place is for me what Neverland is for Peter Pan, a
place where you stop growing up and start
having fun. The combination of children’s voices
speaking over one another until it becomes a an
inaudible clatter of sound mixed with the small
sized tables and chairs along with some fruit, a
sand pit, paint, and general wonder makes for
what can only be described as ‘Clarence Park
Child Care Centre’. The experiences I have had
since becoming a volunteer with Unley City
Council are among some of the most fulfilling
and gratifying I have ever had. It has made me
realize that I want to study primary education in
order to become a primary teacher, and for that
I am forever grateful. Once again I would like to
thank everyone who helped me, and would
encourage anyone who is interested in possibly
becoming a volunteer to do so, it is unlike
anything else.
Museum: Corporate
Volunteering
TODD TRIVIC
On Tuesday, 4 October, I had
the opportunity to volunteer
for the day at the Unley
Museum as part of Westpac's
corporate volunteer
program. This program gives
all Westpac and Bank SA
employees the opportunity to
utilise one day of volunteer
leave to assist the
community. This can be used
to help in many ways including assisting at a
school, participating in fundraising activities or
even setting up a museum exhibit as I did!
It was such a rewarding experience to learn
more about Unley Museum and meet the people
who work there, especially Elizabeth the curator
and the fabulous team of volunteers. I spent the
first half of the day cleaning exhibit pieces and
display cabinets. I only wish my windows at home
were as clean as the cabinets by the time I
finished!
The second half of the day comprised of setting
up the items in the exhibit itself, which really
brought together all the earlier work. Looking at
the pieces hung and displayed enabled us to
truly appreciate each of them. The exhibit is '100
years of Goody Screamers' and includes
premiership trophies, guernseys, photographs
and other pieces of memorabilia.
NICOLE PRINCE
Westpac Corporate Volunteer

Unley Bus Service
The Charter Service is one of
the three Unley Community
Bus services and is available
to community-based not for
profit groups. The buses
travel within a 100 kilometres
radius of the Adelaide CBD
and on recent trips have
taken groups to Mannum, the Barossa Valley,
Port Adelaide Dolphin cruise, Hahndorf and
Victor Harbor. All buses are air conditioned,
fitted with seat belts and have extra steps and
grab rails to assist passengers to board. Friendly
volunteer bus drivers transport passengers safely
to their destination and back home.
If you belong to a community group and would
like more information about chartering the bus
please contact Sue Aplin on 8372 5131 or
saplin@unley.sa.gov.au
If you would like to join our team of volunteer bus
drivers please contact Karen Jenkinson,
Volunteer Management Officer on 8372 5116 or
kjenkinson@unley.sa.gov.au
The Eastern Regional
Supported
Residential Facilities
program chartered
the bus for a day trip
to Hahndorf.
Rebecca Hammat,
Liaison and
Development Officer
(left) with, Anne-
Marie and Bill.
Eastern Region SRF
Program Friday Sewing
Class
The Sewing Class was originally set up two years
ago as a social program for ladies living in
Supported Residential Facilities. We meet each
Friday from 1pm to 3pm at The Eastwood
Community Centre. Led by a fun loving
instructor, Bonnie Baldock we are never short of
a good laugh. Of course, participants do learn
many skills along the way.
Many have made handbags for themselves or
friends. They have also created insert bags and
baskets for walkers, cushions and covers, aprons,
lavender bags and
most recently we have
been quilting squares.
We are fortunate to
have the volunteer
support of Louise May,
Carmen Wilson and
Judy Lanyon who are
accomplished sewers.
The class works best
when we are able to
pair a volunteer with a
participant, as this
enables one on one
work on personal
choice projects and
smoother running of
The Volunteer Connection November 2011 Page 5
the class. We would like to open up the class to
other residents, so if you enjoy humour and are
skilled at sewing, our class might just be the
place for you.
Toy Library
Wendy Edwards has
been volunteering at
the Toy Library for 15
years
Annette, a regular and
enthusiastic participant
in the sewing class
often says, “What can I
make next?”
REBECCA HAMMAT
Liaison and Development Officer
The Unley Toy Library
had been offering its
wonderful service to the
community for over 30
years, and throughout its
history, both staff and
borrowers have
benefited hugely from
the important work
undertaken by
volunteers. These people
give generously of their
time behind the scenes,
doing such tasks as
labelling toys and games,
checking returned items,
counting pieces, noting lost pieces and
replacing where possible from a stock of spares,
mending toys, costumes and puppets,
reshelving, and tidying our display areas.
Our volunteers, Wendy Edwards, Pat Falcinella
and Marlene Salmon have notched up almost 40
years of service to the Toy Library between them.
Their contribution adds value and efficiency to
our service, in that borrowers can generally find
similar categories of toys in the same location,
and know that the items they borrow are
complete, or at least usable with missing pieces
noted. They also contribute to Occupational

The Volunteer Connection November 2011 Page 6
Health & Safety by keeping shelves and floor
spaces as tidy as possible.
Pat, our longest serving volunteer, and almost
part of all Toy Library families, comes in three
times a week, and Wendy and Marlene share
the Friday roster while Rob, as an unofficial
volunteer, extends the shelf life of many favourite
toys with his highly skilled repairs. Our borrowers
and we are so lucky to have such a wonderful
group of volunteers. Long may they continue!
HELEN RICHARDS
Toy Library Coordinator
Together Offering Your
Skills (TOYS)
Sharon Zacher has been coordinating the
Together Offering Your Skills (TOYS) program at
the Clarence Park Community Centre for the last
eight years of the program’s 30 year history.
There are currently 20 male and female
volunteers who mend toys from kindergartens
and schools, make and repair furniture items,
build possum boxes, make Bridge stands for
people with arthritis, build protection boxes for a
community radio station to keep their old
turntables safe, repair wicker dolls prams for
kindergartens and make props for local ballet
and theatre groups. They are currently working
on making a selection of wooden toys that will
be on sale leading up to Christmas.
The TOYS shed is open on Monday, Tuesday and
Thursday morning from 9am to midday from
February to mid December.
Mobility Scooter User
Study
Researchers from Flinders University are
conducting a study on mobility scooter use in the
City of Unley. We are seeking volunteers over the
age of 65 who currently own and use a mobility
scooter on a regular basis.
Participation is easy and involves a short
interview and a global positioning system (GPS)
that will be attached to the scooter to gather
data over a two week period.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like
more information, please phone Jessica Lao on
8201 7631.
Obituary
I am very sad to
report the death of
our very long term
Community Visitor,
Beth McLaughlin.
Beth, who was always
bright and happy,
enjoyed visiting Kings
Park Nursing Home
along with her friends Grace Ewers and Joan
Hillan. For just over 17 years, they visited every
fortnight bringing friendship and joy to the
residents. During this time, they have done
everything from knitting, crocheting, laughing,
talking and singing with the residents. Their
dedication and commitment has been
enormous. Beth recorded the visits of the team
and never ever wanted to be reimbursed for out
of pocket expenses. Beth’s view was that her
service to the residents was a gift given to her by
her God.
I attended Beth’s funeral service and it was
evident that she was well respected by her
church community and deeply loved by her
family.
The Staff and Management at Kings Park have
spoken to me about the team visits and the most
positive comments and results have been
received. Beth’s visiting role at the home has
been missed and will continue to be so.
My sincere condolences are extended to Joan
and Grace along with Elizabeth Finch who joined
the team in 2009. I know that they will certainly
miss their special friend.
LEXIE RAVEN
Coordinator, Community Visitors Scheme

Volunteer vacancies
The Volunteer Connection November 2011 Page 7
ROLE SITE DAY AND TIME
Visiting
Visiting residents in local nursing
homes to chat, play cards, have a
“cuppa”, pick footy tips, etc.
Childcare
Assisting staff to prepare activities
and support children in play
Unley Libraries
Two newly created roles exist for:
(1) Promotional administration
(2) Writing, reviewing & proof reading
Hospitality
Assisting with Afternoon Tea
Graffiti Removal Program
Expressions of interest being taken for
new program commencing in 2012
Various nursing homes in
Unley
Clarence Park Community
Centre
Unley Library
Goodwood Library
Unley Community Centre
Unley local government
area
Visiting can occur on any day and
timing is flexible
Tuesday-Friday
9am – 1pm
Friday morning
Wednesday morning
Monday 1.30 – 3.30pm
Negotiable
The Anam Cara Letter
Writing Project
The City of Unley is about to pilot the Anam Cara Volunteer project which is a letter
writing project aimed at creating opportunities for people who are socially isolated to
connect with other people in the community through the art of letter writing.
Do you enjoy writing and receiving letters? Are you looking for a new volunteering
opportunity?
To express you interest, please email Karen Jenkinson at kjenkinson@unley.sa.gov.au.

Print Post Approved
Publication No. PP531629/00060
If undelivered, please return to:
City of Unley, PO Box 1, Unley 5061
SURFACE
MAIL
TOUR DOWN UNDER
18 January 2012
POSTAGE
PAID
AUSTRALIA
We are seeking volunteers who are interested in being involved in this event. The main duty
is to greet patrons at the entrance points.
Volunteers will be paired with a Council staff member and fully briefed on the event and
their role for the evening. A briefing meeting will be held prior to the event where all
relevant information will be provided including identification, food vouchers, t-shirts and
caps.
Please register your interest with the Volunteer Management Officer as soon as possible
(phone 8372 5116, email kjenkinson@unley.sa.gov.au).
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
The Volunteer Connection is published quarterly by the City of Unley Volunteer Program.
Distribution Team: Karen Jenkinson, Joan Praite, Johanna Csesko-Munn and Marjorie Smith.
Contributions are welcome and should be submitted to Karen Jenkinson, City of Unley, The Volunteer Connection, PO Box 1,
Unley SA 5061. Phone 8372 5116 or email kjenkinson@unley.sa.gov.au.