In honour of National Volunteer Week, we challenge you to take your uni experience to the next level.
Volunteering is a great way to find meaning and purpose in your life. Studies have shown that volunteering can not only increase your self-esteem and wellbeing, but it plays a role in relieving stress and alleviating symptoms of depression.
No matter the reason you might choose to volunteer to give back to your local community, there is no denying that it can have a positive impact on your life and help you create lifelong memories.
We spoke to six volunteers about some of their most memorable experiences with CV!. Read them below.
Nathan Chong
“My most memorable experience of volunteering with CV! would have to be the NRM Coastal Inter-Uni Challenge. We got to compete against other universities in WA whilst cleaning up and planting native bushes at Leighton Beach in Fremantle. Everyone there were really enthusiastic about being able to clean up the environment and meet new people. We ended up placing first in the challenge and celebrated with gelato after.”
Nandini Joshi
“Volunteering with Curtin’s programs has offered me diverse and fulfilling experiences, particularly through involvement in school and community initiatives. One of the most memorable events was the Sankt Hans Mid-Summer’s Eve Celebration, where we assisted in setting up and serving during this joyful gathering. The evening was filled with warmth and camaraderie around a campfire, where families and pets joined in singing and enjoying the festivities together.”
Sean Phay
“On an overnight trip to Beverley, for the Beverley Agriculture Show, a small group of volunteers and I decided to walk out just before midnight to have a look at the night sky. Since Beverley is a regional town, far from the bustling city life, there was barely any light pollution, which made the night sky just that much more vivid and entrancing. The view of the stars I saw that day was something that left me with a core memory and awe at the beauty of our world.”
Fortune Tormeti
“So far, my most memorable experience was rescuing chickens after the Purple Walk 4 Epilepsy. After the program, two hens from the Mobile Farm Animals and Petting Zoo escaped and hid under the St. John’s Ambulance. The process of coercing them out of their hiding place, chasing them around the Edinburg Oval and finally catching them was the most fun I have had in a while. We ended up catching them and sending them back to safety. “
Carlos Andrés Latandret Solana
“For the John Curtin Weekend (JCW) 2023, I had the great opportunity to join the trip to Avon Valley in Northam. It was an unforgettable weekend where I joined another volunteers and community to rehab a small island in the middle of Avon River, bringing dirt bags and planting new trees to give a habitat to the wildlife. I am sure that the nature has done its part, and the island must look much better today. The most valuable reward from this trip were the friends I made, the cultural exchange with habitants of the regional town and the break from academic life, which was so refreshing.”
Louise Kaestner
“On Mondays, and now Fridays, in the foyer at Curtin Connect, Jasmin and Yolanda, respectively, run a micro-volunteering session. What we do there is crochet granny squares to create blankets for children needing wheelchairs. Jasmin started this project. I found that crocheting helps me with my mental health and dysregulation. The other great thing about these crochet sessions is that they are a form of talking therapy. So, my best experience of CV! would be the experience of feeling and healing through various volunteer opportunities.”
Whether you’re passionate about community development, environmental conservation, education, or any other cause, CV! has a volunteering opportunity for you. If you’re wanting to dig deep and create lasting memories while helping your local community, explore the Curtin Volunteers! website or visit the Curtin Volunteers! team in Building 101 to learn more.
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Curtin Volunteers! would like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers for their enthusiasm, passion and commitment. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to make such a positive impact across local and regional communities throughout Western Australia.
