Ivan Radywonik - Moonee Valley City Council
Did you know councils have volunteers?
Many councils value the support of community members who use their time to benefit their local area. With an array of opportunities to help, volunteers can develop their skills, interests and make new connections close to home.
For over two years, Ivan Radywonik has been volunteering at Moonee Valley City Council (MVCC). Recently he participated in Volunteer West’s VoltAge project which was sponsored by Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong Councils. Collating images and stories of other volunteers, Ivan utilised his video editing skills to create a video to show the heart-warming stories from the Men’s Shed in Aberfeldie.
You can watch Ivan’s video here.
Ivan talks more about his volunteer experiences below...
How did you come to volunteer with this organisation? What drew you to this organisation?
Part of a Centrelink requirement to continue receiving Newstart benefits. I chose MVCC for the variety of volunteer roles and the opportunity to gain training along the way.
Describe a typical day in your volunteer role.
It varies widely. Mostly aiding MVCC staff whilst assisting and entertaining clients/recipients of their programs.
What do you enjoy about volunteering and why is volunteering important to you?
I enjoy meeting new people and being helpful, making use of my own skills to assist others.
What is your top tip for someone thinking about volunteering?
Be patient, attentive and always prepared to chip in.
What is your most memorable experience volunteering?
I think my excursions as part of the 'Great Getaways' program that halted with the first lockdown. We visited some interesting locations and the clients enjoyed being bussed around. Many of the clients were regulars and I enjoyed getting to know them.
What have you learned about yourself and your community through volunteering?
I've learned that the council has many interesting programs and provides venues for a wide variety of groups and that many in the local community benefit from the participating in them.
Find volunteering opportunities for your local government area here: Vic Councils
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