VoltAge - a photographic storytelling project across the generations
VoltAge - Volunteers from different generations paired up to create photographic stories about their community
Participants were empowered to use their own technology to take photos and craft text to communicate the story behind their images. The stories vary in style and content - we encouraged participants to nurture their creativity and to follow the direction they saw for the project.
VoltAge was made possible through partnerships with the Maribyrnong City Council and Moonee Valley City Council.
We thank all participants for their contributions to the project.
See their wonderful and diverse stories below along with introductory video messages from the respective mayors.
Mayors’ Messages
Mayor, Cr Michael Clarke - Maribyrnong City Council
Mayor, Cr Cam Nation - Moonee Valley City Council
VoltAge Stories
Pam Every &
Peter Wingate
Watching ASRC (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre) volunteers divvy out essentials like sugar into small bags with such a sense of care and purpose gave me the feeling that each grain mattered.
I like the tension in this picture of the sculpture which literally speaks of the values and mission of the ASRC, and the queue of chairs for asylum seekers which are cordoned off due to covid, confirming the reality that we must continue to fight for these values.
Louise Lane &
Dominique Hes
Louise and Dominique bonded over stories of their own volunteer experiences.
Why do I volunteer?
As an expat who arrived in Australia in 2013, I found it difficult to forge friendships with like minded people. When my partner and I got our dog in 2014, I learnt about the vast amount of rescue groups across the state and the wonderful work they do. I began dedicating my Saturdays to volunteering in the shelter, cleaning out the pens and walking the dogs. Along the way I met a lot of people, also volunteering, and these have become my friends. Volunteering is a way to give back, but also a way of building relationships with others.
- Louise Lane
Why do I volunteer?
I like to use my expertise, equipment and profession, and bring it to the community. I volunteered for West Welcome Wagon talking to recent refugees about the little things they could do to keep warm. Like use door snakes to stop cold air coming in under the door. Using the thermal camera gave us a common language as I could show them the difference.
Here I am using my professional knowledge and tools to show the impact of putting in a door snake, well door dog :-) The thermal image shows the cold coming in.
- Dominique Hes
Ivan Radywonik &
Genevieve Helson
Ivan Radywonik and Genevieve Helson capture the stories of Victor, Jim, Desmond and Robert from the Men's Shed in Aberfeldie. Compiled into a video, images of the 4 gentlemen, their projects and reasons for being members of the Men’s Shed are brought to life.
Maelor Himbury &
Morgan Macdonald
Different Faiths - Same Belief in Volunteering
In Melbourne's West, people from a range of faith communities are committed to volunteering as a means to improve our communities.
One photo shows volunteers and participants at Make & Mingle - Aberfeldie Baptist Church, a weekly craft and social interaction group.
The other shows Chris Lwin from the Victorian Myanmar Youth raising a flag in solidarity with the people of Myanmar at an event bringing together faith leaders for a prayer service and fundraising event oppose military dictatorship.
About Volunteer West
Volunteer West’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Melbourne’s West through volunteering that engages and empowers people and community. Our focus is empowering meaningful volunteering experiences that enhance personal wellbeing and build community resilience. We do this by convening, collaborating and championing volunteering to create an inclusive, community-building volunteer movement.
Our work involves:
Supporting community members to find volunteer opportunities. Our strength is in providing personalised guidance and support through a volunteer-for-volunteers model.
Providing training and support to coordinators and managers of volunteers, and to organisations that run volunteering programs.
Advocating for the growth of socially inclusive volunteering - in all its forms - across Melbourne’s West.
Advancing volunteering leadership through meaningful research and evaluation.
