Joe shares his talents to create community

This National Volunteer Week we are taking a moment to celebrate some of our amazing volunteers and their invaluable contribution to Connect Health & Community.

We are big fans of teamwork. You’ve all heard the sayings before - ‘Many hands make light work’, ‘team work makes the dream work’ etc.

And we absolutely agree! We also know how the unique skills, talent and energy of an individual can really create a community feel.

Take our volunteer Joe, for example. In his 30 years as a volunteer at Connect Health & Community, Joe has used his diverse skills in a range of different roles.

He’s volunteered as a hydrotherapy instructor, a pool cleaner, a gardener and these days you’ll find him driving the community transport buses to get clients to important appointments and social groups.

Joe is also known in the Connect Health & Community networks as an exceptional home gardener who often brings in the fruits of his labour to share with volunteers, staff and clients.

Before and after his volunteer shifts, you’ll often find Joe in the volunteer room, chatting and exchanging recipe ideas and gardening tips with his fellow volunteers and staff members.

By bringing their individual talents and skills to Connect Health & Community, volunteers like Joe not only help us help others, but they help create a place where people feel valued and can connect to their healthiest, happiest and most fulfilled lives.

“My time is precious. I do what makes me happy.” says Joe.Outside of his volunteer work, you’ll find Joe working in his garden or enjoying delicious homecooked meals with his family, using the produce he has lovingly grown. 

Joe also volunteers at Karkarook Park in Heatherton.  The name means ‘sandy place’ in Boon Wurrung language, and Joe was one of the original volunteers who propagated and planted thousands of native plants to restore the old sand mine to the beautiful community park it is today.  After 22 years of volunteering at the park, Joe is now a life member.

Our volunteers play a vital role in the work we do, and those who contribute their time and energy really make our community a special place.

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Thank you, Joe and our exceptional team of volunteers

The theme of the 2022 National Volunteer Week is ‘Better Together’.

Our volunteers are valued members of the Connect Health & Community team.

With more than 150 volunteers lending a hand, we couldn’t support  without them. By giving their time, skills and dedication, our volunteers make a priceless contribution to our community.

For more information on volunteering and how you can sign up, visit https://connecthealth.org.au/about-us/volunteer-with-us/