Volunteer Story

Volunteering At Spring Dale Neighbourhood Centre – A perspective of my experience
When I moved to Clifton Springs from Bendigo in 2020, I was looking for an option that would allow me to give something back to the communities of Drysdale and Clifton Springs. Having just retired I found a place called Spring Dale Neighbourhood Centre in Drysdale and I introduced myself to the Coordinator, Anne Brackley who provided me with a Welcome Pack that set out the services offered by the organization as well as the opportunities available for people willing to give up some time to assist. I work 9am to 5pm on Tuesdays.
Since these times, I have worked with the staff helping with a variety of tasks.
Why Volunteer?
People ask me ” Why do you give up your time to volunteer at Spring Dale?” The simple answer is that I enjoy interacting with people who care about the community that they live in. It is not a challenge for me to commit a few hours each week to “give back to the area in which I live.
I have worked in reception with data entry, and I have greeted visitors. There are over 900 people who come through our doors each week and so there is always something or someone to meet, greet or attend to.
The types of tasks that I do on a regular basis are listed below:
• Greeting visitors
• Data entry
• Answering phone calls
• Assisting IT staff
• Delivery of the Messenger once a month
• Other duties such as Set up of the Springdale Hall for events and rooms for the many groups and learning classes who attend each week.
What you can enjoy as a volunteer at Spring Dale:
Learning the processes of how things work at SpringDale
Developing the rewarding sense of giving back to the community in all sorts of ways
Learning how to help with reception duties – answering phone calls, greeting people, photocopying.
Glen (Volunteer)