Volunteer Open Day review
As part of National Volunteer Week, we hosted a fun day on Wednesday 22 May in our Lismore community hub, supporting volunteers and celebrating the positive impact they have in our communities.
We invited sixteen organisatons from our volunteer network, a bunch of active volunteers and assorted members of the public into our transformed community room for the day to mingle, connect, share stories, drink refreshments and enjoy nibbles.
Highlights of the day included an inspiring Welcome to Country by May, an address by our CEO Jenni about the positive social and economic impact that volunteering has in our communities, some personal stories from our long term volunteer Maree, a good old fashioned Aussie barbie with vegetarian options, a tender and emotional performance by the Healing Voices Choir and two rounds of spectacularly fun volunteer speed dating!
After all the structured activities, we raffled off over a thousand dollars worth of prizes, most kindly provided by local businesses. With much gratitude we’d like to thank all the following businesses for their donations:
Ramada Hotel, Ballina
Bluey’s Café, Lismore
Mandarin Palace, Lismore
Thai Hut, Lismore
Mel’s Café, Lismore
Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick Heads
Mary G’s Hotel, Lismore
Shoppe One-17, Lismore
Australia Post, Lismore Heights
Book Warehouse, Lismore
Blooms Chemist, Lismore
Traditional Medicinals, Lismore
Birds Nest Hairdressing, Mullumbimby
Rous Hotel, Lismore
Wharf Restaurant, Ballina
Fox’s Palace, Lismore
Chempro, Lismore
We’d like to make very much known our appreciation to the team from Commonwealth Bank for donating their time and energy to run our barbecue for the day. Much gratitude to Arwen, Suzy, Sue, Bill and Maree – our stellar volunteers who made the event run without a hitch. Thanks!
Here are some photos from the event.

We enjoyed a busy room filled with community organisations and potential volunteers for the day.

Arwen, one of our superstar volunteers, being a super hostess in our community room’s commercial kitchen.

Some of our dedicated staff (left to right): Renee, Kathleen, Fiona and Eleonora.

The amazing team from Commonwealth Bank who volunteered their time and energy to feed out gathering with a good old fashioned Aussie barbie.

The afternoon round of our fun and informal volunteer speed dating activity was hosted by Jenny Dowell OAM.

We were moved and entertained by the Healing Voices Choir, led by Peter Lehner.

Meet our event organisers Edith on the left and our CEO Jenni on the right.