For Students
"Our Community" Volunteer Program
Trobe University has partnered with the Volunteers of Banyule to give students an opportunity to learn more about their local communities and to develop new skills and insights.
There are many roles available in our local community. These roles include volunteering with the aged, people with disabilities, the environment and even teaching people how to use computers. Each role requires a different skill set and therefore it is important that we find out what you want and look for a volunteering role that suits you. Examples of these roles are People Outdoors and St Pius X Primary School. Information on these organisations is provided below.
Activities include:
- Playing games with primary school students to increase their communication and team skills.
- Taking young people with disabilities on adventures and weekends away to increase their confidence and communication skills.
Student volunteers will be placed with one of the participating organisations and will be provided with training to assist you understand your role. You will negotiate the hours and times for your work with your host organisations and fellow volunteers.
Students volunteering for this program need to be reliable, patient and able to communicate and commit to the program. International students are also encouraged to apply.
As future leaders and professionals, your contribution to our community has an impact on your understanding of those around us and what you can do to make a difference. By committing a bit of your time to share your knowledge and lend a hand, you will learn a great deal more about yourself, the people around you and your local community.
Employers respect graduates who are able to demonstrate volunteer work, as it shows commitment and care for others. It also allows you to enhance your communication, team work and leadership skills and to really feel like you’ve made a difference.
I volunteered with 2 other students, at an Aged Care Hostel not too far from the uni for about 2 months. We helped the residents develop their basic computer and email skills and at the end we put together a simple manual for them.
My communication and interpersonal skills were developed the most. Working with people from a different generation and culture required patience, clarity of speech, and adapting my language and choice of words to suit the resident's disposition and understanding.
That’s just one of the areas I developed, there were more, the experience was invaluable, I feel like I can work with almost anyone! I can learn something from others whilst they can learn something from me. I recommend volunteering for every student who wants more out of their time uni, the kind of rewards you gain are more valuable than money.
Bernadette Mugamu
For more information contact:
Careers and Employment
Phone: 03 9479 2459
Email: careers@latrobe.edu.au
Applications:
If you want to volunteer for the Our Community Volunteer Program, download and fill out the expression of interest form (PDF 20KB), attach your resume and email both documents to careers@latrobe.edu.au
Other volunteering opportunities:
CareerHub
Volunteering positions are advertised on CareerHub, a jobs database only for La Trobe students, graduates and staff.
You can also research volunteering roles on the following websites:
- Govolunteer - a comprehensive website that advertises volunteering positions across Australia.
- Conservation volunteers - a website that specialises in environment and conservation volunteering.
- You can volunteer for the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary which is located on the La Trobe University (Bundoora) campus. To find out more phone 9326 8250 or click on the conservation connect button and search for positions by location; select VIC – Melbourne.
- Volunteering Victoria - this website provides an overview of volunteering in Victoria.
Volunteer Resource Centres
These organisations specialise in local volunteering. A full Victorian list is available. Some centres close to La Trobe University campuses are listed below:
| Resource centres | |
|---|---|
| Barbara Dixon Volunteers of Banyule 80 Hawden Street Heidelberg, Vic, 3084 tel: 03 9458 3777 |
Jill Allen Albury Wodonga Volunteer Resource Bureau PO Box 730 Wodonga, Vic, 3689 tel: 02 6021 0990 fax: 02 6021 0993 |
| Emma Sampson Whittlesea Community Connections Shop 111, Epping Plaza Epping, Vic, 3076 t: 03 9401 6666 f: 03 9401 6677 |
Helen Yorston Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre P.O. BOX 374 Bendigo Central, Vic, 3552 t: 03 5441 1404 f: 03 5441 1536 |
Organisations with volunteer programs
Many organisations have volunteer programs and you can approach them directly about volunteering positions. Examples of such organisations include the Smith Family and the Red Cross.
International volunteering
Volunteering in developing countries can provide benefits not usually available in Australia such as:
- Working at a higher level of responsibility
- Accelerated skill acquisition due to the unique range of experiences available
Going Global [restricted access] lists overseas volunteering positions.
