Summer 2011 Edition Volunteering SA&NT Inc

OFFICE FOR VOLUNTEERSA DeƐƐage Ĩroŵ the Kĸce Ĩor VolunteerƐAndrew ,aŵilton͕ General Danager K&Vsee this new social media phenomenon in action, and I'm toldthat our Twitter forum (hashtag ‘#SAVolunteers’) did "trend" inSA on the day, reaching the top five tags in the State!A full wrap up of this year’s Congress, with photos and copiesof the presentations, will be available on our website verysoon - keep an eye on our homepage at www.ofv.sa.gov.au formore information.In some other news for 2010, the Office for Volunteers waspleased to launch two new resources for volunteers and theirorganisations. In October 2010, we launched the 'InformationCommunication Technology (ICT) Access Listing' initiative.This project has resulted in the development of an onlineresource which highlights both free and low cost access tocomputers, internet and training from 281 sites covering 68council areas. You can check it out by visiting our website atwww.ofv.sa.gov.au/ICT Resources.htm.I'd like to thank all the community leaders and volunteers whoattended our ninth annual State Volunteer Congress at theNational Wine Centre on Monday 6 December 2010.The theme for the 2010 Congress, Marketing volunteering:are we selling the unsellable?, really seemed to strike a chordwith the South Australian volunteer community. In total, morethan 450 people registered to attend the event, making it ourbiggest and most popular Congress ever by a landslide!Highlights of the day included special presentations fromleading university communication lecturers, Dr Denise Woodand Alison Wotherspoon, as well as key note speakers fromtwo of SA’s most successful marketing firms: Jim Robinson ofJAM Adelaide and Michelle Prak of Hughes Public Relations.Ric Carter of Enova Digital also provided an entertaining andinsightful presentation on ‘The Ins and Outs of Social Media’.Who could also forget the live demonstration of 'Twitter' bythe University of South Australia - it was great to be able toAlso in October we launched the ‘Volunteering – A Gateway toCommunities' project. The new project has seen the Office forVolunteers working with a special advisory group to developa range of tools and resources, aimed at helping communitygroups increase their cultural awareness and to get ready tostart engaging migrants, refugees and international studentsin their volunteer programs. Members of the advisory groupincluded the City of Charles Sturt; Red Cross; South AustralianFire and Emergency Services Commission; Children, Youthand Women’s Health Service and Surf Life Saving. The toolsand resources, including a free online cross-cultural trainingmodule, are available for download by visiting www.ofv.sa.gov.au/Volunteering Gateway.For further information, contact the Office for Volunteers byphoning 8463 4490 or emailing ofv@saugov.sa.gov.au.Subscribe to the Office for Volunteers free e-newsletter formore news by visiting www.ofv.sa.gov.au/newsletter.htm.Ƈ Pride Managed IT ServicesƇ Remote & On-Site Technical SupportƇ Internet Security SolutionsƇ Business VoIPƇ Cisco Unified Communications (IP Phones)Ƈ Off-Site Backup & Disaster RecoveryƇ High Availability & Business Continuity Solutions655 South RoadBlack Forest SA 5035T 618 8293 2388F 618 8293 2344Page 3info@pridesolutions.com.au www.pridesolutions.com.au

MENTORING͚/nƐƉired͛ uƉƉort &or EducaƟonal AƐƉiraƟonƐ arlene VoƐƐ͕ Danager͕ EducaƟon WartnerƐhiƉƐ &linderƐ hniǀerƐitLJSince the inception in 2003 of the University’s mentoringprogam, over 700 Flinders Inspire Peer Mentors have assistedover an estimated 5000 young people, and another 65 Flindersstudents are ready to undergo intensive peer mentoringtraining.Inspire, Flinders University’s peer mentoringprogram, has more than lived up to its name.Inspire Peer Mentors are recruited from across all studydisciplines, bringing a myriad of skills and knowledge to theprogram, which is currently working with 34 schools andcommunity agencies.Inspire aims to increase the retention and participation forstudents at risk of disengaging from education. The programimmerses mentors in the classroom and within communityorganisations as co-learners or peers, and the mentors bringtheir own study skills, knowledge, passion and interest tobenefit the student “mentees”.“Anecdotal feedback from the mentors is that participationin Inspire offers the chance to support young people andprovide them with a positive role model which can stimulatestudents’ interest in learning and raise their aspirations,” saidInspire’s Co-ordinator, Michelle Campbell.“Involvement in Inspire is a way for Flinders student mentorsto give back to the community while also developing keygraduate skills, such as teamwork, communication andproblem solving, thus increasing their own employability.”Inspire is just one aspect of Flinders University’s commitmentto community engagement: the University is involved with anumber of collaborations, strategic partnerships and projectswith schools, business and non-government organisations.“We are also very excited to be part of a new initiative withthe Whitelion Organisation, which has four of our mentorsworking with up to ten students who have had contact withthe Youth Justice System and are under the Guardianship ofthe Minister,” Michelle said.“Our mentors will be supporting them to remain engaged ineducation and with their communities.”Mentoring activities under Inspire also include Flindersstudents undertaking one-on-one mentoring with Indigenousschool students. Inspire mentor program also targets studentswho are the first in their family to consider a higher educationpathway post school.Flinders works closely with community organisations, andin conjunction with Mission Australia, Inspire is assistingthe ‘Catalyst Clemente’ program by recruiting appropriateLearning Partners to work with participants once a week tosupport them to participate in university studies.Flinders also collaborates with The Smith Family, providingmentors to support a range of programs, such as theBreakthrough program. Breakthrough commenced in 2009to provide support to enhance learning success for at riskchildren from year 7 in primary school through to the end ofhigh school.Below: volunteer Flinders student mentor Paul Senter withSeaford 6-12 School students Sam Allman and Kyle Hardy (right).Page 4

MENTORINGtould zou iŬe A Ŭilled Dentor͍Erica Daũďa͕ Golden GuruƐ oordinator͕ V AΘEdThe Volunteering SA&NT Golden Gurus program has beensuccessful in attracting some very experienced mentors as ourskilled volunteers.They come from a variety of work backgrounds – Not-forProfit / government / small and large business. Many haveheld senior positions, others have packed in a life time ofexperiences in many roles. All have an affinity with the Not ForProfit sector through their commitment to volunteering. Theyare carefully screened, trained, matched and supported.Would they recommend the program to others?t Definitely!t I really think that all staff experiencing change in theirorganisation would benefit from this program.t Definitely – This is one of the best things I could havedone for myself and my organisation has also benefited.t A mentor is the ideal person to assist with professionaldevelopment and career planning.While many of our Golden Gurus have been successfullymatched there are some who are currently available and oneof them may be a suitable mentor for you.Why would you want to have a mentor under our GoldenGurus program?t To clarify future career steps and make the most of mycurrent role– Volunteer Manager.t I wouldlike some highlevel discussionsto plan an upcoming project. Iwill use the mentoras a soundingboard and a wayto allocate time tothis project- State Manager.In a recent review of participants who had been mentoredfor more thanthree months,100% felt thatthe programhad met theirexpectations.Par ticipantsbeing mentoredreported positiveoutcomes thatincluded:“I have hadhuge supportand therapport hasbeen great fromday one”- Volunteer Manager.“I have had the pleasure of actually seeing myself grow bothprofessionally and on a personal level due to the assistance,guidance and knowledge provided by the Golden Guru mentor.I would definitely recommend the program to any other personwanting to further themselves professionally.”- CEOWhat they liked about the program?t Everything!t I enjoyed the support, advice and opportunity to sharemy experiences, and reflect with someone who has somuch knowledge and experience to share.t Assessing my needs in a professional manner that wasnon threatening and confidence building.Although I have a “work” mentor it was great to beable to have a mentor outside of the organisation.I had full confidence that confidentiality wasmaintained.t t t t To bebetter skilled attime and eventmanagement.I will use the mentor to assist me to develop my criticalthinking skills– Vol. Manager.t My goal is to be clearer in thinking about strategic issuesof large projects. To have more insight into risk andgovernance and for forward planning my career– Exec Officer.t I would like the opportunity to bounce ideas, buildconfidence and learn how to work well with the new board.I want to discuss strategies of how to communicate thenational strategy to staff and volunteers– State Manager.Pictured from left to right: Carol Ward, Fuzzy Trojan, Dianne Potter,Sandra Richards, Beryl Lester, Wendy Bruce, Susan Colgate, EricaMajba (Goden Gurus coordinator) and Margaret Granger.If you would like a mentor, and are currently a paid staffmember for a Community Organisation that is a memberof VSA&NT please contact Erica Majbaon 08 8221 7177 or emailerica.majba@volunteeringsa.org.auFor more information go towww.volunteeringsa.org.auTalking helped me think laterally and remember thatI didn’t need to feel overwhelmed by a problem orchallenge.Page 5

POLICE VOLUNTEERS A Wolice VolunteerƐ WrograŵZoďLJn Craŵeri͕ enior ergeant͕ VolunteerƐ tate Coordinator͕ outh AuƐtralia Wolice A Wolice haƐ a long and Ɖroud hiƐtorLJ oĨ͕ and coŵŵitŵent toǀolunteering. dradiƟonallLJ͕ thiƐ haƐ ďeen through grouƉƐ andorganiƐaƟonƐ Ɛuch aƐ Eeighďourhood tatch and lue ightacƟǀiƟeƐ and to ƐuƉƉort eǀentƐ and ƐƉecial iniƟaƟǀeƐ Ɛuch aƐthe Wolice EdžƉo and /nternaƟonal Wolice daƩoo. A Wolice ǀiewƐǀolunteering aƐ an iŵƉortant ŵeanƐ oĨ ƉroŵoƟng and inǀolǀingthe wider coŵŵunitLJ in criŵe ƉreǀenƟon and coŵŵunitLJƐaĨetLJ iniƟaƟǀeƐ͕ ƐtrategieƐ and ƉrograŵƐ. dhe inǀaluaďlecontriďuƟon ďLJ theƐe ŵeŵďerƐ oĨ the coŵŵunitLJ cannot ďeundereƐƟŵated. ƉeciallLJ trained Ɛtaī͕ Ɛworn and unƐworn͕ haǀe ďeen trainedaƐ ocal erǀice Area Volunteer coordinatorƐ͕ who ƐuƉerǀiƐeand ƐuƉƉort ǀolunteerƐ within the worŬƉlace.dhe Wolice VolunteerƐ Wrograŵ waƐ launched earlier thiƐ LJearwith a ǀerLJ ƐucceƐƐĨul Ɖilot Ɖrograŵ ďeing conducted at ,olden,ill ocal erǀice Area.Eow oǀer ϭϴϬ ǀolunteerƐ are engaged acroƐƐ all ŵetroƉolitanheadƋuarter ƐtaƟonƐ͕ with Ĩurther countrLJ ƐtaƟonƐ recruiƟngǀolunteerƐ. VolunteerƐ are inǀolǀed in ǀariouƐ roleƐ͕ WuďlicZelaƟonƐ͕ CoŵŵunitLJ Wolicing͕ dour GuideƐ ;DountedKƉeraƟonƐ hnitͿ and the neweƐt ǀolunteering role Ͳ WuƉƉLJ eǀeloƉŵent Wrograŵ ; og KƉeraƟonƐ hnit.Ϳ/t haƐ ďeen an aďƐolute ƉleaƐure ďeing the coordinator Ĩor ourϮϰ ǀolunteerƐ and / loǀe the new ƉerƐƉecƟǀe it ďringƐ to ourĨront counter. Adelaide Wolice taƟon iƐ one oĨ the ďuƐieƐt inthe tate. &or Ɛoŵe ƉeoƉle͕ aƩending a Ɖolice ƐtaƟon can ďeƋuite inƟŵidaƟng͕ eƐƉeciallLJ iĨ it͛Ɛ the ĮrƐt Ɵŵe theLJ haǀe hadcontact with Ɖolice. zou cannot undereƐƟŵate the ďeneĮtͬiŵƉortance to cuƐtoŵerƐ oĨ haǀing a ĨriendlLJ Ĩace to ŵeet andgreet theŵ when theLJ coŵe into our Ɖolice ƐtaƟon.dŚĞ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ ŐƌĞĂƚ ĨŽƌ ƐƚĂī ƚŽŽ͕ ŬŶŽǁŝŶŐ ƚŚĂƚ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ĂƩĞŶĚĞĚ ƚŽ͘ aLJƐ are diǀided into three ϯͲhour ƐhiŌƐ. VolunteerƐ generallLJworŬ one ƐhiŌ each weeŬ. DLJ ǀolunteerƐ coŵe Ĩroŵ a diǀerƐerange oĨ ageƐ ;ϭϴͲϳϬнͿ͕ naƟonaliƟeƐ and cultural ďacŬgroundƐ./ haǀe receiǀed wonderĨul ƉoƐiƟǀe Ĩeed ďacŬ Ĩroŵ the generalƉuďlic and Ɛtaī aliŬe. / aŵ Ɛo grateĨul to haǀe Ɛuch a loǀelLJďunch oĨ ǀolunteerƐ. ŝŵ/ waƐ Ɛo edžcited when / waƐ giǀen the oƉƉortunitLJ oĨ ďeinga Wolice Volunteer at taŬeĮeld treet and ƉroĨeƐƐionallLJ͕the edžciteŵent waƐ onlLJ ƐurƉaƐƐed when / waƐ choƐen aƐ aǀolunteer to worŬ at the LJdneLJ KlLJŵƉicƐ.,ĞƌĞ ŝƐ Ă ƐŶĂƉƐŚŽƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ WŽůŝĐĞ sŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌŝŶŐ WƌŽŐƌĂŵ /t waƐ with Ɛoŵe treƉidaƟon that / ŵade ŵLJ ĮrƐt aƉƉearanceĨƌŽŵ ,ŽůĚĞŶ ,ŝůů ĂŶĚ ĚĞůĂŝĚĞ WŽůŝĐĞ ƚĂƟŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ in the oĸce and Ĩaced Ɛo ŵanLJ uniĨorŵed Ɛtaī and / waƐ notƉreƉared Ĩor the great welcoŵe / receiǀed. &roŵ the ĮrƐt daLJ / ŽŐ KƉĞƌĂƟŽŶƐ hŶŝƚ͗ũoined the teaŵ / haǀe Ĩelt Ɛo acceƉted and Ɛince͕ haǀe enũoLJedeǀerLJ daLJ.Holden Hill ince reƟring͕ ǀolunteering with AWK waƐ an oƉƉortunitLJ Ĩorŵe to conƟnue ŵLJ intereƐt in ƉeoƉle ƐŬillƐ and worŬing withthe Ɖuďlic͕ alďeit in a ǀerLJ diīerent ŵanner to ŵLJ worŬingenǀironŵent with the ŵedical ƉroĨeƐƐion.do ďe the ĮrƐt Ɖoint oĨ contact in the ƐtaƟon Ĩor the Ɖuďlic͕enaďleƐ ŵe to ƉreƐent a ĨriendlLJ Ĩace͕ aƐ well aƐ ďeing oĨaƐƐiƐtance to the Ɛtaī. DLJ ƉreƐence iƐ aƉƉreciated͕ no twoƐeƐƐionƐ are the Ɛaŵe͕ and / do enũoLJ giǀing ŵLJ Ɵŵe./ aŵ alƐo a ǀolunteer with dhe DarLJ WoƩer &oundaƟon andĨor ϭϭ LJearƐ haǀe aƐƐiƐted at their eǀentƐ raiƐing ŵuch neededĨundƐ.Volunteering giǀeƐ ŵe the ƐaƟƐĨacƟon and ƉleaƐure oĨ Ŭnowingthat Ɛoŵeone͕ at Ɛoŵe Ɵŵe͕ haƐ ďeen helƉed ďLJ ŵe. ZŽƐĞEastern Adelaide LSA,i ŵLJ naŵe iƐ iŵ &airneLJ͕ and / aŵ the Volunteer CoordinatorĨor Adelaide Wolice taƟon. then / waƐ aƐŬed iĨ / would ďeintereƐted in ďeing the Volunteer Coordinator ďacŬ in :ulLJ /ũuŵƉed at the chance. / Ŭnew the ďeneĮtƐ theLJ would ďring͕not onlLJ Ĩor the Ɖolice oĸcerƐ and ƐtaƟon Ɛtaī͕ ďut ŵoƐtiŵƉortantlLJ / could Ɛee the iŵƉroǀeŵent it would haǀe on ouraďilitLJ to giǀe the ďeƐt cuƐtoŵer Ɛerǀice ƉoƐƐiďle. eĨore ƐtarƟng worŬ / gaǀe a great deal oĨ conƐideraƟon to how/ would handle the taƐŬ oĨ ďeing the ĮrƐt Ɖoint oĨ contact aƐeach client caŵe to the receƉƟon deƐŬ. /t occurred to ŵe thatno ŵaƩer who thiƐ ƉerƐon ŵight ďe͕ it iƐ ŵore than liŬelLJ theLJare aƉƉrehenƐiǀe at ďeing in a Ɖolice ƐtaƟon and / ŵade uƉ ŵLJŵind to enƐure that / Ɛŵiled at eǀerLJ ƉerƐon./ would liŬe to thinŬ that thiƐ haƐ ďeen oĨ aƐƐiƐtance to theoĸcer who then handleƐ the ƋuerLJ Ĩor hoƉeĨullLJ ƉeoƉle are aliƩle ŵore reladžed in what could ďe to ŵoƐt ƉeoƉle a trauŵaƟceǀent.KŌen when ŵeeƟng a client / trLJ to Ɖut ŵLJƐelĨ in their Ɖlaceand aŵ aware how diĸcult it ŵuƐt ďe Ĩor theŵ. ClientƐ aƉƉearto react well to ŵLJ aƉƉroach and when / receiǀe a Ɛŵile orthanŬƐ / Ĩeel / haǀe done ŵLJ liƩle ďit to ďreaŬ down the ďarrierƐƉerceiǀed ďLJ ŵoƐt ƉeoƉle. / ďelieǀe that whilƐt one ŵuƐt ƐhowreƐƉect͕ it can oŌen ďe done with a ƐenƐe oĨ huŵour. / haǀe notĨelt threatened in anLJ inƐtance./niƟallLJ / had Ɛoŵe douďtƐ aďout the challengeƐ / ŵight Ĩaceďut / haǀe neǀer Ĩelt inƟŵidated and / Ɛo looŬ Ĩorward to eǀerLJdueƐdaLJ aŌernoon when / walŬ into the oĸce and aŵ reallLJwelcoŵed ďLJ the Ɛtaī.dhanŬƐ Ɛo ŵuch to LJou all Ĩor LJour ƉaƟence and aƐƐiƐtance. ŽƫĞPage 6

POLICE VOLUNTEERS A Wolice og KƉeraƟonƐ hnitLeft: Colin, Amber andAbigail with Kraze.Far left: Volunteer Timwith Nero (10 weeks.)Puppy Development Programdhe outh AuƐtralia Wolice og KƉeraƟonƐ hnit ; KhͿ deƉloLJƐ highlLJtrained Ɖolice dogƐ around the Ɛtate. dheƐe dogƐ are trained to detectodourƐ ďoth Ĩor locaƟng ƉeoƉle͕ Ɛtolen and loƐt ƉroƉertLJ and Ĩor detecƟngdrugƐ͕ edžƉloƐiǀeƐ and ĮrearŵƐ.,iƐtoricallLJ AWK haƐ relied uƉon donated dogƐ Ĩroŵ ŵeŵďerƐ oĨ theƉuďlic. dhe YueenƐland Wolice og reeding Wrograŵ waƐ eƐtaďliƐhednearlLJ ϭϬ LJearƐ ago͕ haƐ a ƐucceƐƐ rate oĨ aƉƉrodžiŵatelLJ ϴϳ Ɖer cent inƉroducing dogƐ that are Ɛuitaďle Ĩor training in the Ɖolice enǀironŵent andhaǀe generouƐlLJ oīered to ƐuƉƉlLJ Kh with ƉuƉƐ to deǀeloƉ./n AƉril ϮϬϭϬ the Kh eƐtaďliƐhed a WuƉƉLJ eǀeloƉŵent Wrograŵ and with the ƐuƉƉort oĨ the YueenƐland Wolice og hnit theLJcurrentlLJ haǀe Ĩour ƉuƉƉieƐ in the Ɖrograŵ ďeing raiƐed ďLJ ǀolunteer ĨaŵilieƐ. dheƐe ǀolunteer ĨaŵilieƐ haǀe taŬen a ƉuƉƉLJinto their hoŵeƐ Ĩroŵ ϴ weeŬƐ oĨ age which will reŵain with theŵ unƟl theLJ are aďout ϭϲ ŵonthƐ oĨ age. Knce the dogƐ haǀereached thiƐ age͕ theLJ are returned to the outh AuƐtralian Wolice Kh Ĩor training to ďecoŵe a A Wolice dog. uring thiƐ ƟŵetheLJ will ƉarƟciƉate in a Ɖrograŵ oĨ ƐocialiƐaƟon and trait deǀeloƉŵent to helƉ each ƉuƉ deǀeloƉ in Ɛuch a waLJ Ɛo aƐ to increaƐethe liŬelihood oĨ theŵ ďecoŵing highlLJ ƐŬilled worŬing Ɖolice dogƐ and a ƐucceƐƐĨul ŵeŵďer oĨ the A Wolice Kh Ĩor ŵanLJ LJearƐ. enior ConƐtaďle͛Ɛ Eeil teǀenƐon and iŵon ZoƐenhahn oĨ the Kh haǀe ďeen coordinaƟng the WuƉƉLJ eǀeloƉŵent WrograŵƐince itƐ inceƉƟon and aŌer receiǀing ŵanLJ aƉƉlicaƟonƐ Ĩroŵ would ďe ƉuƉƉLJ carerƐ͕ idenƟĮed the ĨaŵilieƐ that would ďe aďle toƉroǀide an enǀironŵent ďeƐt Ɛuited to the raiƐing oĨ a haƉƉLJ healthLJ and well ƐocialiƐed dog with conĮdence and a good retrieǀedriǀe./t haƐ to ďe Ɛaid that the ĨaŵilieƐ inǀolǀed in the Ɖrograŵ are doing an edžceƉƟonal ũoď in deǀeloƉing the ƉuƉƐ. dhe raiƐing oĨ theƐeƉuƉƐ oŌen reƋuireƐ tolerance and ƉaƟence Ĩor the ďarŬing͕ digging͕ chewing and ũuŵƉing that ďuƐLJ ƉuƉƉieƐ are Ŭnown Ĩor andtheLJ Ɛeeŵ to taŬe it in their Ɛtride.dhe Ĩour ƉuƉƐ in the Ɖrograŵ are twinƐ oďLJ and ranje. dheLJ are ϭϭ ŵonthƐ old and at ϯϴ ŬiloƐ theLJ hardlLJ looŬ liŬe ƉuƉƉieƐanLJŵore. Eero iƐ Ɛidž ŵonthƐ old and KƐcar iƐ the LJoungeƐt at Įǀe ŵonthƐ old. ranje liǀeƐ with hiƐ ǀolunteer ĨaŵilLJ Colin͕ oralee͕ Aŵďer and Aďigail and iƐ Ɛhowing the ƐignƐ that he will ďe a great Ɖolice dog.͞ZĂŝƐŝŶŐ ƌĂnjĞ ŝƐ Ă ĨĂŶƚĂƐƟĐ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ Ă ŐƌĞĂƚ ǁĂLJ ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ ŽƵƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ͘ ,Ğ ŚĂƐ ďĞĐŽŵĞ Ă ƉĂƌƚ ŽĨ ŽƵƌ ĨĂŵŝůLJ ĂŶĚ ŝƚ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƌĞǁĂƌĚŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƐĞĞ Śŝŵ ďĞĐŽŵĞ Ă ƉŽůŝĐĞ ĚŽŐ͘͟ : Colin.Colin and hiƐ ĨaŵilLJ haǀe enũoLJed the Ɖrograŵ Ɛo ŵuch that whilƐt theLJ will ŵiƐƐ ranje when he ďecoŵeƐ an oƉeraƟonal Ɖolicedog͕ theLJ looŬ Ĩorward to taŬing on another ƉuƉ in the Ĩuture. &or ŵore inĨorŵaƟon go to: www.Ɖolice.Ɛa.goǀ.au .Page 7

MEMBER PROFILEDidžing Volunteering tith ,olidaLJƐ athriLJe traƐƐnicŬ͕ Volunteer Coordinator͕ ,olidaLJ EdžƉlorerƐ draǀel erǀiceƐWhat better way to enjoy the Australian summer than onholidays? Holiday Explorers provides holiday experiences forpeople with an intellectual disability all year round but overthe summer months there are so many exciting activitiesto consider and choose from. It is the dedicated team ofvolunteers that enables Holiday Explorers to provide a largenumber and variety of holidays for our members who have anintellectual disability.Since the start of summer, our volunteers have supportedtourists on holidays with something to appeal to mostinterests and levels of physical fitness. Recent holidays haveincluded an overseas South Pacific cruise, a day at the AshesTest cricket, the Symphony, learning to surf, and sea-sideadventures to Victor Harbor and Port Lincoln.By providing fabulous holiday experiences for the tourists,Holiday Explorers is also providing much needed respite forfamily and carers. For some families this is the only respiteavailable to them from the 24 hour a day support they provideto their loved ones. Volunteer Support Staff help to keepholidays affordable and therefore increases the options forrespite for more people.Holiday Explorers’ service is unique in Australia and has beensupporting Tourists since 1988. The tourists are people agedover 16 who live in SA and have an intellectual disability. Theholidays provide opportunities for the Tourists to experiencenew activities and places, and meet new people. Importantly,while there is intrinsic value in the holiday, Tourists are alsoencouraged to develop their independence, life skills andcontribute to decision making.One of the underlyingprinciples of Holiday Explorers is to empower the Tourists andto retain a person centred approach to service delivery.Holidays offered might be day trips, weekends, a week orsome even longer trips. This means that volunteers at HolidayExplorers are still able to contribute to the service even ifthey can only commit to a day every few months. Many ofthe existing team of volunteers work or study full time whichmeans that there are times of the year that they are notavailable but at other times they are available to support afew holidays.The flexibility means that we can accommodate peoplewith busy lives and volunteers’ personal holiday plans. Over50% of our current volunteers also volunteer for anothercommunity group / service and we are able to work aroundtheir commitments.We are always available in speaking to people who may beinterested in volunteering.For further information please contact the VolunteerCoordinator at Holiday Explorers on 8331 2399 or emailvolunteering@holidayexplorers.com.au .Visit www.holidayexplorers.com.au for more pictures or tosend on to friends who may be interested.Page 8

HOLIDAY VOLUNTEERSVolunteerƐ ,elƉ CaŵƉerƐ EnũoLJ dhe EdžƉerience:une Chandler͕ eƉartŵent oĨ Enǀironŵent and Eatural ZeƐourceƐCampgroun

itality v Volunteering SA&NT Inc. VSA&NT CEO on Advisory Council ' rd nin P S r n P Z ns Co u uuni s Police Volunteering Program a Success Mentoring a Great Way to Volunteer Volunteers Helping with Holidays