With a 38-year career in the clothing industry, Margaret has done everything from working in the warehouse to customer service to becoming a Personal Assistant. With a range of transferable skills and knowledge she was able to move around the industry, plying her trade to other places in the field.

She finished her last job and took a well-earned rest before deciding what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. Understandable she no longer wanted to work full time, though part-time work had its appeal. Now considered unemployed, with a Centrelink requirement of 15 hours’ voluntary work, she approached the Volunteers for Knox team and attended an induction. Her skills were matched with the Orana Community House in Wantirna South, who were in need of a receptionist. Knowing she had skills to offer she looked forward to applying them to a new role, different to what had once been familiar.

“I thought Volunteering in the community would be a good place to start,” she said, as she settled in to the reception desk at Orana. Two weeks later, Coonara Community House in Upper Ferntree Gully were also in need of reception support and through Volunteers for Knox she was offered a position there as well.  After three months working at Orana, Margaret was offered a 12 hour a week paid position as a casual Administrator, which then became a permanent part-time position.

Volunteer for Knox would like to congratulate Natlie on her outstanding efforts volunteering at Murrindal and Knoxfield Pre-Schools. 

Jodie speaks so highly of Natalie and these are some things she's said…

"Natalie feels very comfortable with us and we have seen her grow from strength to strength over the nine years of her volunteering. Her interactions with staff, families and children are just wonderful. She cares for the children  beautifully  and they are excited to see her every day she volunteers. Natalie is fantastic caring for small groups of children and helps to build on the children’s skills and confidence. 

Natalie is very patient and kind and understands the challenges of children with additional needs and does so with such kindness, empathy and commitment. She has grown so much in confidence that she is now   volunteering with Oz Child and Wesley Mission supporting older children with various activities. We are very lucky to have Natalie as our super talented volunteer and hope that she knows how much we appreciate her every single day."

Volunteer for Knox thank Natalie a million times over for her years of service. Natalie has made the children, staff and families of Knoxfield Pre-School so happy through her years as a volunteer.

Graham aged 60 years is a retired gentleman who firstly enquired with Volunteer for Knox in mid 2015. Graham found that he had some spare time and read one of our brochures and came along for the induction/information session. Graham’s previous profession was that of a shop fitter/builder and is skilled in all things of “fixing it”.

A volunteer opportunity arose for Graham where he is now volunteering two days a week in a landscaping/building maintenance/grounds improvement program. This program is specifically to train long term unemployed clients in specific skill sets so as to add to these newly learned skills to their CV’s so as to assist in finding permanent employment.

Graham has found this volunteer role exceptionally rewarding, it’s company for him and provides company and socialisation  for the clients, they are achieving  marvellous things together and making plans and sketches happen and grow before their eyes. Graham stated it’s a feel good role and he is enjoying the company of the younger people and the diversity of personalities. He is also enjoying watching others achieve and learning new skills himself. He finds the staff members he works alongside to be brilliant and nothing is ever too much trouble. He drives 7 minutes from home and looks forwards to his Mondays and Tuesdays. So much so, he has encouraged his wife to apply for a volunteering positon too with Volunteer for Knox.