Volunteering in Frankston: Meet our unsung heroes
Published on 18 May 2023
At Frankston City, we have plenty to celebrate with many groups and programs in the Frankston City community relying on the time and skills of volunteers to achieve their goals. This year we celebrate 16,800 volunteers in Frankston City, who contributed more than 46,000 hours, equalling approximately $1.3 million worth of donated time.
Each year, we pay tribute to our volunteers with the Frankston City Volunteer Awards. Nominations for the 2023 Frankston City Volunteer Awards are open through to Monday, 26 June, giving people the opportunity to cast the spotlight on our community’s local heroes.
Do you know a worthy candidate? It could be someone who helps on Meals on Wheels, a volunteer firefighter or anyone who gives back to our community. When you nominate a worthy candidate, you’ll be highlighting the great work they do as a volunteer, as well as creating awareness for the work of their volunteer organisation within the community. Organisations or individuals can nominate volunteers for recognition across five categories: (1) Service; (2) Leadership; (3) Initiative; (4) Youth; (5) Teamwork
Organisations can also nominate themselves for the $1,000 prize by answering a short series of questions, about the impact that their organisation has had on the community over the last 12 months.
Organisations must also nominate a volunteer in one of the recognition categories to be eligible to win the $1,000 prize.
However, organisations do not need to nominate themselves for the prize to enter volunteers for a recognition award.
For more info, call 1300 322 322 during business hours or email communitystrengthening@frankston.vic.gov.au
Meet our volunteers
Volunteers are heroes in our community who selflessly offer their time.
From providing Meals on Wheels to helping out with local sporting clubs, and even keeping our local beaches free from rubbish, there are so many initiatives in Frankston City that rely on the work of our volunteers to keep the city running. We reached out to several to share what motivates them.
L2P Mentor
Jan Dennett recently retired from 40 years of nursing and has been volunteering as a mentor with the L2P Mentor-Driver Program since November 2021. The program links learner drivers with driving mentors and has put more than 200 people on the road who would not have been able to get a license otherwise.
“After retiring and moving into a retirement village, I wanted to do something to help in the Community. Joining the L2P Program is a wonderful way to help learners obtain the hours they need to get their licence. The training and support from L2P staff is incredible and they match you well with a learner.
If you have the time or inclination you will find it rewarding when you see your learner’s face when they pass their drive test.”
Meals on Wheels
Deborah Kerry, a retired teacher, is one of the 110 Meals on Wheels volunteers who prepare and deliver 6,000 three-course meals per month. She has been volunteering in the kitchen at Meals on Wheels for 12 months.
“I retired from teaching just before COVID struck. After being housebound for nearly two years, I was keen to try something different. I taught Food Technology so felt confident in some aspects of the role of kitchen assistant. I am gratified to see the nutritious colourful meals produced so efficiently for those in our community, most in need. Volunteering for MOW allows you to meet new people and gives you a sense of purpose. It’s fun! Give it a go.”
Ebdale Community Hub
Nancy Martin, a retired office manager, has been volunteering with Ebdale Community Hub for 10 years. The Hub is a base for a number of community organisations and service providers.
“I volunteer at Ebdale Community Hub two days a week as a receptionist. I have been doing this for 10 years and really enjoy working at Ebdale Community Hub. I enjoy talking with and helping the people who come to the Hub. I feel I am giving back to the community. It’s rewarding because I feel I’m fulfilling my life as well
as helping the Frankston community.”
Home library services
Sarah Cain, a teacher and library technician has been volunteering with the Frankston Library since 2019.
“I was looking for new ways to contribute to my local community when I volunteered to join the Frankston Library TROVE team then became a Home Library Service volunteer. As a Home Library Service volunteer I value the connections I make and enjoy sharing my passion for reading with housebound community members. I especially love talking about authors I haven’t read before and finding out what other people like about the author or book. It’s a great challenge to find new authors that will interest the person – talking to others and helping people in my community enriches my life.”
Gardens for Wildlife
Janet Wheeler is semi-retired after working in administration support in the aged care sector and crisis support for many years. She currently works part-time in early childhood education and is an educator for Living with Wildlife.
“Being a ‘Gardens for Wildlife’ guide aligns with my personal philosophy of conservation and providing a ‘helping hand’ for animals. I didn’t imagine the learning opportunities, friendships, and pleasure of spending time with like-minded people it would bring.
I love sharing the fantastic resources, and meeting others who want to contribute to habitat for wildlife and the environment. Volunteering with this program enables me to make a difference for wildlife and the environment in a practical way while increasing my personal learning.”
Champions volunteer time to improve seniors’ fitness
A group of Champions are proving that growing older doesn’t mean we can’t work out. These mature age super heroes of seniors’ fitness are on a quest to prove that there are many benefits to exercising in terms of building strength, increasing stamina and lifting people’s moods.
They meet each Friday morning at Wingham Park Reserve next to Karingal PLACE Neighbourhood Centre, where Council has opened its first outdoor exercise park for seniors.
Mindful exercise mingles with friendly banter as the semi-retired and retired volunteers work out together.
Wayne Alcock, who worked in the cybersecurity sector and now works part time at HMAS Cerberus, says, “Something I learnt after completing the five-week training course to become a volunteer Champion is that seniors are likely to have one injury every three months.” “I fell on Sunday,” Charmaine says.
“Well, you’re good for the next three months then,” Wayne says.
Laughter follows.
On a more serious note, Wayne adds that it is a “huge responsibility helping people achieve the strength and balance to prevent those falls.”
Apart from Wayne and Charmaine, the other champs are Veronica Maier, Fran Sheppard, Sharon Martin, Lyn Carter, Tania Weerasinghe and Kevin Lomax. Sharon, who worked in customer service before retirement, said she found the training helpful and appreciated having a physiotherapist explain the correct way of doing the exercises. “I thought I had good balance but it has definitely improved with the program,” she said. “I’ve always been physically active but got a bit lazy after COVID-19 and thought that participating as a volunteer would be a great way to kick start my own fitness plan.”
Lyn, who still works as an office manager, has always enjoyed fitness with two aqua classes per week and other activities on top of volunteering at Wingham Park Reserve. “It’s important for people to get out, to be active and it is free to use the equipment!” she said.
For Fran, it was the social aspect that drew her. “It is hard to motivate yourself to exercise, but you can work out, have a laugh and even go across the road for a coffee once you have finished exercising,” she said. “It’s a great way to combat loneliness.”
Veronica agrees. “You get exercise with social benefits.”
The Champions of Wingham Park are at the exercise equipment every Friday morning from 9am to 12pm.
For more information, please visit the Seniors Exercise Park Champion Project page.
Volunteer portal now live
Frankston City Council is excited to announce the launch of its new Volunteers Portal!
Now, volunteers can easily find and apply for the latest Council volunteer opportunities and volunteers who have signed up can manage their details, learn something new, apply for shifts, view rosters, and more.
With a wide range of volunteering opportunities available on an ongoing, short term, and once-off basis, the Portal serves as a one-stop-shop for all your volunteering needs.
Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and make a positive impact in the world, while also benefiting from personal growth and development, improved mental and physical health, increased social connections and career opportunities.
For more information, please see the Volunteering with Frankston City Council page.