EdConnect Volunteer Stories

Volunteer Stories

EdConnect Australia Aims National
28/08/2024

EdConnect Australia aims national to assist 1 in 5 students at risk of disengagement from education*   EdConnect Australia works in... Read More
2023 East Coast Award Winners Announced
26/06/2024

Award Winners celebrated in annual ceremony on the East Coast    In May, we celebrated our East Coast 2023 Volunteer Award... Read More
Community supporting educational outcomes, and more
08/05/2024

Community supporting educational outcomes, and more    Despite significant challenges in the education sector in recent years, including COVID-19, funding changes... Read More
Georgie Rose announced Pilbara Mentor of the Year
09/04/2024

Georgie Rose announced Pilbara Mentor of the Year Port Hedland local Georgie Rose has recently been recognised as the EdConnect Pilbara... Read More
2023 WA Award Recipients Announced
02/04/2024

2023 Award Recipients Announced A huge congratulations to our 2023 WA award recipients. It was our pleasure to welcome 85 attendees... Read More
EdConnect Peel Volunteers reach close to 2000 students
16/07/2024

Close to 2000 local students supported in Peel region in 2023   Last week, amidst smiles and shared stories, EdConnect Australia... Read More
East Coast, Term 1 event a wonderful success
01/04/2024

East Coast Event a wonderful success EdConnect Australia was thrilled to host our first Victorian volunteer event at the William Angliss... Read More
Pilbara Mentors set to grow in 2023 and beyond
01/08/2023

Pilbara Mentors Program set to grow in 2023 and beyond   Last week, EdConnect Australia held a morning tea for interested... Read More
EdConnect Australia’s new CEO announced
20/04/2023

After an extensive search, EdConnect Australia is pleased to announce Michael Pailthorpe as the organisation’s new CEO. Michael brings a wealth... Read More
WA Award Winners Announced for 2022
27/03/2023

WA Volunteer Award Winners Announced for 2022 EdConnect Australia announced the winners of the 2022 WA Volunteer Awards, celebrating the outstanding... Read More
Retirement village residents forge connections with local school students
05/04/2023

Retirement village residents  forge connections with local students Port Phillip Village residents are being called upon to volunteer with students from... Read More
New Refurbished Maylands Office Officially Reopened
19/10/2022

EdConnect Australia Open New Refurbished Office in Maylands EdConnect Australia formally reopened their refurbished Maylands Office with a celebration attended by... Read More
Containers for Change in support of EdConnect Australia
30/08/2022

Containers for Change in support of EdConnect Australia As part of the Containers for Change program run in Western Australia, you... Read More
Cooloongup couple wins Peel volunteer award
27/03/2023

Cooloongup couple wins Peel volunteer award EdConnect Australia has announced Terry and Liz Stevenson as the 2022 Alcoa Foundation Peel Volunteer... Read More
The Intergenerational school volunteer program benefits almost 1,000 students
14/12/2022

The Intergenerational school volunteer program benefits almost 1,000 students   The life-changing impact of EdConnect Australia volunteers on schools and students... Read More
Downturn in Volunteers Leads to Less Support for Local WA Youth
10/08/2022

Downturn in Volunteers Leads to Less Support for Local WA Youth WA FOCUS A recent downturn in volunteers applying to EdConnect... Read More
WA Award Winners Announced for 2021
27/03/2023

WA Award Winners Announced for 2021 Earlier this week, the 2021 WA Award Winners were announced by EdConnect Australia in a... Read More
Lotterywest Funding Allows New Volunteer Office Hub Fitout
30/03/2022

Image Caption: Minister Stephen Dawson MLC (L), EdConnect Australia CEO Gerri Clay (M) and EdConnect Australia Board Deputy Chair Margaret Banks... Read More
Mentoring Event Proves Good for the Soul
22/03/2022

Attendees Jessica Albers, Janine Cox and EdConnect Australia Pilbara Liaison Offcer Kay Corda Mentoring Event Proves Good for the Soul The... Read More
Annual Alcoa Celebration showcases variety of roles that make a difference
01/12/2021

Annual Alcoa Celebration showcases variety of roles that make a difference The life changing impact of EdConnect Australia volunteers on local... Read More
Winner of the Pilbara Mentor 2021 Announced
03/11/2021

Winner of the Pilbara Mentor 2021 Announced Guest, officials and volunteers at the Pilbara Awards 2021. In an amazing show of... Read More
Victorian Students Face Obstacles Never Seen Before
07/09/2021

Victorian Students Face Obstacles Never Seen Before Experienced teacher, journalist, educational writer and producer Simon Garner will be sharing his expertise... Read More
Finding Meaning Through Volunteering Brings Mental Health Rewards
01/09/2021

Finding Meaning Through Volunteering Brings Mental Health Rewards A new video has been released in the 'Words to Live By' series... Read More
EdConnect and Alcoa Foundation Renew Three Year Partnership
24/08/2021

Image: EdConnect Liaison Officer Karen Barden, Alcoa Foundation Communications and Community Relations Ashley Wright, EdConnect volunteer Eric Bezwerchny and EdConnect CEO... Read More
Lotterywest funds new Virtual Mentoring Pilot Program
04/08/2021

Lotterywest fund Virtual Mentoring Pilot Program   Last year was full of challenges and opportunities, leading EdConnect to consider new and... Read More
Fogarty Foundation assist EdConnect to reach new training heights
20/07/2021

Fogarty Foundation Assist EdConnect to Reach New Training Heights   EdConnect welcome the support of the Fogarty Foundation in a new... Read More
Geelong Volunteers Gather By The Sea
30/06/2021

Geelong Volunteers Gather By The Sea Earlier this week, fifteen Geelong Volunteers gathered at Cottage By the Sea in Queenscliff for... Read More
Pilbara Mentors Follow the Dream
05/07/2021

Pilbara Mentors Follow the Dream   The Pilbara Mentors, a program run by EdConnect Australia in partnership with Roy Hill Community... Read More
Supporting Students Through Education Transitions
22/06/2021

Supporting Students Through Education Transitions Making the jump from primary to secondary school, or a campus change, can be a tough... Read More
New Board Member Welcome
22/06/2021

Warm Welcome for New Board Member John Inverarity   A warm welcome to our new Board Member John Inverarity. Well known... Read More
WA Volunteer Awards 2020
29/04/2021

It was a wonderful evening of powerful stories, recognition and inspiration at the EdConnect Awards Ceremony which was held on Tuesday…

Read More
Mentors make a difference to young lives.
29/01/2021

Volunteer mentors are making a difference to the lives of vulnerable young people at schools in Port Hedland. Under the…

Read More
“I can never thank my mentor enough for believing in me and listening.”
26/11/2020

EdConnect Australia and Alcoa Foundation presented the impact of their partnership at an event for volunteers and schools on 25th of…

Read More
EdConnect Volunteer Celebrates 20 Years of Service
12/10/2020

September 2020 EdConnect volunteer, Julie Lawson, has described the joy of helping students overcome challenges and reach their potential after dedicating…

Read More
A True Gentleman
12/10/2020

June 2020 Former Falcon resident, Alan Thornton, has been posthumously recognised for his outstanding work with young people by being awarded…

Read More
Westfield Hero Nominee – Reno Demicoli
01/09/2020

Reno Demicoli is a 72 year-old volunteer with EdConnect who mentors students at Northern Bay College in Corio, Victoria. Demicoli has…

Read More
Local Geelong Volunteer Receives Top Recognition 
19/06/2020

EdConnect Australia held their inaugural National Volunteer Awards Ceremony on Tuesday the 10th of June. It was a virtual event that reached a national audience of volunteers, supporters, school members,…

Read More
A Year 6 Teacher’s Experience During Covid-19
18/06/2020

“It was very challenging in March 2020, as it became clearly evident that schools were going to be implicated by Covid-19….

Read More
A volunteer’s perspective during COVID-19
18/06/2020

MEET TED HUDSON “Taking early retirement in 1998 after working thirty seven years as an administrative officer (clerk) with the Commonwealth…

Read More
School Volunteers More Important Than Ever
12/05/2020

MEDIA RELEASE May 2020 As we celebrate National Volunteer Week (18-24 May) and students transition back into the classroom EdConnect Australia…

Read More
St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School mentor wins top award
05/12/2019

The Pilbara Mentors Awards Night was held on Tuesday the 26 November at the Junction in Port Hedland. Kirsten Thompson was…

Read More
EdConnect and Alcoa Foundation End of Year Event 2019
Growth in the Peel Region of WA
02/12/2019

Alcoa Foundation and EdConnect Australia began working together in 2016 in order to establish and grow the EdConnect community volunteer program…

Read More
EdConnect helping Girls in STEM strive  
28/11/2019

EdConnect Australia held its first state event since the merger of TimeHelp and the Student Volunteer Program on Monday 11 November…

Read More
Volunteer THANK YOU Morning Tea 2019
24/07/2019

Annual THANK YOU Morning Tea for Volunteers On Thursday the 18th of July, volunteers gathered together to help EdConnect Australia celebrate…

Read More
EdConnect Delivers Homework Club
05/06/2019

The Clonard College Homework Club EdConnect Australia has entered in to a partnership project with Refugee Education Support Program (RESP) at…

Read More
2019 Annual Awards Evening
14/05/2019

EdConnect HONOURS VOLUNTEERS EdConnect Australia had an unprecedented turnout from the community for their Annual Awards Evening on Thursday the 2nd…

Read More
Liz’s Story
23/07/2024

The importance of community and kindness...   Next year, our indomitable volunteer Liz will celebrate fifteen years of volunteering with EdConnect.... Read More
Sue & Richard’s Story
12/12/2023

Celebrating 20 Years with EdConnect Sue and Richard Baldwin are no strangers to the world of volunteering, having spent their lives... Read More
Trudy’s Story
29/05/2024

Receiving one of life's greatest joys...   Volunteer Trudy McKenna has recently celebrated an amazing fifteen years of service volunteering with... Read More
Sam’s Story
15/05/2024

Supporting students through compassion and good humour   Volunteer Sam Cattermole has been assisting in a learning support role since October... Read More
Brenda’s Story
24/04/2024

Supporting students through compassion and good humour   Brenda began her volunteering with EdConnect at Dalyellup Primary School in 2016. She... Read More
Teresa’s Story
03/04/2024

My EdConnect Story Written by: Teresa Livoti February 2024 Like every person affected in the universe in early 2020 so was... Read More
Deirdre’s Story
06/11/2023

Lives lived and lives ahead   On returning to Australia in 2015, after 44 years living in Asia, Deirdre Moss signed... Read More
Brian’s Story
17/10/2023

Brian empowers students through intergenerational learning   Brian Wood, a dedicated volunteer with a passion for mentoring and empowering young people,... Read More
Athena and student Brock’s Story
26/09/2023

A remarkable story of connection, compassion and community   At Maidens Park Primary School in Bunbury WA, Athena Sofilas, has been... Read More

EdConnect Australia is honoured to connect incredible and committed volunteers with schools and students and make a life-changing difference in their lives. Some of our volunteers have kindly agreed to share their personal stories.