Dyoondalup Volunteer BBQ Lunch
Over the past two months we have held events around Australia to recognise and celebrate our cherished volunteers who provide invaluable support to community mob.
CEO, Steph Harvey, walking on the sands of Dyoondalup.
In Western Australia we met on the grounds of Dyoondalup, on Whadjuk Noongar Country. Ms Alice Kearing shared her family background and connection to Country, welcoming us and sharing the story of Dyoondalup known as “a place of long flowing white hair”. It was traditionally an area for women and children. The sandbar is the hair of the Dreamtime figure Djunda, the Charnok woman, and the nearby cliffs at Blackwall Reach are her footprints. Djunda is said to have carried spirit children in her hair, who then fell out and formed rocks.
Stephanie Harvey, CEO, presented awards to volunteers and spoke of their incredible efforts among various communities and acknowledged the great work they have done.
Volunteer Russell, and Dulith (aka Woody), shared about the benefits of volunteering and what it means to them to be a volunteer.
Martin Smith, from Ebenezer community organisation, gave an impassioned speech about the importance of working with Community First Development and how having volunteers that ‘fit’ makes a huge difference. He shared stories of where he has seen first-hand how Community First Development supports communities to achieve their dreams.
Our Regional Manager, Doyen Radcliffe was a whiz on the BBQ and Senior Community Development Officer, Kristy Klynsson’s Kangaroo Kebabs were a smash hit!
Senior Community Development Officers, Kristy (left) and Sharon (right) with Alice Kearing who gave a Welcome to Country.
Steph presents volunteer Dulith with a certificate recognising his skilled volunteer support to communities.
To learn more about Noongar Country, Ms Kearing’s dearly departed mother, Ms Louise Hansen released a book called “Smashing Serendipity” about the struggles of growing up on Noongar country. It is the story of one moorditj yorga (one good woman) who was born right in the middle of the twentieth century. It is a story that reflects the stories of so many strong, determined Aboriginal women of her time. Telling the truth, describing life as it really was for her, and Aboriginal women like her”. Awesome reading, we highly recommend.
Are you interested in volunteering with Community First Development?