Evidence there’s Something for Everyone as CEF Alumni Give by Volunteering

Whether it’s helping with social media, taking photos, working on a barbeque or being a committee member, Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) alumni has shown volunteering for CEF is fun, engaging and rewarding by giving their time and capability to local CEF committees; community-run organisations which provided much needed support to them while studying.

As CEF recognises National Volunteer Week 2024, our alumni’s contributions are a fantastic celebration of the diverse passions and talents anyone and everyone can bring to volunteering, no matter what age, stage of life or ability.

This year’s theme is “Something for Everyone”, and CEF’s alumni has certainly proven this. With diverse skillsets and professional abilities, coupled with an unwavering passion and commitment to CEF, alumni provide worthwhile support and knowledge to help local CEF committees thrive.

CEF alumnus Lachie Barrett, was originally supported by Coonamble and District Education Foundation (CDEF), while he studied at the University of Sydney from 2017 – 2019.

He now works as a primary school teacher at Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange, NSW, and decided to start volunteering for CEF Orange & Districts (CEF Orange) last year as its Social Media Officer, to contribute to an organisation that gave him so much support.

According to Volunteering Australia’s Youth Volunteering Key Statistics August 2023 report, 19.8% of volunteers aged between 18-29 in 2022 volunteered for an education or training organisation.

For CEF’s alumni turned dedicated volunteers, their passion to volunteer for CEF was fuelled by the gratitude they have for those who supported them during their all-important study years.

CEF alumna Brittany Glanville, from Forster, NSW, was supported by her local foundation, Great Lakes Education Foundation (GLEF), from 2018 – 2022 while she completed a Bachelor of Medical Science/Doctor of Medicine at the University of Newcastle.

She said the invaluable financial and personal support she received from GLEF was why she decided to start volunteering with its committee last year.

“Rural education and rural medicine are both areas I have a strong interest in and I hope to contribute to this area by working rurally, volunteering and supporting GLEF and aiding in the provision of future rural professionals,” she said.

CEF alumna, Heather Walker, has always given a lending hand to Country Education Foundation of Grenfell (CEF Grenfell), both while studying and now in her work as a School Administration Officer. She sees it as a small way to reciprocate since it supported her from 2020 – 2023 during her Bachelor of Education (Technology and Applied Studies) degree at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga.

Heather is a go-to girl when it comes to preparing promotional material, taking photos at events, helping at fundraisers and submitting its news to the local high school newsletter. She believes it is important to volunteer with CEF Grenfell as a token of gratitude for the support it gave her.

“I hope to share my journey and inspire youth to not be afraid to tackle post school challenges and know there is always someone out there willing to help,” she said.

This National Volunteer Week, CEF would like to acknowledge its more than 430 volunteers that currently volunteer for one of its 46 local foundations across rural and regional Australia. The skills that each and every volunteer brings to the CEF network truly proves there is “something for everyone.”

Are you ready to take the next step and volunteer for a local CEF Foundation? Then we’d love to hear from you! Please contact us at [email protected] and we will give you all the information you need.