Community Service opportunities

Community Service develops an increased sense of social responsibility, a global view of society and a habit of giving back to your community. It also builds relationships and social connectedness with peers, adults and organisers sharing a cause.

Students are often asking what Community Service they can do. Remember you don’t have to wait for an opportunity to be advertised on Astra or an email asking for volunteers. You can organise your own Community Service and then complete the application form so it can be approved and acknowledged.

With school holidays just around the corner, here are a few ideas:

• You could contact your local library to see if they need any volunteers for their holiday program for children.
• Contact an aged care facility or retirement village and ask if they would allow you to volunteer for a few days over the school holidays. 
• Opportunity shops such as Vinnies are always looking for volunteers.
• Do you have an elderly neighbour? You could offer to do some work in their garden, do some shopping for them or walk their dog each day over the holidays.
• Form a group and locate an area in your community needing a clean up. You might spend a few hours walking through the bush and around the Kennington Reservoir picking up rubbish. Take some photos to demonstrate the wonderful job you have done.

Doing Community Service and volunteering teaches you the importance of empathy and compassion. It also teaches leadership and instills the habit of helping and a sense of community.

I encourage you to think about Community Service as something you give without receiving anything in return. Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals and organisations in need. 

What Community Service are you going to do these school holidays?

Mrs Rachelle Fisher

Head of Community Service

Community Service at Bendigo Health – School Holiday Volunteer Program

There is an opportunity available for students in Years 9 to 12 to participate in the School Holiday Volunteer Program at Bendigo Health. If you are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, this opportunity will give you exposure to the hospital environment while completing Community Service. 

The program runs over three consecutive days. You will be matched with other volunteers and rotate through the different departments, clinics and wards, including the Emergency Department and discharge lounge, palliative care, aged care and rehabilitation.

You will need to provide proof of two COVID vaccinations and parent/guardian consent is required on the application form. 

To apply for the Volunteer Program, please contact Mrs Rachelle Fisher, Head of Community Service, for an application form at rachellefisher@girton.vic.edu.au

Volunteer dates – September school holidays 2023

Week 1: Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 September, 9am to 4pm each day

Week 2: Monday 25 to Wednesday 27 September, 9am to 4pm each day