Volunteer stories

The many faces of LinkAGE

If you imagine that most volunteers fit a particular mould, such as genteel retirees, think again!

Coming from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds and age groups volunteers in the LinkAGE program run by the Mater Hospital, range in age from 28 to 87, were born in 20 different countries and, between them, speak 15 languages. Read more… About half are still in the paid workforce, with diverse career paths. The LinkAGE volunteers include advertising executives, computer programmers, sales assistants, hairdressers, accountants, scientists and much more. Those who are retired are former doctors, nurses, librarians, teachers and university professors.

From big hearts to big smiles

Before the sun rises two extraordinary men prepare for the day ahead. Showing a unique breed of dedication, John Chu and Denis Morris wake, while Sydney still sleeps, and make their way to the Mater. Without pay or fanfare the two veteran volunteers, John and Denis, set about their rounds of the Hospital, visiting each and every patient to deliver newspapers. Within three hours the 'paper men' call into 180 patients.