COMMUNITIES like Daylesford rely on volunteers – and the St Vincent de Paul store is looking for an additional 20 volunteers.
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The thriving store is open seven days a week and currently has around 20 volunteers on the books.
Store manager Penelope Hynes said once the simple screening process was completed – successful applicants could then choose to work on the shop floor or in the back room preparing the stock for customers.
“The team is great, everyone gets along and it is social – we go out for dinner sometimes,” she said.
The roles are very flexible and volunteers are not required to commit to regular shifts.
“We even have volunteers who have holiday houses in Daylesford but they live in Melbourne – and they can easily do it,” Ms Hynes said.
“If people need to go on a holiday and are unavailable for a certain time they are free to do so.”
Ms Hynes said volunteers came form all walks of life and the diversity was one of the most positive aspects of the store.
“People love it because they feel like it is a chance for them to give something back to the community,” Ms Hynes said.
Ms Hynes said volunteers and donors could be assured that the money raised in Daylesford was going to help local people in need.
“All the profits stay in the shire,” Ms Hynes said.
“They don’t go out of the shire.”
Applicants are required to pass a police check and a working with children’s check.
“All the staff get properly trained,” Ms Hynes said.
“Usually I like to have a chat with prospective volunteers out the back and we can decide which role is best suited to them.”
“All the volunteers love giving back to the Hepburn community – they love helping people, making friends and creating the support network that you develop by doing this.”
St Vincent de Paul Society volunteers are everyday people, from all walks of life and backgrounds and together their selfless actions enabled our charity to assist approximately 1.8 million people last year.
National President, Graham West said all volunteers are integral to the running of the organisation and helping people.
"I sincerely thank each and every one of our 63,430 volunteers and members for their time and efforts.
“They are following in the simple footsteps of a fellow volunteer, the founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Blessed Frederic Ozanam.”
To find out more about volunteering and download an application form visit www.vinnies.org.au.
