Wesley has a strong tradition of service for others. For over 100 years, students have been encouraged to think on a grand scale and believe in action, volunteering their time and resources in a variety of ways.
The theme of National Student Volunteer Week 2024 is #GENERATIONIMPACT.
We spoke to four students who are part of this crucial generation, on what inspired them to give selflessly and the impact on their communities.
Max Ballard – Year 12
Strong family ties led Max into his volunteering role. “I volunteer for Narrogin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and Highbury Bush Fire Brigade and have done so for over a year now. I got involved in DFES because my Dad has been a volunteer firefighter for 25 years so I have been around it all my life” he explained. Growing up watching his father serve as a firefighter instilled in Max a deep sense of duty.
For him, the most rewarding part of volunteering is simple yet profound: “Knowing that whenever you get a call out, you are always going to be helping somebody in times of need.”
Josh Varnavides – Year 11
Josh’s wide and varied volunteering efforts showcase his commitment to community service. He tells us “The breadth of my volunteering undertakings has been quite significant. The majority of the time I’ve personally spent supporting the community is through volunteering at the Telethon Community Cinemas, participating in the World’s Greatest Shave annually, partaking in the Relay for Life, and donating my time around local sporting institutions, including coaching and umpiring Wesley’s 9As.”
For Josh, volunteering is more than just an activity, it’s a source of inspiration: “It’s a virtuous, rewarding, and ultimately unique opportunity. Volunteering is rewarding within yourself, for knowing that you’re doing something that is creating a positive influence on others.”
Bardia Babaei – Year 11
Observing his older peers’ dedication to community service sparked Bardia’s interest. “I partake in a range of volunteering activities within and outside the College, including community event setups, services in malls, running of telethon community cinemas, partaking in fundraising events such as Relay for Life and World’s Greatest Shave, and assisting with running of arts events and clubs within the College community.”
For Bardia, volunteering is not only about helping others but also about personal growth and happiness: “Most importantly, I found that volunteering and helping the community and people around me makes me feel happier as a person.”
Jonathan Swift – Year 11
Jonathan Swift’s involvement in volunteering began with a school tradition. “I volunteered to set up a school team for the Relay for Life 2023, a 24-hour event that aims to raise money and awareness for Cancer Council. I organized our participation, got all my friends involved, and attended fundraisers and meetings in preparation for the event” he shared.
Jonathan is committed to continuing the tradition and building community among his peers: “Seeing everyone come together for a common cause makes it worthwhile.”
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