News

National Volunteer Week is the largest annual celebration of volunteering and was held during the week of 19-25 May 2025.

As part of this celebration, Amanda Vickers (Nurse Unit Manager – Illawarra Cancer Care Centre) invited volunteers who work at the hospital to a breakfast on Wednesday 21 May to thank them and present them with a certificate to acknowledge their support, dedication and the vital work that they do for our patients.  A number of our members were able to attend, including Leslie Adie, who said, “We all had a lovely time and were thanked for our volunteering, which made us feel very appreciated for what we all do.”

There were even a couple of special guest volunteers at the breakfast – a lady by the name of Julieanne, and her companion dog, Jaxon, who come to the hospital regularly to visit patients.  I’m sure they put a smile on people’s faces and brighten their day.

Wollongong Volunteering Expo

As part of National Volunteer Week, Wollongong City Council hosted an Expo, where Narelle and Vera manned a table to promote our group.  Considering how wet it was outside and what was predicated for the rest of the day, we weren’t sure how many people would attend, but we were pleasantly surprised.

We were beside the Wig Library, set up with our Application Forms, flyers and a small selection of what the sewing and craft ladies make.  We spoke with numerous people and let them know that volunteering their time is one of the most fulfilling things they can do, and that ICC have a variety of roles available.

It was a great opportunity for people to come along and have a chat with a wide range of not-for-profit organisations providing services in our community and to learn more about how they can get involved.  This is the second year ICC have attended the Expo, and we look forward to attending again next year, to further promote our group.

While at the Volunteer Expo we were interviewed by the “Illawarra Flame”:

Narelle, President of the Illawarra Cancer Carers: “Volunteering gives you something to do – you get to help people and give back to the community. We are always looking for new volunteers to help with different things.  Through volunteering, you get to meet new people and broaden your horizons. A lot of young people volunteer with us to learn from the older people they care for. It’s just a good opportunity to meet new people from all walks of life – you never know who you’re caring for!”

Janet and Cil from the Wig Library: “We deal with people who have hair loss, due to a medical issue – it could be Cancer, it could be Alopecia, and they come to us and we try to help them find a wig that’s right for them!  They come in fairly apprehensive but they walk out happy.  Our volunteers get to sit people down and see which wigs suit them; what they do and don’t like.  We have a little room at the Wollongong Hospital where they come in and it’s very private, so that they’ve got their dignity, which to us is the most important thing.  Our volunteers go on a roster to do this on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10.00am and 1.00pm.  Also, maybe once or twice a month, we get together and have a morning tea or a lunch and swap notes, see how we can improve and be more helpful.”