Volunteering: Building Communities

Sometimes the most meaningful commitments begin in everyday moments. For Richard, a dedicated Habitat for Humanity Victoria volunteer, it started with a chat on a cycling club ride. In April 2024, he happened to be riding alongside our Brush with Kindness program coordinator Brad. As they rode, the conversation turned to work and Brad began to share what the volunteer program did – hands on, practical support helping families who’ve faced adversity through home repairs, gardening and painting.

"He was preparing for some volunteering days that were coming up," Richard recalls. "I was on long service leave at the time and looking to do some volunteer work. I liked the sound of the work and the impact that it had."

Not long later, Richard was in a beneficiary’s backyard clearing a fallen tree.

Volunteers and locals working together in Highlands

And since then, Richard has continued to serve the community in his vicinity and afar. He has shown up for a wide range of Brush with Kindness jobs, becoming a familiar and valued presence in the volunteer community. One of his highlights has been the fencing days in the Highlands, earlier this year, following the bushfires.

"Fixing fences was great fun, even though it was very hot most days. It was a great learning experience, as well as an opportunity to gain an understanding about the real impact that these natural disaster events have on communities and the locals' resilience."

When asked what stood out about the Highlands community, it was their resilience.

"Their resilience and their support for each other. The people we worked with from the community were wonderful and very open in conversations as we worked and over lunch which really added to the days."

It's a reminder that volunteering not just about the task at hand. Relationships can be built between volunteers, between communities, between households.

Richard building fences

"There's always a great mix of volunteers, some who you see on a regular basis. Most importantly, you know that you are doing things to help people who need it. On all the jobs I've done, the beneficiaries are always grateful for the work that HFHV has done and for me, that's the most important reason I keep coming back."

It's volunteers like Richard who help us in our mission, building homes, communities and hope. If you are interested in getting involved like Richard, find out more information here.