For the final time in 2024 we hand over the newsletter to one of our wonderful volunteers.
For November’s volunteer vault entry we share the words of Karim (below left), who tells us more about his match with buddy Rodney.
- How long have you been volunteering with Gig Buddies?
I have been volunteering with Gig Buddies for just over a year.
- Is Gig Buddies your first volunteering role?
No. I have previously volunteered with St Vincent De Paul as a store assistant and with their Sydney Night Patrol.
- Why do you volunteer with Gig Buddies?
To help make a difference in someone's life and give back to the community through supporting others.
- How would you describe your volunteering experience with Gig Buddies?
It's been great! I am very lucky to have been paired with Rod and being part of an overall community of friendly and supportive volunteers.
Lara has also being be very helpful and supportive, and I have enjoyed the Gig Buddies' events that I have been to so far.
- Tell us about some of the highlights from your time volunteering with Gig Buddies?
The highlight for me was when I was paired with Rod, I was very nervous at first, as previous volunteering roles were not as personal. Lara did a great job at making me and Rod feel comfortable, and it wasn't long before Rod and I met up to watch a movie and play some video games.
Rod is lots of fun to be with, very interesting, and really funny. Our regular catch-ups involve watching movies and having Mad Mex, with the occasional Xbox sessions where Rod relentlessly beats me up on the wrestling game!
I don't really see myself as Rod's "gig buddy" anymore - he is one of my good friends now and we both enjoy hanging out together.
- What would you say to someone reading this who is thinking about volunteering with Gig Buddies?
Absolutely do it! The Gig Buddies team are very supportive and friendly, and there are lots of fun events that are regularly organised.
This is a really great opportunity to make friends and make a difference in someone else's life.
"Absolutely do it!"
Thank you Karim for sharing your Gig Buddies’ story. Both he and Rodney are a perfect example of who we are, what we aim to achieve, and how we go about it.
The year that was
That’s it in terms of our vault for 2024.
This year you heard from the following volunteers: Jan, Jack, Grant, Nick, Maddy, Leanne, Fergus and Alvin.
Thank you to everyone for sharing your story and for informing the world of what Gig Buddies is all about.
The vault will return in 2025 with more testimonies.
Join the party
And if you’ve taken any inspiration from our volunteers, we’re always on the lookout for more! To sign up with our Sydney project click here, and jump on this link to get involved on the Central Coast.
And to find out more about our current openings, click on the 'volunteers wanted' images below.
Are you looking to volunteer?
We need volunteers! Click on the image above for current Sydney roles and the graphic below for opportunities on the Central Coast.
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact us via Facebook or email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
Take me back to…..
Wow, wow, wow! Thank you to everyone who joined us at both the Sydney and Central Coast festive gatherings.
Last Thursday (21/11) we took over the top floor of Erskineville’s Rose of Australia (above) and, just yesterday we caught up for lunch at Kincumber Hotel (below).
Two wonderful occasions, it was great to see so many of you.
To see more snaps from our Sydney and Central Coast festive offerings, click here.
Tag and win
And to anyone who attended our Sydney or Central Coast festive offerings, our social media competition is up and running.
Upload a video or photo from our two recent gatherings and tag Gig Buddies Sydney - either via Instagram or Facebook - and you’ll go in the running to win a FREE DOUBLE PASS to our 10th BIRTHDAY PARTY.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
Focus now shifts towards our December socials - and tickets to our final catch ups for 2024 are starting to shift.
Next month you’ll find us in Bankstown, Kings Cross, Hurstville, Campbelltown, Dee Why, Galston and Randwick as we catch up for dinners, pub trivia, arcade games, movies, bowling and Christmas carols.
Diaries at the ready
And looking at our first month for 2025, our January offerings are starting to book up.
In January 2025 we invite buddies to connect with us as we head to Milsons Point, Avoca Beach, Burwood, Brooklyn, Mona Vale, Merrylands and Kirrawee.
We’ll be meeting up for a trip to the art markets, for fish and chips on the beach and our 35-and-over catch ups return, while the Chinatown Markets, one of two brewery stop offs, and a night of delicious desserts are also on the cards.
To join us in January 2025, load up the links above.
And if you have questions about any of our forthcoming events, get in touch: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0411 252 228.
Are you in the market for Gig Buddies’ merchandise?
Click on the image above to get your fill on Gig Buddies goodies. If we haven’t got the size you’re after, get in touch via text Facebook Messenger.
Doubling up
This past week we’ve welcomed two new matches to the team.
Say hello to Max and Kai (left, L - R) and Nicole and Nicole (right, L - R). It’s great to have you all on board.
Ready to go
Likewise, we’re excited to welcome our latest batch of trained volunteers.
We want to say thanks to Malin (1), Leigh (2), Ciaran (3) and Niamh (4) for logging on and joining us on Zoom.
International Day of People with Disability is almost upon us (December 3). To mark the occasion we are promoting a number of events that are taking place throughout Sydney and the Central Coast:
Department of Primary Industries are putting on a fishing day for International Day of People with Disability at Mort Bay Park, Balmain, on the 3rd of December, from 10AM-1PM. (Contact Gig Buddies for more information)
Inner West council are hosting The Inner West Inclusion Festival Tuesday the 3rd 4:30pm-9pm. For more informaiton, load up this link.
City of Sydney are hosting a fun 2-hour free form weaving workshop and afternoon tea, taking place on Wednesday 4 December from 1pm to 3pm at Reginald Murphy Community Centre in Potts Point. For more information and to register for a limited place at this event, click here.
To see what else is going on, load up the following link.
Please note, the events listed above are NOT facilitated by Gig Buddies.
Out of office
This is us letting you know that the newsletter will be taking a break next week.
We’ll be back on Monday 9 December.
Lights, camera, action
And lastly, Channel Nine would like to run a news story about Gig Buddies Central Coast and our ongoing search for more volunteers. Specifically, they want to film us at a ‘mock event’ while they interview one or two buddies.
They would like to film us on Tuesday 10 December, sometime between 9 - 11am. We’ll likely look to host something in a pub, most probably around the Woy Woy region.
We’re looking for SIX or more buddies and volunteers who are happy to be filmed for Channel Nine’s daytime and evening news bulletin.
If you would like to be part of it, please send an email to matt@assistcom.org or send Matthew a text (0402 708 814).
Matthew: Central Coast coordinator (0402 708 814)
Carol: CEO (02 9419 6951)
Chelsea: NDIS coordinator (0412 145 819)
Tony: Funding and sponsorship coordinator (02 9419 6951)
Bec: Project officer (0411 252 228)
Aylin: Western Sydney coordinator (0466 389 961)
Lara: Greater Western Sydney coordinator (0478 045 121)
Sandon: Southern Sydney coordinator (0478 043 996)
Charlotte : Northern Beaches coordinator (0466 793 100)
Would you like more information about Gig BuddiesSydney? You’re only a click away. Connect with us via the links below.
Fancy revelling in legendary status? If so, please support us in our cause to get more people out to live events in Sydney.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible and all are gratefully received.
The Gig Buddies Sydney project is an initiative of ACL Disability Services.
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