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Writer's pictureGig Buddies Sydney
Nov 26, 20238 min read

"It's a win win if you ask me"

For the final time in 2023, we open up our vault and invite a volunteer to share their story.


Today we hear from Jenna (below left), who tells us more about her match with Tahli (below right).

- How long have you been volunteering with Gig Buddies?


Tahli and I actually celebrated our three year anniversary just last weekend!

- Is Gig Buddies your first volunteering role?


Yes and no. It's my first long term volunteering role, but I have done days here and there at other places.

- Why do you volunteer with Gig Buddies?


Because it feels so damn good. Being able to have a positive impact on someone's life - is there anything better? And what a way to volunteer, I mean, you literally just get to have fun with a friend.


It's a win win if you ask me. 


- How would you describe your volunteering experience with Gig Buddies?


I can sum it up in one word: Incredible. 


- Tell us about some of the highlights from your time volunteering with Gig Buddies?


Honestly, every time Tahli and I hang out it's a highlight.

To name a few though, going to our first Swans game together (mad Swans’ fans the pair of us); Jack Johnson at the Opera House; sharing the news I was pregnant with Tahli right before we did No Lights No Lycra; hyperkarting and loving it so much we strapped in and went for another spin; even our 3 year anniversary just gone we went to Symbio Wildlife Park and Scarborough Pub with my family.


- What would you say to someone reading this who is thinking about volunteering with Gig Buddies?


Dive in head first. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain.

 

"I can sum it up in one word: Incredible"


Three years together is a great achievement. Congratulations to you and Tahli, and thank you for sharing your story.


And we’d also like to thank the others who took the time to share their testimonies in 2023: Rachel, Lisa, Andy, Pat, Mark, Sarah, Christian and Liam. You've all provided perfect examples about the mutual benefits that come with being a volunteer with Gig Buddies.


To read more from our amazing volunteers, click here.


And as for the volunteer vault, it will return in January 2024.

 

"….you literally just get to have fun with a friend"


And we’re always looking for more people like Jenna, Rachel, Lisa, Andy, Pat, Mark, Sarah, Christian and Liam.


If you would like to volunteer with us, look no further: 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

 

2pm today


This is your last chance to join us on Wednesday night.

Ticket sales to our festive catch up at Marrickville’s Factory Theatre end at 2pm today!


On the night we’ll be rocking to the sounds of Hounddog Harry. Accompanying him on stage will be the “Man Band”, co-writer LA Edwards from the Slack Punks plus “Mr Rock N Roll Royalty” himself, ex- AC/DC bassist Mr Mark Evans.


Following his set, “H-Dog and LA will be staying on to provide some tasty tracks and beats in the H-DOG vs LA DJ extravaganza!”


In addition to our live entertainment, we’ll be giving away door prizes and will be serving plenty of food for all.


Whether you’re based in Sydney or on the Central Coast, load up the link below to join us in Marrickville.


 

2024…. get involved


Last week we revealed our social plans for the first month of 2024.


We invite buddies to join us in January for mini golf, yoga, markets, breakfast, a curry night, and a picnic by the beach. Our over 40 catch ups return, while we’re also off to watch Sydney FC in the women's A League.

To join us in Pittwater, The Rocks, Wyong, Parramatta, Windsor, Brighton-Le-Sands, Newtown and Leichhardt, load up the links below:


 

Six and out


But before we get into the new year, we have the small matter of six December gatherings to facilitate.


Taking place throughout Sydney and the Central Coast, for the final month of 2023 we invite buddies to join us in Miranda, Gosford, Waverton, Macarthur, Petersham and Double Bay for bingo, dinner, breakfast and boardgames, live football, markets, an inclusion festival, and pub trivia.

Please note, the quizzame event originally scheduled to take place in Bradbury will now be held in Macarthur.


To find out more about our December socials (and to sign up), jump on the links below.



If you have any questions about 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.

 

Nights (and days out) in November


And if you're after a reason on why you should join us at any of our gatherings, take a look at what we got up to during the month of November.

We caught up with buddies in Ultimo, Waitara, Milperra and Miranda as we served up interactive artworks, live music, food and drink outings, and a trip to the arcades.


Thank you to everyone who joined us. To see more snaps from the month, click here.

 

As many of you will know, this forthcoming Sunday (3/12) is International Day of People with Disability.

#IDPwD is a United Nations observed day aimed at increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.


Both Sydney and Central Coast Gig Buddies’ projects, along with parent company ACL Disability Services, fully endorse this year's message, asking "for everyone to work together to make the world better and fairer for people with disability."


The theme talks about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are 17 things countries want to work on by the year 2030 to make the world better and fairer for everyone. It is important that people with disability are part of this work and have a big say in what happens.


To read more about 17 goals, click here. Alternatively, to watch a video, load up this link.

 

Face-to-face in the UK


Project CEO, Carol, has just returned from the UK where she caught up with the teams behind other Gig Buddies’ branches.

“I was fortunate to join 17 of the 21 Gig Buddies’ projects for the annual partners day in Brighton this month.


It was really great to meet the newer projects, as well as connect with old friends in person rather than via the monthly Zoom meetings.


We discussed a range of topics, including the progress we are making as well as the future given all the challenges we face.


In the evening we celebrated Gig Buddies’ Sussex 9th birthday party with a silent disco, with around 100 of our fellow buddies and volunteers.

The welcome speech given by Andrew, a buddy well known to us in Sydney, paid particular tribute to Australia being the first responder with the ‘Gig Buddies in a Box’ concept - developed following the success to take the project to other parts of the world.


Huge thanks to the Sussex team for having me. Gig Buddies’ partners day will be held in Scotland next year, see you there.”


- Carol

 

Live music and pet shows


Each and every month we invite those who make up our user-led team, Soul Fly Buddies, to share their news.


Today it’s the turn of Lachy, who tells us more about his recent trips to Sydney with his buddy, Sherie.


"On November 8, Sherie, Eddie and myself went to see a concert by the group All Time Low at the Hordern Pavilion. All Time Low are an American pop-punk pop-rock group. The concert was great. On our way down to Sydney from the Central Coast we stopped for dinner at the Sushi Taro at Turramurra Station.


Sherie, Eddie and I had another trip to Sydney on November 19 to go to the Sydney Pet Show at Homebush. It was a long day. We left home at 8.30am and didn’t get back until about 8pm. It was a lot of fun though and we saw plenty of small pets like fish, cats, dogs and something that looked like a rat but was called an Aberlady Ragdoll.


At another stall I got to pat a starfish! It felt a bit scaly."


- Lachy, Soul Fly Buddies

 

Doubling up


Good news! We’ve another two new matches to announce.

Welcome to the community, Arunita and Sebastian (left, L - R) and Josh and Basil (right, L - R).

 

Calling all creatives


And lastly, thank you to everyone who’s submitted an entry to our slogan competition - we’re overwhelmed with what we’re reading.


But it’s not too late to get involved.

As a reminder, we’ve challenged our community to come up with some words that sum up who we are and what we do. We’ve been operating for nearly nine years now and - based on received feedback - we feel we’re missing out.

 

Something to think about…..


For those not knowing where to start, slogans are usually placed under a brand name or logo. They’re typically short in length, with most slogans containing a maximum of 6 to 8 words.


We want our slogan to be short enough that it’s memorable and easy for people to repeat, but long enough that it’s unique and catchy as well.

 

Something to think about…..


Some famous slogan examples include Nike’s "Just Do It", Subway’s "Eat Fresh" and Weetbix’s "Aussie kids are Weetbix kids”.


When coming up with a slogan, think about words that relate to Gig Buddies. These might describe what we do, who we support or why we operate.


Perhaps start by brainstorming a list of possible words and go from there…..


Once you have come up with your idea, share it via our website by clicking here.


We appreciate this is not an easy ask, so our slogan competition closes on Sunday 7 January 2024. We’ll then announce a winner in the new year.


And for the person who comes up with the winning idea, they will take home a $50 gift voucher.

 

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: Sydney coordinator (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)


 

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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