The gift of giving back

From practical assistance to moments of calm and connection, our volunteers bring generosity, creativity and compassion wherever they lend a hand.

In 2025–26, 66 incredible volunteers contributed 1,417 hours across our services and programs, each bringing their own unique skills and experience to support women and children experiencing family violence and homelessness.

At McAuley House Footscray, volunteers could be found serving meals, collecting food donations, getting their hands dirty in the garden, creating a little indulgence at pamper nights or helping people slow down with meditation.

At Heywood House and Jan’s Place, volunteers lent a hand on weekends and at after-school club, while volunteer tutors supported children who needed a little extra help through McAuley Learning Support. In Ballarat, volunteers pitched in throughout the week and helped bring community lunches to life.

From fundraising and events to donation collections, working bees and seasonal gift wrapping, our volunteers stepped up wherever an extra pair of hands was needed.

One of those volunteers is Helen Bartuna, whose enthusiasm and willingness to help have seen her take on all kinds of roles at McAuley. Over more than four years as a volunteer, Helen has tutored children through McAuley Learning Support, assembled flat-pack furniture, joined the charity gift-wrapping roster at Myer and so much more.

She now volunteers with the Skills for Life program at McAuley House Footscray, supporting residents, staff and volunteers to come together over a hot drink during Coffee Connections each week, as well as facilitating monthly meditation workshops.

Her sessions, which include reiki, sound bowls and Breathe with Me meditation, offer staff and residents a chance to pause and find a moment of calm amid life’s challenges.

In 2025, Helen received the national Catherine McAuley Award for Excellence by a Volunteer as part of the MacKillop Excellence Awards, recognising her compassion, creativity and commitment to McAuley’s values.

Helen said the award came as a complete surprise. “I was in Japan when they announced it, and I was so shocked. I was really emotional. It was such a beautiful surprise.”

Helen put her prize money towards a new sound bowl for her meditation sessions, choosing something special to remember the award by, while continuing to share something she loves with others.

“I’m just so grateful that McAuley allows me to do this. It’s something I’m passionate about, and I know it helps people in so many ways,” she said.

For Helen, the sessions are as rewarding to facilitate as they are for those taking part. “It’s a privilege to help people find that calmer place,” she said. “And it’s not just helping them! I’m doing it too, and at the end, I feel really relaxed and calm as well.”

Helen’s story reflects the many ways volunteers enrich McAuley, with every volunteer bringing something special. We are deeply grateful to all our wonderful volunteers for the time, energy and care they so generously share.