06 Aug Meet a local volunteer – Julie Withoos from Benaraby State School
Name
Julie Withoos
Where do you volunteer?
Benaraby State School
How long have you been volunteering there for?
Since 2007
2007-2018
Parent of a “Foundation Preppie”
Occasional Tuckshop Volunteer
Assisting on Inter-School and Inter-House Sports Events
Assisting with providing food etc at school evenings eg discos, bbq’s, etc
P&C Member
Regular Relief Teacher (as employee of Education Queensland)
2009-2018
P&C Secretary
Represented P&C at official functions: Opening of Library, 125 Celebrations, Farewell of long term staff members
2013-2018
Fair Committee
Market Stall Co-ordinator
Fair Secretary/Meeting Chair
Programme Organiser
2014-2018
Chaperone for Benaraby School Chess Teams at Inter-School Chess Competitions
Why do you choose to volunteer?
To give back to the school
To help provide learning resources and experiences for all students enrolled
To help provide a safe, happy and enjoyable learning environment for students and working environment for staff members
I love the community within the school – like an extended family
Many friendships forged since being associated with school will be friendships for life
What is your favourite thing about volunteering?
Seeing the children grow and develop from Preppies to Seniors and then beyond as I see them in the wider community and at high school when they leave Benaraby
Being able to help others and see the positive effect my help, regardless of how small or insignificant, can have on them
The friendships forged with fellow parents and staff members within the school community
What would you say to encourage others to volunteer?
Get involved, come along to meetings, help out at school functions
The return on your investment of time and effort is always far more than what you put in
“You’ll never ever know if you never have a go!”
There’s always some way in which you can become involved within the school community, which can lead to returns far beyond what you may expect
