National Volunteer Week | Meet our Volunteers

Get to know two of our champions!

Did you know that it’s National Volunteer Week? For this reason, we are throwing the spotlight on the superstars who keep MGA events, programs and services running. We would be nothing without our volunteers, and we thank them all for their enduring enthusiasm and dedication. Meet two of the MGA’s superstars and learn more about their experiences volunteering with the MGA.

Beauty Nalwendo

Meet Beauty. She’s a first year international student from Zambia who has commenced her Masters in public policy. Beauty is also a mother and works in Zambia as a social worker and researcher.

Though all these commitments must keep her busy, Beauty still makes time for volunteering. “As a social worker, I enjoy working in communities and giving back”, she explains. Since joining in February of this year, she has supported the MGA in delivering key events such as pop-up grocers and free lunches. “I never expected to make so many friends in such a short period of time”, she says. In fact, Beauty has become so integral to the MGA community that she was even recently elected to join the Executive Committee!

The practical benefits of volunteering with the MGA are just as high as the social benefits, according to Beauty. She cites the organised outings, free meals and professional experience to add to her CV as great incentives for graduate students to volunteer. 

"It's not just about ticking off boxes. It's about the joy and satisfaction that comes from knowing that I have made a difference. This feeling is so contagious and powerful that it stays with me every time. It's important to me because it reminds me that I have been useful, and my time has been well spent.”

Ashari Ariya

This is Ashari. He’s originally from Indonesia and he’s in his last semester of a Masters degree in Cultural and Creative Industries. He came to the MGA in his second semester seeking a break from the drudgery of study, a place to meet people and practise his English.

Over his time with us, Ashari has found a great sense of community and has enjoyed getting to know his peers in other disciplines. “It's been enriching to connect with such a diverse array of people, who bring different perspectives, expertise, and cultural backgrounds to the table”, he says. 

Like Beauty, Ashari cites the free meals as a bonus for volunteering. Moreover, he loves giving back to other students by helping out at pop-up grocers, free lunches and the like. “It's incredibly rewarding to see students receive freebies from MGA and know that you played a part in making it happen”, he says.

Ashari, like so many of our volunteers, has been a pillar in delivering the MGA’s services and programs that build community and support graduate students.

"I'm truly thankful for the chance to contribute alongside such a supportive and vibrant group of individuals”. 

We sincerely thank all of our volunteers for all the wonderful work they do. 

You can learn more about volunteering with the MGA here.