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Meet Volunteer Sylvie
Meet our volunteers.
This National Volunteer Week, we will introduce you to our volunteers from across the organisation, giving you a better understanding of the incredible contributions they make and what being a volunteer means to them.
This week, we especially encourage you to take a moment to thank our volunteers, because without them, the work we do would not be possible.
Meet Sylvie Paquet.
Sylvie Paquet is one of our amazing corporate volunteers, working within the Gifts in Wills team most Wednesdays from our St Leonards Office, helping out with whatever needs to be done. Sylvie took a short break from her well-earned holiday to share her volunteering experience with us.
How long have you been volunteering with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT?
Three years in August, so for right now, about two or something months, but who is counting?
What have you been doing with the Gifts in Wills team?
I’ve been working in the Gifts and Wills team doing anything really that they require me to do. So, I’ve been assisting at events, writing Christmas cards, doing some updates on Salesforce…
What initially inspired you to start volunteering with our organisation?
It goes back probably about 20 years ago or something. I just knew that I wanted to work for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. It is a beautiful, trustworthy charity. But how I got into volunteering came about after I received an invite for a morning tea event. After the event, I had a chat with one of GDN’s previous staff members, Lisa Matthews, and I said to her that I’m really interested in working for you guys— because at that point I had been retired for about a week!
Lisa asked, ‘Oh, well, do you mind writing compliment slips?’ And I said, ‘I’m happy to do that,’ and so, as they say, the rest is history. I think I started about three or four weeks later. For a few weeks, I was writing something like 50 to 70 compliment slips per day. I was volunteering one day a week—and have been ever since.
Can you share a memorable experience from your volunteer work that has had an impact on you?
I think my favourite experience was going out to Glossodia and visiting the Guide Dog Centre. I assisted at one of the incredible morning teas, and it was my first time out at the centre, so meeting the puppies was quite incredible. But also meeting all the different people who work at the centre. They are such a talented team. Also, getting to see the dogs at different stages of their training. The Gifts in Wills team is just so nice and such a genuine team. I felt really welcome when I joined the team.
What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering but hasn’t taken the first step yet?
Oh my goodness, I would wholeheartedly encourage them to do it. You know, at the last event I went to—a graduation a couple of weeks ago in Cammeray—there was a lady who was interested in joining our team in Gifts in Wills, and I think I’m expecting to see her in the office soon. So that’s so rewarding. The Guide Dogs team, all of them, everyone I meet, are so lovely. It’s like being part of a nice family, and I can only encourage anyone to do it.
Want to get involved like Sylvie? Find out how you can start volunteering with us.
