Tanya Plibersek and her daughter speak at Montefiore

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More than 160 of Montefiore’s 500-strong volunteer base gathered at the Randwick campus for the annual Spirit of Volunteering event, which included an awards presentation and inspiring keynote addresses by Tanya Plibersek, Member for Sydney and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and her daughter, who is a dedicated student volunteer at Montefiore Randwick.

Tanya Plibersek’s address covered issues including the gender pay gap and action on violence against women, and also drew a connection between the Australian tradition of volunteerism – which contributes more than $14 billion to our economy each year – and the true meaning of being a ‘good citizen’.

“Volunteering is very much part of the Australian character and what glues us together as a society,” said Ms Plibersek. “And it draws on the same qualities it takes to be a good citizen –

engagement, connection and responsibility.” Referring to the current citizenship turmoil engulfing Federal Parliament, she continued: “It’s not about the paperwork or where your grandparents came from, citizenship is about the contribution we make. Volunteers are always the first to tell you that it’s not about what you get, but what you give.”

Ms Plibersek’s daughter Anna, 16, impressed the audience with the same maturity and compassion she shows in volunteering with the residents of Monte Terrace dementia care wing, where she and a schoolmate have volunteered for nearly two years. “There are few things as rewarding as my time at Montefiore” Anna said. “We run a trivia game every week with the residents – they don’t remember us, but they love seeing us and thank us each time, asking us questions about our lives.”

As part of the event, Ms Plibersek, Montefiore President David Freeman , CEO Robert Orie and Volunteer Manager Hazel Stein presented 48 volunteers with awards in categories including Leadership, Commitment, Team Player and Goes the Extra Mile.