Volunteers a valued part of WASO family
15.05.2019
National Volunteer Week (May 20-26) celebrates over six million Australians who volunteer their time for many worthwhile causes.
WASO currently has over 130 volunteers who assist throughout the year in various tasks across the organisation, including our wonderful WASO Chorus members. Our regular group of WASO volunteers welcome patrons into the venue, hand out programs and assist with enquiries. This passionate group play an invaluable role at every WASO concert at the Perth Concert Hall.
Wolfgang Lehmkuhl (Wolfie to those in the office) is one of WASO’s longest serving volunteers, having been with the organisation for 26 years. Wolfie works with the marketing team every Wednesday keeping track of WASO mentions in the media and helping the philanthropy team with event preparations.
Chris Rtshiladze started volunteering with WASO when she retired in 2012, “I was anxious to continue my contribution to the community and I saw becoming a volunteer with WASO as being something I could undertake. I saw this opportunity as not only helping to bring joy to many people but also enabling me to utilise my skills in different ways to help WASO achieve its goals.”
One of WASO’s newer volunteers, Chris Colton has been in the role for just two years and loves the social factor that comes with working at a WASO concert, “I still remember the excitement of my first Friday evening up at the terrace door meeting so many people I know; including Rev John Shepard from my cathedral arriving to give pre-concert talk.”
For Colin & Jo King when they saw an ad in the WASO newsletter looking for volunteers, it was a no-brainer, “We love music, we love WASO and have been subscribers for many years. We have done a lot of volunteering over the years including Rottnest Island for 26 years, so when we saw the ad we decided to become involved.” It seems the volunteering bug has definitely bitten Jo, who recently attended an induction to become a Docent at Perth Zoo.
As if the life of a nurse is not busy enough, 25-year old Susan Hall decided to become a WASO volunteer when she moved to Perth, “I really wanted to make some lasting friendships with likeminded people. I also love the hustle and bustle of a crowd anticipating a magical musical experience!”
WASO is also lucky to have a volunteer Patrons & Friends Committee, who play an advocacy role within the WASO community, organise fundraising events, deliver a professional development scholarship for WASO musicians and assist in communicating feedback from audiences.
Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers, we deeply appreciate your efforts and enthusiasm.