VollieCare

23/03/2026

Walking with Purpose: Finding Hope Through the Journey 🚶‍♂️💙

Through my volunteering in the Stroke Unit with VollieCare I meet people at one of the most uncertain times in their lives. I see the questions, the quiet strength, and at times, the struggle to hold on to hope.

As someone who has survived two strokes myself, I understand that place more than most.

This March, I’m taking part in the March On Challenge, walking 192 kilometres — the equivalent of the Kokoda Track twice. While this is a personal challenge, it’s also deeply connected to my journey of recovery and service.

After my strokes left me with vision impairment on my right peripheral side, I found myself facing my own internal battle. While I appeared strong on the outside, I was struggling more than I let on. It took time, reflection, and patience to begin rebuilding — not just physically, but mentally.

Over the past two years, I’ve found my voice again and now share my story to help others navigate their own challenges.

Supporting Soldier On is also close to my heart as a veteran of over 47 years in the RAAF. I’ve seen how important it is to have the right support when life changes unexpectedly.

If you feel moved to support this journey and the work of Soldier On, you’re welcome to visit my website to learn more.

More importantly, hold on to hope—because progress, no matter how small, is still progress.

To help our veterans facing challenges please go to my Website

This March, I'll be marching on to help prevent veteran su***de and save lives. Please sponsor me now

18/03/2026

🎉 A Very Special Celebration Today 🎉

Today was truly a special day at Tarin Kowt Ward at the Repat. Staff came together alongside VollieCare’s Director of Operations, Megan, and volunteer John (her partner in crime!) to celebrate an incredible milestone — Myra’s 90th Birthday.

Myra is a deeply valued member of the Tarin Kowt team and a much-loved volunteer. Her dedication, warmth, and generosity have touched countless lives over the years.

An extraordinary highlight is her 43 years of service with VollieCare, which she celebrated on the 9th of this month — a remarkable achievement and a true testament to her commitment to helping others.

💙 Thank you, Myra, for everything you have given to our community. You are an inspiration to us all.

Happy 90th Birthday! 🎂

11/03/2026

🌼 Wellbeing Support Volunteers - Repat Health Precinct

Do you enjoy spending time with older people and making someone’s day a little brighter?

Are you calm, patient, and a good listener?

We are currently seeking Wellbeing Support Volunteers, with a strong focus on our Dementia and Aged Care wards at the Repat Health Precinct.

This role is all about companionship, connection, and kindness — supporting older patients during their rehabilitation or hospital stay.

💛 About the Role
As a Wellbeing Volunteer, you’ll help reduce loneliness and anxiety for patients by simply being present. Your time, conversation, and gentle encouragement can make a meaningful difference to someone navigating illness, recovery, or memory loss.

These simple but powerful interactions help improve patients’ emotional wellbeing, confidence, and sense of dignity, while also supporting busy healthcare teams.

If you have time to give and a desire for supporting older people, we would love to welcome you to our Wellbeing Volunteer team.

Your presence matters more than you think.

You can complete your online application for here https://app.betterimpact.com/Application?OrganizationGuid=8f150814-311a-4e6d-a18a-93a9b1297328&ApplicationFormNumber=1

17/02/2026

A big thank you to Reynella Neighbourhood Centre Inc for the most recent delivery of blankets for our Nurture Boxes.

Check out the handmade knitted & crocheted knee blankets, mastectomy drain bags for the cancer unit and Tote bags for Palliative Care - delivered to Vollie Care at Flinders MC today.
What a fabulous caring community we live and work in. You are all amazing in your handiwork and it's so good we can all help so many people. Thank you everyone who contributed to making this happen. VollieCare

12/02/2026

23/01/2026

✨ Meet Our Volunteer Guides at Flinders Medical Centre ✨

Coming to hospital — whether as a patient or a visitor — can feel overwhelming and confusing. That’s where our incredible Volunteer Guide Team steps in.

Our Guides are often the first friendly faces you see at Flinders Medical Centre, welcoming and assisting consumers, families and visitors, and helping them find their way to the right clinical or support service.

🌟 Last year alone, our Guides assisted around 53,500 visitors — making a real difference, one interaction at a time.

Looking for a meaningful way to:
👟 stay active in 2026
🤝 meet new people and form lasting friendships
💙 give back and support your community

Then we’d love to hear from you!

🕘 Shifts are:
• Monday – Friday
• 8.00am – 12.00pm or 12.00pm – 4.00pm

👉 Apply now via MyImpactPage - Application Form - VollieCare and become one of our friendly, welcoming Guides at Flinders Medical Centre.

Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness make the biggest difference 💫

05/12/2025

Happy International Volunteer Day

Today we celebrate not only our incredible VollieCare Volunteers, but every volunteer who selflessly gives their time, kindness, and energy to support others.

Your compassion creates comfort, your presence brings joy, and your willingness to give makes our community stronger every single day.

Thank you for showing up, lifting others, and making a difference where it matters most. We are so grateful for you — today and always.

04/12/2025

On Monday 1 December, we were thrilled to see Karen King, Malcolm Bottrill, and the much-loved Elton proudly representing VollieCare at the Boothby Volunteer Service Awards!

These awards celebrate the incredible volunteers who make a real difference in the Boothby community — and we’re so proud of our team for their dedication, heart, and service.

Congratulations to all the deserving nominees and award recipients! 👏👏

02/12/2025

Festive Cheer Arrives on Four Paws!

Today we had a very special visitor at Flinders Medical Centre — Remy, our much-loved pet therapy dog, spreading Christmas cheer one wagging tail at a time!

Remy brought smiles, comfort and a whole lot of festive joy to patients, visitors and staff. There’s nothing quite like a gentle nuzzle or fluffy cuddle to brighten the day during this busy season.

A big thank you to Remy and his wonderful handler Cathy..

27/11/2025

Yesterday VollieCare fired up the grill at Bunnings Marion for the iconic sausage sizzle — and what a day it was!
We chatted with so many wonderful people, served up heaps of snags, and even managed to squeeze in a free hearing test thanks to Hearing Australia who were onsite! 👂😄

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and made the day such a success. We couldn’t do it without you! 💙

19/11/2025

🌟 VollieCare – Celebrating 50 Years! 🌟

Last Thursday, we proudly celebrated 50 years of exceptional volunteer service across the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network.

Our incredible volunteers are the heart of VollieCare — giving their time, energy and compassion to support patients, families and staff at Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Hospital and the Repat Health Precinct. We simply couldn’t do what we do without them. 💙

A special acknowledgement to our milestone volunteers:
• 25+ years of service: Matthew Long, Sylvia Wolverson, Dorothea Isaacs, Rodney Senior, Rose Jones and Shirley Plaice
• 42 years of service: Myra Waddell

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our former President, Karen King, who officially stepped down at our Annual General Meeting. Karen, your unwavering support, positivity and leadership over the years have shaped VollieCare into what it is today. And of course… we couldn’t let you go without an ode!

✨ A Little Ode to Karen ✨

For ten whole years our Karen’s been
A vollie queen, a helping machine.

Seven years president — hear the cheer!
She’s ruled with laughter, not with fear.

She’s bubbly, bright, a sparkling star,
Always lending a hand (or two!) near or far.

If something needs doing, she’s already there—
With a grin, a plan, and that “Karen flair.”

But now she’s stepping down from the throne,
Trading the presidency for a guide’s microphone.

“Less paperwork please!” she happily cried—
“Let someone else take that wild ride!”

So here’s to Karen — legend, leader, mate—
Your next chapter’s bound to be just as great.

And though you’re no longer boss of the crew,
We secretly know… nothing runs without you! 🎉✨

12/11/2025

🐾 Meet Malcolm & Elton — Our Pet Therapy Duo! 🐾

If you’ve spent any time around Flinders Medical Centre, you’ve probably seen these two friendly faces walking the corridors — Malcolm (human) and Elton (dog) — two of our incredible Pet Therapy volunteers. 💛

For those who might not know just how special Pet Therapy can be, we wanted to share some beautiful feedback from a staff member in the Margaret Tobin Centre about the impact Malcolm and Elton have had on both patients and staff:

“Dog therapy was the most popular activity in our group schedule. Almost every Wednesday, Malcolm and his gentle giant of a Golden Retriever, Elton, would visit us. Elton was the highlight of everyone’s week. He was able to not only coax tears of comfort and hope from people, but he dared them to smile and laugh.

I wish I could sit and write about the huge impact I saw in so many individuals here as a direct result of engagement with dog therapy, but I’ll save the pages. I will say, however, the impact Elton had on me! Working in our field, it can be tricky to see joy rather than just model it — but with Elton, I saw joy on his furry face and on every face that saw his.”

— Peer Specialist, Margaret Tobin Centre

Thank you, Malcolm (and of course Elton 🐶), for bringing so much warmth, joy, and comfort to those who need it most. 💕