Meet a Volunteer
Meet Glenys
Home Library Service Volunteer
Glenys Raveane’s career involved 45 years of working across a range of human services—disability, ageing, young people and various other health areas.
Upon her retirement, Glenys, of Stepney, wanted to delve into something completely different.
“Initially I sought to do some book repair work at my local library. Reading and literacy are things I have always been interested in,” she said.
“I have also been very interested in the work done in communities by Local Government.”
Since January 2021, Glenys, has been a Home Library Service Volunteer—offering her time and company for a couple of hours on a Tuesday and a Friday once a month.
“There are some people who just like to have their books swapped over and others who may be at home and with whom I can have a chat.”
When it comes to discussing books, Glenys will never run out of content. “Since I’ve retired, I usually read a book a week. From fiction to the odd crime thriller— or something that gives me a laugh.”
If you read – you're never really alone – it is very easy to enter into another world.
“Reading can also broaden your point of view. It can reinforce thoughts, or you can learn something new. I would always encourage people to do some reading.”
“When it comes to volunteering I would certainly say don’t hesitate to be involved. Volunteer Glenys Raveane A new chapter after retirement Glenys shares her love of reading.
“While people may have a specific interest like I did with book repair, it pays to be open to other opportunities.
“It really interests me to hear stories of other Volunteers and what they are involved in as well as the stories of the people to whom I deliver books.”
Glenys says an additional chapter of her volunteering may include environmental sustainability projects.
“If it is the right fit, then I am happy to give it a go.”
Meet more Council volunteers
Meet Smiljka
St Peters Library volunteer
When Smiljka Pasic migrated to Australia from Serbia more than twenty years ago, she did not speak a word of English.
A respected teacher in Serbia’s education department, Smiljka was overcome with emotions as she left her economically ravaged homeland that began to fall apart as a result of the Yugoslav civil wars of the 1990’s.
However, Smiljka was eager to embrace Australian culture and decided immediately that she wanted to learn as much as she could about her new country.
“When I came to Australia and then to Adelaide, I thought to myself, you can’t love something you don’t know,” Smiljka said.
Meet Sudhir
Justice of the Peace volunteer
As one of the Council’s Volunteer Justices of the Peace, Sudhir Thakur is a familiar face at the Norwood Town Hall and on The Parade, Norwood.
Inspired by his late mother’s dedication to serving her community, Sudhir has become a committed Volunteer for the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, in addition to giving his time to a host of other charitable causes.
“My mother came from a very modest, lower middle-class strata of the Indian society, says Sudhir.
“Volunteering for the benefit of others when we ourselves were struggling to make ends meet was truly commendable. This is what inspired me to become a Volunteer.”
After migrating to Australia from India, Sudhir became a Justice of the Peace in 2015, to act as an independent and objective witness to documents used for official or legal purposes.
Nadia
St Peter's Billabong volunteer
Just three kilometres from the centre of Adelaide CBD and a stone’s throw from the River Torrens, the St Peters Billabong is a local treasure which is home to a thriving ecosystem—and a popular place for families and friends to spend time with nature.
The billabong and its surrounding natural landscape have been carefully nurtured over many years by a group of professional and passionate Volunteers, including Nadia McLaren.
"The St Peters Billabong is a beautiful place offering multipurpose spaces for everyone to enjoy."
Ayu
Community Visitor Scheme volunteer
Ayu Pamungkas is a 27 year old international student from Indonesia. 
Currently studying her first year of a Master of Social Work, Ayu has been volunteering with the Council’s Community Visitor Scheme since July 2017, regularly visiting her client at Trowbridge House.
“This role has proved to me that money does not always make people smile but kindness does. When I visit we talk a lot about her life and sometimes I read her a magazine. It’s simple but we both look forward to our time together. I feel full and happy after every visit - my day is always better.”
Related content
Remembering Kingsley Turner
The late Kingsley Turner was a committed and passionate volunteer with the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, who worked tirelessly to restore and maintain the St Peters Billabong.
Kingsley was formally recognised by the Council for his extensive and valued contributions when he was awarded the Council’s 2009 Citizen of the Year Award.
