Celebrating International Volunteers Day 2024
Maria (Mariamma) John moved to Ballarat in 2020, right at the peak of the Covid-19 Pandemic. During these trying times, Maria needed the pathology service at BCH Lucas where Nurse, Helen Coutts, engaged with Maria. Maria had an interest in volunteering and was passed the details of Michelle Graffeo (Volunteer Coordinator in 2020) where Michelle assisted Maria in becoming at BCH volunteer.
In November 2024, Maria was named the winner of the City of Ballarat Seniors Award for the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion category. Born in India, Maria is a committee member and newsletter editor at Alfredton and Lucas Probus Group, a committee member for Ballarat Indian Association and a volunteer at Ballarat Community Health. Regularly supporting welcome bus tours for BRMC and assisting those at the Soup Bus, Maria is seen as a role model in the Indian community for her active use of social media and promotes community events and women’s health.
Maria Describes herself as a “Ballarat Community Person” and by volunteering, Maria is investing in her own wellness.
“Volunteering has cured my loneliness, and BCH gave me an opportunity to hug my community”.
Maria has volunteered in areas such as gardening and food sorting, packing and even teaching patients how to use HotDoc. You may see Maria at our sites offering support and assistance to clients in our waiting rooms to see if they need anything to make their appointment easier and more comfortable.
When asked what makes you proud to be a volunteer, Maria shared that,
“I love receiving community acknowledgement of doing a nice thing” … when people thank me for tasks such as preparing food in the kitchen and they say we see you doing a nice thing… that is special”. Maria added, “I always feel capable of helping and volunteering at BCH allows me to support others”.
Maria’s advice for those wanting to get into volunteering…
“Give it a go! Try it out… Be sensitive to yourself and small steps are sometimes better than big steps… Every positive effect you have on someone will always leave a ripple effect in the community”.
Excitingly, Maria has recently been selected as a member on the Senior Victoria Advisory Committee – highlighting the community voice of older people in our state. Maria is one of only 8 selected from 249 applicants and will inform the Minster for Mental Health, Ageing and Multicultural Affairs, Ingrid Stitt MP, on lived experience issues and challenges older people face in our society. Maria is the first woman of colour in Australia and first of Indian origin to be selected on a Senior Advisory Committee, also represented in other states such as NSW.
Ballarat Community Health congratulates Maria of her award and appointment, as well as the ongoing advocacy and support she provides to our clients, staff, and community members. “I belong to the local community” Maria said proudly, and at BCH, we couldn’t agree more. Congratulations Maria.
Congratulations Maria and all of our wonderful volunteers. The volunteers are celebrating with a special lunch to acknowledge their ongoing service and commitment to improving the operation and client outcomes of BCH.
Senior Victorians Advisory Committee announced
