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Wednesday 26 February, 2020 THE WEEKLY TIMES 5

New partnership creates

new jobs in Hunters Hill

A partnership between Hunter’s Hill Council and group
training organisation My Gateway is giving young workers an
opportunity to learn on the job while receiving an academic
qualification.
Hunters Hill local Josh- taught him a wide range trainees for their busi-
ua Zufferey is one of the of skills. ness.
first graduates to benefit “I was even given op- “Our role as a group
from this collaboration portunities to work on training organisation is to
and has worked as an some big projects,” he provide ongoing support
administration officer at said. to the apprentice, trainee
Council for the past 12 Hunters Hill Council is and their host business
months with support from committed to provide from recruitment through
the My Gateway team opportunities for young to successful comple-
He received a Certifi- workers is part of a phi- tion of their training,” she
cate III in Business Ad- losophy of developing said.
ministration this week the council as a great “We do this by provid-
from My Gateway’s Em- place to work, learn and ing ongoing mentoring,
ployment and Career experience the rich and support and advice to all
Partner Fiona McKinnon diverse local culture. parties.”
and Hunter’s Hill Coun- Ms McKinnon said My My Gateway employs
cil’s Human Resources Gateway was where as- apprentices and trainees
How volunteering can change your life ra. Mr Zufferey told The trainees started their and surrounding regions.
piring apprentices and
across the Sydney metro
Manager Rosanna Guer-
Hunter’s Hill Council
careers and employers
Weekly Times the train-
eeship helped him build accessed expert help to expects to host more
trainees in the near fu-
find, employ and train
a strong work ethic and the right apprentices and ture.
Hunters Hill Citizen of the Year Gay in the chemo and radiotherapy treat- to residents lives.” I try to be a happy,
Harris is a volunteer at IRT aged care ment areas with my husband, and it unobtrusive, useful addition to other
in Woolwich. Gay writes that volun- seemed like a good place to help with people’s lives, where the person has a
teering benefits both the care giver community service. “But it just wasn’t need.”
and the person who receives the right for me; the patients came and “William Shakespeare gave us a
care... went, and there were so many volun- good simile to volunteer efforts, centu-
“It is lovely that community level vol- teers. ries ago, in his play, The Merchant of
unteers are appreciated and valued. “It was really hard to add value, di- Venice. I am sure you know it.”
“When you have the spare time, and versity, or joy in any form, to people’s The quality of mercy is not strained. It
health to do it, community service is a lives. RPA was just too big and face- dropeth as the gentle rain from heaven.
really wonderful and satisfying thing; less. “Then, a good friend’s Mum had It is twice blessed. It blesseth him that
it’s just a matter of finding the direc- to move to aged care, and my friend gives, and him that takes.
tion, and community need that is the asked me to help her old Mum settle “This is so true of volunteer activi-
right fit for you. in to the new unknown and unwelcome ties in that it’s rewarding, interesting
“I have many vivid family memories of environment. “And so began my vol- and satisfying to me. As well as add-
volunteer activities from childhood and unteer association with IRT Woolwich, ing quality of life, diversity, stimulation,
adolescent days; it was a fundamental an aged care home. “That was nearly independence, and value, to people
part of my old New Zealand mother’s seven years ago and I’m still there!” around me. And isn’t that a joyful thing
life. “She called it Public Service Time. “I help with anything that adds value to do.”
“The concept of it was private individu- of the residents day to day lives, things “I highly recommend, and commend
als, helping in a modest local commu- like recreational activities, local Hunt- experiencing what pleasure and fulfil-
nity environment, at a grass roots level. ers Hill outings, shopping, medical ment, that volunteer involvement can
“Today we call it volunteering; but the appointments, trips to the library, or bring to you.” Mr Zufferey is pictured with his certificate at the Hunters Hill Town
principle, to me, is the same. “I started just being a person to talk to, or make Hunters Hill Citizen of the Year Hall alongside My Gateway’s Employment and Career Partner Fiona
retirement life volunteering at Royal a cup of tea, home made afternoon Gay Harris is pictured with the 2019
Prince Alfred Hospital. teas, birthday cards for family mem- Hunters Hill Citizen of the Year Peter McKinnon and Hunter’s Hill Council’s Human Resources Manager
“I had spent a lot of time sitting there bers, and anything that adds diversity Astridge OAM. Rosanna Guerra.

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