"It doesn’t feel like volunteering…."
- Gig Buddies Sydney
- Apr 27
- 9 min read
To mark the last Monday of the month, we’re opening our vault and inviting one volunteer to share their story.
For April we hand over proceedings to Jenna (below left), who tells us more about her match with Shai (below right).
- How long have you been volunteering with Gig Buddies?
I’ve lost track, but I think about 3 years now! I’ve been paired with my current buddy Shai for just over a year.
- Is Gig Buddies your first volunteering role?
I’d done quite a bit of volunteering in the past for animal based organisations, but Gig Buddies was my first volunteer role with people.
- Why do you volunteer with Gig Buddies?
I really believe in the amazing work that Gig Buddies does as an organisation and it feels like a very easy, fun and impactful way to make a contribution to someone’s life (and to mine!)
- How would you describe your volunteering experience with Gig Buddies?
It’s been amazing.
I have learnt so much about the lived experience of people with disabilities, made so many friends and had some excellent experiences.
It’s definitely opened my eyes to a whole new part of life that I had limited exposure to.
- Tell us about some of the highlights from your time volunteering with Gig Buddies?
Getting to march and dance in the Mardi Gras Parade twice has to be a highlight! So much fun and I felt really proud to be a part of it representing Gig Buddies.
A few months ago I also got to go to Shai’s solo art exhibition which was incredible. He is a very talented artist and puts a lot of effort into his paintings.
- What would you say to someone reading this who is thinking about volunteering with Gig Buddies?
You won’t regret it! It doesn’t feel like volunteering, just hanging out with a friend and you’ll get to meet so many interesting people (and hopefully get to do lots of karaoke!)
"You won’t regret it!"
We want to thank Jenna for taking the time to share her story.
Jenna and Shai are a perfect example of what we’re all about: two mates catching up and having a good time together.
And we’re always on the lookout for more people like Jenna. If you would like to volunteer with us, look no further: to sign up with our Sydney project click here, and jump on this link to get involved on the Central Coast.
And to find out more about our current openings, click on the 'volunteers wanted' images below.
Are you looking to volunteer?
We need volunteers! Click on the image above for current roles on the Central Coast and the graphic below for opportunities in Sydney.
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact us via Facebook or email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
Locked and loaded
Our June socials have landed.
Excitingly, we’ve also added another date to the diary - taking the number of gatherings for the month to TEN: on Saturday 14 June you’ll find us at the movies in Campbelltown.
And this is in addition to darts, dinners, pub trivia, karaoke, a Vivid boat cruise, live music, pub trivia, drag bingo and Supernova.
We’ll be connecting with buddies in Darlinghurst, Enfield, Manly, the CBD, Campbelltown, Lane Cove, Erskineville, Pennant Hills, Sydney Olympic Park and Hurstville.
To join us at any of our TEN June offerings, load up the links below:
The darling gigs of May
And as for the month ahead, in May we’re inviting foodies, movie goers, beer aficionados, NRL fans’, music lovers and appreciators of the quirky to join us at any of our five gatherings.
We’ll be connecting with buddies in Parramatta, Eastgardens, Rouse Hill, Mosman and Gosford. To attend any of our May gatherings (or to find out more information about each), jump on the links below.
Land ahoy!
And our five May gatherings are all in addition to the big one: our 10th birthday.
Taking place Saturday 31 May, we invite buddies to join us as we celebrate at the spectacular Australian National Maritime Museum.
For those not in loop, we’ll be partying from 6 - 9pm and on the night partygoers can expect our usual tidings: plentiful food, live music and door giveaways.
And we're also providing the perfect backdrop to our birthday extravaganza: courtesy of our party vantage point, attendees will be able to soak up the sights and sounds of Vivid Festival.
Whether you’re based in Sydney or on the Central Coast, we invite you dust off those dancing shoes and join us.
Tickets to our 10th cost $49 and can be purchased here.
Win, win, win
Would you like to win a double pass to our 10th birthday?
We’re offering our existing bunch of buddies (buddies and volunteers) the chance to win free entry to our party.
Simply refer a volunteer and you’ll go in the hat to win two tickets.
The new volunteer must submit a completed application via this weblink (https://www.gigbuddiessydney.org/volunteers) for the referrer to go into the hat.
We have one double pass to give away. The more referrals, the more times your name will go in the hat!
Are you in the market for Gig Buddies’ merchandise?
Click on the image above to get your fill on Gig Buddies goodies. If we haven’t got the size you’re after, get in touch via text Facebook Messenger.
Viva Vivid Sydney
Our very own socials aside, we’re equally as excited to share details of TWO top Vivid ticket deals.
We start with a newly announced offer from the team at Carriageworks, who are generously offering $25 tickets to EIGHT events taking place in June.
Aussie rock, EDM, contemporary, jazz, techno, post punk, hip-hop and electronica: there’s something for everyone, and we’re full of appreciation for the generosity shown by event organisers.
- NGAIIRE: PAIA (contemporary): Friday 6 June
- Skeggs (Aussie surf and garage rock): Saturday 7 June
- Pure Space & Butter Sessions: Andy Garvey & Sleep D + Guests (EDM): Saturday 7 June
- Kamasi Washington (American jazz icon): Sunday 8 June
- Black Star (hip-hop icons): Tuesday 10 June
- Mall Grab (electronica): Friday 13 June
- DIIV (post punk showcase): Friday 13 June
- Moktar (techno): Saturday 14 June
To find out more about each gig listed above (and to reserve your $25 ticket), load up our buddy benefits page by clicking here.
Vivid LIVE, you’ve done it again
And we’re also delighted to offer Gig Buddies’ participants $20 tickets to SIX Vivid Live events taking place at the world famous Sydney Opera House.
This year you’ll find us at the Opera House for the following Vivid LIVE gigs:
dstreet Studio Party
Venue: Studio, Sydney Opera House
Date and time: Saturday 24 May, 9pm
Event information: Sydney collective dstreet are back to curate a deep night of underground electronic music, featuring guest performances from DJ MARIA., Sunju Hargun and co-founder Tangela.
Tell me more: For further information about the event, click here.
Tickets: Gig Buddies’ participants can purchase tickets for $20 each (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).
Sigur Ros
Venue: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Date and time: Sunday 25 May, 8pm
Event information: Legendary Icelandic post-rockers Sigur Rós make their Sydney Opera House debut, performing their latest and greatest as you’ve never heard it before – with the full accompaniment of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Tell me more: For further information about the event, click here.
Tickets: Gig Buddies’ participants can purchase tickets for $20 each (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).
ANOHNI and the Johnsons
Venue: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Date and time: Tuesday 27 May, 8pm
Event information: For the first time in a decade, the singular voice of ANOHNI returns for two exclusive nights with her band the Johnsons, drawing from her latest album My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross plus songs from throughout her catalogue, marking the final Australian shows of the Johnsons.
Tell me more: For further information about the event, click here.
Tickets: Gig Buddies’ participants can purchase tickets for $20 each (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).
Miss Kaninna
Venue: Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Date and time: Friday 30 May, 9pm
Event information: Minting her rapid rise to stardom, ARIA-nominated singer, songwriter and rapper Miss Kaninna brings her arresting mix of hip-hop, R&B and soul to the Sydney Opera House stage.
Tell me more: For further information about the event, click here.
Tickets: Gig Buddies’ participants can purchase tickets for $20 each (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).
Ezra Collective
Venue: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Date and time: Saturday 31 May, 9:30pm
Event information: Dance like no one’s watching with London’s genre-bending, Mercury Prize- and BRIT Award-winning jazz and funk group Ezra Collective, making their infectious, joyful headline debut at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid LIVE.
Tell me more: For further information about the event, click here.
Tickets: Gig Buddies’ participants can purchase tickets for $20 each (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).
The Sabres of Paradise
Venue: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Date and time: Sunday 1 June, 7:30pm
Event information: One of the most influential electronic dance acts of the 1990s, British pioneers The Sabres of Paradise reconvene in their original five-piece live lineup for their first performance in 30 years.
Tell me more: For further information about the event, click here.
Tickets: Gig Buddies’ participants can purchase tickets for $20 each (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).
How can I buy tickets?
To take advantage of the discounted prices, email the team with the name of the event you’d like to attend along with the number of tickets required. We can be reached at: info@gigbuddiessydney.org.
Once we receive your email, we’ll then forward a unique ticket link.
Please note, the reduced rate only applies for Gig Buddies’ participants. Whether you’re based in Sydney or on the Central Coast, all fully signed up buddies and volunteers are welcome to purchase discounted tickets.
If your buddy is unavailable but you’d like to attend any of the six events, you’re more than welcome to purchase extra ticket(s) for friends, family members or support worker(s).
Once again, we are indebted to the generosity of Vivid Sydney organisers and the Sydney Opera House. Thanks to their ongoing support, we’re able to providing participants with the opportunity to sample some of the best live music at this year’s event.
Give me five
In other news, we’ve been busy on the matching front - pairing up FIVE buddies since our last update.
Lewis and Peter (top left, L - R), James and Wenling (top right, L - R), Tara and Audrey (centre left, L - R), Peter and Bethany (centre right, L - R) and Amy and Julia (bottom, L - R): it’s wonderful to have you all on board.
On trend
And finally, as some of you may have noticed via our Facebook and Instagram accounts, we’ve jumped on the action figure trend.
Put simply, we love volunteers who want to have fun, try new experiences and make new friends. If this is you (or someone you know), jump on the following links:
Central Coast: https://www.gigbuddiescentralcoast.org/volunteers
Matthew: Central Coast coordinator (0402 708 814)
Carol: CEO (02 9419 6951)
Chelsea: NDIS coordinator (0412 145 819)
Tony: Funding and sponsorship coordinator (02 9419 6951)
Bec: Project officer, Sydney (0411 252 228)
Aylin: Western Sydney coordinator (0466 389 961)
Lara: Greater Western Sydney coordinator (0478 045 121) Charlotte: Northern Beaches coordinator (0403 184 404)
Would you like more information about Gig Buddies Central Coast? You’re only a click away. Connect with us via the links below.
Fancy revelling in legendary status? If so, please support us in our cause to get more people out to live events in Sydney.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible and all are gratefully received.
Gig Buddies Central Coast is an initiative of ACL Disability Services.
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