Our volunteer vault is back.
For those who may need a reminder, here’s how our feature works: simply, we invite a current volunteer to talk about their experiences with the project.
This month it’s the turn of Andy (below left), who tells us more about his time with Will (below right).
- How long have you been volunteering with Gig Buddies?
1 year and 9 months.
- Is Gig Buddies your first volunteering role?
Yes, in a more ongoing role. I have volunteered in the past for various charities but only for one off activities.
- Why do you volunteer with Gig Buddies?
I was looking for ways to support people in my local community. And I love live music, so this was a great excuse to attend more concerts!
- How would you describe your volunteering experience with Gig Buddies?
Will and I first met over a Zoom meeting during lockdown in 2021. We get along really well and like chatting about almost anything. We also like a broad range of musical styles and like experiencing new things.
Will and I have attended a wide range of events; including musicals, heavy metal concerts, indie bands, dance DJs, comedy nights, various clubs, movies and numerous Gig Buddies’ hosted events. It’s been lots of fun getting to know Will while exploring countless live music and entertainment venues around Sydney. We also love having a good meal beforehand, often a tasty stir-fried noodle or spicy laksa.
- Tell us about some of the highlights from your time volunteering with Gig Buddies?
Some of our concert highlights over the past couple of years include Benee at the Big Top Luna Park, George Alice at Mary’s Underground, the Wombats and Architects at the Hordern, Lisa Mitchell at the Factory Theatre, Amity Affliction and Sofi Tukker at the Roundhouse, Flume and Tiesto at the Dome, Vera Blue at the Enmore, Lime Cordiale at Dee Why RSL and just yesterday.. Becca Hatch and Kimbra at the Sydney Opera House.
I think we’ve been to more gigs in two years than we have in our entire lives!
- What would you say to someone reading this who is thinking about volunteering with Gig Buddies?
If you have a passion for helping others and need an excuse to get out of the house and explore what your local city has to offer… you have nothing to lose! The joy that comes from experiencing live music should be for everyone and I think our need for human connection through live events has only increased since the pandemic.
Gig Buddies is a great way for us to reconnect with each other, our local neighbourhood and the wider community.
“….our need for human connection through live events has only increased since the pandemic”
We hope Andy’s words resonate with our existing volunteers - and with those who are also thinking about signing up. We’re always looking for more!
Our Gig Buddies volunteer vault runs on the last Monday of each month. To see other testimonies, click here, and to find out about our latest opportunities, load up the links 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
Five alive
The month of June is almost upon us. Our social events for the month ahead commence this forthcoming weekend.
Taking place across Sydney and the Central Coast, next month we’re hosting FIVE gatherings: live theatre, NRL, trivia, music, dinner and karaoke.
Please note, some are on the verge of selling out, while others close soon. Be quick to get involved!
To find out more about our outings for June (and to sign up), jump on the links above.
Out and about
Kicking off things with a trip to Grill’d, West Gosford, it’s been a busy week on the social front.
For those not in the know, each month Grill’d run a ‘local matters’ project, enabling charities to raise money via their customers.
Gig Buddies Central Coast is one of the charities for the month of May, and the branch invited us along for a feed last Monday.
Thanks to everyone who joined us in West Gosford.
Gathering in Gosford
Likewise, it was wonderful to catch up with buddies on Saturday at “Central Coast's biggest celebration of everything pop culture”.
We headed to Gosford for Comicon, taking in fancy dress, wrestling, workshops, arcade and tabletop games, virtual reality and everything in between.
To see more photos from our Grill’d gathering and our Comicon coming-together, click here.
Each and every week we invite buddies to connect with us for our weekly chat.
Our chats take place via Zoom. To attend get in touch via text: 0422 061 990 or Facebook Messenger.
Doubling up
It’s great to welcome two newly prepped volunteers to the team.
Thank you, Livia and Peter (above, L - R) for joining us on Zoom last week. We’re looking forward to pairing you up soon.
We want to hear from you
The team from Kabuku Public Relations have been in touch.
They’re an agency specialising in publicity campaigns for the arts, entertainment and cultural sectors. They have a broad range of connections, and they’re asking the Gig Buddies’ community to share their thoughts on what sort of future socials we’d like to attend.
Types of gigs include:
- Classical Music (eg. Musica Viva Australia, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, The Sydney International Piano Competition)
- Theatre (eg. Griffin Theatre Company, Ensemble Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre, Seymour Centre, Riverside Theatres, National Theatre of Paramatta)
- Dance (eg. Bangarra Dance Theatre)
- Comedy (eg. Sydney Comedy Festival, Spiegeltent Wollongong)
- Visual Arts (eg. Artspace Sydney)
Now we want to hear your ideas. Simply load up this link to share your suggestions.
We thank Kabuku for supporting our work.
And finally….
Our friends from Northern Pictures, makers of hit TV show Better Date Than Never, have been in touch.
They’re still looking for potential candidates for series two of the ABC docu-series.
For those not in the know, series one of Better Date Than Never aired earlier in the year on ABC1. The show followed a diverse group of single love seekers, looking to take their first step into the dating world.
If you or someone you know would like more information about appearing in series two, get in touch with the team at Northern Pictures via email: casting@northernpictures.com.au
Matthew Collins
Gig Buddies Central Coast coordinator
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.