One of the most cherished events on the Anglicare calendar each year is our National Volunteer Week morning tea. With over 480 volunteers supporting our work, directly and through parish partnerships, this gathering is a special opportunity to say thank you for the incredible contribution they make across our communities.
Our volunteers are generous and dedicated, operating in areas as diverse as retail, disaster recovery, emergency food relief, pantry appeal, youth work and corporate services. They are the heart and hands of Anglicare’s mission—and we wish we could have a morning tea for them every week!
This year’s celebration took place at St John’s Care in Canberra, and while many of our regional volunteers couldn’t attend in person, they were very much in our hearts and prayers.
Anglicare Chaplain, Reverend Sue Robertson, offered a moving prayer: “Lord, bless them richly. Renew their strength, refresh their spirits, and remind them that their work matters deeply”.
We were also honoured to welcome special guest speaker Angela Mollard—renowned columnist, journalist, commentator, and podcaster. Angela spoke with warmth and humour about the power of stories and the quiet strength of those who serve others.
“I’ve always thought that stories are the human equivalent of duct tape”, she said. “They hold us together when things are falling apart. And whether you’re a journalist or a volunteer like all of you, that’s essentially what we’re doing when we’re telling stories. We’re showing up for people… often in people’s moments of vulnerability. We’re trying to piece the story together.”
Angela shared a collection of funny and heartfelt anecdotes from her life and career—including celebrity encounters, an unexpected nude photo shoot in her backyard, and a stint working in a chicken factory!
She closed her talk with a powerful tribute to the work of our volunteers: “You’re there to remind someone that their story matters”, she said, “You do it quietly, behind the scenes, giving people a moment of dignity and connection.”
Another highlight of the morning was recognising the longstanding commitment of several volunteers. Special congratulations to Sue Ford, who has served for over 25 years—first as part of our Retail team, then in Disaster Recovery—and Michael Tabart, who has spent over 30 years supporting young people through our Interview Friends program.
To every volunteer who attended—and to those who couldn’t join us—we extend our heartfelt thanks. Your compassion, your dedication, and your willingness to serve make an extraordinary difference in the lives of those we walk alongside every day.
Visit our Volunteering Page to learn more about becoming part of the Anglicare team.
