Humans need each other – there’s no doubt.
But it takes a special kind of human to volunteer their time, resources, compassion and energy to another in the spirit of fostering connection.
At Monash Health, we’re lucky enough to have more than 240 volunteers at our health service, ranging in age from their 20s to their 90s. Every single volunteer selflessly and graciously donates their time to help patients and families through what is often the most difficult time in their lives.
From today, Monday 17 May 2025, to Sunday 25 May 2025, Australia is celebrating National Volunteer Week. Every year, we take this week as an opportunity to celebrate the kindness and creativity of our volunteers.
Our volunteers make an important and invaluable contribution to building a thriving and inclusive community at Monash Health, and we couldn’t be more thankful.
If you see one of our volunteers this week, make sure you say thank you and let them know how much we value them!
To recognise our volunteers, we’re sharing a small sample of how they make a significant difference across our health service.
Joanna’s story
Joanna van der Ven celebrating her 90th birthday with Dana Kiley and Ime Udofia
While Joanna van der Ven may have recently turned 90-years-old, she has no plans of stopping volunteering at Monash Health any time soon.
The volunteer veteran, who has been volunteering for 22 years and counting, is part of our Spiritual Care Team at Dandenong Hospital and plays a special role in providing support to Catholic inpatients.
Prior to joining Monash Health Volunteers Services, Joanna served faithfully in her parish at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dandenong giving the sacrament of Holy Communion and supporting the Priests in their ministry to the Parish members.
She even assisted with sewing some of the Priest’s apparels, curtains and ceremonial cloths for the Parish!
Since December 2002, Joanna has been offering emotional and spiritual support, as well as companionship, to Catholic inpatients on the wards – who comprise 25% of all admissions to Dandenong Hospital.
Her presence, listening ear and religious support has been reported as very much appreciated by many patients over the years.
Olivia’s story
Olivia gifting origami to a patient
Even though Olivia Hu is a Patient Services Assistant (PSA) at Monash Children’s Hospital, she loves making a difference – so she became a volunteer with us as well in November last year.
Volunteering in the Emergency Department (ED) at Monash Medical Centre, Olivia has a knack for folding origami, which she said she likes to gift to patients.
‘Every time I deliver an origami flower or animal to a patient, it makes me feel grateful and energetic,’ she said.
‘Volunteering to me is a deeply meaningful act of giving my time, skills, and energy to support others or to contribute to a cause without expecting anything in return, and I enjoy the sense of connection and fulfilment.’
Her favourite volunteering memory is of a time she offered companionship to a 90-year-old woman with dementia and Alzheimer’s who had been admitted to the ED.
‘I asked her what her favourite colour was, which she told me was red, so I folded her a red little flower ring using paper,’ Olivia said.
‘She started crying and told me that no one had ever cared about her favourite colour, and she’d never received any flowers from her husband.
‘I really felt for her and told her that the Monash Health employees and I cared about her very much, and she became very emotional and told me I’d made her day, and she’d never forget it.’
Neekesha’s story
Neekesha and Sophia
For Neekesha, nothing is more rewarding than seeing the impact of interacting with patients.
‘I love talking to patients and bringing a smile to people who may be facing challenges in their life,’ she said.
‘I really like hearing stories about things that other people are passionate about.’
Before joining Monash Health as a volunteer, Neekesha dedicated two years to volunteering at a local nursing home.
Even though she was already balancing her time between her studies and a part-time job, she felt a pull to expand her volunteering experience.
‘I wanted to try volunteering in a hospital setting as I hope to work in a hospital in the future,’ she said.
‘I love that I can help brighten someone’s day with something as simple as providing directions, or being a listening ear when someone needs to talk.’