Janice Boyanich

When I commenced volunteering my goal was to refresh my skills from previous experience in an office and learn more about AfCAS, the Aged Care Volunteer Scheme and not for profit organisations.

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I found the experience to be very rewarding and was very grateful to be working alongside Mary with her extensive experience and knowledge in cross cultural aged care initiatives and services and in leadership within the community and her passion, curiosity and sense of humour. It was also a pleasure to work alongside Roshaal and I appreciate Roshaal’s dedication, patience, her calm nature and the knowledge that she has shared with me.

I was also fortunate to meet Anne during our various interactions at meetings, in preparations for workshops and events and in general discussions. These interactions have enriched my time spent at AfCAS.

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I was grateful to be given the opportunity to work at AfCAS in an office where I have learnt that teamwork, shared goals, collaboration and cooperation are driven by a collective effort. I’ve also learnt that although I’ve been working in other fields and in a home office for several years, I was able to return to an office environment and refresh and refine my skills, and with Mary’s assistance, build on my past knowledge to enhance my future employment opportunities. Also, my knowledge of how a not for profit organisation, functions, has improved significantly.

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Some highlights volunteering with AfCAS have been, learning more about migrant seniors in our community and their families and carers and communicating with our incredible Aged care Volunteer Visitors and hearing their stories of their journey as a volunteer. It inspired me to become a volunteer visitor which is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable volunteer roles that I have ever experienced. Preparing for and attending workshops at AfCAS has been very educational and has increased my knowledge of our CALD community. One of the biggest highlights for me personally, was recently being asked to deliver a speech at a seniors expo. The thought of public speaking has always been terrifying to me; however I have learnt that having a passion for the topic being presented, and telling a story with authenticity are the keys to conveying your message to an audience. 

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​Attending the Canning lifestyle expo, assisting with workshops particularly satisfying, as it not only marked the culmination of our hard work but also felt rewarding to contribute meaningfully to AfCAS's mission.

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I am also full of gratitude to have worked alongside Mary, Roshaal and Anne and have deep admiration and respect for the wealth of knowledge that they have shared with me, for their  work ethic, devotion and passion for AfCAS and the CALD community. Shannon, Roshaal and our interns were all incredibly kind and accommodating, and Mary was a fantastic supervisor whose passion is truly infectious and is always willing to share her wide breadth of knowledge.​