ADAVIC Volunteers
ADAVIC's office helpers do a wonderful job by taking the load off Anna - here is a little bit about each of them:
Update on new volunteers - August 2004
Hi Everyone,
Well I’m the new Assistant Co-Ordinator at ADAVIC and apparently it's time I told you all a little bit about myself, Jane Hendrey. I found out about ADAVIC on the Deakin University job site as ADAVIC was advertising for new volunteers in January of this year. As a Psychology student and previous sufferer of anxiety and depression I thought it would be a great opportunity to gain experience and to help other people, and began in the office as a volunteer. Although I’m not particularly old at 24, I’ve had more than ten years of exposure to mental illnesses and the effects on people’s lives that can arise as a result.
As for my life outside of the office, I have a cheeky daughter, a mischievous partner and a gorgeous German Shepherd. I enjoy Lead lighting, from windows, to lamps and sun catcher’s. Apparently I’m a good cook (but aren’t most mothers?), have a sometimes weird sense of humour, I love to dance, swim and I love the beach. I’m notorious for singing along in the car to the radio although I’m sure it looks like I’m talking to myself.
In my time here I have learned a great deal and become involved in numerous ADAVIC activities including the Committee, the Funding Committee and organization of the Comedy Gala. I look forward to my further commitments in the new year as facilitator of the new Glen Waverley Support Group, with fellow Committee Member Frank and all of ADAVIC ‘s new endeavors.
Jane Hendrey,Assistant Co-ordinator,
ADAVIC
Hi, my name is Alexis, and I have been with the ADAVIC as an office volunteer for about four months! While undertaking my post-graduate studies in Psychology at Monash University I decided to become a member to gain work experience in the field of psychology before I entered the real world. I chose to work in ADAVIC shortly after being diagnosed with anxiety and thought that I could use my personal experience to help others. So far I love the experience of being able to talk to other sufferers while educating myself in greater detail about anxiety, depression and many other mental disorders. But… I have to say it is also enjoyable to be in such a warm and happy environment.
Thanks Anna for this experience!
Alexis xx
Hi, my name is Skye, and I have been with ADAVIC for three months now and already it is time for me to leave! I have recently found out I will be starting a full time clinical internship at the start of December. I have completed a BA majoring in psychology and am finishing my honours degree in psychology at Deakin University. I will miss everyone at ADAVIC and have had lots of fun in the short time I have been here.
Piers: Hello! I’m a twenty-five year old student, living in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. I’ve done a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science at Monash, and have just finished a Graduate Diploma in Psychology. I hope to start a Masters in Psychology (Counselling) next year. The road that has brought me to ADAVIC has been a long one, but I feel that I am finally becoming clear about the area I’d like to work in, and the people I’d like to help.
Hi, my name is Marion. Well, it’s not every day that I’m asked to write something about myself but I’m sure once I get started, it’ll be hard to stop me. I am one of the facilitators at the Kew group which although is not local for me, feels like home as I used to nanny around the corner. Needless to say, I love kids, me being a big one myself. Then again, when do you ever stop being one? I also enjoy my time spent on the beach, running, playing my piano and my most recent passion – contact sports. I haven’t been at Kew for long but am enjoying it very much so far, especially my weekly visits to Chrissie, Anna’s cat.
Hi, my name is Megan, I’m 22 and have just finished my Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies at Deakin University. I’ve been a volunteer with ADAVIC for approximately 10 months, and am now moving on to a different area of psychology-related volunteer work, to increase the breadth of my experience in the field. I want to thank Anna and Jane for all their support and guidance, and I’d like to thank all of ADAVIC’s clientele for all they have taught me. I remember how scared I was to even answer the phone when I first came to ADAVIC, and consider how far I’ve come, to reach a point where I’m considering volunteer work in a telephone counselling service. I have gained so much invaluable knowledge and experience at ADAVIC, in an area I previously knew little about, and I am proud to add ADAVIC to my resume.
December 2004.Update on new volunteers - August 2004
Jacqui-office volunteer
Hello. My name is Jacqui and I've just started as a volunteer in the ADAVIC office. I'm currently studying Psychology at Deakin Uni and loving it! Before going back to Uni, I took some time off and drove around the east coast of Australia for close to a year, then worked in an office in Sydney doing general admin and running around after everyone else. After living in Sydney for close to 5 years I decided it was time to come home and am now back with the family and enjoying being a student again. The perspective I gained from 'real life' before returning to study was awesome and it's great to have a goal and be able to see how my studies are paving the way for the rest of my life. My grand plan upon returning to Uni was to go into youth counseling, but I've since discovered that I have a real interest in the more significant disorders so don't really know where I'll end up. I've been involved with a lot of youth groups mainly through churches and that is where my passion is, so guess I'll end up working with kids eventually, but time will tell. On the personal side, I have two miniature Jack Russells who are my babies and keep me company during those endless hours of study. I love going to movies and walking on the beach, clichéd I know, but I've always holidayed at a particular beach and it is my escapism. Someone once said "Salt water can cure anything - be it sweat, tears or the sea" and I totally agree - if you cant feel better about something by hard work or crying your eyes out, the ocean always does the trick - at least temporarily. Anyway, that's me in a nutshell, hope you are all having a good week, and maybe will chat to you sometime.
Julie-office volunteer
My name is Julie and I am 21 years old, and I am currently in my final year of a Bachelor of Arts/Science, with majors in psychology, english and history. My main reason for volunteering for ADAVIC was like many of you, to gain experience in the psychology field. I hope to go on after this year and begin the long, hard road of post-graduate studies in psychology to hopefully become a psychologist one day. But you never know - I may completely change directions! I've only been at ADAVIC a short while but I can already tell that its not only going to be good experience for my degree, but a huge learning curve, and lots of fun, especially considering I come from a background of having no experience with anxiety disorders. Like any normal 21 year old, I like spending time with my friends, going out and experiencing new things.
Nadia - Brunswick Facilitator
After wandering around the world for a number of years I have finally come to rest in Melbourne - I'm originally from NZ. I'm a bit of a mixed bag career wise. Armed with degrees in psychology and commerce, I entered the corporate world and have worked a number of years as a HR consultant. However, I am also a musician (mixture of piano, singing, and guitar) and work has included performances, recording, and a rather exhausting stint on the West End in wardrobe -running up and down eight levels of dressing roomseach night! I am currently back at uni studying a P.Grad.Dip. in Music Therapy.
Chris - Brunswick - Frankston Facilitator
My name is Chris, 32, and by design loaded with Libran charm and wit. Some say indecisive but I haven't made up my mind about that one yet.
I have been coming along to the ADAVIC Kew Support Group for the past 3 years and throughout this time I have met with many wonderful, courageous and warm people that had been through or were going through what I was experiencing.
I first came to ADAVIC around the time of losing my job, relationship, and in financial distress. At this time I had also developed social and generalised anxiety, along with a free dose of depression that often accompanies such disorders. This was the beginning of my recovery. Since then I have developed a much better way of dealing with life's stressors. I have balanced my life, challenged my assumptions, gained some special interests and changed the way I deal with others.
Recently the opportunity arose to become a facilitator; and the idea scared me, so it was something I needed to do. My goal as a facilitator is to support ADAVIC in its cause and offer the same empathy and support I received from attending a support group. I hope to encourage and foster an atmosphere of acceptance, tolerance and assistance in the pursuit of developing healthier relationships with ourselves. The value I hope to bring to the group from the perspective of a past sufferer, and tips on staying well.
I look forward to the ever changing perception of mental illness as it becomes more and more exposed in public awareness, so that we can bring it out from under the bed and deal with it from a personal, community and public point of view.
I have lived and travelled in America for 6 months on the camp counselor program. I have a BA in Psych (Double Major), but work full time in the financial services industry. I am currently studying Financial Planning part time and hoping to finish over the next 8 months in the aim to eventually enter e-commerce. My hobbies include, reading, writing, bike riding, tennis, Aikedo, beach walking, cognitive techniques and spending quality time with my partner.
I believe in a life balance, and developing the skills that enable you to reach your potential. Remember we are our not our anxiety.
Best wishes on your journey.
