Tomorrow Today PEEP volunteer Sarah Kennon loves volunteering with Benalla's community foundation.
The theme for National Volunteer Week 2025 is ‘Connecting Communities’, and for Tomorrow Today, Benalla’s community foundation, it couldn’t be more apt.
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Tomorrow Today’s executive officer Jodie Fleming said she saw its role in Benalla as one that connects people with each other, with support and with programs that help them to thrive
“But we can’t do it on our own. We are privileged that our volunteers freely share their time, skills and knowledge to help us,” Ms Fleming said.
At Tomorrow Today, the volunteers far outnumber staff.
In 2025, the foundation had more than 80 local volunteers, many of whom have been involved with Tomorrow Today for many years.
When mum-of-three Emmalee Bourke first arrived at Tomorrow Today’s PEEP program with her third child, she was a little reluctant.
The idea of attending a parent’s group wasn’t something she was keen on.
“When I first started at PEEP, I had no idea what I was doing,” Ms Bourke said.
“I never knew how to play with my kids... and then after a couple of sessions, it was like ‘Okay, okay, I get it.’
Emmalee Bourke has volunteered in a number of roles with Tomorrow Today.
“I started to see the benefits. It didn’t take long for me to become a convert.”
Five years later, her youngest son is now at school and life is changing for Ms Bourke.
“When my son went to school, I realised that I wasn’t ready to let Tomorrow Today go.
“So, short of having another baby, the next best thing was coming back as a volunteer.”
Emmalee undertook training for Tomorrow Today’s ConnectParent program in February 2025, and she’s looking forward to being paired with a new mum or mum-to-be in the near future.
“I have been working on my active listening skills, being a sounding board, which, I think, is the most important thing because first-time parenting can be really stressful, and I thought if I can be there to support someone else to do it, then why not?”
For Gary Bowman, who has been a Kinder Pal since 2019, the impetus to volunteer was his love of reading.
“I’m a passionate reader and I like sharing that,” Mr Bowman said.
Gary Bowman has been volunteering as a Kinder Pal with Tomorrow Today for many years.
“Reading has got me through some tough times in my life.
“If I can be a part of helping kids getting some of that joy, then that's fantastic. I also like the idea of being involved in helping kids be prepared to go to school.”
In 2024, Sarah Kennon was looking for a volunteering role that would allow her some flexibility around her other caring duties.
For her, being a PEEP helper was a fantastic fit.
“I find volunteering a very satisfying and good thing to do for me... to get me out of the house and to have an alternate sort of joy other than full-time caring,” she said.
“One of the things that I love about PEEP is the feeling of total appreciation and support from the staff.
“The flexibility has also been great — it's not like a job. You can do it for an hour out of your time during the week, and you get a lot out of it.”
Mrs Fleming said she was grateful to the many people who volunteered at Tomorrow Today.
“Our volunteers make an incredible contribution to Tomorrow Today, they are at the heart of this organisation,” she said.
“Without them, we would not be able to deliver programs for Benalla’s families, children and young people.
“To our Connect9 mentors, reading buddies, Kinder Pals, PEEP helpers and community connectors, to our board and committee members and to those who lend a hand whenever they see a need, I thank you all.
“It's through you that Benalla is a better-connected community.”
If you would like to find out more about volunteering with Tomorrow Today, you can contact them on 5762 1211 or visit www.tomorrowtoday.com.au/volunteer
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