Volunteer Week: meet Simone, life-changing, local volunteer
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Volunteering is in Simone Casey's blood. The Merri-bek local grew up in a family where both her parents were avid and dedicated volunteers, and she has continued their commitment to community.
Simone has volunteered with the St Fidelis Basketball Club for over 15 years, first as a team manager, and now as vice president, seeing her children through their basketball days, and has also been the team manager for the Coburg Giants for 11 years.
“I love being at the games, it’s my way of acknowledging to my kids that being there for them is important to me,” said Simone.
In addition to basketball, Simone has volunteered with the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) as a breastfeeding counsellor and community educator for the past 18 years.
“It's an honour to help all the people in your group and serve them. The personal feeling that you get from that, being able to actually help, it's a lovely feeling to spread to other people.”
Simone has helped countless women build confidence in breastfeeding, providing vital support at a time when many faced significant challenges.
“Volunteering to me is about being within your local community,” Simone said.
"It's an amazing feeling, giving women confidence to keep going with breastfeeding, it's life-changing for them," said Simone.
Simone also facilitates the ABA's Pascoe Hume breastfeeding group, which helps women from Brunswick to Wallan connect with other mums, learn and feel supported.
"We have support group meetings and meet up at a park or local library within Merri-bek, some at the Glenroy Community Hub or Coburg Library,” Simone said.
“We do lots of different things to help support women, and that's where friendships grow, mums meeting other mums, and community connection happens.”
All of Merri-bek's incredible volunteers support and enrich our community and environment, helping make Merri-bek a great place to live, work, play and grow.
If you're interested in becoming a volunteer, visit: www.merri-bek.vic.gov.au/volunteering