Meet Peter, a volunteer coordinator with Mandurah Fishability, sharing the story of how student volunteers like Poppy and Tino are bringing fresh energy, purpose, and intergenerational connection to the team — as part of our ‘Share Your Story’ series for National Student Volunteer Week 2025.
Peter shares:
“Earlier this year, we welcomed Year 12 student Poppy from SEDA College as part of her workplace learning. Her mum works in the disability sector, and Poppy was keen to get some hands-on experience. She’s been a revelation. Not only did she lower our average age by about 35 years, she brought a fresh face and a new kind of enthusiasm to the team.”
Poppy reflected on her time with Fishability:
“Volunteering at Fishability is an unforgettable experience for me. Being surrounded by new people and laughter really shows how special Fishability actually is. This has truly opened up my eyes to a whole new workplace for me. What makes Fishability so special isn’t just the fishing, but seeing people so happy when they catch a fish makes it so special. This experience I will never forget!”
Following Poppy’s success, Mandurah Fishability was approached by John Tonkin College to support another student, Tino, who was seeking a work placement. He quickly proved to be an incredible fit — strong, passionate about fishing, and eager to help.
Tino shared:
“Volunteering with Fishability is awesome. I love seeing the joy on people’s faces when they catch a fish and even just engaging with other people gives them great joy. It’s really rewarding to help people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors.”
Peter said the experience with student volunteers has been so positive, they’ve since welcomed a third.
“The impact of these young volunteers has been extraordinary — for them, for us, and for the people we serve. It’s a reminder that when different generations work together, everyone wins. You get more back than you give.”
