Meet Tamara Sloper-Harding OAM. After serving in the military, Tamara continues a lifelong commitment to service through volunteering, connection, and care. Tamara shares her journey for our ‘Share Your Story’ series.
From Avalon Beach to East Timor, Tamara’s commitment to community service runs deep. A proud war veteran, Tamara volunteers with Friends of Soibada, Avalon Beach RSL Sub Branch, Veterans Housing Australia, Carry On, Furlough House, Rotary, and Pittwater Catholic Parish — organisations united by a shared purpose of helping others.
What inspires you to volunteer?
“Volunteering gives my life purpose. I am a war veteran and have injuries that mean I cannot work. However, volunteering, at the times I can manage, helps me to still feel of service.
In my career, I witnessed the results of atrocity and saw so much suffering. It changed my life. I am compelled to do something to make the world a better place and help those in need. To be able to see the difference giving of your time makes in people’s lives is incredibly rewarding.
It proves that you don’t need to be wealthy or famous to have an impact. I have met wonderful, like-minded people through volunteering. It is encouraging in these difficult times to be surrounded by people wanting to help others for no personal gain.
I love the Rotary motto ‘Service before self’ — it fits perfectly with the military values I was raised with.
All of the organisations I volunteer with are linked in some way. The charity I founded, Friends of Soibada, was initiated by children at a primary school when I was giving the ANZAC speech as part of my RSL role. The children asked where I had served and wanted to know more about Australia’s relationship with East Timor. They wanted to help our neighbours, and so, 15 years ago, the charity that supports the remote village of Soibada with education, health, and community development projects was born.
Many of those original children have now grown up and visited the village. Our local government signed a friendship agreement with the Timorese government; we became a registered charity and take volunteers over twice a year. You can see more about our projects at Friends of Soibada on Facebook.
In my work at the RSL, I meet many veterans needing assistance. There are thousands of homeless veterans, and Carry On and Veterans Housing Australia are charities that help those who did so much for us as a nation.
I became a member of Rotary after they invited me as a guest speaker — and it was there I found my tribe.”
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?
“Helping others gives purpose to your life. You don’t need to be wealthy or famous to make a difference in the world. We all have skills and talents that benefit others. You meet amazing people and make lifelong friends. It can also be a healing experience — doing something for someone else.”
Photo descriptions
- Deployment to Timor-Leste, 1999
- Dental program in Soibada, October 2025
- With young local bands who regularly volunteer to raise funds for teachers’ wages in Soibada
Explore more inspiring stories from our Share Your Story series.
