The power & impact of volunteerism
This EOFY message is a somewhat personal one.
I recently returned from Malaysia following the sudden passing of my father and the celebration of his life with loved ones. Thank you to everyone who reached out with kind thoughts and messages of support. They were deeply appreciated during a difficult time.
My father was a lifelong volunteer. Whether it was through his professional association (the Chartered Institute of Engineers), his old school, his church, his local community centre, or pretty much anywhere else he could happily involve himself and lend a hand, he was always contributing. It was only during his wake that I truly appreciated the impact he had on the organisations and communities around him. People came from all corners of his life to pay their respects and share stories. My brother and I were genuinely overwhelmed. Perhaps we had taken it for granted all these years, but seeing the depth of his legacy was humbling.
It also made me reflect on the people who volunteer their time to organisations like the ACA.
Our members often see the outcomes of their work… the advocacy, resources, events, government submissions, surveys and support we provide. What is less visible, however, are the countless hours contributed behind the scenes by our volunteer Committee members. These are busy practitioners running businesses and managing projects, yet they still make time to attend meetings, contribute their expertise, represent the profession and help shape the direction of the ACA. And yes, they have to put up with my emails chasing them for feedback before the deadline! I know the jitters you get when my subject line starts with Call for Action!
I’ve often wondered about their motivation, and I truly believe it’s because they care deeply about the future of architectural practice and the profession as a whole. They want to be part of the change.
As we approach the end of another busy and productive financial year, not to mention prepare for the ACA’s upcoming election cycle, I want to acknowledge and sincerely thank every member of our Committees across the country. Your willingness to share your knowledge, offer guidance and advocate on behalf of your peers is one of the ACA’s greatest strengths. You’ve been doing this now for over 40 years and still going strong.
My father’s passing reminded me that the value of volunteering is about the impact you leave behind. That’s the story of associations. They are built by people who are prepared to contribute something of themselves for the benefit of others. The ACA is no exception.
Volunteering means different things to different people. As I ponder on its essence, I think it’s about giving, learning and thriving… and ultimately, creating change for the better.
Thank you to all our committee members who are part of the ACA.
PS: As I reflected on the week of my father’s passing, I realised there was a certain irony in the timing. He passed away during National Volunteer Week (18–24 May), a fitting coincidence…