Goya Dmytryshchak
National Volunteer Week, from May 17-23, is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteers. Altona’s Annabel Shortte volunteers via EdConnect Australia at Altona Green Primary School. She speaks with Goya Dmytryshchak
What’s your connection to Hobsons Bay?
I am an EdConnect volunteer and have been helping in the Kitchen Garden Program at Altona Green Primary School since 2018. I volunteer three days per week. I really enjoy being involved with the kitchen garden program, I remember helping at my children’s schools when they were young and it brings back happy memories.
What do you like about Altona?
Altona is a very friendly community with a generous spirit. There are so many great things to enjoy including the beach.
What would you change or what could be improved?
The traffic on Point Cook Road!
What’s your favourite local cafe or restaurant?
Little Rosebery Cafe in Altona Meadows! They have great food, drinks and service. Babylon Bakery next door is also excellent for manoush.
Could you please tell me about your volunteering?
The EdConnect program trains and supports volunteers to work in local schools. You can offer one-on-one mentoring to students in need, or assistance in the classroom with subjects such as numeracy, reading and science, or help around the school in kitchen garden projects, canteen, gardening, library and much more.
It’s nice to know that I am contributing my time and experiences to a good cause. The kids are great and the teachers really appreciate the extra help I can offer.
On my arrival, the teachers are there so I help set up the kitchen in preparation for the first class of students at 9.30am.
Years 4-6 cook in the kitchen and the garden program is for all grades from 1-6.
The teachers explain to the students what we are going to cook and then I supervise the children in their groups, so making sure they cut up the food safely, make sure they follow the recipe and help if we are cooking on the stove or in the oven.
After the children cook, they set up the tables and sit down to eat and then the children clean up.
In gardening sessions the children do different activities depending on what’s needed in the garden, like planting, mulching, watering and preparing the garden beds for next season, and some are responsible for feeding the chooks.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I love to snorkel.
For more information about the EdConnect volunteering opportunities, visit www.edconnectaustralia.org.au, email edconnect@edconnect.org.au or call 1800 668 550.
