18 May 2026

National Volunteer Week is a chance to recognise and celebrate the volunteers who help make a difference across Austin Health every day.

This year’s theme, ‘Your Year to Volunteer’, highlights the rewarding and meaningful impact volunteering can have for individuals and the wider community.

For 19-year-old Winter, volunteering was inspired by family stories shared by his mum and grandmother, who both volunteered from a young age.

“Some of the stories they told me were sad, a lot were funny but most of all - they were meaningful,” Winter said.

Now beginning university, Winter decided he wanted to experience volunteering for himself and joined Austin Health in January.

In his patient companionship role in Ward 9 at the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, he’s found purpose in the small but powerful moments of connection.

“Every time I leave my shift, I feel that I have succeeded at something,” he shared.

Whether it’s meeting someone new or continuing a conversation from the week before, Winter values hearing patients’ stories and helping brighten their day.

One experience that has stayed with him is his connection with a patient named Carl. After bonding over old films, Winter went home and printed a 1970s gangster novel in large text to bring back the following week. Although Carl didn’t remember him on their next visit, Winter still makes sure to stop by and say hello each week.

“I know I made a difference - we had such a great time,” he reflected.

Volunteering has helped Winter grow in confidence and strengthened his ability to connect with others. He’s also brought creativity into his role through music, playing piano for patients and introducing a vintage record player to help spark memories and conversation.

“Seeing patients drift off and reminisce makes me know that I am providing them something special. I get something out of that too.”

For Winter, volunteering is “one of the most rewarding and impactful things you could do for your community.”

“It’s nice to think that one day, when we are old and need someone to talk to, there will be people there too.”

Happy National Volunteer Week!