As I bid farewell to Hunter Volunteer Centre, I want to express my gratitude to all the hundreds of community organisations that partnered with us and the thousands of individuals who visited HVC to explore and fulfil their volunteering aspirations. Your wisdom in choosing HVC helped create a socially inclusive and welcoming community, and I commend you for that. Working with the professional, dedicated, and compassionate staff at HVC has been an absolute pleasure for me.

Reflecting on my time at HVC, I recall my initial doubts about the need and longevity of an organisation like this. But 17 years later, I can confidently say that the need for volunteer resource centres like Hunter Volunteer Centre is more vital than ever before, not just in the Hunter region but across the country.

To those who have yet to visit HVC, I invite you to come and see for yourself what we can offer you. Our team is always ready to help you achieve your goals, whether they are organisational or personal.

During my 17 years as CEO of HVC, I have had the pleasure of working with both past and present staff, who have made coming to work every day a joy. The sense of belonging and camaraderie at the workplace is not just an empty promise but a reality at HVC. I will miss this as I embark on a new challenge.

I have witnessed firsthand the staff’s loyalty, commitment, and motivation towards those who visit or join HVC. As CEO, it was a privilege to lead such a team, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for making my tenure at HVC the best 17 years of my career.