A familiar face, in an unexpected place

At the Moonee Valley Festival, we spotted a familiar face. Darren McClelland, who we have worked with for years through Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley, came over to say hello.

But this time, he was not there with them. Darren was volunteering with Moonee Valley Sustainability.

It was a small but striking moment. Someone we know through one organisation, showing up to support another, in a different area. And yet, it made complete sense.

Darren (far right) with the Moonee Valley Sustainability team at their stall, connecting with the community at the Moonee Valley Festival, March 2026.

Darren has been volunteering with Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley for over three years including as a Committee Member and Grant Officer. Over time, we have worked closely with him to promote a range of volunteer roles.

What we did not fully realise until that day is just how wide his volunteering reaches.

“I help out with about 15 different organisations,” Darren shared. “Some are weekly, others might just be once every couple of years.”

His involvement spans environmental groups, community events, and outdoor activities, all connected by a strong interest in sustainability and community.

That passion started early.

“My mother volunteered with the Red Cross and Vision Australia for over 60 years,” he said. “She and Dad too, set the example for me.”

Like many people, Darren balanced volunteering with work commitments for years. Now in retirement, he has more time to give back, and he continues to contribute across different organisations.

His message to others is simple. “You don’t have to commit long term. Even helping one or two organisations, or just joining an event, can make a big difference.”

He also reflected on why volunteering matters. “It’s good for your mental wellbeing, feeling like you’re giving back. But also, if people don’t volunteer, a lot of things we take for granted wouldn’t exist.”

Darren’s story reflects something we see often.

Community does not follow boundaries. Volunteers move across organisations and areas, guided by what they care about, not by maps.

For councils and community organisations, this highlights the importance of working together across areas to reflect how community actually operates. Both volunteers and community organisations often work across multiple LGAs, and collaboration is key to supporting this.

At Volunteer West, we see this every day. While our work is supported within certain areas, our approach is always guided by people and connection.

Darren’s journey is a reminder that volunteering is not limited to one place. It grows wherever people choose to give their time.

Moonee Valley Sustainability is a volunteer-run community organisation based in Moonee Valley. They bring people together to care for local places and take action on climate and sustainability. Through local projects, education, advocacy and collaboration, they support people to make meaningful change in their own community, often starting right at their doorstep.

If you are interested in environmental volunteering, this is a meaningful place to start.