Mum’s the word: The benefits of volunteering together as a family
Rosa McKenna and Clare Ozolins at Slow Foods Melbourne Farmers Market
Rosa and Clare are a mother-daughter duo who like to give back together.
Rosa started volunteering at Slow Food Melbourne Farmers Market as a gatekeeper, welcoming shoppers on Saturday mornings between 8am-1pm in rain, hail or shine.
Clare frequently visited the markets to do some weekly shopping and to catch up with her mum at the gate. Over time, Clare formed more connections with the stall holders and eventually started volunteering alongside Rosa. They have now been volunteering together for over two years.
“Despite the early start I wouldn’t miss it!”
Volunteer West had the pleasure of running an outreach stall at a recent Slow Foods Melbourne Farmers Market, where we saw first-hand the friendliness of the volunteers, stall holders and shoppers.
Slow Foods Farmers Market is classified as an essential service and has been operating throughout Melbourne’s lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. If you live in the Spotswood area, see location information and conditions of entry for the upcoming market on their Facebook page.
What is it like to volunteer with your family? Clare and Rosa shared their experiences with us.
Describe a typical day/shift in your volunteer role.
Clare: My mum and I start on the gate just before opening time at 8am. We set up the QR codes for market goers to check in, and offer help to anyone who needs it as they come through the gates. We take donations to support the markets at Spotswood and West Footscray, we help people find the stall holder they are looking for, man the lost and found and pat the dogs as they come through the gates.
What do you enjoy about volunteering and why is volunteering important to you?
Rosa: I really enjoy the market. It’s a great opportunity to work with Clare on something outside family that we both care about - good fresh food. I love the people, many of whom I know in the neighbourhood. I love the dedicated food shoppers, others being adventurous, and I now know the stall holders quite well - a friendly and dedicated bunch dispensing good advice about their specialty. We do it rain, hail or shine and each market brings a new experience.
Clare: I like the interaction with people, I work an office job in research which is a reasonably solitary job. Being able to meet people who are also interested in ethical, local food is a bonus. Volunteering is important because it allows me to support an organisation and ethos that is important to me with time and energy, rather than money.
What is your top tip for someone thinking about volunteering?
Clare: Don’t be shy! As a naturally shy person I know it can be tough to break the ice and put yourself forward, but if you can it is very rewarding and the opportunity to meet new people and expand your horizons is invaluable.
What is your most memorable experience volunteering?
Clare: I don’t think there is any one experience that is memorable. It’s just something I look forward to and enjoy every time I do it. We operated throughout the long lockdown last year and I took a lot of pleasure hearing from shoppers about how the market was a highlight during those long quiet months.
What have you learned about yourself and your community through volunteering?
Clare: There are so many friendly people out there and there are a surprising number of ways that you can connect with people.
Want to get involved? Visit their website: Slow Foods Farmers Market
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