‘Build new connections’: Why Bidhya volunteers at Council and how you can too

Are you looking for a way to get more involved in your local community? 

Volunteers are the backbone of Moonee Valley, and we are fortunate to have more than 100 volunteers providing invaluable contributions across a range of Council programs and services! Their dedication helps makes our city a thriving, healthy place for everyone.    

We’re proud to share opportunities to volunteer – both at Council or in the broader Moonee Valley community.  

Bidhya’s volunteer story  

Bidhya Poudel relocated to Australia last year from Nepal, where she regularly volunteered in her field of study, agriculture.  

“I am a very passionate volunteer,” Bidhya says. 

“We can get many things from being a volunteer: we can get new experiences, learn new skills, give back to the community, build new connections.” 

Earlier this year, Bidhya spotted on LinkedIn an opportunity to volunteer with the Community Grants team at Council. Over six weeks, Bidhya met with community members who needed support completing their grant applications.  

She especially enjoyed helping older members of the community and residents from multicultural backgrounds to navigate the online application process.  

“I didn’t know about community grants before, so I got to know about the program. I built my confidence talking with new people, and I got a reference from the coordinator, which will help me applying for other jobs,” she says. 

Bidhya encouraged residents interested in volunteering at Council to get involved and is already planning on donating her time to Council again.   

“Come and explore the volunteer opportunities and build the connections.”  

How to get involved 

To explore volunteering opportunities at Council and other local organisations, and read more about Moonee Valley volunteers, visit our Volunteer With Us homepage. 

You can also contact the Volunteer and Student Engagement Officer at volunteer@mvcc.vic.gov.au or 0499 985 101.