WANTED: We’re looking for the following type of volunteers:
Male or female. Based in the Sutherland Shire. Mid 20s - mid 30s in age; loves building Gundam and Zoid manga models, and Japanese culture in general. Anime. Reading Sci Fi fantasy. Game of Thrones.
Female. Based in Epping. 50 - 65 years old; loves musicals. Loves Art. Walking. Old time movies. Going out for lunch.
Male. Based in Hornsby. Mid 40s - mid 50s in age; lover of 80's music, sports (AFL, cricket) and going to the pub.
Male. Based in Waverley. Mid 40s - mid 50s in age; loves sports: NRL, AFL, rugby union, soccer, tennis, basketball, cricket, horse racing, motor sports, bowling. Going to the pub.
Female. Based in Parramatta (or surrounding area). Mid 30s - mid 40s in age; into animals, movies and catching up for lunch. Also keen on ferry trips and walks.
Male or female. Based in Canterbury Bankstown. Mid 20s - mid 30s in age; likes pop music. Loves all sports (NRL, AFL, rugby union, soccer, tennis, netball, baseball, basketball, cricket, ice hockey, motor sports). Also interested in art.
Male. Based in Liverpool. 30 - 40 years in age; fan of trivia, movies, games, bowling and NRL.
Female. Based on the Northern Beaches; mid 30s - mid 40s in age. Loves Elvis and any live music, dancing and Karaoke, musicals, movies and art.
We have a number of buddies waiting for their ideal volunteer. As a reminder of how it all works, we match adults with disability with volunteers, both of whom share a mutual interest(s). Age, gender and location preferences are also taken into consideration; once ‘buddies’ are matched up they attend events or gigs of their choosing.
Matched buddies catch up 1 - 2 times per month, partaking in their passions. We're all about expanding social circles and making new friends!
Do you match the description or know someone that does? We can be contacted via Facebook, text or phone call (0411 252 228) or email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
Alternatively, those interested can jump straight to our volunteer online application form by loading up the following link.
While we are always looking for new volunteers of all ages, regions and interests, our "Volunteers Wanted" page on our website will be updated regularly with specific profiles of volunteers that we are currently looking for. Bookmark this link: www.gigbuddiessydney.org/volunteers-wanted
North of the Hawkesbury
And we extend our volunteer appeal for a number of Central Coast-based buddies who are also waiting.
Do you know someone who matches the following description:
Female. Based in Terrigal (or surrounding area). Mid - late 20s in age; outgoing, is open minded and likes to try new experiences. Likes to dance!
Female. Based in Bateau Bay (or surrounding area). Mid 20s - mid 30s in age; into 80s metal / glam rock / heavy metal. Likes animals, going to the cinema and karaoke.
Female. Based in Umina (or surrounding area). Mid 20s - mid 30s in age; a lover of watching live sport (union, league, soccer, netball). Keen on travelling to Sydney to watch a match.
Male or female. Based in Wyong (or surrounding area). Early 30s in age; likes amateur radio, into Marvel / action films, bush walking and stage shows.
Female. Based in Umina (or surrounding area). 18 - early 30s in age; likes arts and craft, art galleries, watching a sports match, horror movies.
Do you fit the bill, or do you know someone who does? You can connect with the Gig Buddies Central Coast team team via Facebook, text or phone call (0402 708 814) or email: info@gigbuddiescentralcoast.org
Alternatively, those interested can jump straight to their volunteer online application form by loading up the following link.
Front and centre
This is your last chance to snap up tickets to our June outings.
Firstly, on Friday 10 June we’ll be front and centre at Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory, experiencing the best of FBi Radio’s annual SMACS Fest.
On the night buddies will hear from Rainbow Chan, Tasman Keith, Shady Nasty - plus a number of other local and international artists.
A Gig Buddies staff member will also be in attendance, should your buddy be unable to make it. Attendees can snap up tickets for the bargain price of $25 (plus $1 booking fee).
For more information about our appearance at FBi Radio’s SMACS Fest, including how to purchase your discounted ticket, load up the link below:
Dates, dates, dates
And a little later in the month we head to The Juniors Kingsford for Harry Potter trivia (Wednesday 15 June), followed shortly after with our first ever visit to Supanova Comic Con & Gaming (Sunday 19 June).
To reserve your place (and to find out more information about each event), load up the links below:
If you have any questions about any of our forthcoming events, get in touch: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0411 252 228.
Drawing against the clock
Are you at a loose end this Thursday afternoon? Come join us on Zoom as we host a round of Pictionary.
Pens and notepads at the ready, we're showcasing our artistic talents against the clock.
In addition to Thursday’s Pictionary, we also invite buddies to connect with us at 4pm today (Monday 6/6) for our weekly chat. To attend get in touch via text: 0422 061 990 or Facebook Messenger.
And to find out more about this week’s online offering (and to sign up), load up the link below:
Thursday 9/6
All online games will take place via Zoom. For information on how to use Zoom, load up the following easy read guide written by Learning Disability Wales. Alternatively, click here to check out our 'how to use Zoom' video.
If you have any questions or would like more information, send us an email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or info@gigbuddiescentralcoast.org or call/SMS us on 0402 708 814.
Then there was one
One look around the city and you’ll notice that Vivid Sydney is back! After a two year enforced break, the sounds and light festival has made a welcome return.
We’ve been pushing discounted tickets to six Vivid gigs for the past few months. We’re now down to the last one.
Thanks to the generosity of event organisers and the Sydney Opera House, buddies can purchase discounted tickets to:
- TEEKS: Monday 13 June @ Sydney Opera House, Joan Sutherland Theatre. 8 - 9:30pm. Reserve seating. Standard ticket price: $39. Gig Buddies price: $20 (plus $8.50 booking fee per transaction).
Event information: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/events/whats-on/vivid-live/2022/teeks.html
To take advantage of the discounted price, get in touch with the team via email. We can be reached at: info@gigbuddiessydney.org. We’ll then forward a unique ticket link.
Please note, the reduced rate only applies for Gig Buddies’ participants. Whether you’re based in Sydney or on the Central Coast, all fully signed up buddies and volunteers are welcome to purchase discounted tickets.
Once again, we are indebted to the generosity of Vivid Sydney organisers and the Sydney Opera House. Thank you for your ongoing support and for providing participants with the opportunity to sample some of the best live music at this year’s event.
Doubling up
It’s exciting to welcome our newest pairings to the family.
Say hello to Finn and Tyler (top, L - R), Fred and Anthony (left, L - R) and Kylie and Marianne (right, L - R). We’re delighted to welcome you on board and we look forward to hearing about your forthcoming adventures.
Eight we prepped earlier
Likewise, it’s a pleasure to start the Gig Buddies’ journey with our latest batch of trained volunteers.
Last Tuesday was a busy time for us as we readied eight newbies. Welcome on board Dylan (1), Emma (2), Jo (3), Jolanda (4), Louise (5), Ian (6), Rebecca (7) and Dean (8).
"I've been part of the program from the beginning….”
Each and every month we bring you news and views from buddies who make up our user-led team, Soul Fly Band.
Today it’s the turn of Stavros (below), who recently spoke at our 7th birthday. Below is a copy of his speech.
“Hi there all you legends, welcome to the 7th Gig Buddies birthday party.
I would like to tell you a little bit about my experience with the program. I've been part of the program from the beginning. My first gig buddy was Jess and she is a great friend to me. We went to a lot of gigs together like our first gig, Clutch at Metro Theatre Sydney. After that we went to see Iron Maiden with the Raven Age at QUDOS Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park, then Cavalera Conspiracy with Skindred at the big top Luna Park Sydney. We also saw Sepultura with Death Angel at the Metro Theatre Sydney as well.
I was invited to Jess and Nick’s Wedding in Bulli, and we were on the ABC 7:30 Report to talk about the Gig Buddies project. (We also spoke about) going to many different gigs, being part of the wider community, and having a say on how we want to live our lives.
I also went to Tasmania to present a paper with a (Soul Fly Band) colleague of mine and the (project) CEO, Carol at the International Conference of People with Disabilities. It was great.
Now I have a new gig buddy named Rodrigo. We met at my house for the first time and we had a great first outing at the Maton Guitar Exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum. It was a great exhibition. We have done a lot of other fun things as well.”
- Stavros, gig buddy and Soul Fly Band member
Hold the press
Due to next week’s public holiday, the Gig Buddies’ newsletter will be returning on Monday 20 June.
On the subject of the newsletter, I am on annual leave as of this afternoon (Monday 6/6). For the next four weeks Carol, Tony and Bec will be bringing you all Gig Buddies related news.
COVID-19 Vaccinations update
The NSW Chief Health Officer has extended the current exemption that allows workers (and volunteers) who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to continue to work if they have been assessed as being essential to the operation of the service.
All workers (and volunteers) who have not yet received their booster must also take reasonable steps to get the booster as soon as practical. The exemption has been extended June 29 2022.
We want to say thanks to all volunteers who have sent through an updated version of their vaccination certificate.
If you haven’t done this yet, it’s important that you send the latest copy of your vaccination certificate to Gig Buddies ASAP. The certificate must show the dates on which you have received all THREE doses of the COVID vaccine.
Similarly, for those who have been granted an exemption from a medical professional, we require a copy of any relevant documentation.
You can access your vaccination certificate through your Medicare or MyGov account. Please send this certificate to info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text/WhatsApp it to 0411 252 228.
And the winner is…..
And lastly, we’d like to offer a huge congratulations to Paul Richards, the creator of the Gig Buddies project.
He, Gig Buddies Brighton and the team at Stay Up Late have received deserved recognition from both The Queen and British Prime Minister - all in the same week!
Firstly, Paul was recognised for a Points of Light Award by British PM, Boris Johnson. This award recognises “people who are having a positive impact in their community and inspiring others.”
Then, on the eve of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Gig Buddies Brighton team were rewarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - an equivalent of an MBE for a charity or community group.
From both Sydney and the Central Coast projects, a huge congratulations to Paul, Gig Buddies Brighton and Stay Up Late.
Matthew, Carol, Tony, Bec, Chelsea, Xena and Aylin
Would you like more information about Gig BuddiesSydney? You’re only a click away. Connect with us via the links below.
Fancy revelling in legendary status? If so, please support us in our cause to get more people out to live events in Sydney.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible and all are gratefully received.
The Gig Buddies Sydney project is an initiative of ACL Disability Services.
