"Gig Buddies has exceeded all my expectations"
- Gig Buddies Sydney
- 5 days ago
- 8 min read
To mark the final Monday of the month, we’re handing over the newsletter to one of our wonderful volunteers.
For the month of March we’ve given the login details to Charlotte (below, right), who tells us more about catch ups with buddy Tahli (below, left).
- How long have you been volunteering with Gig Buddies?
Tahli and I were paired in August 2025! We had our 1.5 year anniversary earlier this month.
- Is Gig Buddies your first volunteering role?
I have been volunteering on and off for the past 15-ish years. Back home in New Zealand during high school I volunteered at a local primary school, in the Student Volunteer Army following the Christchurch Earthquake, and more recently at the SPCA in Auckland.
In Sydney I spent a small period of time volunteering at Our Big Kitchen in Bondi prior to joining Gig Buddies. I am also a volunteer dentist with the Timor-Leste Dental Program, each year travelling to Timor-Leste for 1-2 weeks providing outreach dental care.
- Why do you volunteer with Gig Buddies?
I moved to Australia to pursue postgraduate study in 2023. I wanted to pick up a volunteering routine like I had back home, but wasn’t sure how I would fit this in around full-time study and working after-hours. I found the Gig Buddies website via a Google search and it looked to be the perfect mix of meeting new people, being able to explore Sydney, and flexible scheduling.
I completed the online application form and the rest is history.
- How would you describe your volunteering experience with Gig Buddies?
Gig Buddies doesn’t feel like volunteering! I feel like I get just as much, if not more out of it, as Tahli does. I’ve got a new best mate who I can chat to at any time and get to have regular catch-ups with.
Tahli and I have caught up at least once every month since we’ve been paired, and we plan to keep it that way! We have had a great balance of big concerts and events, Gig Buddies' socials, as well as low-key hang outs.
I enjoy volunteering due to the exposure you get to different people, events, and perspectives. Gig Buddies has exceeded all my expectations.
- Tell us about some of the highlights from your time volunteering with Gig Buddies?
Volunteering with Gig Buddies means that I always have something exciting coming up in the calendar! Tahli and I went to our first proper music gig - a Pink Tribute Concert in February of 2025 and it’s a night I’ll never forget. I’m not much of a dancer, but Tahli had me up and grooving all night long.
One pleasant surprise has been the wider friendships formed. Tahli has a great group of friends within Gig Buddies that have been so welcoming and fun to hang out with since day one. It’s like catching up with a group of good mates, whether at a Gig Buddies social, a planned gig, or someone's birthday.
- What would you say to someone reading this who is thinking about volunteering with Gig Buddies?
There is nothing to lose!
It is an amazing privilege to be part of such a fun and supportive community where everyone is so welcoming and kind - the staff, other volunteers, and participants.
The beauty of Gig Buddies is that as a pair you create your own journey, totally catered towards your combined interests and availability.
"I get just as much, if not more out of it…."
Thank you, Charlotte, for sharing your story. Your glowing words are a perfect summary of how we like to operate.
"The beauty of Gig Buddies is that as a pair you create your own journey, totally catered towards your combined interests and availability."
We’re fortunate to have amazing people like Charlotte on our books. She and Tahli are a prime example of two buddies catching up regularly, both of whom equally benefit from the friendship.
And we're always on the lookout for more people like Charlotte. If you would like to volunteer with us, look no further: to sign up with our Sydney project click here, and jump on this link to get involved on the Central Coast.
And to find out more about our current openings, click on the 'volunteers wanted' images below.
Are you looking to volunteer?
We need volunteers! Click on the image above for current Sydney roles and the graphic below for opportunities on the Central Coast.
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact us via Facebook or email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
Hop to it
We’re two days out from the start of April - a month that sees us host TEN social gatherings.
Ten pin bowling, movies, a self-guided tour of Q Station Museum, arcades, BBQs, dinners and trivia: we’ve plenty going on.
To join us in Wyoming, Castle Hill, Manly, Parramatta, Lane Cove or Kogarah, sign up below:
Please note, our music and dinner gathering in Petersham, karaoke catch up in Darling Harbour, ‘Michael’ movie in the Eastern Suburbs, and Friday night dinner in Eastwood are all fully booked.
May-eight!
And looking ahead to the month of May, we have EIGHT socials lined up - connecting with buddies in Macarthur Square, Brookvale, Miranda, Cabramatta, Mangrove Mountain, Revesby, Rozelle and Davistown.
We’re inviting buddies to join us for breakfast and board games, pub trivia, lunch and dinners, doggy daycare, a guided tour of the Biennale of Sydney exhibition, and DJ bingo.
To sign up, jump on the links above.
Happy birthday to us!
Our eight May outings mentioned above are all in addition to our 11th birthday bash.
Since sharing our intentions, tickets have been flying out the door!
As a reminder, we’re inviting buddies to celebrate with us on Thursday 21 May as we take over Newtown’s The Vanguard.
Expect a night of live music and great company. Whether you’re based in Sydney or on the Central Coast, we invite you to join us for our birthday bash.
Tickets to our birthday cost $30 and include live music, lucky door prizes and much more.
To find out more about our birthday party (and to buy your ticket), load up the link above.
And if you have 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.
Rave on!
We love introducing new experiences. It’s what we stand for.
Earlier in the month our very own Bec, along with a number of buddies, were front and centre at Yokai Beatz Inclusive Rave, held in Erskineville.
Thank you to everyone who came along to our first ever rave social. To see what went down when we went raving, press play on our clip above.
Are you in the market for Gig Buddies’ merchandise? Our new and exclusive range of swag has landed!
Click on the image above to get your fill on Gig Buddies goodies. If we haven’t got the size you’re after, get in touch via Facebook Messenger.
Doubling up
Say hello to our newly matched up pair of buddies.
Welcome aboard, Ash and Nick (above, L - R) plus Robert and Jaffery (not pictured). We look forward to hearing more about their forthcoming catch ups.
Ready to go
And we’ve also gone and readied another FOUR volunteers.
We want to say thanks to the following: Jorge (bottom left), Ryan (bottom right) and Sarah (not pictured), plus Amy (top) - our newly prepped ‘group social support’ volunteer.
Due to our trained quartet of volunteers we’ll soon be able to announce a trio of new matches, while also increasing attendee numbers at our social gatherings.
"….which was a bit of a fun surprise"
Each and every month we like to bring you the news and views of those who make up our user-led team, Soul Fly Buddies.
For the month of March we hear from Nalyn, who tells us more about Gig Buddies’ catch ups and being called up for the Special Olympics.
"Earlier this year I went to the Gig Buddies Board Games night in Parramatta. There were a couple of new buddies who came along and we played Uno and I also learnt how to play a new game, it was a lovely night. I also went along to the trivia night at Pymble and we ended up making up our own trivia game, which was a bit of a fun surprise.
I also helped out at my local council’s School Holiday Program. We did a lot of different activities, a few of my favourites were: bike and slushie where we rode bikes and made our own slushies, magical butterfly house where we got up close and learnt about butterflies, and cheerleading dancing using pom poms.
I have some exciting news to share: I’ve made it to the final selection round for the 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games NSW Dance Squad. Dancing is a sport that I really enjoy because it’s fun, I’m always making new friends, and it keeps me fit and active."
- Nalyn, Soul Fly Buddies
In it to win it
If you’re in the Crows Nest area and fancy a bite to eat, may we recommend stopping by Grill’d?
They’ve nominated us, Gig Buddies Sydney, as one of their monthly Local Matters charities.
Be sure to place your cap in our jar as the charity with the most lids at the end of the month takes home $300.
Logging off
Due to the forthcoming Easter holidays, there will be no newsletter next Monday.
We’ll be back the following Monday (13/4) with all the latest Gig Buddies’ news.
Logging out
And on that note, we’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Easter.
We’ll be offline from 4pm this Thursday (2/4), resuming business as normal from 9am the following Tuesday (7/4).
"…. recognising the contributions….."
And finally, we would like to take this moment to acknowledge World Autism Day.
Celebrated annually on 2 April, the day promotes the full realisation of human rights and the fundamental freedoms for autistic individuals, ensuring their equal participation in society.
Since its creation in 2007, the global movement has now expanded beyond awareness to actively promote acceptance, appreciation, and inclusion, recognising the contributions autistic people make to their communities and the world at large.
The team at Gig Buddies fully embrace this message and stand in unison with this year’s theme: Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value.
Matthew: Central Coast coordinator (0402 708 814)
Carol: CEO (02 9419 6951)
Chelsea: NDIS coordinator (0412 145 819)
Tony: Funding and sponsorship coordinator (02 9419 6951)
Bec: Project officer, Sydney (0411 252 228)
Aylin: Western Sydney coordinator (0466 389 961)
Lara: Greater Western Sydney coordinator (0478 045 121) Charlotte: Northern Beaches coordinator (0403 184 404)
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.
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