It’s time to reopen our vault and share another testimony from one of our wonderful volunteers.
Today we bring you the words of Liam (below left), who tells us more about his match with Angus (below right).
- How long have you been volunteering with Gig Buddies?
February 2021 Angus and I first got paired, so about 2.5 years.
- Is Gig Buddies your first volunteering role?
Pretty much. I had done sporadic volunteering like Surf Life Saving when I was younger, and the odd day helping various charity events.
- Why do you volunteer with Gig Buddies?
A friend of mine was a Gig Buddies’ volunteer before I signed up, and recommended I check it out (shout out DK, pictured below left alongside Rawley, front). At first, my reason for joining was giving back, “do-gooding” etc...
The reason I volunteer now is because I have a great friendship with Angus, who is a legend!
- How would you describe your volunteering experience with Gig Buddies?
Whilst there are cracking events every month, and access to plenty of support from the Gig Buddies’ team, the real draw card for me has been the flexibility on how you and your buddy hang out.
For Angus and I, we love to get out to events like bowling with a group, or the awesome parties Gig Buddies throws, but it’s great also being able to just get to a music gig together, or just chill out and play xBox or watch movies.
- Tell us about some of the highlights from your time volunteering with Gig Buddies?
Where to start! As we got to know each other, we went to the movies a couple times, grabbed a beer and a feed, and low key catch ups.
Angus then educated me on the world of comic cons, and we hit up a few epic events... I even did my first cosplay.
Earlier in the year we saw Bad Religion & Social Distortion at the Hordern Pavilion, which was Angus’ first music gig, what a night!
Most recently, Angus has hyped me up to see some horror movies, which I’d never been game enough to do. First it was Smile, then the new Exorcist movie. I’m nervously awaiting which terrifying film is next in the chamber.
It's been incredible getting to know each other, and doing new cool stuff that we both mightn't otherwise do.
- What would you say to someone reading this who is thinking about volunteering with Gig Buddies?
As above. I hadn’t really done any volunteering, and I wasn’t really the ‘volunteering type’... whatever that means.
What’s been awesome about Gig Buddies is it’s at your (and your buddy’s) pace. I’ve made heaps of new friends - both volunteers and buddies, and I genuinely really look forward to all the events.
If you do join, come say hey to Angus and I at the next event!
"It's been incredible getting to know each other"
Thank you, Liam, for sharing your story.
His match with Angus is a perfect example on how we work and our overall objectives. They’ve both mutually benefitted from being part of Gig Buddies - and that’s what we’re all about!
"If you do join, come say hey to Angus and I at the next event!"
And we’re always looking for more people like Liam.
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
Gigs, gigs, gigs
We’ve got Gig Buddies social gigs galore to offer you between now and the end of 2023.
Firstly, tickets to our two festive gatherings are selling fast.
As a reminder, on Wednesday 29 November we’ll be taking over Marrickville’s Factory Theatre for our Sydney festive party.
And later that week - on Saturday 2 December - we head to the Central Coast, stopping off at Umina Beach’s Margarita Daze.
Whether you’re based in Sydney or on the Central Coast, we invite you to join us for our two festive gatherings. To sign up for both, load up the links below:
Ding dong merrily on high
And as for the rest of December, we have SIX additional gatherings taking place throughout Sydney and the Central Coast.
For the final month of 2023 we invite buddies to join us in Miranda, Gosford, Waverton, Macarthur, Petersham and Double Bay for bingo, dinner, breakfast and boardgames, live football, markets, an inclusion festival, and pub trivia.
To find out more about our December socials (and to sign up), jump on the links below.
Nights (and days) out in November
But before we get to December, we have four remaining November group outings to offer.
From this Thursday we invite buddies to join us in Ultimo, Windsor, Milperra and Miranda as we bring you interactive artworks, markets, food and drink outings, and a trip to the arcades.
To sign up for any of our November nights (and days) out, load up the following links:
Please note, this Saturday's live music gathering at Waitara’s Magpies has now sold out.
Remember, all participants and volunteers are welcome at our social gatherings - even if your buddy cannot attend.
If you have any questions about 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.
Out and about in October
On the subject of our socials, we facilitated EIGHT in the month of October - including Saturday’s ‘spooky movie’ gathering in Penrith.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in the west, along with those who made it to our other October offerings: lawn bowls in Clovelly, movies and Mexican in Lake Haven, the Koala Sanctuary in West Pennant Hills, Yours and Owls Festival in Wollongong, our dinner outing in Newport, our information table at the Marrickville Music Festival, and our trip to Ryde Markets.
To see more snaps for all our recent catch ups, click here.
Each and every month we invite buddies to connect with us for our online chats.
Our chats take place via Zoom. To attend get in touch via text: 0422 061 990 or Facebook Messenger.
Moving forward
As previously mentioned, our online chats will now take place on a monthly basis.
Starting this Thursday (2/11), scroll to the bottom of this link to see the dates of our upcoming chats.
Prepped and ready to go
We readied another volunteer last week.
Thanks for joining us on Zoom, Brea. We look forward to pairing you up in due course.
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: Sydney coordinator (0411 252 228)
Aylin: Western Sydney coordinator (0466 389 961)
Lara: Greater Western Sydney coordinator (0478 045 121)
Sandon: Southern Sydney coordinator (0478 043 996)
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.
