"…more meaning than you can imagine"
- Gig Buddies Sydney
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
For the final time in 2025 we’re handing over the newsletter to one of our wonderful volunteers.
For November’s volunteer vault entry we hear from Christine (below, right), who tells us more about her pairing with Stavros (below, left).
- How long have you been volunteering with Gig Buddies?
Eight years.
- Is Gig Buddies your first volunteering role?
No, I used to volunteer in my younger years with St Vinnies.
- Why do you volunteer with Gig Buddies?
I saw the 7.30 Report back in 2017, featuring none other than Stavros himself and I put in my application the next day.
- How would you describe your volunteering experience with Gig Buddies?
Absolutely one of the greatest achievements of my life. I have been paired up three times and now I am with Stavros, my ultimate pairing.
I feel like I am making a difference, but also just being mates with a bunch of excellent humans.
- Tell us about some of the highlights from your time volunteering with Gig Buddies?
The group socials are amazing – I go to as many as I can. I have made so many friends from that, it is incredible. The whole organisation is so inclusive.
- What would you say to someone reading this who is thinking about volunteering with Gig Buddies?
DO IT. SIGN UP NOW. It will absolutely change your life for the better and give you more meaning than you can imagine.
"Absolutely one of the greatest achievements of my life….."
We want to take this moment to say a massive "thank you" to Christine for sharing her story.
Eight years with the project is a wonderful achievement. Now matched with Stavros, they’re a perfect example of everything we stand for: friendships built on mutual interests; people catching up regularly to attend events together.
That's a wrap
And we want to also doff our cap to the other volunteers who took the time to share their stories in 2025: Scott, Emma, Jenna, Andrew, Jacob, Emma and Lauren, you all gave great insight into what volunteering with Gig Buddies is all about.
To read each individual story, load up the links above.
"DO IT. SIGN UP NOW"
And we’re always on the lookout for new volunteers. If you would like to join the fun, 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.
In the words of Christine, “DO IT. SIGN UP NOW.”
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
Dance to the nines
Last week we dropped news of our January ongoings.
To kickstart 2026 we’re hosting nine social offerings, connecting with buddies in Longueville, Pymble, Gosford, Centennial Park, Forestville, Rouse Hill, Five Dock, Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park.
We’ll be catching up for pub trivia, dinners, drag bingo, the movies, board games and basketball. To join us in January, jump on the links below:
2025, roger and out
As for December, of our eight scheduled social settings, two have sold out while the remaining six are on the verge of doing so.
We’re inviting buddies to join us at one of the following: dinners, carols, Christmas markets, art sessions and kayaking.
We’ll be connecting with buddies in Bankstown, West Ryde, Mascot, Blacktown, Erskineville and Narrabeen. To join us for one last time this year, load up the links above.
Please note, our gatherings in Wamerbal and Double Bay have both sold out.
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.
No room at the inn
That’s it! After 11 weeks of marketing, ticket sales to Thursday’s festive party at Universal Sydney have ended.
To those who secured their spot, an email will be sent this week.
We can’t wait to see everyone on the DF.
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.
One up
We’ve one new pairing to share with you this week.
It’s wonderful to have both Trevor and Stella (above, L - R) on board.
That's a wrap
Last Friday we caught with the project’s user-led team, Soul Fly Buddies, for a celebratory bite to eat.
Meeting in Hornsby, we took time to reflect on achievements for 2025: curating our 10th birthday party, putting together Thursday’s festive party, Stavros’ appointment to join the board of our parent company, ACL Disability Services, and the continual advocation for the project and its participants.
To Karen, Nalyn, Audrey and Lachy (above, L - R plus Stavros, Jack, Alex and Bevan not pictured), thank you for your ongoing efforts in promoting the importance of social inclusion.
Here’s to more of the same in 2026.
"… a beer and kebabs at the pub"
And on the subject of Soul Fly Buddies, each and every month we hand over the newsletter to one member - inviting them to share their latest ongoings.
For the month of November we hear from Jack, who tells us more about catching up with his buddy Brendan.
“As the year starts to wind down and the holiday rush starts to rise, Brendan and myself still found time to catch up.
First up a beer and kebabs at the pub while the NRL grand final was playing, many a chat and laugh was had. More recently Brendan, myself and Hannah - my beautiful fiancé - all met up to watch Edgar Wright's dystopian action thriller, The Running Man.
What followed was a 133 minute thrill ride filled with pitch black humour and brutal bare knuckled action, topped with an unhinged and charismatic performance from the great Glen Powell.
All that remains is the impossible task of trying to catch up before Christmas.”
- Jack, Soul Fly Buddies
Introducing the 'Group Social Support'
And finally, we recently shared details of a proposal that will go some way to address attendee numbers at our social events.
We’re calling on the Gig Buddies’ community to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on our new idea.
As a reminder, each and every month we host around 8 - 12 Gig Buddies’ socials, connecting with buddies throughout Sydney and the Central Coast. In line with demand, the majority of our events often sell out - leaving us with a number of participants who miss out.
In our attempts to ensure as many buddies as possible can attend our gatherings, we’re reaching out to our network of volunteers.
Essentially, we’re looking for volunteers who want to give their time but may be unable to commit to catching up with a buddy once a month. As an alternative, these volunteers can assist Gig Buddies’ staff at our socials - enabling us to increase attendance rates at our catch ups.
Duties at our events could include supporting participants in ordering food, assisting attendees with meeting points or simply striking up a conversation to help with engagement levels. You may act as the ‘go to person’ at one of our events, in addition to ensuring attendees arrive and get home safely.
Those who sign up to become a GSS will be welcome to attend any social event that matches their availability, or is in line with their interests. All GSS’s will undergo specific training and will complete all necessary compliance.
Our GSS role is aimed specifically at volunteers who ONLY want to give their time at our socials. As we want to avoid any potential conflicts of interest, volunteers who are currently matched (or in the process of being paired with a buddy) will not be considered for the role. Volunteers who have previously had a buddy are welcome to apply.
In addition to the satisfaction of giving back to the community, the increased responsibility within this role means that a GSS will receive free entry to the event they’re attending, along with a meal allowance in line with award (currently $16.62).
Towards the start of 2026 a link will be created, enabling volunteers to specifically sign up as a GSS, while those already on our database who may be interested can simply contact the team to express their interest.
But for now we’re encouraging our community refer to our FAQ page and to share their feedback: if you have thoughts or suggestions, get in touch via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org, call us at the office (02 9419 6951) or contact us via text on 0412 145 819.
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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