"…I wasn’t really the 'volunteering type'…"
Liam (below left) tells us more about his gig buddying experience 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