For Rhys Williams, volunteering is about connection, community and creating practical support that helps families and students thrive.
Director of Community Engagement Ms Lyn Jarvis sat down with Rhys to find out what inspires him to volunteer for Gawura School.
What is your connection to both St Andrew’s and Gawura School?
Initially, my connection was through my daughter, who started at St Andrew’s in 2022. Since then, it has grown to include families across many year groups, Gawura School children and families, and staff across the School including the Community Engagement team, along with Trish Williamson and Andrew Simpson down in reception who provide such a positive start to every day. I’ve also connected with senior staff including Dr (Julie) McGonigle, Mrs (Bronwyn) Wake and Mr (Selwyn) Wu, as well as the many dedicated teachers and staff who have supported my daughter throughout her learning journey, far too many to name individually.
My connection with Gawura School began the year after my daughter started at St Andrew’s, first through reading with K–6 students on Monday mornings, before later helping with hamper deliveries on Wednesdays. My wife and daughter now join me for the Monday reading sessions. Through these experiences, I’ve built strong connections with Gawura School staff, children and families, which has been incredibly rewarding.
How long have you been volunteering, and in what capacity?
I’ve been volunteering in one capacity or another since I was 32, back in 1990, after my sons were born, initially with Apex and later through my sons’ School communities.
At St Andrew’s, I began volunteering in 2023, the year after my daughter started.
In addition to Gawura School reading and hamper deliveries, I’ve served as a P&F year convenor and provided hands-on support for School events including Grandparents Day, Gala Day, swimming carnivals and Fair in the Square. Being retired means I’m usually available to help wherever needed. Less visibly, I’ve also taken on an advocacy role for families, drawing on my background as a retired lawyer.
What made you decide to volunteer in this way? What is it about the programme or its vision that inspired you to volunteer and keep volunteering? Or to put it another way – what is it that you believe in?
I have the time, and I wanted to help. Raising two sons when I was younger taught me that it’s possible to contribute meaningfully outside of work and family commitments.
“More broadly, volunteering allows me to support the School’s vision and community in ways that I hope are genuinely helpful.”
With Gawura School specifically, the vision is incredibly inspiring. Providing scholarship education to First Nations children gives young people opportunities that can truly change the course of their future and help them fulfil their potential. It’s about offering a genuine hand up through education, and I feel privileged to contribute, even in a small way, to that outcome.
Can you share a moment or experience while volunteering that really stood out to you, where you felt you were making a positive impact?
Watching a child’s reading improve over the course of a year and knowing I played a small part in helping that happen, has been incredibly rewarding.
The hamper deliveries have also been very meaningful. During last year’s bird flu epidemic, we were at times the sole provider of eggs to Gawura School families. It required some very creative purchasing techniques across the North Sydney area, but it was clearly worthwhile and deeply appreciated.
How has volunteering affected you personally?
Helping others gives me purpose, and volunteering enables me to live out that purpose in a practical way.
It has also been a continual learning experience. I’m constantly extending my knowledge and understanding, particularly in the advocacy space, so I can better support and assist others.
What have you learnt as a volunteer?
I’ve learnt an enormous amount including First Nations history, food services, school operations and community support. There is still so much more to learn, and that’s part of what makes the experience so enriching and enjoyable.
Most importantly, volunteering has led to many wonderful friendships, with many more still to come. Those connections bring a real smile to my face.
How do you think volunteering helps strengthen our school community?
Volunteering is a vital part of School community life. It not only provides practical support to others, but also creates opportunities for people to connect, work together and build long-term friendships through shared experiences.
What would you say to someone considering volunteering for the first time?
Don’t worry too much about the specific activity, just put your name down and give it a go. If you’re unsure, find someone who has done it before. Everyone is welcoming and happy to help, so buddy up with someone and enjoy the experience.
What do you hope our FN scholarship program will achieve in the future?
I hope the First Nations Scholarship Program gives First Nations children every opportunity to fulfil their potential through a great education. One that allows them to shine, lead and, in some cases, advocate for meaningful change.
More broadly, I hope it contributes to accelerating the implementation of Closing the Gap recommendations and helps create an environment for truth-telling and genuine reconciliation sooner rather than later.
