Celebrating National Volunteer Week At Triple R
National Volunteer Week is a very special time. To celebrate, we’re profiling a few of the fine folks who dedicate their time to volunteering at Triple R – starting with Clara, who helps out on our front desk, and takes many of the amazing photos you see from our events, interviews in the studio, and in The Trip mag, too. You might have also heard Clara recently presenting a round of Tabula Rasa episodes.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself! What keeps you busy, what are you interested in?
A: There is so much to life that keeps me sane and somewhat insane every day! My interests are a bit of a rollercoaster. I like to dabble in a bit of everything, ranging from science and astrophysics to philosophy, psychology, arts – mainly music, photography, film and writing, so literally anything and everything that’s related to human existence and creativity. Humans are so interesting.
Q: What inspired you to start volunteering with Triple R?
A: I was quite lost after studying fashion design at uni, because I knew that wasn’t the industry that I wanted to put my creative energy into – so I narrowed my main passions down to music and photography. That’s when a friend told me I should start volunteering for Triple R and that it would be the right environment for me, so I applied to volunteer for Radiothon 2018 and the rest is history.
Q: What does your role entail?
A: I am a photographer for the station and I also get to bank four hours of wisdom every Tuesday morning sitting on the front desk with Zoran, the Master of Reception. I also started broadcasting last year, which has definitely been the highlight of my volunteer experience!
Q: Best thing that’s happened to you as a result of volunteering?
A: Definitely creating connections with a community that share the same interests as you and have similar mindsets to you. All the people that I’ve met through the station have all brought a lot of joy into my life. Also having the opportunity to broadcast and share my knowledge and music with the Melbourne community. My mum is so proud.
Q: How has volunteering changed your life?
A: Volunteering for Triple R has definitely opened my eyes to a lot of things. The main thing being my love for music and surrounding myself with a community that does, too. I don’t think there is anything more fulfilling than finding “your people” and immersing yourself in a like-minded industry.
Q: Any advice for aspiring volunteers?
A: I think it’s important to be humble at the fact that you don’t know anything. Even though you think you know... you really don’t, and so it’s important to have an open mindset, learn from everyone you cross paths with in the industry, and be a walking sponge, soaking in the knowledge and experience. Also, without sounding too cliché, but also understanding how much truth this statement holds: Just be yourself.
Q: Anything else you’d like to tell folks about your experience volunteering at Triple R?
A: Just that Triple R is the best and every quirky and cool character that I’ve met through the station has brought some light into my life.
Meet Lisa – another one of our amazing volunteers! Lisa creates the Backstory podcast and a whole heap of online content, too.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself!
A: I gave up full-time work as an academic in media studies a couple of years ago so I could concentrate on things that matter to me: volunteering at CERES in propagation and making films.
Q: What inspired you to start volunteering with Triple R?
A: It was a back-to-my-roots thing. I first volunteered as an undergraduate in the late ’80s before working in radio elsewhere and going on to teach it at Swinburne for many years. It’s been a great homecoming.
Q: Best thing that’s happened to you as a result of volunteering?
A: I’ve met so many amazing people. I love how welcoming and kind everyone is, and that there’s a genuine respect for difference. A recent highlight was working with Bron Burton from Radio Marinara and Mary Mihelakos on a comedy bushfire relief benefit night. But there are little highlights every day.
Q: How has volunteering changed your life?
A: It’s keeping me open and engaged with the world without the pressure that comes with professional work. Doing what you love is a complete privilege; I’m very grateful I get to do it at both Triple R and CERES.
Q: Any advice for aspiring volunteers?
A: Don’t be shy about putting yourself out there. This applies to everyone but especially women, who I know, from years of teaching technical media subjects, often feel they can’t put themselves forward. Share your awesomeness with the world!
Q: Anything else you’d like to tell folks about your experience volunteering at Triple R?
A: I’m grateful I almost got to play my first game of football; alas, the body let me down. But just donning the guernsey and training with the Megas was amazing (though I’ll be channeling future efforts into making banners and carrying water bottles).
Karl uploads our weekly Soundscape page on the Triple R website: a list of new releases making an impression on our music department.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself!
A: I spend my days (and many nights) working for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, producing contemporary programs like live film concerts and collaborations with rock and pop artists. Outside of work, I like cycling, reading, gardening, cooking, and mostly just hanging out with my two greyhounds Polly and Connor.
Q: What inspired you to start volunteering with Triple R?
A: When I first moved to Melbourne in 2012, I discovered Triple R by accident; it was like stumbling on a goldmine. There were brilliant shows reflecting all of my passions. I was inspired to write in to volunteer and have been doing so ever since.
Q: Best thing that’s happened to you as a result of volunteering?
A: I love that my current volunteering role keeps me on the pulse with new music coming out. I’ve been exposed to so much great music, especially Melbourne releases.
Q: How has volunteering changed your life?
A: Volunteering with 3RRR gives me an opportunity to carve out time in my week to contribute to an organisation built by the Melbourne community for the Melbourne community. I think it’s really great for mental health and wellbeing to contribute in a small way towards a greater project that brings a lot of value to people.
Q: Any advice for aspiring volunteers?
A: Don’t be afraid to volunteer in an area you’re interested in. It opens many paths, some of which can be completely unexpected.
Q: Anything else you’d like to tell folks about your experience volunteering at Triple R?
A: I love being around during Radiothon when so many people contribute in the phone room and get dressed up. Zero-G have the best costumes.
Ever wondered how your calls reach Tony Biggs on a Friday morning? You can thank our volunteer Tim!
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself!
A: I like my partner and family, footy, and riding a bike around. Good music can still stop me in my tracks. I have a love/hate relationship with politics, and try and grapple with doing good.
Q: What inspired you to start volunteering with Triple R?
A: I had previously volunteered for a program called L2P sitting with learner drivers for 120 hours to get their driver’s license. We relocated to Northcote and I slipped through the cracks of the program. I’d gone past the Triple R building a number of times since moving and had a light-bulb moment to see what this might be like.
Q: What does your role entail?
A: I help out on Tony’s program On The Blower with the phones, and I have been working with Grace and Liz on historical grids, trying to convert these to a database for future use.
Q: Best thing that’s happened to you as a result of volunteering?
A: Diversified perspectives from all those I bump into along the path.
Q: Any advice for aspiring volunteers?
A: Crack in.
Q: Anything else you’d like to tell folks about your experience volunteering at Triple R?
A: The sense of community and community connection is great, but frankly I have not encountered as much authentic gratitude perhaps ever. From Triple R staff and other volunteers to listeners, the consistency level runs at 10. It’s a great culture.
Photo by Hayley Noelle Originals
Say hello to Kelly, the podcast editor for The Mission.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.
A: Like many of the beautiful people I meet around RRR, I’m a musician. I’m totally addicted to bass WOW WAHOW, so you might have seen me around town playing for Laura Imbruglia, Loobs, Jock Strap-On, or singing in my new band Zig Zag.
Q: What inspired you to start volunteering with Triple R?
A: I started taking music more seriously and I wanted understand the industry better. I’ve had so many jobs that keep the wheels of my life spinning in the background. It was just time for me to take a leap and put my heart and hard work into music from any side of the industry that would have me.
Q: Best thing that’s happened to you as a result of volunteering?
A: Becoming a dedicated listener of The Mission! I’m grateful to spend the time each week listening back to Daniel James interview First Nations guests. I often google along for the articles, campaigns, books and artists being referenced; it’s been really important to me to become more informed about Indigenous politics and news to be a better ally.
Q: How has volunteering changed your life?
A: I discovered RRR through the lens of the music community but found that more than just backing music-makers, RRR fully embodies an objective of being a caring and actively ethical community. It’s inspired me to be a better activist and has made my music-making a force for seeking the best in people.
Q: Any advice for aspiring volunteers?
A: These people are the real deal. Bring your giant heart and keep it open.