About us
Southern Volunteering (SA) Inc is a not-for-profit organisation established in August 1984 and incorporated on 16 April 1985. Originally known as Noarlunga Volunteer Services Inc, the organisation changed its name in January 1997 to Fleurieu Volunteer Resource Centre Inc and then again in July 2005 to Southern Volunteering (SA) Inc.
Since its establishment in 1984 thousands of people have been interviewed and referred to volunteer positions. With a register of hundreds of volunteer involving organisations throughout the southern suburbs and the Fleurieu Peninsula, Southern Volunteering (SA) Inc has been supporting the community through volunteer referrals, volunteer management support and training.
Our Purpose:
To actively build vibrant communities by providing support, training and services related to volunteering in Southern Adelaide and the Fleurieu.
Annual Report and Highlights
Southern Volunteering is proud to share our 2022-2023 Annual Report and Highlights documents.
These outline the services, projects and achievements of our organisation over the last 12 months. Click the links below to view:
Our Team
Meet the staff of the SVSA team, supporting and celebrating volunteering across the Southern region of Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The work of SVSA wouldn’t be possible with the support of our amazing volunteers (not pictured).
Mel Kerton
Chief Executive Officer
Shaarn Moule
Office Administrator
Jo Rees
ACVVS State Network Member & CoP Coordinator
Renai Casey
ACVVS Coordinator
Lynne Arbon
Project Administrator Fleurieu
Our Board
John Smith – Chairperson
John (supposedly) retired in 2015 after a 38 year professional career in community services working in both State Government and non government agencies 1977-2015 (although his workload hasn’t slowed much since!). Roles included Director of Youthline Telephone Counselling Service (1977-79), Manager of the Parks Youth Centre (1979-87), Contract Manager responsible for services funded to non-government agencies for homeless single adults and families (1990-96) and Community Benefit SA (1996-2009); and finally Strategic Projects Manager for Junction Australia (2010-15).
John has also had a keen sporting background in playing 437 games of amateur league football and 327 games of suburban cricket.
John has been Chairperson of Southern Volunteer SA Inc since 2014, was Chairman of Brighton Bombers Football Club from 2001-2021, is a Management Committee Member of Warradale Cricket Club and was a Board Member of Shelter SA. John spends over 20 hours per week volunteering for SVSA and his football and cricket clubs.
John has a strong interest in volunteerism, community development, social justice, social policy, funding policy and advocating for services for disadvantaged people.
John’s formal qualifications are Bachelor of Science Biology with Psychology 1972 and Bachelor of Social Administration Social Work 1976, both from Flinders University.
Jannine Richards – Treasurer
Jannine is currently the Treasurer for Southern Volunteering SA Inc and has over 40 years’ experience within the finance & accounting departments for a wide variety of businesses. Currently working part time as office manager for a small local family business Jannine has previously worked for the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA Inc as finance assistance covering everything from daily accounts, reconciliations, & payroll through to Royal Show memberships, carparks & group bookings. Jannine is also working in a voluntary position as accounts assistance for Southern Volunteering SA Inc.
Cathie Vincent – Deputy Chairperson
Cathie is employed by the City of Onkaparinga as a Community Development Officer currently based at Aberfoyle Community Centre and previously at Reynella Neighbourhood Centre for 6 years and Hackham West Community Centre for 10 years. Cathie has extensive practical and theoretical knowledge around Asset Based Community Development practices and delivery of community led programs. She has been involved in Community Centres for the past 20 years and has a passion for volunteer management and community engagement.
Cathies formal qualifications include – Bachelor of Applied Science Family and Community Studies, Associate Diploma Community Work, Advanced Diploma Community Services Management and Advanced Diploma Volunteer Management.
Kerry Jaunutis – Board Member
Kerry trained as a registered nurse and worked in Work Health and Safety for 40 years, retiring from Flinders University as Rehabilitation Coordinator and Work Health and Safety Officer in 2016. Looking to fill in some time she went to Southern Volunteering and began volunteering at Minton Farm Native Animal Rescue Centre and continues to do so, enjoying the social aspects of volunteering as well as the animal care. She joined the Board of Southern Volunteering SA at the encouragement of other members and is enjoying the many challenges presented to the Board since joining.
John Pengilly – Board Member
John retired in 2011, after working for 5 years in the hotel/hospitality industry. Prior to that, he had been a franchisee and later a state retail consultant within a national poultry
franchise for 11 years. His prime occupational background involved Health and Welfare, working in both paediatric and psychiatric health settings. He was also involved in planning the physical relocation of the then Queen Victoria Hospital to form the now Women’s and Childrens’ Hospital at North Adelaide. John volunteers at Southern Volunteering (SA) Inc. interviewing those who want to volunteer within any one of our member organisations. He is also volunteers as a Patient & Family Representative, in the Division of Rehabilitation, Aged & Palliative Care within the Southern Area Local Health Network (SALHN).
John also occasionally speaks to community groups on behalf of, and regarding the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in both South Australia and the Northern Territory.
John has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a Graduate Diploma in Health Administration – both from the SA Institute of Technology.
He also has a Certificate 3 in Hospitality
In his early days he enjoyed playing hockey and sailing.
Paul Kennedy – Secretary
Paul’s background is primarily Logistics based, having established and run his own Logistics business in Melbourne for just over ten years. This was followed by experience at Local, State and Federal Government levels focussing on the Defence and Health sectors.
Having moved down from the Mid-North a few years ago and into part time work, the opportunity to work with Southern Volunteering as both an ACVVS volunteer and Board Member, was well-timed and very much welcomed.
Jonette Thorsteinsen – Board Member
Jonette retired after 39 years teaching in Southern Adelaide kindergartens, and began looking for opportunities for volunteering in the local community to make use of her free time. She became involved with the Onkaparinga Northern Community Forum and also volunteers at Minton Farm Native Animal Rescue Centre. She enjoys the camaraderie that goes with cleaning cages and feeding animals, of being part of a committee, and the friendships she has made. She initially became involved with Southern Volunteering by responding to a call out for volunteers to letterbox drop postcards during the pandemic.
Jonette is passionate about supporting people in becoming involved in volunteering and finding them places in the community where they feel welcome and useful.
Jonette’s formal qualifications are Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Graduate Diploma Community and School, Bachelor of Special Education and Bachelor of Arts.
Funding Partners & Sponsors
Southern Volunteering (SA) Inc acknowledges the following funding partners and supporters:
Quality Accreditation
Awarded Recognition Level 1 of the Australian Service Excellence Standards
In 2023 Southern Volunteering (SA) Inc was recognised in achieving STARservice, which is Recognition Level 1 of Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES). The Standards aim to build capacity and improve work practices in community organisations.
Organisations that earn the ASES Recognition status have improved their ability to attract funding and support, recruit qualified and motivated employees and volunteers, build a safe, positive and welcoming workplace, and develop better policies, procedures and practices such as WHS, risk management and financial management.
ACNC Tick of Charity Registration
Southern Volunteering (SA) Inc is a not-for-profit organisation and is registered with the Australian Charities & Not-for-profits Commission.
The ACNC Tick of Charity Registration (the Registered Charity Tick) aims to gives reassurance to the public that a charity is transparent and accountable and listed on the ACNC Charity Register.
To arrange an appointment, or to chat with one of our friendly staff, please always ring or email the relevant service first and we will ensure the most appropriate staff member is available to help you.
METRO SOUTH SERVICE
FLEURIEU PENINSULA SERVICE
Southern Volunteering welcomes people of all sexualities, genders, ethnicities, faiths, abilities and interests. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
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