Alan Finkel Volunteer Space opened at Monash South Africa

15 February 2011

From the left: Prof Tyrone Pretorius Pro Vice-Chancellor, Monash South Africa with Dr Alan Finkel, Chancellor Monash University, Australia.

Monash students at the Alan Finkel Volunteer Space. Pictured in one of the new offices in the Volunteer Space are: (on the left) Kgomotso Radiphochwa who is chairman of the Zandspruit service provider and will also be one of the new the Community Liaison Officers at the Volunteer Space. Kgomotso has been involved with the Monash Community Engagement Office for two years. This year he has enrolled to study towards a BA degree majoring in International Studies. Kgomotso is passionate about developing leaders in the community. Dionne Morris (right) is head of the Monash University Student Volunteer Programme. She has completed her BA degree in Criminology and Psychology and is currently studying towards a BA (Honours) degree in Criminology. Dionne is passionate about community development and social change and is an active member of the Monash Community Engagement team.

Student volunteers at Monash South Africa now have a new area in which to organise their activities with the official opening of the Alan Finkel Volunteer Space at a ceremony held on campus on Friday, 11 February 2011.

On behalf of staff, students and the surrounding community, Pro Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Tyrone Pretorius, thanked Dr Alan Finkel, Chancellor of Monash University, Australia, who through his Foundation has provided this fully-equipped Volunteer Space.

According to Professor Pretorius, several years ago community engagement at Monash South Africa began organically as a student initiative.

“Due to the enthusiasm and volunteer spirit of the students, Monash South Africa then felt it necessary to provide support and structure, to ensure continuity within the constantly changing student body, and appointed a Community Engagement Manager, Mr Craig Rowe, to coordinate the activities of the students. Up until now the student volunteers have been operating out of Mr Rowe’s office.

“We are most grateful to the Chancellor who, through his Foundation, asked whether there was a project he could support – after being so impressed with the Saturday School (where learners from disadvantaged schools in the area are provided with extra tuition) as well as other student volunteer projects and activities on campus.

“It was suggested that a great way to provide support would be to sponsor the provision of a Volunteer Space from which student volunteers could operate. This great space is now a reality. It also features a ‘community desk’ so that the community can be involved with a firm base of operation.  Having this space will also facilitate interaction, cooperation and coordination between various groups.

“It will also assist with one of our key objectives: As an education institution we need to ensure that our volunteer activities fit into and influence our education, teaching and research while benefitting our community.”

Dr Finkel said that: “An important aspect of South Africa is the nation building efforts being undertaken. The spirit of reconciliation is part of nation building as is the capacity of ordinary people to make a difference.

“Monash South Africa is educating the leaders of the future. Future leaders also need to be sensitised to understand the plight of others and need to do things to assist other people.

“The percentage of students involved in volunteer work on the Monash South Africa campus is most impressive and there are some very innovative and effective projects being run here, for example, the teaching taking place at the Saturday School on campus by students, who themselves benefitted from this programme.

Monash Community Engagement Manager, Craig Rowe said: “We are proud to be able to utilise this modern and fully functional resource to consolidate and integrate the work of recognised external stakeholders with that of internal staff and student entities.”      

“With over a dozen student-led organisations representing over 900 registered members, the need for a central space of this type has been growing for some time. The centre will effectively provide a safe and manageable area to connect with those parts of our immediate community that are most in need.

“One of our key objectives is the promotion of improved practical associations between staff, students and the surrounding community. We believe in carrying out work which is pertinent, contemporary and effective.

“Working in community engagement tends to be a humbling experience. One often has to rely on the kindness of others to make things happen. Community engagement requires the courage, commitment and conviction it takes to pluck oneself out of a comfort zone and to follow through with modest but meaningful work to achieve the best possible conclusions.

“Monash students have a responsibility to leave our environment in a better condition than they found it. We therefore need to undertake relevant work whereby we assist in providing practical knowledge and capacity-building opportunities for external communities and contribute towards their self reliance.