Why Volunteer?

Volunteering is a great way to keep active in retirement, give back to the community, utilise life skills or learn new skills, and help small organisations like COA continue to deliver quality programs at minimal cost to participants.

COA simply could not function without its dedicated band of volunteers, who work in all areas of the organisation; from delivering meals, to governance, from making lunches, to arranging activities. Volunteers are the backbone of COA. Many volunteers stay with us as they age and form the nexus of our client group, as all that COA has to offer.

Volunteering with COA

Our 160 strong volunteer corps is comprised of caring, community spirited individuals, some of whom have been working with us since COA's inception in 1982. They work in all areas of our organisation. So whatever your interests there is bound to be a role which would suit your interests and time commitments.

Volunteer Outreach

COA runs a number of outreach services, and their delivery relies solely on volunteers. Many of our clients are alone and living on a pension. This means services must be provided at bare minimum cost, and our volunteers save us thousands of dollars each year, ensuring we can deliver our services to the poorest and richest alike.

Our outreach services include: delivery of Kosher Meals-on-Wheels and packing and delivery of the COA Fresh food service, and the Hannah Meyer Project bringing Shabbat and festival candle lighting to Jewish residents in non-denominational aged care facilities. 

Volunteer Administration

In the COA office on any day of the week you will find volunteers undertaking clerical tasks, accounts, and mail outs to members. Our governance is cared for by our volunteer Committee of  Management, who are skilled in areas of finance and business practices, and are dedicated to ensuring COA remains open and offering services for a long time to come.

Volunteers in the Krygier Center

Our in-house baking team utilises the Krygier Centre kitchen to produce cakes and compote for our Meals-on-Wheels program, as well as food for functions held at the Krygier Centre such as the Supper Club. We also have a number of volunteers who present and oversee weekly activities in the Krygier Centre such as Tai Chi and Bridge.

Becoming a COA Volunteer

To join our volunteer team please visit the COA office in the Krygier Centre. Part of the government tightening of aged care rules requires that all volunteers working with seniors have a current police check, so when you come to complete your volunteer forms please make sure to bring three forms of ID (eg current Passport, Drivers License, ID Card, Medicare Card, Bank Card). The NSW Police Check is valid for three years so we will periodically prompt you to renew your police check while working with us.