Blog
Gifts for Ukraine
To support refugees in Ukraine, Good Neighbours Australia partnered with like-minded organisations, securing much-needed donations such as blankets, winter clothing, children’s toys and other essentials.
November 6, 2023
Stories of #GoodChange
July 2020
Introducing our new treasurer!
Good Neighbour #3: Jenny
In the third Interviews with our Good Neighbours, where we feature stories of those involved with Good Neighbors Australia, our focus is on #GoodNeighbour Jenny McKechnie!
Affectionately known as Mama Jenny in the team, she first joined us in November 2019, and mainly provided advice on our monetary-related duties. But time flew by! She remained persistent and has now been with Good Neighbours Australia for around 9 months.
And what’s more, as of this month – that’s July – Jenny has become our official treasurer! It’s truly a meaningful moment not just for Jenny, but everyone in the team too. Her journey to humanitarian volunteering is even more awe-inspiring. From working with leading universities in Australia and New Zealand to living in Malaŵi, Africa, it really seems as though she’s seen it all.
"It’s a change working for a small organisation...now I am doing what I enjoyed most from my previous role."
GN: Please briefly describe your role at Good Neighbors Australia. When did you start, and what do you enjoy about it?
JM: My role is to ensure Good Neighbours Australia is doing the right thing in its accounting, tax and finance functions. I provide advice on financial matters as they arise. I started in November 2019, and I’m enjoying researching information to include in my advice. The office team is great to work with.
GN: What motivated you to join?
JM: I had left full-time work and was looking for an opportunity to use my accounting and finance skills in the voluntary sector. The Good Neighbours international partnership is doing work I want to support, so I’m happy to be a member of the team developing its work in Australia.
GN: Were you always interested in international development?
JM: To be honest, no. But I had always wanted to live abroad. When I moved to Malaŵi, I saw how poverty, a lack of health care and poor education were impacting the lives of everyday Malawians. It changed my view of the world.
GN: Moving to Malaŵi must have been a big change in your life. What was it like living in Africa? What do you miss most about living in Malaŵi?
JM: It was a big change, though not in a way you might expect. We were living on a private school campus where the teachers were expats. We had three domestic workers and were glad we could give them work and support three families. We weren’t encouraged to mix with locals. Nearly all Malaŵian staff lived off campus.
When we lived there, it was a one-party state. Malawians faced restrictions on what they could say and do, as did expats. Ladies weren’t allowed to wear trousers and skirts had to be below the knee. It’s different today as Malawi now has a multi-party democracy and the dress rules have gone.
I guess this is not the response you were expecting. We did get to meet locals as we travelled around Malaŵi. We had a bach (NZ word for holiday cottage) in a village on the shore of Lake Malaŵi, where got to know some villagers and understand their lives. It was the home of the retired Bishop of Southern Malaŵi, who had spent time in England. He gave us English summaries of the Chichewa sermons when we went to the local church. Malaŵi’s tourism promotion as “The Warm Heart of Africa” is well justified. People are poor, but usually helpful and cheerful.
I miss the sunshine, the slower pace of life and having my household chores done by someone else.
GN: What is being an advisor like at a non-profit organisation? Are there significant differences when compared with your previous professional experience?
JM: It’s a change working for a small organisation. Previously I had worked in universities. Now I am doing what I enjoyed most from my previous role, which is research and advice without having to do the rest.
GN: Lastly – what's one word to describe your experiences with us at Good Neighbours Australia?
JM: Fulfilling.
Like Jenny, you too can start working towards a more rewarding life. We are a family that welcomes anyone and everyone, no matter the background. Simply apply to be a volunteer on our website, and we will get back to you as soon as we can! Thank you Jenny, and look forward to our next Good Neighbour feature!
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Blog
Sending warmth with Wrap with Love
Good Neighbours Australia has formed a new partnership with Australian charity, Wrap With Love, to send 2,000 hand-knitted blankets made by Australian volunteers, to support our partner communities.
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Blog
Sisters: Let’s talk about period poverty
Managing menstrual hygiene at school has become a key challenge for girls, especially in rural areas in Africa, where safe, clean water and toilet facilities are often inadequate and period products are considered a luxury. Through the Better Life for Girls Project, Good Neighbours Australia is raising awareness, funds and gift-in-kind donations to create better lives for girls
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News
Bridging generations through art
Connection Through Creativity: Intergenerational Art Project, developed and hosted by Good Neighbours Australia (GNAU), brings together Filipino and Fairfield community seniors and student volunteers from the Australian Catholic University. This is in partnership with the Philippine Australian Society for Seniors Citizens Inc. (PASSCI) and Fairfield City Council this August.
August 17, 2023
Blog
Our Focus on Multicultural Minorities and Om Dhungel’s Inspiring Journey
Om Dhungel’s life took an unexpected turn, leading him on a life-changing journey as a refugee from the Himalayan ridges of Bhutan to the multicultural community of Blacktown.
Along the way, Om also connected with Good Neighbours Australia and partnered with us to support minority multicultural communities during the COVID pandemic.
August 8, 2023
Blog
Nguyet’s Story
Every child deserves a safe home. Thanks to child sponsorship, Good Neighbours was able to support Nguyệt and her grandmother with the construction of their new house.
July 10, 2023
