Deakin Volunteering Hub - Finally, my volunteer journey took a leadership role.

Vi seated in the front row, second from the left, at the Deakin Volunteering Hub meeting

In celebration of National Volunteering Week, in which I am writing this post, I want to take a moment to honour the countless volunteers whose time, compassion, and commitment change lives every day. Volunteering has always meant more to me than just giving back. It is one of the most powerful ways to build community, develop empathy, and grow into leadership.

It was this belief that inspired me to found and became the president of the Deakin Volunteering Hub in my second year of university. I saw how volunteering changed my own university experience, and I wanted to create a space where others could discover that same impact. I knew that acts of service could connect people, empower students, and build a stronger community. But I also knew I wanted to do more than just encourage volunteering. I wanted to build a platform where students could step up and lead. The Volunteering Hub was built with a clear purpose: to promote acts of service and to empower students to take the lead, no matter how small their ideas might seem. We are not just a club, but a community of changemakers.

My vision was clear. I didn’t want the Hub to operate like a traditional club with one team focused on one event. Instead, I built a model that empowered students to lead their own projects. I created the structure, mentored the project leads, and helped bring their ideas to life. Every initiative reflected the diversity and drive of the student behind it, but I ensured that the core message stayed the same—giving back, with purpose.

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Celebrating Identity, Respect and Self-Care

As a Volunteering Hub leader, I have had the privilege to create events that not only serve, but heal, empower, and connect students.

I launched the U Belong Week event by bringing 150 handcrafted Vietnamese fans to Deakin, hosting a cultural art session that invited more than 100 students to draw memories of home. For Self-Care Week, I led a hugging bar featuring giant teddy bears. Over 120 students joined us, laughing and crying. Beyond themed weeks, I led fundraising initiatives like Fun(d) Night, which raised nearly $1,000 for Operation Christmas Child. 

Vi leading the Hugging Bar during Self-Care Week

I initiated monthly Blood Donation Days, now joined by 50+ students each month. I am especially grateful to Elle Gilles, the Centre’s manager, for recognising my efforts with a heartfelt letter of commendation. I also started termly trips to Edgar’s Mission, a student volunteering trip to an animal sanctuary to step away from the noisiness of the city and reconnect with nature. We cared for injured animals, cleaned enclosures, and supported environmental restoration. The quiet beauty of the sanctuary, combined with the service we provided, made this one of the most healing and transformative experiences for all involved. It now runs every trimester and continues to reflect my deep love for animals, nature, and intentional living.

Vi at the Volunteering Hub's Blood Donation Day

Vi at the Volunteering Hub's Edgar's Mission Trip

One of the most defining projects I’ve led through the Volunteering Hub is the Bento Box Sale. During the exam period, we noticed many students struggling to access nutritious meals; some couldn’t afford groceries, others were too stressed or physically exhausted to cook, often relying on instant noodles instead. Recognizing this need, I brought together a group of student volunteers who, like myself, are passionate about cooking and student wellbeing. Over seven days, we prepared and distributed more than 400 home-cooked dinners, reaching over 150 students and helping them focus on their exams without the added stress of food insecurity.

Vi handling bento boxes at the Bento Box Sales

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A Community of Leaders

Looking back, I feel so grateful for every opportunity I had, every initiative that I led and every student I have worked with through the Volunteering Hub. My role as the president has been to lead by example, to create structure, and to guide others in finding their voice through service. But the real magic happens when students take that vision and make it their own. The Deakin Volunteering Hub has taught me that leadership is not about doing everything yourself. It is about creating something that others can step into, grow within, and eventually carry forward.

I am proud of what I have started, and even prouder of the students who have stepped up to continue the mission. At its core, this Hub is about empowerment, and I am so honoured to have been the one to spark it.

Hallmark Recommendation Letter from Elle Giles Deakin Volunteering Hub: April Club of the Month