A day of purposeful volunteering
Volunteers from the Australia New Zealand Recycling Platform (ANZRP) rolled up their sleeves on Friday 15 May at Oakleigh Business Solutions for a volunteering day in celebration of National Volunteer Week, bringing energy, teamwork and practical support to the disability social enterprise.
The volunteer day created a genuine “working bee” atmosphere, with ANZRP team members working side-by-side with supported employees and staff across multiple production lines. Their enthusiasm and willingness to help wherever needed made an immediate impact — both operationally and socially.
The connections formed throughout the day were meaningful to site workers, with several supported employees asking the following Monday when the volunteers would be returning!
Impressive Results and Real Impact
The measurable outcomes of the day were remarkable. Together, the teams packed approximately 4,800 one-kilogram rice bags and completed around 600 spice pouches! On another spice production line, volunteers helped complete nearly 3,500 units in just four hours. They also completed close to 800 pouch labels, helping improve packing efficiency and reduce pending workload.
Oakleigh Site Manager Nalin Arachchige praised the ANZRP team for being approachable, hardworking and respectful, saying their professionalism and positive attitude “did not go unnoticed”.
For ANZRP, the experience was equally rewarding, with Andrew But, Manager, Compliance and Operations, sharing that Endeavour Foundation volunteer days are “honestly a highlight of our Wellbeing Program”.
The day was a powerful reminder of the difference community partnerships and volunteering can make — not only in improving operational outcomes, but in creating connection, inclusion and shared purpose.
