Giving back as thank you for hard times

Loved by her team and customers for her bubbly, warm and welcoming nature, Nora's story embodies the spirit of St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria perfectly. At the same time, it reflects the diversity and inclusion cherished by the charity, which has been supporting Victorians in need for 170 years.

"I was born in Penang, Malaysia, and came to Australia in the 1980s when I was 21," says Nora, who followed her Australian husband at that time as a newlywed. Over the years, she learned to build a life for herself in her adopted country, raising her two wonderful children, Aaron and Natasha.

However, during the 1990s, Nora faced some difficult periods, including health challenges, that forced her to resign from her work. "I had to look after my children… Australia is a beautiful country with people who helped. I don't think I could have survived in any other place," says Nora with hindsight. Charities supported her during these difficult days, something she will forever be grateful for.

Gratitude and finding a purpose

It was partly in gratitude and partly due to her grandchildren getting older that Nora decided that it was time to give back to the community that had once helped her. Also, she wanted to do something for herself, something she enjoyed and had a purpose, making her feel that she used the time she had wisely instead of wasting it.

"One day, I walked along Sydney Road and saw Vinnies Brunswick. I bought a Buffalo horn with beautiful carvings… In fact, I still have it at home in my lounge room," Nora recalls smiling. Noticing the sign calling for volunteers, she spontaneously walked in and asked if she could join the team. "We called the manager who is also called Nora, and Nadia, the assistant manager, was there too. Both were so very nice and smiling. We talked, and they asked: OK, when can you start? And I said: tomorrow. It was the best," Nora laughs.

Alleviating poverty and fostering social equity and inclusion

At Vinnies, she quickly found herself among a diverse group of volunteers, each with unique life stories and backgrounds. Despite their differences, they all share a common bond – their dedication to St Vincent de Paul Society's mission of alleviating poverty and fostering social equity and inclusion.

"Richard, Maggie, Nadia, all the other volunteers – they are like family to me now," says Nora enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling. Like all St Vincent de Paul Society volunteers, her commitment to her role is unwavering. She doesn't just sort clothes or arrange items on shelves. Nora offers a friendly smile and a helping hand up to everyone who enters the shop regardless of their, often challenging, circumstances leaving a lasting impact on customers and volunteers alike. "I love my customers; they are beautiful, and there is no judgment from me or anyone else in the shop. I believe it is what it is, and tomorrow is another brand-new day," says Nora.

Importance of giving and kindness

Nora's interactions with customers reflect her and St Vincent de Paul Society's values of non-judgment and acceptance. Together with her team, she aims to always create a welcoming space for everyone, ensuring everyone who enters the shop feels cared for and respected. It is something that Nora hopes will profoundly impact her grandchildren, who witness firsthand the importance of giving and kindness to people regardless of their background when their grandma volunteers.

"I got three mixtures in me: Egyptian, Pakistan, and Malay," Nora explains with a smile. "I am a happy Muslim, and I believe in karma. Do good, no questions asked. When I see customers wearing a hijab, I say to them ‘salaam’ because I speak Arabic and I call them sisters. They are often very surprised and happy. We are all the same here. It doesn't matter what colour, what race, or what we believe – we are all the same. If we cut ourselves, our blood is the same… That is how we are," she says passionately.

Nora: “Volunteering with Vinnies gives me happiness”

"Volunteering with Vinnies and seeing my team makes me happy," Nora concludes. "I don't think I can ever stop volunteering with Vinnies because I wouldn't be happy anymore… It gives me happiness, and I want to give my happiness to everyone who enters the shop. I want to make all these people from all walks of life smile. And if they don't smile, I say: No problem. Everyone is different. I will simply smile to myself."

Thank you, Nora, for being such a wonderful member of the Vinnies team. If you want to become a volunteer, please click below.

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