Volunteer spotlight: Margaret
Margaret* joined Gilgal in early 2025 as an administrative volunteer, bringing years of valuable experience from her professional career. From the very beginning, her impact has been clear and incredibly valuable to the team.
Her story with Gilgal began when former CEO Sanja Kalik invited her for a chat. It took just a short conversation for the team to know she was the right fit, so we asked her to start straight away! The team were facing a challenging deadline, so it was truly a case of “all hands on deck.” Margaret jumped right in without hesitation.
Margaret first heard about Gilgal through her long-time friend, Board Member Yvette John. At the time, she was volunteering as a receptionist elsewhere but was looking for something more challenging – something that would allow her to put her skills to good use. When Yvette mentioned that Gilgal needed admin support, Margaret was keen to learn more.
When asked what inspired her to get involved, Margaret says it was the Gilgal team’s energy and professionalism that immediately stood out:
“I could tell right away that they trusted me, and that I could be helpful across a wide variety of tasks.”
Soon after she started, Margaret was lent a copy of The Desert Will Rejoice by Dr Christine Parkinson, which shares the story of how Gilgal began in the 1980s. New to the area, and having recently joined a local church, the book deeply resonated with her and strengthened her connection to the charity’s mission.
Today, Margaret volunteers around six hours a week with us, and loves being able to work closely with the whole team. Most recently, she has been working closely with our CEO Lis to update Gilgal’s policies and procedures. She has also assisted with contacting suppliers, creating spreadsheets, and conducting research. Her favourite part of the role?
“I enjoy problem solving. When I’m asked to find out about something – either online or in the database – it’s satisfying knowing I’ve been able to lend my expertise to the team.”
Aside from being one of our wonderful volunteers, Margaret is a devoted grandmother with four young grandchildren who keep her very busy! One of their favourite things to do is help her settle in and explore her new home after she recently moved house. As well as spending time with her family, she loves to socialise with her friends from church.
Reflecting on what she’s learned since joining Gilgal, Margaret says that the experience has reminded her how much she values working in a professional and purposeful environment. She admires the resilience of the team in navigating challenges and hopes her skills can help bridge the gap where resources are stretched, always striving to “make life a little easier for the team.”
Her advice to anyone considering volunteering?
If you have time to offer, whatever your skills, volunteering is very rewarding! It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and feel more fulfilled. Not only do volunteers support charities, they often discover just how much it gives back to them, too.
We’re so grateful to Margaret for her dedication and for sharing her skills and time so generously. She truly makes a difference to our team and the women and children we support.
*name has been changed for privacy
