UWA student Abel Goerge supports Shire of Waroona volunteer study as part of McCusker Centre internship

A Peel council has been assisted with its understanding of its volunteer community through a university program designed to help students give back.

UWA economics and finance student Abel George recently completed a 100-hour research internship with the Shire of Waroona through the McCusker Centre for Citizenship.

He was tasked with supporting the council’s Project for Thriving Community Study, exploring volunteering in the Shire with the aim of introducing new ideas and strengthening volunteering activities.

Gathering and analysing data from community groups and volunteers, Mr George said he originally went into questioning with a methodical and scientific mindset before realising the stories he was hearing required a more compassionate and emotional connection.

“Hearing these stories, and why these people chose to devote such a huge part of their life to helping the community really motivated me,” he said.

Mr George said the research project had the potential to have a “tremendous, positive impact” on the community.

“As the Shire strengthens the volunteering culture of the local community, there will be improvements for the lives of everyone in the community, and greater equity,” he said.

“Hearing the stories of the impact these volunteers have on the community really made me understand that if we can multiply these stories, we can change the culture of a community for the better.

“A community built on volunteering is a community with purpose and a purpose-driven community is ultimately a beacon of light to the communities around it.”

Waroona Shire development services director Karen Oborn said Mr George’s contributions provided a foundation for further research projects.

More than 2600 students have taken part in a McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship since it was founded in 2015, contributing 273,000 hours of community service through not-for-profit, community and government organisations.