"I was absolutely blown away, I was really honoured."

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Photo by Broad Media

The Mahi Aroha Awards 2024, hosted by Volunteer Wellington Te Puna Tautoko, celebrates the contributions and services that outstanding volunteers have made to our communities. It’s an exceptional night for everyone involved and for some, marks the occasion of a milestone. JULIET CLARE from the Lower Hutt Foodbank, a member organisation of Volunteer Wellington, was named the 2024 Mitre10 MEGA Volunteer of the Year in recognition of her dedication to volunteering. “I was absolutely blown away,” she remarks, reflecting on the moment she received the certificate, which now proudly hangs on her wall. “I was really honoured,” she adds, as we catch up to discuss her volunteer journey to date.

Unlike most journeys, this one started with lemons! One winter, Juliet found her tree brimming with lemons and decided to donate them to the local food bank. Impressed by how friendly the staff were and the difference they were making, Juliet decided she wanted to get involved. Encouraged and referred by a friend who worked at the food bank, and with newfound time on her hands after her four children moved overseas, Juliet joined the organisation. 

The Lower Hutt Foodbank is a hive of activity, relying heavily on its volunteers and food and monetary donations. Juliet reveals that she initially started as a team leader, volunteering each Monday morning – a shift she still continues nearly 12 years later. She explains that team leaders are very hands-on, overseeing the packing of parcels, organising incoming donations, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Today, Juliet wears many hats at the Lower Hutt Foodbank. Primarily, she manages the many other volunteers; a significant task that involves rostering, coordinating, and looking after 35 others. 

Staff training forms a key part of the food bank’s operations. Juliet explains that the Lower Hutt Foodbank has a ‘lifting programme’ to ensure safe handling of heavy items, a programme that Juliet, a retired physiotherapist, is well qualified to run. 

For Juliet, the most rewarding aspect of volunteering is still the interaction with others. She reveals the pride she feels when she witnesses other volunteers develop confidence and skills that they can carry into other aspects of their lives. When asked what advice she would give to other volunteers, she offers simple and valuable guidance: “Try to get a good interaction with other volunteers. Join in the group, don’t stand alone.” 

Outside of volunteering, Juliet keeps busy tending to her garden, enjoys walks and frequently visits her holiday house in Taupō. She also travels to Christchurch often to see seven of her nine grandchildren.

Juliet’s story is a reminder that even small acts of kindness can lead to significant impacts, inspiring others to contribute in their own ways.