By Natalie Farrell
This is the story of one of our dedicated Volunteer Engagement Officers (VEO), Stephen Cramond. The VEO role serves as the face of the EcoCentre, placing volunteers at the forefront of the EcoCentre. Stephen has been a part of the VEO team for nearly a year, but his journey with the EcoCentre spans a story-filled four years of volunteering.
Remarkably, Stephen acknowledges that a decade or so ago, he held sceptical views about climate change. It was the perspectives of his children that prompted him to reassess his stance and to educate himself on environmental issues. His shifted perspective and newfound passion for the climate led him to actively seek environment-specific volunteer work. ‘It’s a good and comfortable fit,’ says Stephen.
He initiated his journey by participating in the gardening group on Friday mornings and later expanded his involvement into various projects within the EcoCentre. Stephen fondly recalls a significant moment while working on the Sunscreen and Bay Marine Life project in March 2020, during the onset of the pandemic.
His role included collecting samples from the Port Phillip Bay at varying times of the day, often during dusk and dawn. Even though ‘there was a sense of doom’ during the uncertain transitional period, Stephen found solace in watching the sunrise and sunset while collecting ocean samples.
He emphasises that these moments of contemplation during what ‘felt like it was the end of the world’ truly resonated with him. Stephen assumed his VEO position in March of 2023 and has been enjoying it ever since. He contributes once a week as part of a roster of VEOs. His tasks include administration, housekeeping, data entry, and, most importantly, actively engaging with the community.
There is a particularly unique encounter that stands out to Stephen. A community member visited the EcoCentre seeking assistance to recover a collection of fully wrapped sandwiches at the bottom of a bin. The person was dismayed that perfectly good food was discarded while some in the community went without.
With a caring spirit, Stephen assisted the person in their attempt to recover the sandwiches. Despite their joint efforts, the sandwiches remained out of reach. These types of engagements, while not overwhelmingly typical, showcase strong links between environmental concerns and community issues. They also create a space where community members who share similar views about these issues can come together.
Whether it involves impromptu dumpster diving, or, more typically, providing resources to community member walk-ins who want to make a difference, the EcoCentre’s VEOs are building bridges one engagement at a time.
To Stephen, volunteering is about giving back, being helpful and doing something meaningful. To all future volunteers he says: ‘Don’t hesitate, just do it!’
