Local residents who stand out by going above and beyond in volunteer work for their community have been recognised in last weekend’s volunteer awards ceremony.
The Burt Volunteer Awards – held by federal member for Burt Matt Keogh – handed out awards that recognised community commitment in multiple categories of volunteers.
The winner of the multicultural category, Zohal Raofi, received her award alongside her daughter, Sama, who was the youngest nominated volunteer at only nine years old.
Sama wanted to begin volunteering because she had grown up watching her mum selflessly help others.
“When I first took my daughter, she asked me if I could please take her to volunteer every time,” Zohal said.
“The first time I told my children they would need to stay home when I went to help, Sama asked why I helped if I received nothing from it.
“Then when I took her, she said she felt so good after helping and felt so proud to do something for others.”
Zohal and Sama volunteer for the Afghan community through Zohal’s brother’s work, jumping in to help with when he asks with either women, children, or people who migrate to Armadale with no background speaking the English language.
However, Zohal said she didn’t volunteer for the recognition.
“I don’t do it for anything,” she said.
“When I see other people working so hard, I wasn’t expecting anything.
“But I will always thank the people who nominated me for the award because I feel really great and my daughter took her certificate to school.”
Children volunteering is often a rare sight with kids being involved in school, sporting and gaming.
However, Sama has made her family proud of the selfless nature she uses to support the community.
“I’m very proud and very happy,” Zohal said.
“I do the volunteer work to encourage other families and other kids, specially now in this generation you see all the kids behind screens and they’re not thinking about what’s happening outside.
“When people see me take my kids to volunteer, I’m pretty sure in the future they will want to bring their kids to help other people.
“Everyone was so happy to see my daughter help.
“I have my son who’s 12 years old who now wants to come with me and help. He asked why he couldn’t come when both me and his sister volunteer so next time I’m taking him as well.”
Mr Keogh said the awards were an important part of building community connection.
“These awards are important to acknowledge the work of our local volunteers, even though we know they don’t do it for the accolades,” he said.
“I think it’s important to highlight the diversity of organisations that are part of our thriving community and encourage more people to get volunteering.
‘Volunteers like Zohal, who is a well-known community advocate, supporting the Afghan community for over 15 years, and she has instilled the wonderful values of volunteering and giving back to the community to her daughter, Sama.
“It is wonderful to see the future of volunteering is in good hands.”
Zohal said she wants to encourage others in the local area to help from the kindness of wanting to give back to the community.
“Take your family, take your kids out and help other people,” she said.
“Don’t do it just for something you want or something you’re hoping for or for people to bring you back something.
“Just go and volunteer for how people will appreciate it.”
