There’s an old saying that has made the rounds in countless community halls and sporting clubs across Australia: You get more than you give. It sounds like a cliché until you’ve been the one standing in the kitchen at a sausage sizzle, or sitting with a lonely elder in an aged care facility, or coaching a kids’ footy team on a crisp Saturday morning. Then you realise: it’s not a slogan, it’s a truth.
Giving back, whether through volunteering, donating, mentoring, or just rolling up your sleeves when someone needs help, isn’t just about being charitable. It’s about living fully. It connects us with others, sharpens our perspective, improves our health, and stitches us into the social fabric of something bigger than ourselves.
More than altruism
Australia has a strong tradition of community-mindedness. From surf lifesaving clubs to volunteer fire brigades, we pride ourselves on helping our mates. But giving in modern life often gets squeezed between the demands of work, family, and the creeping isolation of our digital world. Yet research and lived experience tell us that making giving a habit is one of the best investments we can make in our own wellbeing.
Dr. Cassandra Goldie, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service, once said, “When we give, we create not just stronger communities, but stronger selves.” And she’s right. Giving is a two-way street. While society benefits from our contributions, we reap enormous rewards too.
How we benefit
Improved health and well-being: Volunteering has measurable health benefits. Studies conducted in Australia and overseas have shown that people who volunteer regularly report lower levels of stress, better sleep, and greater overall happiness. Some even suggest that volunteering can add years to your life by lowering blood pressure and boosting immunity.
As one long-time Meals on Wheels volunteer from Geelong put it, “I started delivering meals to help others, but it’s kept me on my feet. It’s my weekly workout—and a reminder that life’s too short not to stay connected.”
I can relate to this. Back in the day I signed up as a football referee on Sydney’s Northern Beaches (yes that was me, and yes you deserved that yellow card). It kept me fit and active and created space to give back to a game I love.
Enhanced mental and emotional health: Giving back boosts self-worth. It’s hard to feel insignificant when you know you’ve made a difference to someone’s day.
That sense of purpose is powerful medicine against loneliness, depression, and the gnawing question of “what’s next?” that creeps into midlife. There’s even evidence that volunteering improves memory and mental sharpness, perhaps because service forces us to stay engaged and curious.
Social connection and community building: One of the greatest hidden gifts of volunteering is the relationships it fosters. Whether you’re working alongside fellow volunteers, mentoring a young person, or simply showing up at the local community centre, you’re expanding your social circle. And for men in particular, many of whom struggle to maintain friendships as they age, these connections can be lifesaving.
I can relate to this as well. I volunteered regularly at Willing Hearts, a food distribution program in Singapore, during COVID to mitigate the sense of social isolation. The social connection, albeit limited, proved invaluable.
Personal growth and skill development: Giving is also a form of learning. You might discover a knack for fundraising, teaching, or organising. You might sharpen your leadership skills by running a local club committee. You might even uncover hidden talents that steer you toward an entirely new chapter in life. As one volunteer mentor in Sydney told me, “I thought I was just teaching job skills. Turns out I was learning patience, humility, and how to actually listen.” How society benefits
Stronger communities: When people contribute, trust grows. Communities become more resilient, better equipped to face challenges, and more compassionate. Whether it’s a bushfire, a flood, or simply the daily grind of poverty and disadvantage, communities with strong volunteer networks bounce back faster.
Addressing societal needs: Volunteers and donors often step in where governments and markets fall short. From food banks to community legal services, much of our social safety net is held together by people giving their time and resources. I think how my friend and business partner Pod O’Sullivan helps refugees settle in Sydney, connecting them with critical resources to land on their feet and start contributing meaningfully. It is vital work.
Increased empathy and understanding: Engaging with people whose lives are different from our own fosters empathy. When you spend time with refugees, with the homeless, with young people at risk, you stop seeing “issues” and start seeing human beings. That shift in perspective is perhaps one of the greatest gifts giving offers.
Breaking down barriers: Volunteer work brings people from diverse backgrounds together. Shared purpose dissolves economic, cultural, and social divisions. A men’s shed in regional Queensland, for example, can bring together retired farmers, ex-tradies, and recently arrived migrants—each teaching and learning from one another.
Inspiring others: Giving is contagious. Your small act can spark a chain reaction. It might inspire your kids to volunteer, your mates to donate, or your colleagues to rethink their own priorities. A great example is Kids Giving Back, a Sydney based charity that provides hands on, meaningful volunteering opportunities for kids and families in Sydney. Their work helps inspire the next generation of generosity.
Making giving a daily habit So how do you turn giving into a way of life, rather than a once-off gesture? The key is consistency. Like exercise, it’s about showing up regularly, not waiting for the perfect moment. Here are a few practical ways to get started:
- Start small. Commit to one hour a week, or one act of kindness a day. Habits build from small beginnings.
- Align with your passions. If you love sport, coach a junior team. If you enjoy cooking, help out at a soup kitchen. If you’re good with your hands, join a men’s shed or Habitat for Humanity build.
- Make it social. Invite a mate, work colleague or family member to join you. Shared volunteering strengthens both your bond and your impact.
- Give skills, not just time. Your professional expertise, whether in finance, carpentry, or communication, can be transformative for a local organisation. I love the way TalentTrust in Singapore matches volunteers and their professional expertise with local charities in need, for example marketing, strategy or governance.
- Blend giving into everyday life. Support local businesses that give back. Donate blood. Check in on an elderly neighbour. Giving doesn’t always need a roster.
A culture of compassion
In midlife, we have a choice: retreat into comfort or lean into contribution. Developing a giving habit helps ensure we choose the latter. Because when we give, we don’t just help others. We stay vital. We discover new sides of ourselves. We strengthen our communities. And we keep the “old man” from catching up with us.
As the writer Elizabeth Andrew famously said, “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” And that’s the secret. Giving doesn’t demand that you wait until you have more hours in the day or more money in the bank. It simply asks that you start, right where you are, with what you have.
So, if you’re looking for purpose, for connection, or just for a reason to get out of the house on a Saturday morning, consider this your invitation. Volunteer. Donate. Mentor. Coach. Deliver. Listen. Give. Because when you do, you’ll discover the richest truth of all: in giving to others, you’re really giving back to yourself.
Take action
Here are five Australian charity / non-profit websites that promote volunteering opportunities — both for Australians and sometimes internationally:
- Volunteering Australia: The national peak body for volunteering. Their site helps people find volunteer roles, offers resources, and represents volunteer-involving organisations. https://www.volunteeringaustralia.org
- SEEK Volunteer: Australia’s largest platform bringing together volunteers & volunteering organisations. You can search by location, cause, type. https://www.volunteer.com.au
- GoVolunteer: A non-profit initiative to make volunteering easier. It connects volunteers with organisations and has searchable listings. https://govolunteer.com.au
- Australian Red Cross: Offers volunteering roles in many areas: disaster response, migrant support, community services, shops, aged care etc. https://www.redcross.org.au
- Habitat for Humanity Australia: Has volunteer programs (“volunteer in AUS”) building houses, working on projects in local communities. Great if you want something hands-on. https://volunteer.habitat.org.au
