Hellen Hill

Humans of Wangaratta for National Volunteer Week.

My name is Helen Hill. I volunteer at the Wangaratta Art Gallery. Volunteering connects me with community and allows me to meet and learn from people, while helping out the organisations I support. Art has always been a part of my life. I was born in Caulfield, Melbourne, and spent my school years there. I won prizes in primary school for art and graduated with Year 12 Honours.

I was set to study nursing at the end of year 12, I had even been measured up for the uniform. But then just before the end of summer, I was offered a studentship for teaching arts and crafts, and I accepted it. I completed teacher training at Melbourne Teachers College and taught from 1971-73 at Yarrawonga Secondary College. I took a break to go backpacking and travelled through Afghanistan and Iran, places that are difficult to explore now, especially as a young woman.

 

When I returned to Australia, I went to the Department of Education offices and looked through a book of all the different towns where teaching positions were available. I had always wanted to live regionally, and thought Wangaratta was beautiful, with such a variety of landscapes and activities. I started teaching art subjects at Wangaratta High School in 1976 and stayed there for most of my career.

 

In the 90’s I completed a Graduate Diploma of Student Welfare and spent six years as Student Welfare Coordinator at Wangaratta High School. When I retired, I kept teaching art casually at primary schools. Recently I have taught and participated in courses at U3A. I was able to design and run a course in Approaches to Drawing that I’m planning to run again next year. They attract such a lovely bunch of people. I enjoy researching and preparing for my classes but also engaging with the group.

 

I love painting, printmaking, textiles, and drawing. I’m also part of the Oxley Knitters. We have two collaborative pieces I directed and contributed to on display at the King River Café.

 

I suppose I have always volunteered. We lived in Boorhaman, and my three children all went to Boorhaman Primary School. I would help at the school, running a BBQ, or fundraising for things in the community. I didn’t really think of it as volunteering, only offering support where it was needed.

A lot of my volunteering is related to the arts. When the Stitched-up festival used to run I helped to organise that. I was president of Goulburn & North East Arts Alliance (GANEAA) for two years and helped to organise the Across the Arts Festival in 2015. I was also asked to help judge the Lions Public Speaking Competition finals last year, and it was such a pleasure listening to the young people speak.

I'm not always organising events though - when I started volunteering at the Jazz Festival, my first role was picking up rubbish in Reid Street! I was also worked with David Godkin and a group of children on a collaborative art project. It takes everyone doing all sorts for things to bring an event together.

 

I’ve been volunteering at the Wangaratta Art Gallery for 10 years – it offers me a lot, and I love being a part of their community. Art reflects our environment and shines a light on the ideas and issues around us. I learn from the artists, and from the different people who visit the Gallery. When I’m at the front desk, I have the chance find out where the visitors are from and what they think of the art on display.

Volunteering gets me out of the house and meeting people. Sometimes I meet people with common interests, and if not, I get to experience a different situation or side to life.

I would say go for it to anyone thinking about volunteering. It can help improve your communication and organisational skills, it can build your network and deepen friendships, and you will learn from everyone you meet. For young people it can get you a foot in the door and provide future employment opportunities. There’s also just such a good vibe from giving back to your community and making it an enjoyable place to be.