Working 9 to 5 and then volunteering too
Holding down a full-time job while volunteering for three different organisations isn’t easy, but Private Nicole Harrison manages to fit it all in.
The 24-year-old was selected as the New Zealand Defence Force volunteer of the year, which sees her in the running to be crowned the Defence Force person of the year.
Harrison said her partner introduced her to volunteer work.
She is in the army as a medic and is working 9 to 5, so she fits in her volunteering around that.
Living in Bulls, most of her volunteering is based in the Rangitı¯kei District, involving St John, Civil Defence and the Rangitı¯kei Rural Fire service.
A typical week for Harrison sees her head to rural fire training on a Tuesday night or Civil Defence training.
Then she spends Wednesday and Thursday night with St John until 12am, still getting up at 6.45am the next day for work.
In between those times she is also on call for the fire service.
Harrison said she found it frustrating when people told her they didn’t have time to do voluntary work.
‘‘If everyone did their little bit then everything would be so much easier.’’
She said the best part about her voluntary roles was the people.
‘‘We have a great mix of personalities who come from all walks of life.
‘‘They are a great balance of professional and humour.’’
When she discovered she was getting the Defence Force award, Harrison said she was embarrassed.
‘‘I feel like there are a lot of other really deserving people out there, but after a while I thought this is a win for all volunteers because we are being recognised.’’
Harrison said she believed everyone should volunteer some of their time.