Volunteering with a View: Award-winner Teresa Nuske recommends Dunecare

In December, Teresa Nuske was recognised as the Dunecare Volunteer of the Year at Wollongong City Council's Environment Volunteer Awards. It was a huge achievement for the Northern Illawarra local and a nice acknowledgement of a service that is vital to the community.

To Teresa, though, it was an unexpected win.

Volunteering is something she has always done, both in Australia and around the world. And she sings the praises of what volunteering can do, not only for the community, but for the volunteer.

While Teresa has lived in the Illawarra on and off for most of her adult life, she’s also been lucky to have lived overseas. And where she’s lived, she’s volunteered. There’s been teaching English to children in migrant schools in China, helping with reading recovery and sports at her children’s schools and involvement with Riding for the Disabled in the US, China and at home.

For the past six years, Teresa has been dedicating her time to Towradgi Dunecare.  While Bushcare is arguably more well known than Dunecare, both rely heavily on volunteers and work to protect, restore and conserve our local environment.

As Teresa says, “Dunecare is not really all that different to Bushcare, it’s just we tend to the coastal vegetation along the beaches. The added bonus is we are spoilt with the most spectacular coastal views as we work.”

Problems affecting dunes include erosion, pollution and the loss of native vegetation.

“Unfortunately our coastal fringe is infested with introduced species and weeds," Teresa says. "We’re also battling to keep kikuyu grass at bay so the native plants in the area don’t get choked out.

“We also collect any rubbish along the beach or in the dunes… I’m a big believer in the adage ‘Take 3 for the Sea', which promotes the idea that if we all picked up three pieces of rubbish from our beaches and waterways, that would be three (times hundreds and thousands) less bits of rubbish ending up in the ocean.

"But hey, I say, why stop at three?”

While she appreciates the recognition for her work, she’s not in it for the awards.

“Volunteering makes me feel really good; that I’m giving back or paying it forward so to speak," Teresa says. "It’s a great way to feel a part of something bigger.”

And of course, there’s the benefit of being surrounded by the Illawarra’s stunning coastline, watching the native birds at home in the dunes and chatting to the locals as they make their way along the bike track.

“I can’t speak enough about the plusses of being involved in your community and volunteering.

"It can improve your health and fitness, make you feel good about yourself, increase your social circle and give you new skills…

"Find something you love doing – you are more likely to stick with volunteering if it’s something you like to do. And go on, make a difference!”

To give Dunecare or Bushcare a go, call Wollongong City Council on (02) 4227 7111.

Or to find out more about other opportunities head to the government's Volunteering in NSW webpage