Australian Refugee Volunteers Inc

Taking an obligatory team selfie: Kevin, Ian, Julie, Auvik, Hannah, Celia and Michelle On an unseasonably cold, windy and rainy day at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Seven of our volunteers had the absolute joy of taking part in an improv day made possible through an introduction from TekFoundation (and the amazing Joni) and what a full on few hours it was. Hosted by Julie from Playful Purpose, Ted from Anima Learning and Raymond from F-act Training Coaching, the workshop was designed

For children in our programs, the Sydney Royal Easter Show is one of the most anticipated events of the year. It is a day full of excitement, fun and unforgettable moments, and this year was no exception. On Saturday, we ran two separate Easter Show outings, with 40 young people attending across both events. We were also delighted to welcome four children attending one of our visiting programs for the first time. For some, it was simply the “best day ever.” Another child gave

Our Kids on the colourful bouldering wall Our Kids Program (7 - 12 year olds) had such a fun day at rock climbing Elevate Climbing Gym in Villawood , and it was amazing to watch them get braver with every turn. They started out on the smaller walls, getting comfortable and working out how everything worked, but it did not take long before they were ready to give the bigger walls a go. Some made it halfway up on their first try, then came back for another go and climbed even h

Lots of first at Taronga Zoo. One of the sights of Giraffes roaming in their enclosure at Taronga Zoo in Sydney. Our first event of 2026 was a special one, with four new children joining us for the day and plenty of fresh faces all around. For almost all of the kids, it was their first time visiting Taronga Zoo, and for many it was also their first time catching the ferry, making it a day full of exciting firsts from start to finish. There was lots of enthusiasm as everyone t

If you ever want to see a group of teens transform in real time, put them in a room with notebooks, instruments, and a beat pulsing in the background. That’s exactly what happened at our Music workshop at JMC Academy , talented local artist Nadia Abo Khadour and ARV’s very own MJ (a JMC student) helped our Teens step into the world of songwriting, music production and creative expression. From the very first activity, it was clear: …we weren’t just spending an afternoon mak

There’s something powerful about seeing young people step up for others. Recently, our ARV Teens (aged 13–17) spent an evening working together to make a real difference in our community. Armed with shopping lists, teamwork and lots of enthusiasm, our teens hit the supermarket to purchase personal hygiene essentials, things we often take for granted like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and hygiene products. Together, they gathered over 60 items chosen and then together, packe

From early mornings woken by blasts of Wham! echoing through the cabins, to evenings spent around a camp fire, the Great Aussie Bush Camp in Kincumber was one to remember. At Australian Refugee Volunteers (ARV) , we believe that connection is one of the most powerful forces for change and it starts with our volunteers, people like you. For over a decade, ARV has brought together volunteers from all walks of life to create safe, joyful, and empowering experiences for children