Giving time, gaining purpose

At first glance, volunteering might seem like a simple exchange: giving your time and energy without the expectation of anything in return. But when you sit with it, it’s so much more than that. Volunteering quietly transforms everyone involved—not just the people receiving support, but those giving it, too.

Why volunteer at all?

On the surface, volunteering is an altruistic endeavour, born of our capacity for empathy: we see someone in need, recognise their suffering, and feel compelled to help. But, as with most human behaviours, there’s more to it.

Neuroscience tells us acts of generosity activate the brain’s reward centres, flooding us with dopamine and oxytocin. These are the same chemicals responsible for feelings of love, connection and joy. It’s often called the helper’s high. That surge of feel-good energy we get after doing something kind.

For me, it shows up as a deep sense of purpose and renewed energy, a reminder that in helping others, we’re also nourishing something within ourselves and filling our own cup. And I get it -life is busy, and time and energy are often stretched thin.

Volunteering can easily feel like just another thing on the list. But what if, instead of taking something away, it gave something back? What if it filled your cup, rather than emptied it?

Finding alignment in giving

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to witness this transformation firsthand.

One of my most rewarding experiences was with OzHarvest, an organisation dedicated to redistributing surplus food to charities. The impact is immediate. You see it in the gratitude of those receiving a fresh meal, in the tangible reduction of waste, and in the understanding that something that many of us take for granted like food can be a catalyst for dignity and change.

Another experience that stands out was leading a cohort of graduates on a volunteering initiative focused on environmental sustainability. We spent a day planting vegetation to support penguin habitats, a cause deeply aligned with ANZ’s commitment to sustainability. What struck me was the way this shared experience fostered camaraderie and purpose. It wasn’t just about conservation; it was about understanding our role in something bigger and working together as a team to achieve something meaningful.

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Grads volunteering for a World Vision Initiative

Volunteering beyond the obvious

Volunteering doesn’t always mean formal events. At ANZ, our employee networks offer a different kind of service. Networks like Pride, Abilities, Reconciliation, Lean In, Mental Health, Faith, and Māori and Pasifika create spaces where people can connect, feel seen, and advocate for positive change.

These networks play a vital role in fostering inclusion, building understanding, and supporting communities across ANZ. From championing equal rights and mental wellbeing to advancing reconciliation and cultural recognition, they remind us that giving back can also mean listening, learning, and showing up for one another in meaningful ways.

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Cholena and other ANZ Pride members at Mardi Gras

But I also believe in giving grace. Not everyone has the capacity to volunteer or donate, and that’s okay. The real conversation isn’t about convincing people to help it’s about identifying the right way to give, based on personal values and circumstances. The way we contribute is deeply personal and naturally shifts with different seasons of life. What matters is fostering a culture where people feel empowered to give in ways that align with their abilities and beliefs.

Purpose isn’t just a corporate statement; it’s something we bring to life through our actions.

The true gift of volunteering

Volunteering challenges the transactional nature of modern life. We are accustomed to relationships defined by exchange: money for goods, effort for recognition, loyalty for loyalty. Volunteering defies this paradigm. It is, at its core, an act of trust in the intrinsic value of kindness.

Our ability to give to our communities, our environment, and each other is a privilege.

For many, the act of giving back is not just an obligation but a pathway to a more meaningful life.

So, the real question isn’t just 'why volunteer?' but rather, 'how can I contribute in a way that feels authentic to me?' The answer to that is yours to explore.

Cholena Orr is Product Owner for Digital Learning at ANZ