Debbie Larkings: I absolutely love it. You meet different people all the time, hear the most fascinating stories and learn a lot of things. It is also very rewarding to help people as they appreciate what you do for them. I’ve been doing it for six years and do a trip twice a week.

Laurie Ashcroft: I enjoy helping people as it’s part of my nature, and to contribute to my community. Everyone has a different story and I just love listening to it. Volunteers get a great deal out of doing this work. It is very rewarding as you are helping people. I’ve met so many interesting people and even learned a lot about my own family history. I’ve done 685 trips over my 11 years of volunteering so far.

(If you would like to become a volunteer driver call 6862 2825 or 0407 463 533.)

Jonah Gould (Year 3): I think it is important because you get to hear about different cultures and their achievements. I like how it is about everyone. My class has been learning about Russia and learning different sayings and greetings.

Lillian Faunt (Year 4): Harmony Week is important because you get to know more about different cultures from all around the world. I have learned to say hello and goodbye in German, it is a bit tricky, but fun.

Zach Rich (Year 6): Harmony Week is important because it unites all people and celebrates all cultures. It is great to learn from one another about different heritages and cultures. I have enjoyed learning about the different ways and reasons why people have migrated to Australia to make us into this great multicultural nation.

Nicole Worthington: In the current climate of abuse and pay discrimination, it is an important day to remind us that we empower each other and that when we get together, we lift each other up to show we can do it.

Keeley Sharpe, Kahlia Logan and Casey Evans:

Kahlia: Women are often overlooked, but we can do everything plus more!
Casey: It is important to teach younger girls that there are no specific roles, like they have to stay indoors and do the cooking and cleaning, and that they can do whatever they want to.
Keeley: Women are just as powerful as men and do not need to stand back.

Amy, Ella, Lucy and Claire Butler:

Amy: I like to celebrate the strong women in my family heritage and as I’m currently doing my bit in raising the next generation, a free coffee never goes astray (thank you Parkes Shire Council). Ella: It’s good to recognise the contribution women have made in the past, and will do in the future, whether they have done great things such as changing the cleanliness in hospitals or made scientific discoveries, to the humble mothers and women in the workforce who make our world a better place.
Claire: It’s important to remember that everyone is equal and it doesn’t matter where they’re at in life, they’re all humans – and some of those humans are women.
Lucy: Women and men are both part of life but women do a lot of hard work so that’s a reason to celebrate.