Shrutika Bhagwat
At the end of her Project Officer role at the Association for Culturally Appropriate Services (AfCAS), Mary Gurgone was delighted to receive Shrutika's reflections on her AfCAS experience as follows:
When I first joined AfCAS as a Project Administrative Assistant, I anticipated gaining valuable knowledge and building professional connections. What I didn't expect was the profound sense of belonging, meaningful friendships, and the deeper understanding of how I could contribute to the community. The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) has been especially close to my heart, as I had the opportunity of helping to establish it from the ground up. Building a database from scratch was both a challenging and rewarding experience that pushed me to grow professionally. Along the way, I also had the chance to develop my stakeholder management and project coordination skills.
What I have loved most about working at AfCAS is the opportunity to connect with so many incredible people—volunteers, aged care staff, executives, and interns. This has allowed me to not only develop my skills but also build a strong sense of community. My time here has given me the chance to supervise interns, plan events, and tap into my creative side while advancing in my role as a Project Officer. On a personal level, it has deepened my connection to the cause AfCAS works for, especially as someone from a culturally diverse background. I understand the challenges faced by Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, and it has been truly fulfilling to see AfCAS actively work toward supporting these communities.
I am incredibly grateful to Mary Gurgone and Anne Butorac for their unwavering support and belief in me throughout my professional and academic journey. Their empathy, understanding, and openness to exploring new things have been instrumental in shaping me into the workplace professional I am today.
To anyone considering joining AfCAS, I would say embrace every learning opportunity and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. It’s an amazing organisation that offers endless opportunities for growth, while also allowing you to give back to a community that truly needs it.