St Vincent de Paul Society Australia genetic logo

<p>The St Vincent de Paul Society offers over 200 services that help people in need.</p>

Safeguarding

Find Help

Membership NSW

Volunteering NSW

Careers NSW

Join the Social Justice Network

Vinnies Service Medallion

Vinnies Youth NSW

Donations of goods and services NSW

Gifts in Wills

Philanthropy

Fundraise for Vinnies NSW

Clothing drives, toy collections and food hampers

Corporate partnerships NSW

Financial donations NSW

Sponsorship NSW

Cause related marketing campaigns NSW

Workplace giving - community support NSW

Vinnies and the Return and Earn Scheme

Vinnies Bag O Rags

Vinnies re/CYCLE range

Vinnies Used Cooking Oil Recycling (VUCOR)

Get involved

Get Involved

<h1>Vinnies Shops</h1>
<p>Everything you buy or donate inspires change in your local community.</p>

Vinnies Shops

Shops

Social Justice Statements

Reports and Submissions

Modern Anti-Slavery Statements

Reconciliation Action Plan

Uluru Statement Resources

Energy NSW

Disability Inclusion Action Plan

Advocacy

About us

Contact Us

History NSW

NSW Strategic Plan

Leadership NSW

Policies NSW

Mission and Formation

About Us

News and stories

NSW Media Releases

Vision Magazine

Impact Magazine

NSW Blog

Your Kind of Good Magazine

NSW Disaster Reports

NSW Annual Reports

News and Stories

| Vinnies

Home

ACT & surrounds

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

National Council

SVdP Housing Australia

<h4>This Weekend Warrior has been a regular face at the Vinnies Chatswood shop for over 30 years.</h4>

Meet our 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year nominee - the Chatswood ‘Counter Queen’

<p>On Saturday afternoons, Sandra Byak’s friendly smile charms customers at <a href="/nsw/shops/chatswood" title="Chatswood">Vinnies Chatswood</a> as they tally up their purchases at the sales counter.</p>
<p>“She’s the ‘Counter Queen’,” says Manoj Kc, the Retail Cluster Manager who recently nominated Sandra for Senior Volunteer of the Year in the 2024 <a href="https://www.volunteering.com.au/awards/about-the-awards/" title="NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards</a>. “She is always positive and always smiling and helpful and promoting [Vinnies]”.</p>

Rich Text

Sandra Byak, volunteer at Vinnies Chatswood

Image

<p>Mr. Kc says he nominated Sandra, an 82-year-old Vinnies veteran, to recognise her dedication in over three decades of volunteering at the Chatswood shop. He explains that she never hesitates to come in when they need extra assistance, even when she’s not rostered on. “I had a couple of situations where I had to call her, even though she doesn’t work that day,” he says. “She feels like ‘I need to help them’, that’s her attitude … she’s an absolutely amazing lady.”</p>
<p>Despite having a full family life with four children and nine grandchildren, Sandra faithfully devotes her spare time to helping people in need. Her earlier years of volunteer work included assisting at her children’s school where she would run the tuck shop and lend a hand at school fetes. “I was born Catholic and I always went to church. My Christian duty is to do something for someone else, and so I was always very involved at school,” she explains.</p>
<p>When her youngest son finished up his years as a student, she decided to turn to volunteering for Vinnies and with the local council. “Well I’ve got the energy and I’ve got the time and why not?” says Sandra. “I do like being behind the counter [at Vinnies], you know, greeting people, and sort of helping … they say I’m such a good salesperson!” she smiles.</p>

<p>Sandra’s dedication is also evident in her volunteer work through Willhoughby City Council. Twice a month she provides linen service to assist people in continuing to live independently in their own homes. She also delivers Meals on Wheels twice per week, driving to at least five homes to bring senior residents a nutritious hot meal.</p>
<p>The NSW Volunteer of the Year Award ceremonies are hosted by The Centre for Volunteering and are held annually in 24 locations around the state. Sandra was previously nominated at the North Shore Award Ceremony in 2019 for her work with Meals on Wheels through Willhoughby City Council, and in 2024 her nomination was for her 31 years of service to Vinnies.</p>
<h4>Are you interested in volunteering at Vinnies shops? <a href="/nsw/get-involved/volunteering-nsw" title="Volunteering NSW">Sign up as a volunteer today.</a></h4>