How Little Becomes Much



Today, I spent time with some volunteers where I lead at People Who Care, who have raised their hand to support older Australians at this time of isolation through the Touchpoint Team by just phoning them regularly to listen, acknowledge and ask how we can help.

I sat, stood, moved around the room, chatted and asked but mainly listened to these volunteer’s life stories.  I can’t tell you how filling this time was for me.  I heard stories of careers that have taken them around the world, stories of children near and those now far away.  There were student nurse volunteers who have only six months until completion (and counting!). I also met another who, when I asked if she was born in Australia said, “My great grandmother holds the record for the Mother of Australia’s biggest family – 29 children and no multiples!!”  (Her name is Annie Brown from Fremantle, Western Australia).

There was one lady volunteer, Joy, who has worked diligently for years, often in jobs she didn’t like, who said, “I have time right now.  I have time to listen and talk to our older people, and that’s what I do here now and I love it. I feel like I was born for this time.”   

How beautiful are people who bring goodness to another.

A little gift of time, which when gifted to another with no expectation of a gift being returned, becomes much

I love watching little become much.

This was snippet of my day.


About Penny

Penny was born in England, raised in New Zealand, lived in America and settled in Perth, Australia. Together with her husband Mark, she is raising a teenage daughter and has twin twenty-something sons. "Coming home at the end of a solid working day to family and friends is my delight" says Penny, Co-author of the book – She’s Not Your Competition. She is a heart-felt communicator who believes in the power of a person’s story. Penny has over 25 years experience as a high level leader and spokesperson in both the private and non-profit sectors with significant public relations experience. She is currently the CEO of South Coastal Women's Health Services, and prior on the Leadership Teams of Rise Network and Riverview supporting people in areas of mental health, domestic and family violence, and children overseas at risk of exploitation. She holds an MBA and MBL, and is a Board Director for the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia. For the past 15 years she has provided pro-bono support as a mentor for leaders and consultant to not for profits. Penny’s personal life endeavour is a determination to "make life better not bitter".