24 hours of making a difference

Posted on 05 May 2025

By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia

There’s a lot of good that can be accomplished in just 24 hours.

For proof, look no further than the charity and not-for-profit sector.

From feeding the homeless with dignity to working on the frontline providing emergency medical supplies to people in need overseas and caring for mistreated pets in animal shelters across the nation, the for-purpose sector never sleeps.

This ethos was only reinforced by the diversity of images sent into the Community Advocate in response to our Day in the life of people with purpose project.

The frozen moments in time captured pictorially over a 24-hour period on Thursday, 1 May, included:

Australian members of the Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) team delivering much needed supplies and performing medical checks on inhabitants of the island of Abaiang, in the Republic of Kiribati.
Melbourne community radio station 3MDR founding member and DJ Keith Marsh behind the microphone, presenting his Basically Country program as he has done each week for the past 40 years.
The gratitude on the faces of elderly Brisbane residents Lionel and Yvonne, after being safety dropped off at home by St John Ambulance community transport team driver Tomas, following medical appointments at hospital.

These and the rest of the images contained in the gallery below are just a small sample of the truly staggering diversity of work carried out every day by the nations 60,000 charities and 600,000 NFPs and community groups.

No-one appreciates these efforts more than the head of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, Sue Woodward.

“This pictorial snapshot highlights the extraordinary breadth and scope of work the sector achieves each and every day,” she said.

“Charities and not-for-profits make a remarkable contribution to Australia’s community and economy. We are all so grateful to the staff and volunteers across the nation for their dedication - day in, day out.”

Thanks to everyone who sent in their images and please enjoy this pictorial snapshot of the sector in action.

Melbourne, 7:15am - CF Together CEO Mandy Burns gets an early start ahead of a planned strategy launch, board meeting and AGM. CF Together is a national organisation dedicated to improving life for people living with cystic fibrosis.

MSF Supporter Relations Volunteers Lucia Kavanagh Naomi resized

Sydney, 8:52 am: Lucia Kavanagh (left) and Naomi (right) contribute their time once a week as admin volunteers for MSF Australia’s Supporter Relations team. Lucia has been volunteering with MSF since 2016, and Naomi started volunteering a year ago in 2024.

Rob Delaney CRA Bob Wyatt Muttart Foundation and Myles Ottawa Canada Consultation with Can tax office charities branch CRA and sector on philanthropic tax abusive structur

Canada, 8:56 am: Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes (right) in Ottowa for meetings with the Canadian tax office charities branch (CRA) and NFP sector on philanthropic tax abusive structures. Pictured with Rob Delaney CRA and Bob Wyatt from the Muttart Foundation.

Brisbane, 10:23 am: The coffee's never stop coming at the RSPCA's Black Cat Cafe.

Melbourne, 10:25 am: Members of the SmartyGrants team at Our Community put their heads together to plan their next move. SmartyGrants is Australia's most-used and best-loved grants administration system.

RSPCA SA staff Beth with new arrival Chrysanthemum resized

Adelaide, 11:28 am: RSPCA SA team member Beth keeps an eye on new arrival Chrysanthemum.

Melbourne, 12:20 pm - Denis Moriarty, group managing director of multi-faceted social enterprise Our Community takes a break from efforts to make the world a better place.

Alice Springs, 12:34 pm - CAAMA Radio’s Caleb Doolan leads a digital storytelling project at Mpwetyerre (Abbotts) Camp—his home and one of 16 town camps in Mparntwe/Alice Springs — joined by Orlando Rubuntja and Brenton Woods to gather community ideas on making the town camp a better place. People shared concerns like fixing potholes, replacing a broken swing, and improving housing. Many homes still lack basic kitchen facilities like working stoves or ovens.

Sydney, 12:45 pm: Orange Sky volunteers Eric, Sonny, Jesse and Anne at Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills, Sydney

Sydney, 1 pm: ACOSS final pre-election huddle to discuss immediate strategic actions for Sunday morning onwards.

Online, 1:01 pm: ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie convenes an online gathering as part of the fortnightly CEO Network meeting with national member organisations. Discussion included the federal election, the campaign to Raise the Rate and funding for essential community services.

Kiribati, 1:08 pm: Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) team getting ready to depart from the island of Abaiang, in the Republic of Kiribati. MSF is developing a community model of care with the Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services. MSF teams go door to door on the island, screening all women of child-bearing age for hypertension and diabetes. They are also testing the wells on the island, many of which are contaminated by sea water or bacteria. Nicola, is a nursing activity manager, Marije is a finance human resources manager and Joseph is a doctor.

Canberra, 1:09 pm: Community Council for Australia CEO David Crosbie, takes a break from sharing the recently released Australia We Want report, a landmark study assessing the nations values.

MSF Supply Chain Supervisor Kiribati Project Diana Worman landscape 20250501 154802 resized

Sydney, 1:15 pm: Diana Worman, Supply Chain Supervisor of MSF’s Kiribati project, stocktaking medical items in the Sydney office before sending fresh supplies to Kiribati.

Sydney, 1:19 pm: Alex, Yumi; Alex, Sharon and Bea attend the Older Women's Network weekly staff meeting.

St John Tomas Community Transport Driver resized

Northlakes, Brisbane, 1:42 pm: The smiles say it all, as elderly Brisbane residents Lionel and Yvonne, express their gratitude at being safety dropped off at home by St John Ambulance community transport team driver Tomas, following medical appointments at hospital.

Sydney, 1:53 pm: Washing, smiles and connection were in full swing at Prince Alfred Park in the inner Sydney suburb of Surry Hills, for these Orange Sky volunteers. The team were out in full force making a difference to the local community helping to run weekly free laundry and shower services while creating a welcoming space for conversation and connection.

Sydney, 1:56 pm: Ralf Schroers, CEO of Microlend Australia, a charity based in Sydney that is striving to eradicate world poverty by empowering people to start their own business enterprises. Through issuing small microloans and providing mentoring support, local needs are identified, and social capital is leveraged to change whole communities. Ralf is pictured in front of a screen shot from a Zoom meeting he has just held with a project team in Uganda that has recently set up a new village well.

Captain Starlights and volunteers preparing to host Harry Potter Day for seriouslly ill children

Melbourne, 1:58 pm: Starlight Children's Foundation's Captain Starlight and volunteers in Melbourne prepare to host Harry Potter Day to brighten the lives of seriously ill children.

Brisbane, 2:16 pm: Ning and Steve from Basic Rights Queensland are provide their expert legal help to people dropping into 3rd Space, where people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Brisbane can find support, dignity and hope.

Gungahlin, ACT, 2:19 pm: On the campaign trail: Charities Minister Dr Andrew Leigh with Federation of Indian Associations of the ACT Inc President, Mr Roshan Menon in Gungahlin.

SECC Toy Library Superstar Team Germaine Donna volunteer and Catherine 1

Sydney, 2: 21 pm: Members of the South Eastern Community Connect (SECC) Toy Library team. From left, Germaine (staff), Donna (volunteer) and Catherine (staff). Together they ensure families across South East Sydney have access to a wide range of fun and educational toys and activities that help children to learn and thrive, while also promoting the benefits of reuse and sustainability.

Murundindi Foundation Food Share 1 May 2025

Alexandra, 2:31 pm: Victoria: Murundindi Foundation's Robyn and Sasha, outside the Murrindindi Community Food Share, which aims to support the local community’s health and wellbeing by addressing food insecurity by providing free food to those who need it. The team celebrated the initiatives first birthday first birthday with a free sausage sizzle, cupcakes and birthday hats, distributing almost 900 kg of food in just three hours.

Sydney, 2:37 pm: More than 70 for purpose Leaders come together at the For Purpose Alliance Leadership Hub.

Adelaide, 2:49 pm - Foodbank SANT Australia volunteers Donna and Deb pack an order for a local food relief charity.

Melbourne, 3:02 pm: Philanthropist Carol Schwartz working from home as a member of the She Gives advisory board.

Darwin, 3:20 pm: Veterinary nurse Claire gives a sprightly Dash a final once over before passing him over to adoptions in the hope of finding him a new home.

Melbourne, 3:25pm: Not-for-profit social enterprise Infoxchange communications lead Sam Howard (left) and head of marketing and communications Bede Eagle, work on the final touches of the 21st Technology for Social Justice Conference taking place this week.

Canberra, 3:30 pm: Brad Chilcot (Welcoming Australia), Sue Regan and Deborah Smith (Community Council for Australia) in Canberra sharing and advancing a conversation on working towards the just, fair, safe, equal opportunity, inclusive, kind, generous and compassionate Australia we want. Brad’s focus is on turning around ‘tough on crime’ policy responses to ones that better support at risk young people for a ‘just, fair, safe, equal opportunity’ Australia.

Gladstone, Qld 3:46 pm: Members of the Gladstone Engineering Alliance team celebrate colleague Casey's birthday.

Canberra, 3:58 pm: Hepatitis ACT Shopfront. The shopfront combines peer support with access to free harm reduction supplies, in an example of how lived experience and community care create safer, stigma-free pathways to health.

Yarra Ranges, Victoria, 4:16 pm: Melbourne community radio station 3MDR founding member Keith, who is still presenting his weekly Basically Country program after 40 years.

Melbourne, 4:18 pm: St John Ambulance non-emergency patient transport worker Luke, at the organisation's Blackburn headquarters.

Justice Connect staff Day in the Life of the Sector

Melbourne, 4:27 pm: Justice Connect staff working hard to ensure justice is within reach for the thousands of individuals and community organisations who need access to free legal help.

Canberra, 5:09 pm: Brushing up on first aid skills in the St John Ambulance Australia, national office in the ACT.

Castlemaine, Victoria, 5:30 pm: Castlemaine Safe Space volunteers celebrate their efforts via a social game of lawn bowls.

Sydney, 6:35 pm: Workers at domestic violence charity ReLove load donated couches onto their truck at ReLove's warehouse in Leppington, Sydney. These furniture will soon be built and delivered to families in crisis, helping turn empty rooms into safe, comfortable homes.