Help job prospects

By Shaun Inguanzo
THE world needs more Dean Dunkleys.
The 22-year-old Hallam resident volunteers for the Muso Network and Visy Cares Centre in Dandenong, helping young people gain confidence and pursue their passions instead taking an alternative path into a less fortunate life.
Mr Dunkley first came into contact with the Muso Network through a Work for the Dole program.
“I was asked what I wanted to do, and said I wanted to bea youth worker, so I went to the Muso Network.”
The Muso Network is a youth music program hosted by the City of Greater Dandenong and based at The Castle near Hemmings Park in which young people with a passion for music, mostly underage, can gain valuable life skills in a fun, social setting.
Mr Dunkley helps young people organise Friday night concerts, including the booking of bands.
“A lot of young people don’t need a lot of assistance, it’s more just reassurance,” he said. “Being young you always have questions and having been an 18-year-old I can answer questions for them.”
Mr Dunkley said that since volunteering with the Muso Network he had been offered a part time job with the organisation as a youth worker.
He now continues his volunteer duties at the Visy Cares Centre where he aims to promote services available locally to Greater Dandenong’s young people.
Mr Dunkley said a lot of young people were too focussed on earning money instead of realising the resume-buffing potential of volunteer work.
“I guess because they’re not making any money out of it, they don’t volunteer,” he said. “But if young people realise this can go down on your resume – that you’ve worked at a local council, then they’ll find out that volunteering is an important experience.”
Mr Dunkley was highlighted by the City of Greater Dandenong council as an outstanding volunteer, ahead of National Volunteer Week that begins on 12 May.