Leona D'Vaz
Green Cross Australia Volunteer and QLD Internet Consultant, SEEK Limited

How did you find out about GCA and why did you decide to get involved?

Saw Mara Bun speak at a Women In Business lunch about a year ago. It was at a time I had recently come back from Myanmar to do some project work after Cyclone Nargis - for children that had become orphans as a result of the disaster. I was also involved in helping the villages my family and family's friends still reside in which don't have proper sanitation, electricity or roads.  

I felt compelled to do something more with my time and my focus towards humanitarian issues caused by environmental disasters. Listening to Mara speak was truly like an epiphany(!). I applied via the website to become a volunteer, it crashed on me 3 times - so I managed to meet Mara face to face and found a truly visionary and inspiring individual.

What are some of the exciting things that you have done as a volunteer?

I have had the fortune to be involved in a wide variety of events with GCA. This has enabled me to meet and interact with some brilliant, creative minds - different demographics and all bonded by our desire to educate and make a positive change for our environment and its people. The highlights for me have been the TCB event - Coral Colours, a fashion event to raise awareness of the Great Barrier Reef and more recently liaising with Mara and Janine Weir from Orphan Angels to see how we can align our causes. I must say the best one was being invited to Mara's home with the Extreme Weather Heroes to view a presentation on Climate Change. I love meeting people on a grassroots level. 

As someone who works, lives and breathes on the internet - what about the Extreme Weather Heroes initiative sparked your interest?

This is a really exciting iniative for our Gen Y crew to get involved and really assist in their communities. Technology has progressed so much from the walkman, Atari and dial phone when I was a kid! EWH allows this cause to be viral marketed to wide audience - with the internet being such a powerful medium. As social media is a normal part of Gen y's day to day, GCA shows progression and innovation with making a serious issue accessible, interactive and compelling to join. 

Working at Seek, what is the culture of corporate social responsibility like there?

SEEK prides itself on being an employer of choice, hence why they are a Hewitt Best Employer. SEEK has an Enviro Council which I am part of. We discuss environmental issues in the workplace and Australia and how we can undertake best practice. SEEK has a volunteer day each staff member can access each financial year - this year I used mine to do Greenfest and had a blast! I am fortunate to work for a company that allows you to align your values with an organisation you want to devote your time too. SEEK also has a Brighter Futures program for 5 Australian charities that employees can donate part of their salary too each fortnight.

Find out more about Leona's participation in the  Cambodia Cycle Community Challenge - supporting Kids Helpline