AVI

28/05/2026

During National Reconciliation Week, AVI is proud to be “All In” (this year’s theme) for reconciliation.

We recognise that reconciliation is an ongoing journey, one that calls for consistency and a willingness to be challenged. From supporting Indigenous Pathways programs to fostering culturally safe and inclusive spaces, AVI is working toward meaningful change.

Being “All In” means staying accountable and committed to progress. We invite our community to deepen understanding, have conversations and take meaningful steps – because reconciliation is something we build together.

Our staff will also be taking part in activities across the week – follow along to see how we’re coming together to recognise and celebrate 🖤💛❤️



🎥 Video by Dee Huynh

07/05/2026

75 Years of AVI - honouring the past, shaping the future.

This year is special for us. While the world celebrates the UN International Year of Volunteers, AVI is celebrating a milestone uniquely our own - 75 years of Australians walking alongside communities around the world.

From 1951 to today, thousands of volunteers have shared skills and strengthened communities across the Pacific, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. We’ve helped build clean water systems, respond to climate change, and create futures defined by possibility rather than circumstance.

Why does this matter now?

Because as we enter our 75th year, your support helps carry this vital work into the future. Your tax-deductible gift before June 30 funds the next generation of locally led change.

See our video on how your support changes lives.

👇 Donate today via the link.

https://tinyurl.com/3apuf7c8

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Let’s keep building a more peaceful and just world, together.

With gratitude,
Melanie Gow CEO, AVI

01/05/2026

Walking together matters 🖤💛❤️

Last week, AVI staff members gathered online and on Country in Naarm/Melbourne to listen, learn and stand alongside Treaty for Victoria. The session created space to reflect on Treaty, allyship and our shared responsibility to support First Peoples-led change.

We were fortunate to hear from Claire, Gunai Senior Engagement Project Officer; Ciara, Settler, Partnership & Ally Organiser; and Erin, Community Engagement Project Officer (Metro Region). Their insights helped us better understand why Treaty matters and how allies can offer respectful, practical support to First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria ➡️ https://firstpeoplesvic.org/

These conversations don’t end when the session does. Truth‑telling is a continuous process and we invite everyone to spend time engaging with the work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission and reflect on what it means for you ➡️ https://www.yoorrook.org.au/reports-and-recommendations/reports



Images:
1. (L-R) AVI CFO Zach Iaali with First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria staff Erin, Claire and Ciara.
2. First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria staff member Ciara sharing five meaningful actions to support Treaty for Victoria.
3. AVI staff members and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria staff Claire, Ciara and Erin.

21/04/2026

👉AVI Pacific People are proud to support our partner Anglicare NT and the important work they do with communities across the Northern Territory. Check out this great Philanthropy Manager role, and share with your network 🙌

AVI Pacific People is pleased to be recruiting for a Philanthropy Manager on behalf of Anglicare NT based in Winnellie, Darwin,

This role will lead the development of a strategic, organisation-wide philanthropy approach, with a strong focus on donor engagement, trusts and foundations, case for support development, and sustainable funding growth. It is an excellent opportunity for a commercially aware and values-driven professional who can build high-value relationships and translate organisational impact into compelling investment opportunities.

Candidates with experience in philanthropy, major gifts, strategic fundraising, stakeholder engagement, proposal writing, and working with senior leaders will be well placed for this opportunity.

Apply through www.pacificpeople.com or via the QR code on the advert.
Applications close 3 May 2026.

16/04/2026

Compassion, Connection and Clinical Collaboration ❤️🩺🇹🇱

As we continue to celebrate 75 years of AVI and International Volunteer Year , it brings us great pleasure to share with you Dr Emma Spencer's story.

Having first set foot in Timor Leste in 1999, Dr Spencer recently returned to mentor doctors through the Postgraduate Diploma in Integrated Family Medicine (PGD-IFM) program, an experience that in her own words "isn’t just about transferring knowledge - it’s about building trust, encouraging curiosity and supporting each other through the challenges of clinical practice."

AVI is honoured to deliver the PGD-IFM in partnership with the Australian Embassy in Timor-Leste, as part of the Partnership for Human Development.

Read the full story https://www.avi.org.au/emmas-volunteering-story-timor-leste/

📸: Supplied by Dr Emma Spencer.
Image: Dr Emma Spencer with Dr Matteus Pinheiro, senior Physician HNGV and Clinical Teacher focal point for Internal Medicine Programme.

30/03/2026

One volunteer journey, 21 years of impact 🌱🎓

Inspired by her time volunteering with AVI, Margaret Shore co‑founded Sekolahku-MySchool alongside four Indonesian colleagues and friends - Yulius Drani Danu Wibowo MA, Dinul Saraswati, Aris Budi Presetya and Riana Cahyani.

Their shared belief that every child deserves access to education, grounded in community knowledge, laid the foundation for what would become one of Indonesia’s first non‑religious, inclusive kindergartens.

In a powerful full‑circle moment, the school has since been supported by AVI volunteers over the years and has now grown into a full primary school, educating children from Years 1–6 through the dedication, leadership and expertise of its local staff.

This year Margaret returns to Indonesia to celebrate Sekolahku–MySchool's 21st anniversary, a milestone that beautifully aligns with her 90th birthday.

This International Volunteer Year, discover Margaret and Sekolahku-MySchool’s story of impact - Link in the comments 🔗

📸: Supplied by Margaret Shore.
Image: Margaret Shore with staff at Sekolahku-MySchool.

27/03/2026

AVI’s first news update of 2026 is here! Check your inbox for our March edition, in this issue you'll find:

📬 A message from our CEO Melanie Gow
🎉 Celebrating AVI's history and 75 years of international volunteering for development
🌏 Welcoming UN International Volunteer Year
🤝 A volunteer's story: Two decades of impact supporting inclusive education
🌱 Highlights and updates across our programs
And more!

If you're not already subscribed, please sign up to join us for our next quarterly newsletter - Link in comments

📸: Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Image: AVI CEO Melanie Gow (fourth from the left) pictured with senior DFAT staff, alongside Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Board Members, March 2026.

17/03/2026

"If the community succeeds, the planet succeeds." - Minoru Nishi, Director of Nishi Trading, Tonga 🌱🌏

This International Volunteer Year, we’re celebrating the power of partnerships to drive lasting change through programs delivered by AVI.

Through the Australian Volunteers Program, Australian volunteer agronomist Hans Porada worked alongside Minoru Nishi and the team at Nishi Trading in Tonga to strengthen climate‑resilient agriculture practices, improve crop productivity and support local farmers in the face of climate change.

Together, in just two years, they increased food production, reduced fossil fuel use, implemented smart irrigation systems and exchanged knowledge that will continue to benefit communities long into Tonga's future.

🔗 Link in comments for full story.

📸: Teagan Glenane / Australian Volunteers Program.
Image: Australian Volunteer Hans Porada (left) with Minoru Nishi (right) inspecting the solar panels which they hope to power a majority of the main farm at Nishi Trading in Tonga.

Australia in Tonga

11/03/2026

👉Attention communications professionals in Pakistan, check out this great role with our partner Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research ✨

Communications Officer - Pakistan

- Contract to 30 November 2026, with potential extension
- Location: Islamabad, Pakistan

🙌A great opportunity to lead strategic communications that promote agricultural research-for-development impact across Pakistan.

👉About the role
On behalf of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), we are seeking a skilled Communications Officer to develop and implement ACIARs communications strategy in Pakistan. The role focuses on producing high quality communication products, strengthening stakeholder engagement and showcasing the value and impact of ACIAR-funded research across the country.

Working as part of the Pakistan Country Office and in close collaboration with the Outreach team in Canberra, the Communications Officer will coordinate national communications activities, develop content for digital and print platforms and engage with local media, where required. They will contribute to building strong partnerships with government, research institutions and the Australian High Commission. The role also collaborates regularly with the Communications Officer in New Delhi to ensure consistency across the South Asia region.

👉About ACIAR
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is an Australian Government agency that supports agricultural research partnerships between Australian scientists and global partners. ACIAR operates 10 regional and country offices across the Indo-Pacific and Africa, including its Pakistan office in Islamabad. In Pakistan, ACIAR manages collaborations across 10 active projects, working in areas such as agribusiness, crops, horticulture, livestock systems and water, with a strong focus on climate resilience, equitable benefits, and strengthening scientific capability. Learn more at: www.aciar.gov.au

☑️Key responsibilities
- Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of ACIAR Pakistan's communications and stakeholder engagement strategy.
- Produce compelling, high-quality communication materials, including talking points, briefs, success stories, videos, photos, social media content and presentations.
- Coordinate dissemination of communication products at country, regional and global levels, in line with ACIAR branding and guidelines.
- Travel to ACIAR project sites to gather stories, interviews, photos and video content.
- Facilitate media relations, including drafting press releases, developing media contacts, and organising press events.
- Support outreach activities and events and maintain strong relationships with ACIAR partners and stakeholders.
- Represent ACIAR professionally across forums, public diplomacy initiatives and communications networks.
- Ensure compliance with ACIAR, DFAT and APS brand, communications and ethical standards.

☑️About you
You will bring:
- Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Journalism, Public Affairs, Social Sciences, International Relations, or a related field.
- Extensive experience in development communications at a mid–senior level.
- Proven experience leading communication strategies and plans.
- Demonstrated ability to produce high quality written, digital and multimedia content.
- Experience with agricultural research-for-development communications (highly desirable).
- Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Excellent written and verbal English and fluency in a local language (advantageous).
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and collaborate effectively within a small team.

The position is open to Pakistan nationals and those eligible to work in Pakistan. A valid police check will be required.

👉For a position description and to apply for the role, visit our Job Portal here: https://tinyurl.com/ACIARPakistan
Applications close 9am Monday 23 March 2026 AEST

Picture: Photo by Muhammad Khubaib Sarfraz on Unsplash