As Spring approaches, we reflect on the meaningful connections and transformative experiences that continue to shape our community of changemakers.
Director’s Reflection
Kindling Collaboration: Building Bridges for Greater Impact
In the wake of the almost total dismantling of USAID, and damaging actions by other western donors, the international development landscape is looking decidedly tattered. The Australian International Development Network is in fact forecasting a drop in Official Development Assistance by 9-17% in 2025 alone.
The impact on communities has been devastating, including those which Palms has had a long association with. Certainly, during my recent field visit to Timor Leste, I was alarmed to learn that at least two of our NGO partners are now no longer able to pay their own staff! Read more…
Important Notice
Annual General Meeting – Save the Date
We’re pleased to announce that our Annual General Meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, 23rd October 2025. This is an important opportunity for our members to come together, reflect on the year’s achievements, and foreshadow future directions.
Register your interest in attending here.
Frontline Inspiration
First Impressions of Cebu and Patapat
Palms International Volunteering participant and trained nurse Annie Anthony shares her initial impressions on arriving in the Philippines. Her last sentence mentions she is looking forward to opening a clinic to serve the local communities and this dream is realised in the video linked below. Read more…
Opening of a new clinic out of Cebu, The Philippines
Annie Anthony together with Kadasig Aid and Development celebrate the opening of a new clinic out of which Annie will deliver much awaited nursing services and mentoring for the local community. Watch the short video on this link.
Celebrating Recent Achievements
Orientation Course – August Success
August marked another successful completion of our comprehensive orientation course – a cornerstone programme that continues to set Palms apart in preparing volunteers for meaningful international service.
Our latest cohort of five individuals has now completed this intensive residential programme, equipping them with the cultural competence, self-awareness, and practical skills needed for authentic cross-cultural engagement.
The four-day intensive covered deep cultural preparation, understanding power dynamics in development work, health and safety protocols, and building networks of ongoing support – all grounded in our principles of solidarity and mutuality.
Encounter Tour Outcomes
Transformative Experiences in Community
Our recent Encounter Tour to Timor Leste was led by the Executive Director, following an opportunity for participants to speak to past Timor Leste participants before leaving Australia. We had 9 participants and successfully coordinated two streams of Encounter – one focussed entirely on development, culture and history, and the other with additional opportunities for trekking. The evaluation responses paint a picture of genuine transformation and deep respect for both Timor Leste and the Palms approach to development :
“The visits to Palms partners actively demonstrated community development in action. Networking was modeled during the Encounter.”
“ I found the concept of Encounter meant there was a 2 way learning approach to be fostered”
“Encounter exceeded my expectation as it was a rich tapestry of engagement with history, culture, food, politics, Palms partners and the land itself”
“Opportunities to encounter as we have – hear real people, real understanding, real issues and outcomes – are rare.”
“There was so much to absorb, it was great to reflect each day and hear others’ perspectives”
“I have loved every bit of the trip. It has more than met my expectations”.
Register your Encounter interest today
Discover the Impact of Volunteering Abroad
Join Our Online Information Session
Palms has over 60 years’ experience preparing and supporting people to mentor abroad. Your life experience could sustain a self-reliant future for those with least opportunity. And the experience of volunteering abroad could change your life, forever.
Join us for an ONLINE session where you’ll:
- Hear Inspiring Stories: Listen to first-hand experiences from past Palms volunteers
- Explore Unique Opportunities: Learn about diverse assignments abroad and how you can make a difference
- Get Your Questions Answered: Engage with our team and find out everything you need to know about living authentically in another culture
Date: Thursday 30th October 2025
Time: 7pm AEST (QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC)
Where: Please join us online, the zoom link will be sent closer to the date
Don’t miss this chance to discover how you can help develop community self-reliance and create lasting change.
Current Opportunities to Serve
Our partner communities are seeking skilled volunteers who can contribute to sustainable development initiatives. Each placement represents a carefully considered request from communities who have identified specific needs and goals.
View all current opportunities or contact us:
- Phone: (02) 9560 5333
- Email: palms@palms.org.au
Watch this short inspiring placement video.
View all current opportunities
Coastal Connections
‘Palms Family’ Gathering in Sydney on Sunday 26 October
This time last year we gathered for our final Solidarity Awards luncheon. Everyone commented how much they enjoyed reconnecting. So this year we have decided to create an opportunity to gather in a different way, offering the opportunity for a stimulating stroll together through nature and art, to be joined after that by others who may simply prefer some supper before Mass.
We have decided to call the event ‘Coastal Connections’ in recognition that many of the countries with which Palms works are islands, and that we would like to hold the event during Sydney’s iconic Sculptures by the Sea Bondi to Coogee walk.
The plan is for those who wish to walk, to meet in Bondi at 1pm – hopefully all wearing Palms t-shirts. (It’s a great opportunity to promote the Palms volunteering opportunities to healthy fellow lovers of the great outdoors). Please bring a plate for the post-walk supper. We will collect these and take them directly to St Brigids for you.
We will finish the walk at St Brigids at Coogee. Anyone who isn’t doing the Sculpture by the Sea walk can join us there for supper. At 6pm all those who wish to join Mass at St Brigids can join directly after supper.
If you think you might be interested in joining us on the day please email your details to palms@palms.org.au or give us a call on 0422 472 567 by Monday 13th October.
Upcoming Opportunities
Re-entry Workshop – Open Invitation
We’re finalising arrangements for our upcoming Re-entry Workshop, designed to support returned volunteers in processing their international experiences and applying their learning in Australian contexts.
We have been working with Srs Marlene Hixon, Nicole Rotaru and Cathy Solano to frame our next Re-entry Course in October so that it serves not only recently returned participants, but also those who may have been prevented from involvement in a Re-entry program during Covid (or even before). Please make contact with us if you have missed out on doing a Re-entry Course and would like to join this course in Sydney on 24-26 October. Email your interest to programs@palms.org.au.
In the Palms Office
As a small team, we are always excited to welcome those with skills and time to share in our Petersham office and are looking specifically for an event coordinator. Please email emily@palms.org.au if you have the time and passion to be involved.
Other News
Some interesting articles below from DevPolicy Blog:
Vindicating Pacific climate leadership: what does the ICJ decision mean? Read here…
Building community engagement in PNG, part 3: Churches as change agents Read here…
Leave no-one behind: social protection reducing poverty in Kiribati Read here…