While other volunteering activities at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum were severely interrupted by COVID and our redevelopment, Ruth continued working on the Centre News. The last few years presented challenges as Ruth usually draws on special events for content in the magazine. Yet, she continued to resource and cover exciting news, including the announcement of mandatory Holocaust education in schools, the museum redevelopment, and transitioning to online education programs due to COVID.

Ruth’s professional background in policy and program development in aged care and mental health services includes extensive writing of business documentation and publications. She participated in a writing program at the Lamm Jewish Library, which led to helping community members edit their life stories, many of them Holocaust survivors. “I fell into something that I loved doing. I liked writing, and I developed wonderful relationships with people.”

In 2008, Ruth Mushin decided to devote her talents to volunteering with the Melbourne Holocaust Museum. “I had editing and writing skills, and when I left the full-time workforce, I wanted to use those skills somewhere that would help others,” she said. “I learnt on the job, and it has certainly become easier. As soon as I’ve finished an edition, I’m thinking about the next one.”

Volunteers like Ruth are vital in supporting our programs. Each year more than 160 people from diverse backgrounds and communities donate their expertise and time to further our goals. Our volunteers, including students, job seekers, recent graduates, interns and retirees, assist with education programs, cataloguing collections, research for exhibitions, fundraising activities, administrative tasks, and oral testimony.

The Caulfield Volunteer Awards acknowledge the outstanding efforts of those who have stood up to support the community, going above and beyond to make a positive difference. This year, local member for Caulfield David Southwick presented Caulfield Volunteer Awards at an in-person awards evening. In addition to Ruth receiving an award, the Jewish Holocaust received a cheque for $1000 from Community Bank Caulfield Park and a custom video to help promote the work and mission of the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, produced by GameFace Media.

“How good are our local volunteers?” said Southwick on Facebook. “Last night, we held our annual Caulfield Volunteer Awards, which acknowledges the amazing efforts of the unsung heroes of our community – and there are many!”

Other winners included volunteers from FoodFilled, Community Security Group, C Care, B’nai B’rith Victoria Jewish Youth Art Competition, Jewish Care and Emmy Monash and the Jewish Children’s Aid Society. Nominations for the 2022 Caulfield Volunteer Award are now open.

Congratulation to Ruth for being recognised amongst this year’s award recipients and for her time, skills and dedication to Centre News.

Centre News is published twice a year in Spring and Autumn with news about the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, its volunteers and staff, as well as articles relevant to the Holocaust and its study. Read recent editions here.