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Staff Testimonials

One of the most important things for Dominique and the team at the Lyone Foundation is to ensure the experience is shared by COS staff.
Each year, every COS branch shares in a pool of money to support a charity of their choice.

The committee looks for opportunities to support Australian registered charities in their local communities with a focus on human welfare, ensuring all funds that are pledged by the Lyone Foundation will go directly to support those in need. This committee is a dedicated group of COS employees who volunteer their time to research these exceptional and deserving charities, they then submit their selections to the board for consideration. This process is often emotional for staff as it exposes them to just how much need there is, and it’s an experience that can be quite transformational.

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“Being part of the Lyone Foundation was such an humbling experience. I have worked with a charity that helped families with kids that live in remote areas and require to visit a hospital in big cities for regular treatment. A trip that would take 10+ hours in a car and often leaving families split up for large periods of time, is reduced to a minimum by flying these kids for an appointment with a small plane. It was heart warming to know that we have been able to fund a number of families and allow them access to the necessary procedures.”

Iva Novak

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“Participating in the Staff Committee of the Lyone Foundation has been and continues to be very rewarding experience. I love hearing from others in the committee about their charity stories, there are so many people in Australia who give back to their community and helping them by giving a donation is very humbling. The Lyone Foundation is one of the reasons I love working at COS.”

Emma Radcliffe

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“I have been lucky to be a member on the committee two years in a row now. It has been the most heartwarming and humbling experience to be able to not only support a cause I feel so deeply for, but to also learn and understand the struggles they go through. Getting to support these charities has opened my eyes to how much we can make a difference and I have made connections with causes that I will continue to support personally. The impact the Lyone Foundation has is genuinely life-changing.”

Maiah Hughes

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“It is so easy to get caught up in day to day life and not see what happens around us, being part of the staff committee for 3 years now has opened my eyes and more my heart. I am proud to be able to work with COS and the Lyone Foundation to be able to share and make a difference being part of the team has shown me that sometimes its the small things that can make a difference. The Lyone Foundation allows me to give a little when I may not be able to it is truly life changing ”

Nicole Riseley

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“To be a part of the staff committee was an incredibly humbling experience. It allowed me to witness firsthand the dedication and passion that drives these charities to make a difference. Their unwavering commitment to their causes left me in awe and also in tears. It was a privilege to hear their stories, understand their missions, and appreciate the significant impact they are making on the lives of so many people. Knowing that our support would directly contribute to the sustainability and growth of such worthy causes filled me with a deep sense of gratitude and humility. I am immensely proud to be part of the COS Committee that not only recognises but also support these incredible charities, ensuring they have the resources to continue their vital work.”

Melinda Hughes

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“I have had the pleasure of being part of the Lyone Foundation Committee twice in my 10 years with COS and it is the most rewarding and humbling experience. Learning and listening to organisations and charities who are trying to help others in our community is a real eye opener, I’ve shed tears and laughter with some amazing people, and I am extremely proud to be part of an organisation that gives back to our community and allows their people to be a part of giving back. I encourage everyone to put their hands up at least once to be a part of the Lyone Foundation as it is so gratifying! ”

Vida Tinterovic

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“I had a great experience and would love to do it again. The fact that COS was able to change the lives of others that are less fortunate was one of the best "Feel Good" experiences I have ever participated in. If you want the opportunity to make a massive difference, by joining and volunteering, this will give you the result you're looking for.”

George Broerse

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“The experience was extremely gratifying and humbling, it gave me the opportunity to speak to some amazing people who work tirelessly to raise much needed funding for projects which genuinely make a difference in our community. It is also a great opportunity to meet and collaborate with some new people who you may not have met or interacted with in your role at COS.”

Navi Dosanjh

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“I was a member of the 2016 national staff committee. I was holding on putting myself forward for reasons I can no longer remember but then one afternoon my Executive asked me to consider nominating myself. That was the push I needed to get me over the line, and I am beyond grateful that I said yes. It’s hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it.

Whilst there is a lot of energy in researching suitable charities and projects, the rewards are so worth it. At times it was emotionally draining because you are hearing stories that truly pull on the heart strings. However, on the flip side knowing that the support the charities receive from the Lyone Foundation are helping those in need, and that you’ve been a part of that process, is very powerful and gratifying. Don’t think, just nominate yourself. It’s a truly humbling experience and one that I will never forget.”

Melissa Lee

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“I had heard stories from others in our business who had participated & said how rewarding it was working with these amazing charities. I just had to experience it for myself! Ultimately it was one of the most important things I did all year and it provided the ultimate level of perspective. It was emotionally draining but exceptionally rewarding & made me immensely proud of our organisation and the Lyone Foundation's genuine & authentic heart for reaching communities in need.

We all get so caught up in the busy-ness of our own lives, we forget how genuinely tough others have it. The Lyone Foundation is the vehicle created for the people of COS to connect with our communities and demonstrate care and passion for others.”

Todd Percy

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“Amazing, eye-opening and extremely grateful. I was so proud and honoured to be involved and would love to be part of it again.”

Danny Rabah

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“The experience I had was very rewarding. Firstly, to try and find a charity that is deserving and goes beyond to really make a difference in the community and second to finally go out to their premises and see the incredible work they do. The stories were truly inspiring.”

John Scalora

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“I volunteered to be on the Lyone foundation staff committee because I had heard a lot of good things about the foundation and wanted to see what it was all about. I had always wanted to help, and support charities where possible and I thought this was a very good place to start. The experience was like no other. I didn’t realise how many charities there really are, and the amazing work that some humans do. It was an amazing experience and you will not regret doing it.”

Taryn Carfi

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“I was really keen to put my hand up to do something wonderful for a local charity. I was aware of the Lyone Foundation and the work they do before I started working at COS, in fact, it was another reason why I did apply for a role here. It is one of those heart-warming moments in life that gives you a great deal of satisfaction knowing that you have helped someone in need.”

Alison Renshaw

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“I have been a member of the Lyone Foundation Committee twice now, a few years apart. Both times I have been in awe of the way others give so much of their own time & energy to helping those who need it. There are some amazing humans in this world and it’s a very humbling experience to be able to assist them to do what they so generously do. Knowing that I work for a business that places real importance on supporting those that are less fortunate has always been a good feeling, but actually being involved is a whole other level. It can be a real eye opener to see what other people are going through in their daily lives & how they ended up there. At worst, being on the committee is a great reminder to never take what you have for granted & remember that you never really know what challenges anyone is facing at any given time.”

Carlie Wharley

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“It’s important for me to give back to the community and this was a great way to do this and also be part of an intimate group to make a big impact to a charity. It was so amazing, it’s brought the group closer together and it made me open a little about our personal challenges outside work. Such an amazing rewarding experience, I’ve been lucky enough to do this twice now and I always encourage people to apply and go through the rollercoaster of an experience 😊.”

Samantha Moody