Volunteer Feature: Dawn and Angelo Tricario

In August 2025, Dawn and Angelo Tricario retired from volunteering with the Goulburn Valley Pregnancy Support Service, now also known as the Caroline Chisholm Society in Shepparton. Emotions ran high that day, as the couple had dedicated 15 years of heartfelt service to supporting vulnerable families in their community.

Dawn recalls a bittersweet moment – her 60th birthday celebration with her sister, followed just weeks later by a breast cancer diagnosis. While recovering, she crossed paths with Karen, a volunteer at the Pregnancy Support Service, who mentioned they were looking for help. Dawn decided to give it a go, and before long, both she and Angelo were volunteering five days a week.

At the same time, Dawn also volunteered at Shepparton’s emergency and homelessness service, cooking meals for those in need. When they first joined, the office on St Andrews Road was overflowing with donations but lacked the hands and systems to manage them.

Angelo sourced shelving and equipment, transforming the space into a well-organised hub. Dawn and Angelo brought order, care, and dignity to the process – ensuring every donated item was sorted and packed with love.

For Dawn, this work was deeply personal. As a young woman, she had once been homeless and pregnant, surviving for a year with help from strangers and sheer determination. Volunteering at the Pregnancy Support Service that welcomes everyone without judgment was a full-circle moment.

“If you have a roof above your head, food on your table, and a support system, we are more blessed than most,” Dawn reflects.

After 15 years of service, Dawn says it’s time for a fresh set of eyes and hands to take over. But the impact she and Angelo have made will continue to echo through the lives of the families they’ve supported.