Gay counselling volunteer hangs up the headset after four decades

VOLUNTEERS and staff of the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service NSW are in a state of shock at the news that one of its team members, Peter Trebilco, will be retiring from the service.

Trebilco (pictured above) has been volunteering as a telephone counsellor for over 40 years and has seen the service through all its incarnations, including CAMP’s Phone-A-Friend, Gays Counselling Service, Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service of NSW (GLCSNSW) and now as Twenty10 incorporating GLCSNSW and the NSW partner of the National Qlife Project.

Twenty10/GLCSNSW executive director Brett Paradise said: “I can see how hard it is for many of our longer term volunteers to imagine the counselling service without Peter.

“Not only has he been consistently and regularly spending evenings on the phones but he has given his time and energy in supporting many trainee volunteers. “

Trebilco was one of the founding members of CAMP and also spent many years as co-president and board member of of the counselling service.

Twenty10/GLCS volunteer coordinator Fi Pashulich said: “Peter has been an integral part of our service and will be greatly missed so we believe it is important to mark and celebrate the amazing and inspiring contribution Peter has made.”

Current volunteers and staff will hold a thank you and farewell event for Trebilco this weekend, and past volunteers are welcome to attend.

DETAILS:

WHEN: Saturday, October 25, 4.30pm–6.30pm (formalities around 5.20pm)

WHERE: Twenty10 incorporating GLCS NSW, Level 1, 45 Chippen St, Chippendale NSW.

RSVP essential: [email protected] or call (02) 8594 9550