In November 2019, Tamar Hestelow was looking onto the Golden Gate in Kyiv, Ukraine, a landmark and city unknown to most of us. She couldn’t have conceived then of how our lives would be disrupted by the pandemic in the months and years that would follow. The indelible memories of her time in Ukraine have provided Tamar with perspective throughout the restrictions of 2020 and 2021. This same perspective has motivated her to leave the security of her life and career in Sydney for volunteer work in Moldova and Croatia.

At 26, Tamar has worked hard to build her reputation and expertise in employment law at Brown Wright Stein. Like so many of us, her work was how she identified herself and the respect of her peers and employers was paramount. She didn’t want to leave BWS, but she felt a drive to contribute beyond her immediate community.

In a lesson for us all, Tamar had the conversation with the partners and explained her desire to take extended leave to undertake international voluntary work. To her delight – and quiet surprise – not only did they approve the leave, they were openly encouraging of her decision.

On October 10, 2021 – less than two years since she left Ukraine – Tamar will return to Moldova to join a team of 35 other volunteers from Russia, Ukraine, Israel, South Africa, UK and the USA. The only Australian on the team, Tamar will spend eight months in community outreach programs that will involve learning Russian and working under the guidance of organisations based in Croatia.

When she reflected on her imminent departure, Tamar believes the pandemic played a significant role in her decision, “The busyness of daily life prior to COVID distracted me from looking too far beyond my comfort zone. The forced opportunity to pause expanded my perspective on the need to be both productive and make a contribution.”

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