Peter Dunoon’s professional volunteer experience began with his desire to fulfil a one-off wish, but the enjoyment of the work soon lead to something more.

Peter is the chief financial officer of Corporate Apparel Group, the company which owns the menswear stores Tony Barlow, Ron Bennett, CEO and other fashion labels.

He was typical of many goodcompany members – a young professional wanting to volunteer his skills to a charity but not knowing how to track down a group requiring his help.

“I wanted to do more than just donate money and by donating my time I thought I could add more value,’’ Peter says.

“And I thought I would enjoy doing something that would give me a sense of having contributed back to society.’’

Then in 2003 a friend told him about goodcompany. He attended the group’s next forum then signed on as a member.

Through goodcompany Peter was put in contact with the Deb Bailey Foundation – a NSW-based group raising funds to find a cure for motor neurone disease. Deb Bailey  has also established a website to help scientists develop a network for information sharing.

The Deb Bailey Foundation required an auditor but didn’t want to spend funds targeted for research paying for the service. But then Peter made contact.

“Initially I was helping as their independent auditor, but then it progressed and I became their bookkeeper and a few months later I was invited to become a member of their board as their treasurer,’’ he said.

Peter says the Foundation has now developed strong financial systems so his role does not require too much of his time.

“And I really enjoy working with the people involved in the charity so it’s become a very social environment, as well as doing the professional work,’’ he says.

Peter has now been working with Deb Bailey for about 18 months and has been its treasurer for about six months.

“The only thing I have ever aimed to get out of it is a sense of contribution,’’ he says.

But he says his experience has also inspired others to either join goodcompany or become more involved in philanthropy in general.