Here are some personal accounts from volunteers at AJPA events.
Hope to see you at nationals!
Seeing the smiles and joy when people complete their puzzle, or even set a new personal best is an amazing feeling, and one of the most fulfilling parts of being a volunteer.
As volunteers, we know moving hundreds of tables and chairs may not be your cup of tea, but there are many other roles available! We’ve got people to help put out the puzzles on the tables, take times, welcome participants, take registrations, help out with puzzle race challenges and coordinate swap tables (and the all important role of putting the strip of masking tape in the middle of the tables so pieces are less likely to get mixed up!).
Although I don’t live in Victoria, I’ve volunteered in QLD and NSW state comps, and will be flying down to compete and volunteer at Nationals in 2024. Hope to see you there!
Written by Denise Lim
Peace by Piece
From the moment I started placing pieces, a sense of calmness washed over me that I’d never felt before. It was like a switch that turned off all my worries. In that moment, I knew this was the start of something big for my mental health. Being an escape from my anxiety, puzzling soon turned into an addiction.
I’d heard of speed puzzling before but never really looked further into it until I met Katrina Coleman through buying her puzzles. Being humble, she never mentioned that she was a national champion. I discovered her accomplishments through an ABC YouTube video and was very impressed by her passion and skill.
I soon became hooked on watching speed puzzle competitions and was keen to attend an event. When the AJPA were seeking volunteers for the Tasmanian state competition, I reached out. I hadn’t done anything like this before as my anxiety would never allow it. So many intrusive thoughts flooded my brain in the days leading up to the event. But as soon as I got there, I felt a sense of belonging – these were my people. And although the anxiety was high, it was dampened by the atmosphere and the warm welcome I received from the AJPA team and fellow volunteers.
It was a huge success and a day I will never forget. The entire experience was so beneficial for my mental health and gave me a boost in confidence, I highly encourage any puzzle lovers who suffer with anxiety to attend an event like this. You don’t have to compete; you don’t even have to compete to be a volunteer.
Come along and meet all the incredible puzzle people, you won’t regret it. Attending puzzle swaps and starting a travelling puzzle have also helped me connect with new people – something that seemed so daunting and impossible in the past. I have only been puzzling for a few years, but it’s made a dramatic change in my life. I have met many new people and have made some amazing friends. Puzzling is so inclusive to everyone, and I think that’s a beautiful thing.
Written by Alice Izzard
The best volunteering experience I have ever had
I stumbled across an ad for the NSW State Jigsaw State Competition when randomly searching for volunteering opportunities one night. I had never heard of competitive jigsaw competitions before and was curious about it. That was the beginning of my discovery of the competitive puzzling world.
I’m really grateful I came across the ad, as this was the best volunteering experience I have ever had, and I have volunteered for a number of organisations. This event was well organised and really fun. The team leaders D’Arne and Claire were extremely supportive and friendly. They made us all feel appreciated throughout the day and always checked in on us. We also had yummy snacks too!
At the start of the day, I felt a bit shy and unsure of myself, but throughout the day I felt more and more confident thanks to the team leaders. And I gained some new skills in the process. There were different roles available during the day, so there was an opportunity to try something new, whether it was customer service or officiating during the competition.
There was always someone to help me whenever I needed, and my fellow volunteers were also really friendly and supportive of one another.
And of course you get to witness the wonderful competitors puzzling. It was amazing to see how fast the competitors completed their puzzles. Even some of the volunteers joined the competition! So, I encourage all puzzlers and non-puzzlers to volunteer in their state and national competition. I really hope to volunteer again next year.
Written by Emily

Our volunteer coordinator, Claire (left) and event organiser and WA rep, Sara (right)