Volunteer Profiles

How I became a Volunteer

I had been in the workforce for 30 years and was made redundant. I was looking forward not so much to what I would do, but to the fact that I would not have to go to work everyday. I had given some thought to how I would fill in the days, but had not dwelt on it for too long. I figured something would present itself or I could seek it out later after I had a break.

At the time my husband was doing some voluntary bus driving for the Townsville RSL, when he was asked to do a relief driving trip for the NQ Association for Blind Citizens Inc. as their regular driver was ill. He agreed to do this only to learn that the regular driver could not return for 3 months due to continued ill health. He had 2 hours to kill between drop off and pick up so he stayed art the Blind Association and helped with the serving of meals and washing up.

Yes, you guessed it, he came home and said to me "the blind people over there could do with some help and you don’t have enough to do, so I think you should trot yourself off over there". I thought this was very thoughtful of him, don’t you!!! Anyway, he was right, and I did go to help. At first I just did general duties and was quite content with this. I had office and organisational skills but was keen to have a spell from that side of things for a while. About a year later the Secretary resigned and I fell into the position. My role as a volunteer began in 2000 and I am still very actively involved.

During this time the Blind Association needed some assistance from the Lions Clubs and I was again advised that to receive something you must first give something. I joined the Alice River Lions Club and am still very actively involved in this area as well.

My husband is a returned serviceman from the Vietnam War and we are also involved in service related activities as well. I am so busy I have to schedule some free time for myself, but it is a very rewarding experience to be helping others especially those with a disability.

Joan Woods
Secretary
NQ Assn for Blind citizens Inc.
April 2004

Zachary Works a Little Miracle

Margaret is a frail, ninety year old who is confined to bed. My Pet Partner Zachary and I began visiting Margaret several weeks ago but until last week I received no response when I spoke to her.

Zac, of course, was instantly attracted to Margaret's stuffed toys and would attempt to take them whenever he saw an opportunity. Last week when we visited, I told Margaret as usual that Zac was there for a visit. But although she looked at me, I saw nothing in her eyes. Then Zac put his head through the bed railing and touched her arm with his nose. I said, "Margaret, Zac likes you" and it was then that I saw a tear roll down her face.

Hoping we hadn't upset her, we moved to the other side of the bed when her carer came in to check on her. As I continued to talk to her, she turned her head to face me and extended her frail arm and touched my cheek.

This small act is one of the BIG rewards that come with being part of the Delta Pet Partners Program.

Avril Plath

(Story originally printed in the National Newsletter for the Delta Society of Australia - has been added here with the kind permission of Avril Plath.)

Avril Plath and Delta Dog Zachary

A Scottish Poet

Reading, yes I like to read, visit the library regularly, enjoy family sagas, travel, autobiography, craft, even cookbooks. Poetry is something from schooldays, have not really read much since those long ago days.

My volunteer work as a Home Visitor with Palliative Care has introduced me to a lot of interesting people and tasks, have read newspapers and novels to people, so when asked if I would start visiting Mr David Rowan, an elderly Scottish gentleman, with failing eyesight, and read to him assorted poems he has written, I thought "why not?" Was a bit apprehensive to start with, he had written these poems, what if I did not read them to his liking, I may not understand them..

Five months later, I am now visiting twice a week, when he is well enough, I have read and helped him categorise hundreds of poems. Subjects of his poetry cover his early days in Scotland as a young lad, joining the workforce, to the days he joined up during World War 2, his feelings while fighting and killing the enemy, his marriage to his wife Betty, stories about their three children, and the move to Australia over fifty years ago. There are very few things, happy, funny or sad, that have happened to Dave that he has not written a poem about. I have developed a greater understanding of poetry, and a great admiration of this clever talented man who has written so many poems during his lifetime . When I visit the library I am now looking for the poetry section, thanks to Dave.

From Joy Hakanson