Whilst I was growing up my mother volunteered at the school, the church, Red Cross, and raised nine children.
When I got married, I volunteered at the St James Fire Brigade, the Red Cross, the Church and at both schools my two children attended.
When they left school, I fantasised about all of the free time I was going to have, and all the wonderful things I was going to do. Like write a book, paint, garden and spend time having a coffee or two with my best friend.
Instead of that, I volunteered to write for grants to renovate the St James Hall, to appeal to the County Fire Authority (CFA) to build a new fire station as the old one was falling down. Then came the silo art, the notice board and restoration of a heritage jail, as well as reproducing the photographic history of St James and District. There were also the Victorian Farmers’ Federation (VFF) and the Victorian Rural Fire Brigades Association (VRFBA). All took time away from home and family.
While I don’t regret any of those things, I wonder what the future holds for the communities where most of the young people have gone away to university or to jobs
We, the present volunteers are reaching the end of our use by date. I worry that we are not planning for the future by getting the younger people more involved in continuing the tradition of spending at least some of their time helping others.
Our Red Cross branch is over 80 years old, but now we only have one meeting a year, with about five dedicated members in total from Devenish and St James. The VFF Branch has folded. The Tennis Club has folded. The Fire Brigade is struggling to keep enough numbers to manage what is shaping up to be a bad fire year. Our Community Group is made up of the older population, mostly exceeding 80 years old, and it is the same couple who prepare the hall, make the coffee or tea, bring the morning tea, then clean up afterward.
As older members of the Community with a fair bit of experience over the years, some of the blame for the above problem lays at our feet. We need to move over a bit, and not hang on to control. Yes, we are good at what we do, but we need to share this with the younger generation. Encourage them to participate and praise them for their efforts. Show them that becoming a volunteer has great benefits. Job opportunities are increased with a CV that shows that they are prepared to give up some of their spare time to help others.
I have enjoyed my life as a volunteer but realise I’m running out of time if I want to write that book. So, here I am.
Kathy Beattie
November 2024
When I got married, I volunteered at the St James Fire Brigade, the Red Cross, the Church and at both schools my two children attended.
When they left school, I fantasised about all of the free time I was going to have, and all the wonderful things I was going to do. Like write a book, paint, garden and spend time having a coffee or two with my best friend.
Instead of that, I volunteered to write for grants to renovate the St James Hall, to appeal to the County Fire Authority (CFA) to build a new fire station as the old one was falling down. Then came the silo art, the notice board and restoration of a heritage jail, as well as reproducing the photographic history of St James and District. There were also the Victorian Farmers’ Federation (VFF) and the Victorian Rural Fire Brigades Association (VRFBA). All took time away from home and family.
While I don’t regret any of those things, I wonder what the future holds for the communities where most of the young people have gone away to university or to jobs
We, the present volunteers are reaching the end of our use by date. I worry that we are not planning for the future by getting the younger people more involved in continuing the tradition of spending at least some of their time helping others.
Our Red Cross branch is over 80 years old, but now we only have one meeting a year, with about five dedicated members in total from Devenish and St James. The VFF Branch has folded. The Tennis Club has folded. The Fire Brigade is struggling to keep enough numbers to manage what is shaping up to be a bad fire year. Our Community Group is made up of the older population, mostly exceeding 80 years old, and it is the same couple who prepare the hall, make the coffee or tea, bring the morning tea, then clean up afterward.
As older members of the Community with a fair bit of experience over the years, some of the blame for the above problem lays at our feet. We need to move over a bit, and not hang on to control. Yes, we are good at what we do, but we need to share this with the younger generation. Encourage them to participate and praise them for their efforts. Show them that becoming a volunteer has great benefits. Job opportunities are increased with a CV that shows that they are prepared to give up some of their spare time to help others.
I have enjoyed my life as a volunteer but realise I’m running out of time if I want to write that book. So, here I am.
Kathy Beattie
November 2024
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