By Paul Millar
TRUCKERS might think they keep the country moving but volunteers are the silent achievers who keep Geelong ticking over.
Statistics show that almost 32,000 locals regard themselves as volunteers, donating 1.5 million hours of their time and saving the community about $4.2 million annually in wages.
That figure could be well-under the mark because many locals might have failed to list themselves as volunteers in the past census despite serving in voluntary roles.
Volunteering Geelong’s Gail Rodgers says people will always donate time to roles such as sports coaches and hospital aides but the sector was constantly reinventing itself as, for example, aging meals-on-wheels providers eventually become service seekers.
Volunteering opportunities for retirees or anyone made redundant later in their working lives sparked interest at a recent jobs fair in Geelong during discussions with unemployed guests, she says.
“When we asked them if they were interested in volunteering and showed them the options their eyes lit up.
“You have to understand that manufacturing workers have real life skills and there are a lot of activities they can tap into, like learner-driver mentoring.
“Then there are those that just want to dip their toe in the water and try something different, work on a project, become involved. Volunteering is a tangible experience, it increases self-esteem and confidence.”
Cec Earley a sprightly 76-year-old who trained as a welder in his native Belfast, has never been busier since hanging up his mask, at least temporarily.
He worked as a volunteer on charity ship Logos, visiting third-world countries to provide books and hope.
Cec makes a trip to Lara’s Marngoneet Prison every month with his soccer shoes in his kitbag for a game of five-a side with the inmates.
“They’re pretty good. I guess they get a lot of time to practice,” Cec says.
