Libby Bate is living proof “you get out of life what you put it into it”. The Lara local speaks to Luke Voogt about volunteering for a multitude of organisations in a half century serving her community.
Tell us about you…
I’m 73 and Geelong born-and-bred. I married my husband Allan and moved in with him at Lara in August 1969. During the Lara bushfires in January 1969, Allan did what he could, even though he wasn’t in the fire brigade. He joined the brigade immediately after and then a lady’s auxiliary started, which I was a part of. I began teaching primary students in 1968 and retired as Lara Primary School assistant principal in 2002. In 1989 I exchanged jobs, homes and even cars with a teacher in Fair Oaks, California. Allan, who was a plumber, became ‘Mr Mum’ at home and my two teenage daughters went to the local high school. I’ve been to South America, Africa, China and Vietnam. A group of us go campervanning off-road. We’ve travelled to Cape York, Mount Isa and up the Maralinga to Emu Road, which was specifically built for British nuclear tests in South Australia.
What organisations do you volunteer for?
I’m currently the president of Cancer After Care Group Geelong. The group began in 1978 to support cancer patients and became instrumental for getting treatment services to Geelong. We’ve raised more than $4 million for Andrew Love Cancer Centre over the years. Allan’s mother Gwen was a founding member. When she passed away in ’85, her husband Ted took over and I later took over from him. In 2011 Allan passed away from brain cancer.
I’m a founding board member of the Lara District Community Bank and Lara Chamber of Commerce, and I’m still involved with both.
I’m involved with the Vestry at Holy Trinity Church Lara, Lara Food and Wine Festival, the Lara Australia Day breakfast and fundraising for Lara Fire Brigade. God willing, the 2021 Avalon Airshow will be my 10th as a volunteer. I’ve also been on the Lara Secondary College school council. Knowing that you’re helping make your community a better place to live is its own reward.
What are your favourite things to do locally?
I’m a bit biased because I like Lara. I like Millers Café – the owner Scott Miller uses the local butcher and local products. To me, he’s what community’s about – looking after one another. I like the peacefulness of Serendip Sanctuary. My grandkids love the You Yangs and the bike tracks.
How are you coping with COVID-19?
I’ve rediscovered reading and I’m exploring some of the old classics – like Thomas Hardy. I’m sleeping in more. My younger daughter, her husband and two kids live with me so I’ve not felt lonely. I can’t wait to get on a long train journey. I’ve been on The Ghan, the India Pacific and a brewery train in South Africa. I love to go to stage shows, which I’ve really missed during COVID-19.
What’s something about you that people might not know?
My first six weeks of teaching were not what I expected – I taught at pools in Melbourne. I couldn’t swim to save myself and here I was teaching kids to swim! It just goes to show if you’ve got the instructions in front of you, you can teach anything.
