Ash Bolt
National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.
This year it runs from May 16 to 22 and to celebrate the City of Greater Geelong recognised two of its longest serving volunteers.
Eighty-seven-year-old Belmont resident Norma Dessent has volunteered at the National Wool Museum, welcoming visitors since it opened in 1988.
“Before I worked at the National Wool Museum, I was a volunteer for 31 years teaching English as a second language,” she said.
“I have just loved working at the National Wool Museum. I usually work in the foyer and greet people and answer any questions they might have. I have met so many interesting people in this time, and I have learned so much from the visitors.”
Meanwhile, 86-year-old Norma Bushby from Clifton Springs has volunteered her time at the National Wool Museum’s shop since 1993.
“I used to work at the hospital in Ballarat as a volunteer, and when I came down here, I was looking for something else,” Mrs Bushby said.
“My husband rang the museum, and I got an interview, and I ended up working in the shop. That was nearly 30 years ago.
“I just love volunteering at the National Wool Museum. I love meeting the people that come into the shop, and I enjoy working with all the other volunteers.
“There are so many benefits from volunteering, and I would say to anyone considering volunteering their time to just go for it.
“You get to mix with so people you wouldn’t even usually see or meet. At the National Wool Museum, we have lots of international visitors during normal times, and it’s very interesting talking to them all.”
City of Greater Geelong deputy mayor Trent Sullivan thanked the women for their hard work and dedication over many years at a small ceremony at City Hall.
“With more than 60 years of service between them, they have embodied the ‘Better Together’ sentiment, and we are very grateful to them,” he said.
Volunteering and disability portfolio chair Anthony Aitken said they were two of the City’s hundreds of volunteers across the Geelong region who deserved recognition.
“The City has hundreds of volunteers who work in a variety of programs, and we sincerely thank every one of them for their contributions,” Cr Aitken said.
“This year’s theme for National Volunteers Week, ‘Better Together’, acknowledges that volunteering brings people together to build communities and creates a better society for everyone.”
The City relies on volunteers for many programs, including the supervision of learner drivers in the L2P program; providing visitor information with Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine; assisting with the day-to-day running of Grovedale’s Neighbourhood House and helping with theatre shows at the Potato Shed.
