Colin Dempsey is the operations manager with Volunteering Geelong. He shares with Jena Carr what he likes about living and working in Geelong.
What is your connection to Geelong?
I have 58 years of history with Geelong, being born here and having lived here all my life, and I have never wanted to live anywhere else.
My whole family, which includes three generations, all reside in Geelong. The only thing not in Geelong is my football team, Go Pies!
I have also been lucky to travel extensively overseas, but I always look forward to coming home.
What do you like about where you live?
In a word, balance; for me, the lifestyle in Geelong is such a happy medium.
It has the elements and infrastructure of a bigger city, but it isn’t so big that you can’t walk down the street in the middle of town and bump into someone you know.
Most of the things that I want to do are within 30 minutes of my front door.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
I am happy about most things, but it frustrates me that it takes so long to get to Melbourne by train, like when going to the footy.
Getting from a regional city like Geelong to a major city like Melbourne in many other countries is much more user-friendly, like a fast train.
Where is your favourite place to spend time?
I love my sport and have always remained active in playing sport. Give me a sports precinct, and I am pretty happy. It is my getaway, and it is how I relax.
With Geelong being a sports town, we are lucky to have such great sports facilities.
What is something people may not know about you?
Over the past few years, I have developed a veggie garden that I am dedicated to.
It is not a secret, but I don’t talk much about that, and it is probably something people who know me wouldn’t expect.
What do you like about your role with Volunteering Geelong?
After spending 35 years working in a corporate business, I have loved working for a small community-focused organisation for the past couple of years.
I learned many years ago it is not so much about the what or the where, but it is about the who.
I am lucky to work with such a great group of dedicated staff and volunteers at Volunteering Geelong.
I also work with many great people and do great things within the volunteer group involving organisations we support.
Not only is volunteering the backbone of many of our community services, but it also gives so many people a sense of purpose and pride.
It provides an important social connection for thousands of people across Geelong.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I have been volunteering for 40 years, with most of that time in a sports club administration.
I have been involved with South Barwon Cricket Club at a committee level for 40 years and served 10 years as the treasurer and nearly 30 years as the secretary.
I was involved with the Geelong Cricket Association at the board level for 28 years and treasurer for 22 years.
I was also on the All Saints Newtown Tennis Club Committee for 38 years, with most of that time serving in a secretary or treasurer role, and I am also currently the president.
