Service is part of his DNA

By Sonia Isaacs

WONDERING what the trick is to successfully stepping into the world of community groups? Being a good listener. That’s a key piece of advice from longtime hinterland volunteer and ‘professional’ committee member Ian Hope.

Ian is stepping away from the community he has lived, loved and volunteered in to move to Brisbane in the coming weeks.

As he and his wife, Marg, prepare to relocate GC&M News spoke to Ian about his experience on the many local organisations he has worked in.

Ian has consistently offered his sharp wit, solid guidance, and governance assistance – often delivered with his signature droll sense of humour. Last week friends and community members gathered at the Steaming Cup café in Landsborough to say goodbye, as Ian and Marg prepare to relocate to Brisbane.

When he first moved to Landsborough, Ian continued his involvement with Rotary by joining the Rotary Club of Glasshouse Country, he also joined Glasshouse Country Toastmasters. Soon afterwards became involved at Morris House and set up the Landsborough Area NILS (No Interest Loan Scheme) which provided financial support to adults who were excluded from mainstream financial services. Ian had originally been involved with NILS since 1997 when he had been part of a group that established the scheme in Mackay. He said he also worked with a group of wonderful like-minded people on the Coalition of Community Boards on the Sunshine Coast, and later became involved with Landsborough Hall, Landsborough Love Where We Live (LWWL) and Landsborough Rail Overpass Group. Over the last year or so, he also offered his time to support the Beerwah Sportsground committee and Celebrate Glasshouse Country.

Ian said serving the community and being involved was just part of his DNA, having come from a long line of community minded family members who were also actively involved in their communities in North Queensland through support, advocacy and union work. Ian said what he enjoyed the most was working with people to identify an end game, working towards that goal, and being part of a team where everybody contributed. He said people in communities often came together around an issue looking to find a solution. He said If they needed a bit of guidance he was always happy to offer that where he could.

“Governance is a necessary evil but it is vital for community groups to be aware of what needs to be done so they don’t find themselves at risk. I just learnt what to do over time by tapping into what professionals such as accountants and lawyers would suggest when offering advice for community organisations – I was just a good listener!” said Ian.

Ian was originally a teacher of the Hearing Impaired. He then spent time managing the family business (Fishing

Tackle and Ship’s Chandlery) alongside his brother. Before he retired, he was the Regional Business Manager for Department of Communities based in Mackay.

Ian said he thought wherever possible it was important to work within your local community, to build relationships to maximise the assistance to those in need. He said he had enjoyed great satisfaction as a volunteer working with NILS clients, as well as Rotary projects such as their grants scheme which had benefited other local organisations such as the Landsborough Scouts, Kindy, and Rural Fire Brigade. He said the Rotary community grants program was a great vehicle to extend relationships of club members with the wider community.

Ian said he believed it was becoming more challenging for some people to have the capacity volunteer their time however he encouraged people to consider stepping up to volunteer - as often that was a key factor in ensuring the ongoing viability of community associations be it sporting clubs or community advocacy groups.

“I heartily support people being involved in their local community; it is the way to ensure the needs of the community can be met,” he said.

Ian and his wife Marg are relocating to Brisbane to be closer to family, and many people around Glasshouse Country will be wishing them well for the next chapter of their lives. Ian said he has promised Marg he will only get involved in no more than four organisations when they arrive at their new place of residence!