Lions to the fore supporting future Opportunities, motivation make a difference

FROM an op-shop in Inglewood’s main street to community officers often acting as first responders, there’s opportunity in the Loddon to support Ambulance Victoria.

The local ambulance auxiliary traces its foundations back several decades when townspeople banded together raising funds to build the town’s original ambulance station and a residence for local ambulance officers.

Through the op-shop, many thousands of dollars have been raised, initially for that new station and now supporting other wellbeing and community safety programs.

It is through the auxiliary, there many defibrillators have been purchased and installed in Inglewood and other towns.

The auxiliary is always looking for volunteers to assist at the opshop managed by Faye Orange. From sorting donations to arranging shop displays, there’s a place for every volunteer.

And the auxiliary is also backing the call for more ambulance community officers to assist the full-time crew stationed in Inglewood.

Volunteers make the op-shop a vital ambulance supporter.

Community officers are motivated volunteers assisting Ambulance Victoria to provide emergency medical treatment.

One of the leaders of the recruitment initiative is Inglewood’s Deb Coon who can be contacted on 0417 834 342. Deb is happy to chat with prospective volunteers about the important and rewarding opportunity.

FOR almost 50 years, Inglewood Lions Club has been a vital part of the local community.

Members have raised important funds for projects in the Inglewood district, investing in the future of towns and their residents.

That future focus is also shown with the awarding of annual scholarships at local primary schools.

“Lions is about serving the community and our members have always shown a strong commitment to embracing that ethos,” said president Eddie Sydor.

The Inglewood club is renowned for providing barbecues at events and gatherings across the district, from special functions to clearing sales, raising funds to continue its support of the community.

“In the last few months we have ran out of sausages and hamburgers at a clearing sale, catered for a farmer wellbeing evening presented by Loddon Plains Landcare Network and gave a group of visiting Karen refugees a taste of a traditional Aussie barbecue.”

Inglewood Lions Club is now calling on residents in the district to join and be part of its ongoing community effort.

“We’re a bit light on for numbers at the moment but we so many people moving into the area, we’re keen to involve them in our club and community,” Eddie said.

“It’s a great way to meet people and support the town.”

By GAELLE BROAD

IT’S a great pleasure to be able to acknowledge the incredible contribution of volunteers in our local Loddon Shire communities during Volunteers Week.

I believe it’s extra important to celebrate next week, as most volunteers I know do not seek the spotlight for the valuable work they do. Yet, there’s no doubt our communities would simply not be the same without them.

Volunteering is defined as ‘time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain’.

In my role as the member for Northern Victoria Region, I am constantly amazed at the selfless time and effort that is so ‘willingly given’ by volunteers for the common good.

In the past few days alone, I have met volunteers from the CWA, RSL, op shops, homeless services, disaster relief, health support groups – this is just the tip of the volunteering iceberg.

It has been inspiring to hear the stories of volunteers who generously gave of their time and energy to help regional communities impacted by last year’s devastating floods.

Volunteers are still working with the flood victims in a range of roles.

Individual volunteers are the foundation of our local communities; they bring people together.

Over 2.3 million Victorians volunteer an average of 224 hours each year, and they contribute $58 billion in value to Victoria’s economy.

I may be biased, but I believe volunteering is much stronger in rural and regional Victoria than it is in the city. As a volunteer you can do something you enjoy, to help others, make new friends and learn new skills.

It seems that there is a volunteering role to suit anybody, and interestingly it’s not just the community that benefits. Research suggests volunteering can actually help you live longer. A Journal of Health Psychology review of the Longitudinal Study on Aging, which compiled data from more than 7,000 Americans aged 70 and older, found that people who volunteered frequently tended to live longer than those who didn’t! Thank you to all those who volunteer in our local communities in so many different ways, such as at sports clubs, schools, churches, CFA and SES, Scouts, park runs, hall committees, Red Cross, neighbourhood houses, Landcare, ag societies, homeless support services and op shops, Lions, CWA, RSL, refugee and migrant services, disability support, aged care, Foodshare, animal shelters and community radio.

There is a declining trend in volunteering. Let us work together to change it.

In National Volunteer’s Week, as always, thank you to all our volunteers for making the world a better place.

Living in a rural community means that Emergency, Sporting, Social, Educational, Spiritual, Action and Infrastructure groups all rely on volunteer participation. During National Volunteer Week, we encourage everyone to consider joining one of your local Volunteer Groups or Organisations.

Check Out Our Great Local Organisations

Think about your skills, your available time, your physical and mental abilities and your own hobbies or interests, and see if you can align them with any of our local community groups. Then just make contact – it’s as easy as that to get started. We think you’ll be surprised at how rewarding volunteering is and the many activities and social interactions that you’ll encounter, at the same time helping to make our community stronger.

Every endeavour has been made to keep this list up to date so if any of the above information is incorrect, please contact Pauline on 0417 124 275 or email idtcsecretary@hotmail.com

Last updated 6 May 2023