north east regional extra | January 11 - 17, 2023
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January 11 - 17, 2023
Continuing care is the aim
◆ STRIVING FORWARD: Mark Heaton, new chairperson of Loaves and Fishes–Christians Caring, wants to make meaningful contributions within the community and continue the good work LF–CC provides to those in need. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN
VOLUNTEERING is something that comes naturally to 66 year old Wangaratta retiree Mark Heaton. Whether it‘s been raising funds for to find a cure for a disease, offering goods to the disadvantaged and homeless, or offering services of comfort to previously isolated elderly home residents, he has a passion to help his community. “I grew up in a family that did volunteering and everything else, it wasn‘t anything special, I‘ve just been able to volunteer in no matter what capacity whenever I‘ve had time,” he said. As the new chairperson for Loaves and Fishes – Christians Caring (LF–CC), Mr Heaton is looking forward to continuing the generous legacy the local charitable service provides to the community. Elected at the recent LF–CC annual general meeting, Mr Heaton has been at LF–CC since 2019, and started work as the assistant pantry manager to David Price at the start of this year. Mr Heaton said in his near 30 year experience in volunteering, he‘s never taken on a volunteer role of this magnitude before. “I‘ve always wanted to give back to the community and I think this is just another way of being able to do that,” he said. Born in England, Mr Heaton spent most of his time in Western Australia and Queensland after his family immigrated to Australia when he was young, working in various roles at the crop science division of global research company Bayer. As a part of his role at Bayer he regularly travelled internationally, mostly to attend meetings in the Asia Pacific. But Mr Heaton always had a special bond with the North East, where he had met his wife some 40 years ago.
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YOUR GARDEN EN
ANIMAL CARE
WINE TALK
GONE ONE FISHING SHING
BOOK NOOK
with HELEN
with JAZZY
with ANITA
with ROB
A GIRL CALLED CORPSE
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