north east regional extra | June 28 - July 4, 2023
nemedia.com.au
1.
June 28 - July 4, 2023
Continuing the cancer conversation
◆ IMPORTANT CAUSE: Roslyn Arnold, Barbara Thomas, Robyn Proft and Margaret Colvin encouraged new members to join their volunteer group. PHOTO: Chloe Jaenicke
By CHLOE JAENICKE
FOR 42 years the Wangaratta Volunteer Group for the Cancer Council Victoria has been going strong raising money for cancer research. They currently have 10 members who come together and host four events a year including the biggest morning tea, daffodil day, pink ribbon day and most recently, their annual men’s breakfast. The men’s breakfast started several years ago after the husband of one of the volunteer group member’s died of cancer as a way to give men a forum to talk to each other about issues they face.
“Men aren’t really good at talking about things, they’re getting a lot better and I think it’s great to see that,” group leader, Barbara Thomas said. “We’ve got a mixture of young men and older men so that’s good too.” This year they had 81 people attend the breakfast which is the most they’ve had attend. At many of the group’s events, they have raffles with prizes donated by the community. Margaret Colvin, who has been volunteering for around 22 years, said over time it has been interesting to see how the fundraising ef-
forts have changed with new members. “When I first came in we used to have to go along and put up our cover to keep the weather out and just be able to set up,” she said. “We had stalls at that stage with cancer badges, literature; you name it on Sundays at the markets.” “We had some men back then but not anymore, we don’t have many men volunteers anymore.” Currently, the Wangaratta Volunteer Group is looking for new members as a way to breathe new life into the group with new ideas and perspectives.
ANIMAL CARE
YOUR GARDEN
YOUR HEALTH
COOKING CORNER
with KIMBA
with NATALIE
with BELINDA
with BELINDA
Ms Thomas said at the moment all the volunteers in the group are women, despite it not exclusively being a women’s group. “That’s something we would like to change, if any men are interested in joining the group, because cancer affects both men and women,” she said. “We don’t want to keep doing the same old same old because times change.” One of the biggest issues they face is coming up with new ways for people to donate as many people don’t carry cash on them anymore.
■ Continued page 6
Business Accounts Community-focused banking that supports your success Visit bankwaw.com.au for full terms and conditions. BankWAW is the registered business name held by WAW Credit Union Co-Operative Ltd.
bankwaw.com.au