Volunteer Profiles

Colin Robertson

Interests: Tennis, classical music, cinema, Melbourne's trams

How did you find out about volunteering at SPDL? A Centrelink officer suggested it.

What volunteering do you do for SPDL? Driving.

What do you enjoy about volunteering with us? Driving (which I've always enjoyed since I first started) and meetingpeople.

Is there anything you don't like about volunteering with us? No really. Perhaps customers no poning DayLinks to let us know they are cencelling.

Alison St John

Interests: Family, reading, music, travelling, quilting, history, family history, attempting to learn Italian (attempting underlined!), films, Victorian domestic architecture, education, the long lost art of letter writing, English humour, gardening (apart from the drudgery of actually having to do it), swimming, the countryside, people...

How did you find out about volunteering at SPDL? I responded to an advertisement at Glenys' Hair Salon in Middle Park.

What volunteering do you do at SPDL? Working in reception, currently as a reliever.
What do you enjoy about volunteering with us? It is an opportunity to escape from domestic drudgery and work with lovely people!

Is there anything you don't like about volunteering with us? 1. the box of fundraising chocolates providing unwanted temptation! 2. The temperature of the office.

 

Ian Brown

Interests: Friends, horse racing

Passions: Essendon Football Club

How long volunteering? 12 years! (and all with SPDL: thank you Ian!)

Enjoys: Helping the frail elderly and disabled

Joan Bacon

Interests: Family, craft work, movies, cooking/entertaining, golf, Mahjong

Passions: Travel, photography

Where & how long have you been a volunteer? 6 months at SPDL

What volunteering do you do at SPDL? Reception

What do you enjoy about volunteering with us? Working in an organization that is providing a service to the elderly and frail community, in a friendly and caring atmosphere.

Is there anything you don’t like about volunteering with us? No.
 

Peter Sutherland

Interests: DayLinks!

Passions: Swans footy club

Where & how long have you been a volunteer? St Vincents Boys’ Home, Echo Foundation

What volunteering do you do at SPDL? Volunteer driver since January 2003

What do you enjoy about volunteering with us? Everything, especially meeting people

Is there anything you don’t like about volunteering with us? No! (Editor’s note: Peter left this blank so we’re assuming a No!)

Robyn James

Interests: Family, friends, film, camping

Passions: Current affairs, reading, travel

Where & how long have you been a volunteer? 8 years - Aged Care; 2 months at SPDL

What volunteering do you do at SPDL? Reception

What do you enjoy about volunteering with us? Sense of fun working in not-for-profit community organisation. Communicating with the elderly. Atmosphere of comradeship.

Is there anything you don’t like about volunteering with us? No.

Gunter Wachsmuth   

  Gunter Wachsmuth started driving for Daylinks ‘accidently’. He helped in an emergency situation when no one was available to pick up a Daylinks driver at the airport who was scheduled to drive later that day. Gunter has been a regular driver ever since and has now been driving for Daylinks for too many years to remember. During this time he has gained lots of friends in the community and certainly now knows the best routes to drive to avoid all the local road humps.

Tuesday is Gunter’s regular day driving for Daylinks - he calls this his ‘day at the Opera’. After arriving at the office and picking up the car he gets into the driver’s seat and turns on the radio to either of the two classical FM stations – 103.5 and 105.9.

The day is then spent in a state of euphoria as he drives around the streets of Port Phillip taking his passengers to their varied destinations.

To date most passengers have found the drive and the music very enjoyable. At the end of the ride he has found more passengers thank him for the music than for the ride! Gunter recalls one passenger who he was dropping off at home who asked if he could stay in the car till the music finished. A diligent Gunter checked his schedule before saying ‘OK’.

Gunter always keeps a full set of opera on CD with him in case of emergencies – when the radio station plays music he thinks his passengers wouldn’t like. Some of his favourite operas are ‘The Magic Flute’, ‘The Tales of Hoffmann’ and ‘Rigoletto’.

These days Gunter is not only a driver, he is also a Daylinks customer who is driven to the gym for rehabilitation each Thursday.

He hopes to be a driver for many years to come.

Heather Cooke

BirthPlace:    Melbourne

Interests/Passions:    Cats, gardens & plants, reading (especially crime fiction), movies, beach (swimming)

History of Volunteering:    SPDL 3 years

What volunteering do you do with SPDL?    Driving

What do you enjoy about volunteering with us?    All the very interesting clients, finding new and secret lanes and back-ways in the area. Also all the nice SPDL staff etc (Editor's note: Really, we didn't pay her to say that :) )

What don't you like about volunteering with us?    Nothing!

Terry Trimble

BirthPlace:    Perth, WA

Favourite things:    World War 2 history

Interests/Passions:    Living

History of Volunteering:    SPDL - 8 years

What volunteering do you do with SPDL?    Driving

Why do you volunteer with us?    Enjoy driving and the company of passengers

What do you enjoy about volunteering with us?    Badgie (the dog)

What did you do before you came to SPDL?    My life came in three parts: Football - I made Hawthorn's list as a 16 year old, then coached Monbulk, Tooronga and South Richmond. Won 4 competition best & fairest;

Employment: did a bit of everything before spending 12 years with the Commonwealth Car Pool, driving people such as Harold Holt, Bill McMahon, Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke, President & Imelda Marcos, Duke of Edinburgh, Archbishop of Canterbury and others. Duties included body-guarding as well as chauffeur. Then I spent about 6 years as National Sales Manager with Simplicity/Style patterns;

Entertainment: I did some enjoyable stints including appearances in Power Without Glory, Rush, Bellbird, Homicide, Cop Shop, The Box, as Bea Smith's husband in Prisoner, Blue Heelers, and many other shows. Commercials included 4 years as the Midas Muffler Man, and I launched Lubemobile, and was in ads for Peter Jackson cigs, Ford and Toyota. A thrilling participation in the Bicentennial Tall Ships in Melbourne and Sydney launched me into the public after-dinner speaking circuit over the following few years.

Melanie Topsom

BirthPlace:    New Zealand - Aussie resident

Favourite things:    Ferns, teddy bears, and mini licorice all-sorts

Interests/Passions:    Catering, stunt kite flying, reading, poetry writing, and photography/Walking along the beach and collecting shells. Watching the sunrise or sunset. Staying well.

History of Volunteering:    SPDL - about 2 years.

What volunteering do you do with SPDL?    Driving and reception when necessary.

Why do you volunteer with us?    It is a great community service and a privilege to be part of a team enabling transport for so many in the community.

What do you enjoy about volunteering with us?    Catching up with my regular clients. The original '3 wise monkey Wednesday pm team" - Doug, Ray and myself - continually stirring and challenging the office team!

What don't you like about volunteering with us?    Traffic cameras and the psychedelic shocking hat option, and the jackets to come! (Editor's Note: the jackets have arrived, and of course Mel asked if she could have one!)

John Dawes

BirthPlace:    Carlton, Victoria

Favourite things:    The cat: Roxy

Interests/Passions:    Computers, craft, music/Working with the community

History of Volunteering:    DayLinks - 3 months; City of Voices - 10 years; CoPP Community Ball - 9 years; Sacred Heart Mission - 4 years

What volunteering do you do with SPDL?    Reception and anything I am asked to do.

Why do you volunteer with us?    Because Mary twisted my arm! I felt I needed to and I like to be occupied.

What do you enjoy about volunteering with us?    The community, Interesting work. Meeting new people.

What don't you like about volunteering with us?    Nothing.

Liz Van Dam

BirthPlace:    Melbourne

Favourite things:    Books and diamonds

Interests/Passions:    Reading, swimming, craft, grandchildren, politics, family, old friends and diamonds

History of Volunteering:    Daylinks - 5 years

What volunteering do you do with SPDL?    Reception and anything I am asked to do.

Why do you volunteer with us?    Love it. When you've got time to help others, why not? Makes me feel good.

What do you enjoy about volunteering with us?    People you meet on the phone, new and old. Social intercourse. Meeting the volunteers who work for DayLInks

What don't you like about volunteering with us?    Nothing - I love it!

Liz Burke

BirthPlace:    Melbourne

Favourite things:    Films, horse racing, dogs

Interests/Passions:    Films, horse racing, dogs

History of Volunteering:    I am a PetLinks volunteer and have also been on film committees such as "Women in film and TV" and other lobby groups

How long have you been with SPDL?    I have been a PetLinks volunteer since 1999. Kate recruited me and I have been involved ever since

What volunteering do you do with SPDL?    Mostly I have done dog walking. My most recent PetLinks experience has been walking a whippet, Shadow, five mornings a week. I did this for about 18 months - I walked him with my own dogs, and occasionally provided foster care for him. I have also cared for some cats, visiting daily.

Why do you volunteer with us?    It's important to do something for the local community and its fun and good exercise. I get to know the owners and feel part of their lives.

What do you enjoy about volunteering with us?    It's good for people who can't have an animal it gets them out doors mixing and doing things.

What don't you like about volunteering with us?    Nothing - I love it!

Betty Harrison

Birthplace:    Bradford West Yorkshire

Favourite things:    Markets, op shops, discovering new things, reading mostly about people and the occasional romance, puzzles

Interests:    One day I'd like to do a tiling, upholstery and welding course

Passions:    Cream cakes, day trips to the country and discovering new places. Bringing back news from these places

History -  eg what have been doing before you started volunteering eg traveling, family, paid employment?    First job in a market selling bridal wear, worked in factories during the war, and then in shops. Came to Australia bringing my baby boy with me, had a daughter born here and now have 6 grand and 7 great grandchildren. I worked in a carpet factory for about 10 years - it is an exciting job as you use as many as 100 colours. These are identified by numbers not names Later I worked for 20yrs in Freemasons hospital with dieticians.

Where and how long have you been a volunteer:    I started with the Public Tenants Association in 1994 working on newsletters. I then started with SPDL. I am a volunteer at the SM Community Chest. I've been a voluntary committee of management member for many organisations. I'm a member of Share and Care Tappers and Chairperson and performer with the City of Voices Community Theatre Group.

What volunteering do you do with SPDL?    Reception, committee of management, market stall on Fridays, organising daytrips...bits of everything really!

Why do you volunteer with SPDL?    Inner peace, being able to contribute, being part of something, society and the chance to help

What do you enjoy about volunteering with us?    Companionship, feeling needed, useful, the chance to try and learn new things and feel good about self. The chance to grow, become more confident and less self conscious has made me a different person. Talking with and meeting fantastic people.

What don't you like about volunteering with us?    Some people are not kind but can be inappropriate, uncooperative and demanding.

Les Sutherland

Birthplace:    Port Melbourne of course - at 405 Graham Street in 1930. My father was an inspector with the Board of Works. During the depression years, we had to do a few moonlight flits but always ended up somewhere in Port Melbourne.it was a good old working class area. In 1940 we moved to the housing estate in Garden City, commonly called Bagdad! We were looked down on but we didn't care - we loved it  - the house was new, there was plenty of room (there were 7 kids) and we even had a proper shower and bathroom! I started work as an apprentice grocer with Croft's stores in Victoria Ave., Albert Park in 1945. The only part of the job I liked was getting out on the bike delivering groceries so I decided to seek work on a sheep station, which I did for 9 months. I then came home & wanted to enlist in the army, but pressure from my father delayed that for 2 years and I worked as a tram conductor. I joined the army in 1952 and retired in 1975 having been posted to various countries - Japan, Korea, Malaya, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam - in fact I met my wife in Thailand. My time overseas taught me not to be racist there's wonderful, nice and not so nice people in all nationalities.

Favourite things:    I do like a beer or three and I'm still trying to break the betting habit!

Interests:    My wife and family: Goal umpire for football competition for intellectually handicapped young people.Bowls (PM Bowling Club), Richmond AFL

Where and how long have you been a volunteer?    just on 4 years

What volunteering do you do with SPDL    I started off as a ChatMate = but soon after I asked Carolyn to change it to 'SparringMate' as my ChatMate and I got along so well we were always sparring with each other. She has now become my WalkMate and, although she is in a wheelchair, we 'walk' together, every-where! I often walk her along the beach but we've been to Federation Square, Police Pipe Band at Melbourne Town Hall, the museum, the Flower show at Exhibition Buildings, the Art Gallery: We don't let the wheelchair get in our way of getting out and about. I also deliver pamphlets for SPDL

Why do you volunteer with us?    My brother, Peter's a volunteer driver with DayLinks. I don't drive but Carolyn conned me into joining SPDL anyway ..and I've enjoyed every second of it

What do you enjoy about volunteering with us?    I get a huge pleasure seeing my WalkMate so happy and enjoying herself..I know she wouldn't get out to such places otherwise. We're still sparring partners though ..she's got plenty of spark.

What don't you like about volunteering with us?    Nothing I love the friendships I have developed over time

Doris Pace

Birthplace:    Melbourne - both my parents came from Malta in 1954, married at St Joseph's church in Port Melbourne in 1955 and I was born at the Queen Victoria Hospital on May 28th 1956,the eldest of 4 children. I have lived all my life in Port Melbourne and can't imagine living anywhere else.

Favourite things:    Music - I love all sorts -, cafes and restaurants, going to the movies (especially to The Sun theatre in Yarraville), walking by the beach.

Interests:    Gardening - I do all the gardening at home and I love propagating. ...I often propagate things to pass on to the GardenMate clients. I belong to the South Melbourne Garden Club which is most interesting and the people are very friendly and welcoming. I also love all sorts of crafts, antiques and cooking.

Passions:    My friends and family -niece Maddy and nephews Matthew and Brendan. And my 18 month old pomeranian dog, Rusty.

History:    I attended St Joseph's Primary School - it was on the corner of Bay and Rouse Streets:  after the school moved to Princes Street, the building became the Robert Timms factory and is now, guess what, apartments! My secondary schooling was at Kilbride, Albert Park, after which I began work at the Commonwealth Aircraft in Lorimer Street, working as a receptionist in the laboratory for 20 years. I travelled overseas for 4 months during my long service leave - around Europe, the Greek Islands and Turkey cruise on a Contiki tour and afterwards visited family in Malta and England. I have been back to Europe several times and I can't decide what is my favourite country - each one has its highlights! I have travelled a lot also around Australia - I still call Australia home!

Why do you volunteer with SPDL?    Because I love interacting with people and helping within my community.

How long have you been a volunteer with SPDL?    It will be 4 years in November

What volunteering do you do with SPDL?    My volunteer job description tells me I am a Volunteer Receptionist..BUT I could best be described as a 'Jill of all Trades'. I do photocopying, collect mail, assist with mailouts, shopping, helping with food preparation, making tea and coffee, walking our mascot, Badge, giving him his treat(s): he usually gives me a nudge if I forget! And more importantly, I'm in charge of remembering all the volunteer drivers' birthdays... I'm in big trouble if I miss one!

What don't you like about volunteering with SPDL?    The occasional rude client who forgets I am volunteering my time (although most clients are great and appreciate the service ). I HATE it when drivers don't answer their mobile phones

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?    Meeting different people, talking to clients on the phone and getting to know them, then eventually getting to meet some of them. Having a joke and a laugh with clients and volunteers. Mostly I love Badge's freaky smile and the welcome he gives me when I walk in the door.

John Jacobs

Birthplace:    Kew in Melbourne

Favourite things:    Being a volunteer driver for DayLinks, my dog Lily (a maltese cross, a little like a well-loved slipper), my partner of 15 years, Barb

Interests:    having the odd dollar (or 2) on the horses, sport in general, AFL (C'arn The Hawks)

Passions:    Supporting refugees to tell their stories (my mother was a refugee and arrived in Australia over 60 years ago), cooking garlic spaghetti

History:    I am employed at Deakin university (since 1991) as a teacher in performing arts. I've had several TV roles including in Blue Heelers and Backberner. I have made many TV commercials including for Officeworks, as the chauvinistic husband in Praise Mayonnaise and the absent minded executive in Startrack Express

Where and how long have you been a volunteer:    Since 1995. 10 years

How long have you been with SPDL?    All of those long 10 years! And now of course, I'm a volunteer as well for a refugee group 'Refugee Voices'

What volunteering do you do with SPDL?    I'm a driver: every Tuesday morning. I used to do Fridays but my work time table changed, so now I'm meeting all the Tuesday clients.

Why do you volunteer with us?    I like to do something I feel is worthwhile and I think helping people to get out and about is very important.

What do you enjoy about volunteering with us?    I enjoy having a chat and a laugh with the clients: they have such stories to tell. I enjoy the cameraderie with the other volunteers

What don't you like about volunteering with us?     It can be quite stressful - the roads are chaotic and we are very busy. I don't like it when Carolyn growls at me (just joking)!