She’s a veteran volunteer
HOPPING on the Indian Pacific as an 18-year-old, Therese McKenney had a suitcase full of ambition about a new life in Victoria.
Born and bred in rural Western Australia, Ms McKenney picked up plenty of country know-how that came in handy during her years in adult education.
She started as a tutor at Newport Community Education Centre in the mid-1980s and quickly discovered a knack for helping people to help themselves.
“When you grow up in the country, you think that everyone knows how to sew and how to crochet,” Ms McKenney said.
“I found that I really enjoyed helping people and teaching. I was a young mum at the time and it gave me an opportunity to meet new people. I suppose my interest in community work grew from there.”
Ms McKenney joined Rotary in 2003 and served as Altona branch president in two stints as well as Hobsons Bay district governor. She has also been Bayside Festival president, Home Craft Show team leader and Newport Traders Association vice president.
The veteran volunteer relocated to Portarlington last year and hit the ground running with community work, helping to start the Bellarine Community Council.
“There’s a 1001 community groups on the Bellarine Peninsula,” Ms McKenney said.
“The Community Council is about bringing those groups together because what affects Drysdale affects Portarlington or Queenscliff.”