DESLEY McKNIGHT
I’VE lived in Torquay for about 35 years.
We moved here from Carlisle River, which is down in the Otways.
My husband got a job with the Anglesea coal mine so we moved over here. I’m the group leader with the Scouts. I started there because they needed a female to get girls into Scouts so I volunteered. I’ve been in it ever since. I’ve really enjoyed taking kids on camping trips for the Scouts. I just really enjoy being with kids.
This age now is so technological so the kids really enjoy getting away from that and doing other things.
We’ve had to adapt a little bit and have a little bit of technology on hand for them but they still really love the outdoor stuff.
Every year we do the Anzac Day parade with the RSL.
I just think it’s good the Scouts are involved with that sort of thing, we’re community minded and the RSL’s a big part of the community.
The Scouts carry the banners for each section, and they’re really pleased to do it. I’m so proud of them.
We’ve always done the parade, it’s gotten bigger and it’s more professional now. But the RSL is still very good in involving the Scouts.
When I first started there weren’t as many rules and regulations.
Now you have to have a Working with Children Check , and police clearances. That’s good, that’s for protection of the kids and yourself.
I also volunteer at Spring Creek Community House every Wednesday morning for admin work.
Monday mornings I help out with Little da Vincis, it’s a three-year-old art group. I’m not very crafty but I’m there to help clean up.
I volunteer because you see a need, and nobody else will do it, so you just sort of step in and do it.
I would rather be a worker than an organiser if you know what I mean. I enjoy helping, I enjoy doing things.
When I bore the Commonwealth Games torch that was so much fun. They made you feel so special. Surf Coast Shire councillor Martin Duke nominated me to bear the torch; he put my name in for the Surf Coast Shire council. They accepted his recommendation, sent a letter to the organisers and I was selected.
Martin asked me ‘would I do it?’ and I ummed and aahed, I don’t like making a spectacle of myself. But he said look it will be a lot of fun, and it was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it.
Ms McKnight said the Scouts always need more adult volunteers. To get involved, phone 1800 786 887.