Volunteers’ priceless work enriches our lives

THERE’S a quiet place. Well, apart from the joyful screams of the kids on the playground, the laughter of grandparents as they get ready to do laps in the pool, and the urgent cries as the outriggers bow is caressed by the waves born over the Coral Sea.

It’s a bench, nothing glamorous, yet it has one of the best views in the world.

I’ve always thought more benches would be great, places to sit, remember, cuddle, dream, rest after being stretched to oblivion by your pilates instructor, wonder at woyal weddings, watch the dog poo on the grass because there’s no plastic bags, or just sit and watch the world go by.

In many parts of the world they dedicate benches to people, those wondrous souls who have made a difference in the lives of others. Why don’t we?

The bench of which I speak is that one at the Rock Pool looking along The Strand and out to sea, watching the diamonds on the ocean which appear this time of year more vivid, it’s truly a great place for another sort of reflection.

While engaged in the art of sitting, and hoping my pilatified muscles return to normal, I thought about people I met this week.

One of the great joys in my life is meeting people in this rather unusual job I do. It’s Volunteer Week, and two blokes were coming in to have a chat about the glory of volunteering.

One was Shane, the manager of our volunteer services and a great fella. The other was the inaugural winner of the Volunteer Award, Brad Wearne.

Before we went to air, we were having a laugh, and then I asked why do it.

He simply said he wanted to make a difference to people’s lives, to enrich them … and he does.

This young man works helping those who suffer from dementia, and other life changes with age. But what I didn’t know, he told me off air, he’d lost his leg when a truck hit him on the way to work, and after four years of personal battles, he found faith in himself and went and helped others. Well done mate, you’re an inspiration.

It was the day of our Vietnam vets 1RAR March at Lavarack. I was standing a little back from the big tent when a lovely lady came up to me, beautifully dressed, large hat and glasses, and said: “You don’t know me, but you talked to my husband on the radio in Somalia 25 years ago, I want to say thank you, you made such a difference...”

I was touched that someone remembered. I said it was an honour, and added: “I’m sorry, what is your husband’s name?”.

She said ” David Hurley, and I’m Linda”. David Hurley was the commander in Somalia, he is now the Governor of NSW. I felt very silly that I didn’t know.

She was simply so kind and down to earth, I’ll never forget that moment. We can all make a difference, eh.

Happy Days!