Making a Mark for Open Doors
Horsham Aquatic Centre Open Doors volunteer Mark Radford has won recognition from the YMCA for his dedication to raising money for disadvantaged members of the Wimmera community.
The Horsham Rural City councillor is stepping down as the centre’s Open Doors volunteer after 11 years, however that does not mean the father of three adult children is any less engaged with his community.
Cr Radford said his – and his wife Anne’s – commitment to ensuring Horsham remained a great place to live was as strong as ever.
“We love it here and I plan to stay involved with the council and help get some new community projects up and going,” he said.
“There is so much emphasis on health and wellbeing now and we are concentrating on increasing those opportunities for all people in Horsham.”
Cr Radford was a self-confessed agitator for the redevelopment of the old Horsham outdoor pool in the early 2000s and was a member of the original fundraising committee for the centre when plans were agreed to.
“We had young kids at the time and thought how great it would be to have a heated indoor pool,” he said. “It was rather controversial, but when the council decided they wanted to do it in 2004, I put up my hand to help. We had a target of $200,000, which we eventually exceeded.
“That was my first involvement with the centre, so I have a real connection from the start.
“One of the key motivations was for it to be accessible to everybody and that was why I got involved in the Open Doors events.”
Cr Radford was elected to the Horsham council in 2008 and has spent the past decade as the face of fundraising for Open Doors at the centre, organising and volunteering for events.
“YMCA Victoria chipped in $10,000 to start off the Open Doors fund for the area, and we have run events ever since,” he said.
“My favourite is our pool party. We tried to make it as exciting as possible for the kids with inflatables, games and the local CFA coming down with their fire truck.
“We do the simple things with a bit of food and drink and keep it affordable. They are always successful – I can’t think of an example when we thought it didn’t go well.”
Cr Radford played a major role in the distribution of money as a member of the Horsham Community Action Group, which met every second month.
“That’s the other side I have really enjoyed – being involved in the hands-on distribution of the money to help people,” he said.
“We have organisations in Horsham that deal with people who are struggling a little bit and they know they can come to our group on behalf of these people and apply for help.
“We take the recommendations of those who know and deal with these people and try to help them get an opportunity to join the gym or put their child into swimming lessons or have access that they simply would not be able to afford otherwise.
“One of the most pleasing outcomes is seeing people who have gone through Open Doors get on to their feet again and come in and help others themselves.”
Cr Radford said volunteering had been very rewarding.
He added that those stepping in to take the lead were good people and he was confident the fundraising efforts would continue to grow.
People can visit www.horsham. ymca.org.au or call the centre on 5382 2576 for more information about YMCA programs and Horsham Aquatic Centre services.