The different faces of volunteers
Small communities rely on volunteers and they come in all shapes and sizes.
Local Tailem Bend woman Lyn Simcock likes to keep busy, working part time providing finance support to the Coorong Realty and Simcock Commercial teams, helping her husband Bob on the farm, cooking for the masses and volunteering in her local community.
Lyn started volunteering as a kid in Brinkley, and over the years has covered a range of interests. She was involved in the local school Parents and Friends Committee when her four kids were young, and with Bob has supported the Karoonda Farm Fair and the Year of the Farmer committees.
They have been with the Cooke Plains Pistol Club for over 20 years, and Lyn is now Treasurer of the Tailem Bend Lions Club.
Lyn’s years with the Tailem Bend Music Hall were a lot of fun. The annual musical, hosted at the Town Hall attracts a huge crowd, and Lyn and her friend Joyce are behind the infamous Daisy and Violet duo, known for telling dirty jokes and finding creative places to write their lines.
‘The best one was on a flagon of port – Daisy has a fondness for the stuff. Broom handles were always useful too. Unfortunately, these days, Daisy and Violet have been retired due to a complete lack of political correctness,’ Lyn laughs.
‘So these days, we do whatever we can, sometimes with money, but mostly with time, and we sell a lot of scones and sausages,’ she laughs. ‘Lions have recently helped fund a skin cancer screening bus for regional communities, which is going to help people who otherwise wouldn’t get to the clinic.’
And it’s not just about the dollars. ‘It’s about friendships, fellowship, and helping our community. Living it the country can be socially isolating, and volunteering allows people to interact in a way that doesn’t cause them anxiety.’
‘It can be challenging at times, but volunteering is a great excuse for catching up with people and finding out what’s happening around the place. It holds country towns together.’
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