MARGARET Shimmin says she often doubted whether she would be capable of making a useful contribution when she embarked upon her many volunteer roles.
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But Mrs Shimmin said she found she grew into the roles and grew as a person.
Mrs Shimmin said her nearly 50 years of volunteering had given her great connections throughout the Warrnambool community, which contributed greatly to her sense of well-being. It has also brought her an OAM.
Her volunteerism has enriched a variety of local organisations from Meals on Wheels to Vision Australia, Neighbourhood Watch, Ash Wednesday bushfire relief and the Save the Children fund.
Mrs Shimmin said she did not like executive roles but her enthusiasm for the work meant she had been a successful recruiter of other volunteers.
While she does not enjoy leadership positions, it has not stopped her from taking on key roles as a co-ordinator of other volunteers.
Her initial volunteer role in Warrnambool was in Meals on Wheels in 1968, a job she was introduced to by her mother in England.
She worked in that role for about 43 years in Warrnambool and during that time has introduced her own children and grandchildren to the role.
Mrs Shimmin said she was fortunate she didn’t have to work and took on many volunteer roles to contribute in other ways.
“I like talking to people,” she said of her motivation.
“If you like to give, volunteering is one of the better things you can do.”
Another major role has been with Vision Australia in Warrnambool, reading local and regional news for recording for the visually impaired. She did that job for more than 25 years and co-ordinated the Warrnambool volunteers for more than 10 years until technology replaced the volunteers. Her volunteerism has sometimes been an extension of her family’s interests. Tennis is the Shimmin family’s sport and Mrs Shimmin has served as president of the Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club and on the junior lawn tennis committee.
While age has diminished Mrs Shimmin’s involvement, she still reads to the visually impaired and is a driver for ConnectU that transports people to medical appointments, shopping or social outings.