Mona Swinton, 3WAY FM
A smile on your face helps when you are on the radio, according to 3WAY FM volunteer presenter Mona Swinton.
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"If you smile while you are talking it comes across to the listener," Mrs Swinton said.
At 97 years old Mrs Swinton still broadcasts two programs on the community station, a shared program titled 'Stardust' on a Tuesday and 'Afternoon Delight' on Thursday afternoons.
Mrs Swinton attended the first meeting to establish a community radio station, and has been on the Warrnambool airwaves since 3WAY FM received their first limited broadcast licence in 1984.
The jump into radio broadcasting was a comfortable one for Mona Swinton.
I have always been connected with radio, my heart is in it.
- Mona Swinton
After years as an amateur radio operator, talking with people across Australia and as far away as Canada and New Zealand, volunteering behind the microphone felt easy.
"Working on the radio is something that makes me feel good," Mrs Swinton said.
"Doing something constructive and seeing something get bigger because of our work."
Broadcasting the music that she loves was a big reason for Mrs Swinton to sign on to the radio station, but she also enjoyed the administration.
"It is like a job, you have to have the same attitude towards it as a volunteer, you have to be on time and organised," Mrs Swinton said.
"You have to organise everything, playlists, sponsors, everything that goes with the radio station.
"I have always been connected with radio, my heart is in it.
"Because we were all volunteers everyone came from a different jobs, doctors and engineers, we had to learn radio as we went.
"Most of us had to learn the hard way.
"There was quite a bit of time put in helping people to learn the radio."
Mrs Swinton said she doesn't have to spend quite as much time putting her programs together as she did.
"It takes a while because you have to think about what you want to play, but I can make changes at the last minute," she said.
"After you have done it for a few years, you can do it on the spot."
She has recently received the Member of Parliament's Award for her long term service to volunteering in Warrnambool from Member for Wannon Dan Tehan.
Mrs Swinton has volunteered for a range of organisations in Warrnambool, including 20 years with the diabetes unit at South West Healthcare, ten years reading newspapers for Vision Australia, plus time with Warrnambool Probus Club and the Warrnambool Field Naturalists' Club.
St Ayles Skiff Boat Builders
Kirkstall dairy fairer Pat Shanahan and retired TAFE teacher Gray Wilson started volunteering with Warrnambool's St Ayles Skiff Community Rowing Club for a little bit of extra fitness.
Three years later they are hard at work constructing a second skiff for the club with the other volunteers in the boat builder's space at Flagstaff Hill.
"They had a rowing session on the Merri River one beautiful day and I thought the exercise and being out on the water seemed like a good thing to do," Mr Shanahan said.
"Then the boat building side came into it and I have enjoyed that too."
Mr Shanahan now finds enjoyment in the social side of the boat building.
"Meeting up with the other people from various lifestyles really appeals to me," he said.
"I hadn't been involved in boat building before, but I always liked the water and boats and the exercise side of it as well."
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The pair are now registered as volunteers with Flagstaff Hill, as well as working on building the St Ayles Skiff.
"Lots of visitors come through and they are all quite interested in what we are doing," Mr Shanahan said.
"One Saturday morning we had visitors from America, Singapore and Scotland.
"We has a regatta here last February and had people bringing their skiffs from Tasmania, some from South Australia coming to town."
Gray Wilson is happy he had been able to find a level to volunteer at that he is comfortable with.
"You're not committed to a hard and fast time, different people with different skills have worked on the boat," Mr Wilson said.
"It's very satisfying to be doing work with wood, and satisfying to be building something that the community will get use out of."
"There are interesting ways of doing things, and a wide range of achieving the task."
"We can all do our bit."
Maggie Hintum, childcare volunteer
Getting out and helping in the community is something more young people should have a go at, according to one young Warrnambool volunteer.
For nearly 12 months Maggie Hintum, 16, has been volunteering at the Honeypot Childcare Centre after school.
She finds volunteering to be a great way to clear head after a difficult day at school.
"It is a little bit tiring, it is a long day at school before coming here, but I still enjoy helping," Ms Hintum said.
"Sometimes I have challenging subjects on the day I volunteer, subjects that can be stressful.
"Coming here to work with the kids helps as a release from that."
The Emmanuel College year 10 student began volunteering in order to complete Duke of Edinburgh bronze award program, while she was in year nine.
"It seemed to be a very good program, and would help to develop skills. I just enjoyed helping people," Ms Hintum said.
"I enjoy working with the kids, they are really nice, and the staff are really welcoming.
Anyone would be inspired by a dad like mine
- Maggie Hintum
"You interact with them (the children), play games, sometimes read books.
"The kids like to play chasey games, I am often the monster."
Maggie Hintum looks to her father Jeff Hintum when approaching her volunteer activities. Mr Hintum gives time to Relay for Life, the Mother's Day Classic and Warrnambool Basketball.
"Dad inspires me," Ms Hintum said.
"Anyone would be inspired if they had a dad like mine.
"He does a massive amount for the community, especially the basketball club where he is the treasurer. He is sometimes up until 1am finishing things."
Ms Hintum also volunteers with the Warrnambool Surf Lifesaving Club, where she has received the Junior of the Year award.
"I help out with the summer patrols," she said.
"It is good to get hands-on practice in different scenarios.
"Development of skills is a good part of being a volunteer."
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