All hands on deck as volunteers help Victoria’s country towns survive and thrive
THEY say many hands make light work. Nowhere is that more the case in country Victoria, where volunteers field footy teams, run chook raffles and stand as the last line of defence when a fire approaches.
VIC News
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THEY say many hands make light work.
Nowhere is that the case more than in country Victoria, where volunteers are the lifeblood of communities.
They field footy teams, run chook raffles and stand as the last line of defence when a fire approaches.
In a nutshell, they’re the reason towns survive and thrive.
Census data shows much higher rates of volunteerism outside of Melbourne, which only increases with remoteness.
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Just 14.4 per cent of Victorians in a major city volunteered at last count, compared with 19.6 per cent in inner regional, 23.2 per cent in outer regional and 35.6 per cent in remote areas.
Just out of Castlemaine, the Campbells Creek fire brigade has 35 volunteers from a population of about 1700.
Volunteering for the CFA is a family affair for brigade captain Malcolm Murdoch, his wife, Marryanne, and son, Matthew.
Mr Murdoch’s brother and sister also volunteer with another brigade, as does his daughter.
The answer comes quick when the 35-year veteran is asked why he gives up his time — and safety — to volunteer: it’s just what you do.
“Our parents volunteered when we were young so we do it too,” Mr Murdoch said.
“People come from miles away to help us and we will go a long way to help others.
“It’s all about being there when you’re needed.”
More than 120km from Campbells Creek, many hands are also at work in Girgarre.
The tiny town faulted in the late 1970s when the milk factory shut down and again in 2012 when Heinz pulled the pin on its local operations.
But among its among its 561 residents are more than a few bright sparks with the energy to power the town.
They hatched a plan to turn down the $50,000 parting gift offered by Heinz and instead negotiated ownership of a slice of the cannery’s land and the associated water rights.
On the back of volunteers, they have built a sound shell to host music festivals and are planting a botanical garden to revival Cranbourne’s.
They also have a town car, owned by the community and chauffeured by volunteers, for anyone without transport.
There are dozens of volunteer and community groups and one woman considered the glue keeping them together — Jan Smith.
While she was less than fond of Girgarre when she arrived as a 21-year-old teacher — a “one-horse town”, she thought — she said it functions as a family.
“We are finding ways to cover the social needs of this little community,” Ms Smith said.
“There is nobody working on the future of Girgarre being paid to do it but its our ‘let’s have a go’ attitude that makes this the most energetic, vibrant small town.
“If we’re not sharing a laugh, if we’re not sharing when a hug when it’s tough, if it’s not fun, it’s not worth doing.”
It is that spirit that won her over within months and has kept her in the town for more than 50 years.
“I’ve had a wonderful life here and I can’t think of anything better than growing old in this town,” she said.
“Not that I’m getting old yet though, I’m only 75 for God’s sake.”
Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said a willingness to pitch in could be found in every corner of the state.
“There are dynamos in every town,” he said.
“The work always comes back to the willing horses and we are thankful that we have those willing horses in rural communities.
“Things wouldn’t happen without them.”
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