Don Collins keeps Woomelang community moving

Don Collins has volunteered for just about everything that his Woomelang community needs. See why the 77-year-old is so valuable in his town.

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DON Collins has spent a lifetime volunteering for nearly every organisation in his small Mallee town of Woomelang.

Since joining the local fire brigade when he was a teen, the 77-year-old farmer has given much more time than one man’s share to groups including the State Emergency Service, CFA, Lions Club, footy club, retirement units and even the local medical centre.

“The first priority is family, the next one is the job, and the next one is that if you have time to spare, you give it back to your community,” said Don, who was a founding member of many community groups and has not slowed down despite more than five decades of service.

Don was part of the local SES chapter when it was formed 40 years ago, and has worked as a training officer for many years.

He said he was past jumping on the back of a fire truck, but would never hesitate to “hop in the shed and on the radios if they need me”.

Fellow Lions Club member and local farmer Graeme Symes has known Don for more than 40 years.

He met Don when he was a volunteer trainer at the local footy club, where Graeme was a young player.

“He has been such an essential member of every community organisation that he has been involved with,” Graeme said.

They have worked side-by-side at the Lions Club for four decades.

Graeme said Don’s efforts were unparalleled.

“Our small community is just so dependent on people of his calibre and I don’t think there will be another generation like that,” Graeme said.

“The world would be a better place if it had more people in it like Don Collins.”