By Callum Ludwig
Volunteers also play a role in keeping our communities connected and looking out for some of our most vulnerable.
The Millgrove Residents Action Group (mRAg) play a big role in the development and progress of the town, while LinC, including the River Valley Church, do a lot of work helping vulnerable community members.
MRAG member Kate Baselier was put forward to be recognised for her efforts and she said she first joined the group in 2015 out of curiosity.
“I just went to a meeting to see what was going on, and as developed, I became a bit more involved. I started helping out a bit more paperwork, started doing minutes and attending meetings once a month,” she said.
“I just thought, let’s do something for Millgrove that’s good for everyone in the community. If there’s no community group, nothing will happen in a community, there news to be some structure in getting things rolling”
Ms Baselier started off in 2015 by writing the Community Development Plan 2015 and has given up her time to help with a myriad of MRAG activities, from the Millgrove Market or selling fabric and wool to fundraise to organising trivia nights or lending a hand in the recent Millgrove Muster.
Ms Baselier said to get connected with your community group can be hard for some.
“People might think it’s all about meetings, but we do so much in Millgrove. Helping out for just a couple of hours at a Trivia night, the Market or working bee makes a world of difference,” she said.
“To be in a supportive group makes you grow as a person. Over the years I have learned a lot from fellow committee and community members, but also through the connections MRAG has with various organisations.”
Marion Drake has done it all as a volunteer, she’s been a tour guide at Healesville Sanctuary, acted as President and Secretary at LinC for many years, even as a transport driver and now is focusing her energy on the caravan ministry of the River Valley Church, which she has been a part of since 2003.
Ms Drake said firmly believes that if you’re going to be part of a community you have to contribute to it and that’s why she volunteers.
“There’s a lot of vulnerable people within the community and this is one way that we can outreach to them, give them some support along the way and do whatever we can to help them,” she said.
“It’s a really great social environment for them too, with people coming together, chatting and getting to know each other after a few weeks and I just find through my participation, I think I gain even more than they do because it’s inspiring.”
The River Valley Church van is parked in the park at Millgrove every Wednesday from 11am to 2pm, providing free coffee and sausages in bread, egg and bacon sandwiches or hot soup for those who come by.
Ms Drake said you do it for the long-term benefits that it has and the changes you can see that it makes in people’s lives.
“There’s a lot of lonely people out there, and just having somebody knock on the door and come in and sit for half an hour and have a cup of tea and coffee can mean the world to them,” she said.
“If anyone’s contemplating being a volunteer, then don’t hesitate. Go to your local church or somewhere like LinC and just even the library, whatever you are interested in.”
