By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Yellingbo resident and a long-time committee member and former president of the Sheep Station Creek Reserve was nominated for a long-service award by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) in recognition of his 51 years of dedicated service.
Neville Sargeant first became involved in the reserve in 1974 when he was approached by the secretary of the Yellingbo Progress Association.
At the time, the reserve had an old, dilapidated building with no power, water, or toilets – the reserve was difficult to maintain, and the lack of facilities meant it could not be easily hired out for events.
Mr Sargeant received a long-awaited recognition for his service, an award for his years of dedication – while he was grateful for the recognition, he expressed some disappointment that it took so long for the award to come through, especially given the extensive time and effort he had put in over the years.
“Volunteering is crucial in small communities,” Mr Sargeant said.
“Without people willing to make a commitment, these projects wouldn’t happen.”
One of Mr Sargeant’s earliest achievements was securing a drop toilet facility for the reserve, making it usable for functions like cricket matches.
The reserve also lacked basic services like electricity, but in 1989, Mr Sargeant, an electrical contractor, helped secure power for the site – with donations from the Woori Yallock Football Club for night training at the reserve – he was able to fund the necessary work to bring power to the reserve.
As time went on, he worked to further improve the reserve’s facilities. In 2003, he spearheaded a project to build new amenities block with toilets, a kitchen, and meeting room.
The project was funded by the sale of land previously owned by the Showgrounds Committee, and it was officially opened in 2004.
His commitment didn’t stop there – in addition to the amenities block, he organised the installation of water, a shelter shed, and a proper car park, making the reserve more accessible and functional for the community.
Despite the challenges of fundraising and dealing with bureaucratic red tape, Mr Sargeant remained dedicated to improving the reserve.
He raised funds through various means, including selling land and securing grants, and contributed countless hours of his own time – over the years, he has also made several donations, including lighting for the local football club.
Reflecting on his time with the reserve, Mr Sargeant said the highlights were clear: securing power and water for the site, building a new amenities block, and providing essential infrastructure for the community.
However, he also acknowledged the difficulties in maintaining community involvement, noting that small communities often struggle to attract volunteers, even though these efforts are vital for local success.
Looking to the future, Mr Sargeant is hopeful that the next generation will continue the work of maintaining and improving the reserve.
Although he’s now in his 90s, he remains a committee member and is committed to supporting the reserve as long as he can.
His advice to anyone considering volunteering is simple.
“Get involved, do your bit, and help out where you can – small communities need people who care,” he said.
Mr Sargeant’s story is a testament to the power of community involvement and the lasting impact of dedicated volunteers.
