FROM collecting termites for numbats at Perth Zoo to reading to residents at a nursing home, Neil Johnson is willing to turn his hand to most things if it means helping the community.
For more than 54 years Neil has been volunteering in multiple ways, with organisations such as Parkerville Children’s Home and Perth Zoo.
“I moved to Perth from Sydney in 1970 and got involved in sporting clubs,” he said.
“All of a sudden I was conscripted onto various committees. As anyone involved with sporting clubs knows, they rely entirely on volunteers.”
From then on volunteering came naturally to Neil, who before retiring worked in the wine industry.
At the children’s home he helped fundraising events in a variety of ways such as master of ceremonies, car park attendant, wine tasting, shaking tins, counting funds, stuffing envelopes and organising donations. His work directly contributed to many dollars being raised to care for vulnerable children.
Neil has been a museum guide at the Old Mill in South Perth and has taken on roles with South Perth Historical Society and the Young Australia League.
As a docent (volunteer guide) at Perth Zoo, he willingly accepted many other jobs, including standing for full days in a hot or freezing shed and shaking termites out of dirt mounds to feed the numbats.
When living near a nursing home he read to older residents, pushed them in their wheelchairs and assisting with shopping and organising social outings.
“I have made hundreds of friends through volunteering; I am very lucky,” he said.
“As you get on in years it is a wonderful way to give you a purpose in life.
“All the oldies I know get a kick out of volunteering and would be lost without it.”
Since moving from South Perth to Walpole a year ago, Neil has slotted into his new local community.
He attends seniors’ community events most days and helps with those less able.
Neil is a finalist in the People’s Choice Spirit of Volunteering category of the WA Volunteer of the Year awards, which will be announced in Perth on May 10.
The winning volunteer can elect a not-for-profit organisation to receive a donation of $1000. Given the chance, Neil will choose Project Numbat.
“I was involved with the native species breeding program at Perth Zoo and there are wonderful, dedicated people there,” he said.
“The numbat is the emblem of WA and the little fellow is in danger of disappearing.”
Vital role
National Volunteer Week, with the slogan Give Happy, Live Happy, is on May 8-14.
It is an annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our volunteers who contribute $39 billion to the state’s economy each year.
Four out of five WA residents volunteer either formally or informally, donating 15.9 hours per month.
If we had to pay our volunteers, each hour would cost the community $6.15. For every $1 invested in volunteering, $4.50 in benefits is returned to the community.