If anyone knows Vinnies, it’s Lynne

The retiree said she gets great satisfaction from helping others through her work with the charity.

Lynne started working with Vinnies in 1978, three days a week in the shop.

“At the time I thought this would suit me as our girls were both at school and my work experience had been in retail,” she said.

“The shop manager during this time was Annie Charlesworth, a lady in her 70s, who impressed on me the fundamental ethos of the society, which was to help and care for those in need.

“These ideals have stayed with me always and I often reflect on Annie’s teachings.”

Over the years, Lynne’s shifts at the shop increased.

“I enjoyed the extra contact with both workmates and customers,” she said. “For many years my time in the shop was nine ’til five, Mondays and Thursdays.

“During this time my roles varied from serving in the shop, ironing, pricing clothes and relieving the supervisors when necessary.”

In 1990 Lynne became a member of St Joseph’s Conference (a Vinnies term for a group of people who meet on a regular basis to serve the poor and provide help to those in need).

She has since served on many Vinnies committees and councils and sits on the local Vinnies shop committee.

In 2016 Lynne was recognised by Devonport City Council for her community work, with a Diamond of Devonport award.

Since their inception in 2012, the awards have recognised the efforts of more than 130 women who live or work within Devonport.

And since Lynne’s husband has retired, he has also got in on the act.

“He’s been involved on a volunteer basis and following some TAFE training he is testing and tagging second-hand electrical appliances for sale and also in-house equipment.”

Vinnies is always looking for members of the public to become volunteers.

National Volunteer Week, from May 8-14, highlights the vital role volunteers play in our community.

According to Volunteering Tasmania’s State of Volunteering Report 2014, four out of five Tasmanians are engaged in volunteering, with about seven million hours donated a year.

Tasmanians aged 65-74 volunteer the most, donating on average 22.8 hours per month.

Research showed that in 2014 just under two-thirds of volunteers in Tasmania (63.1 per cent) did so through an organisation.

DRIVERS are urgently needed to collect donations for Hobart City Mission.

The charity is looking for volunteer truck and van drivers to pick up donations from the community and distribute stock between stores.

Hobart City Mission’s Anita Wheeler said the job was a “great opportunity for someone to connect with the community and to join a motivating team”.

The role would suit anyone with a few hours to spare between 8.30am and 4.30pm on weekdays.