Above: John celebrating his 90 th birthday, walking in the South-West and having a go at lawn bowls at our Afternoon tea and bowls day in Bunbury. The joy of giving back: A volunteer’s story
John is a 90-year-old Housing Choices resident based in Bunbury who has volunteered all his life, giving his time and energy to causes and people in need. From activism and community advocacy to local volunteering work, John says, “I find volunteering as good for me as it is for the person or organisation I am helping.” One of John’s most meaningful volunteering experiences came through teaching adult men to read and write, a time that John recently reflected on in our writing competition. John was surprised initially that some of his students held very skilled technical jobs but went to great lengths to keep their struggles with literacy private. “They were keen to keep their secrets and chose to come to my home for lessons rather than a public place such as a library – they didn’t even want to see each other. “The lessons took place nearly every weekend for over a year using primary school books, which I bought from an op shop."
“Even after a few weeks, my wife commented that as they walked past her on their way out, they walked taller each time,” John recalls. The goal John had set for them to complete their studies was simple but profound: for each man to write a letter to someone they loved. When the day came the weight of this moment surprised John knowing just how far they had come and how proud and confident they now were. “He came dressed up in his Sunday best with a big grin on his face and handed me his letter to his mother for me to read. “As I read it, I got all choked up so that I couldn’t speak, so I just shook his hand and slapped his back as I gave it back to him. He nodded and, for the first time, waved to my wife as he marched proudly out.” John continues to protest, advocate and volunteer and he is a reminder that volunteering can bring so much connection, purpose, and joy - and that it’s never too late to make a difference. ‘It is important to be part of the world we live in’.
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