The recent National Volunteer Week was well celebrated in Northam with several events thanking our community members who have generously contributed so much to the town and Shire of Northam, making a world of difference over many years.
One such person was recognised by the WA Department of Communities for over 25 years of voluntary service.
Richard Doye brought his family to Northam in 1975, and did what many others did in those days - raised four children who all went to school in town, played their sport and participated in local life.
Richard was a town councillor for eight years, back in the days when it was an unpaid position, and he spent 18 years as a St John Ambulance volunteer, with 27 years as a Justice of the Peace.
Richard said of his time as a community volunteer:
"Back then it was something we all did, we were all working and with young families but still found time for the kids and their sport, the emergency services, the clubs and societies," he said.
"I remember in 2006/7 as a councillor in the town before the merger we were talking even then about a new swimming pool, and now they are building it.
"We gave our time ungrudgingly because we were committed to improving our town for all."
Richard also spoke of his time with the Men's Shed, where he has also given his time as an office bearer in the past.
"The best thing about the Shed is the camaraderie, the projects we work on together, and having things to share," he said.
Another well-known volunteer and Men's Shed member, Kevin Holland, made a typically generous gesture recently by purchasing a picture of the old Shamrock Hotel at an Avon Valley Arts Society Inc. exhibition, and lent it for display at Lucy's café.
"The Shamrock has undergone lots of changes over the years and will now look different again with the new Dome," Kevin said.
"I thought people might like to see the way it used to look."
Volunteering and generosity of spirit is alive and well in this town.
Cliff Simpson is the secretary for the Northam Men's Shed.
