By Aaron Cordy
SEEMINGLY ordinary people in the community walk amongst us leading remarkable lives. And not because they do things to inspire the next batch of Marvel movies, but because they give their time and energy so effortlessly to people and organisations and don’t even consider what they do extraordinary. That’s why people like Margaret Campbell are gifts life bestows upon us.
Margaret recently finished her time as president of the St Vincent de Paul Mooroopna Conference Assistance Centre president, where she’s volunteered for over 10 years, it didn’t mean an end to her time helping the organisation, instead she stepped up again to be Vice President and continue her work in the community and helping train new volunteers.
“I grew up volunteering. For me, it’s always been about giving back,” said Margaret.
“My grandmother was probably my influence in Volunteering, because she was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary at a time of service, and she used to entertain the troops. And there were a lot of Americans at that time. And she used to go to the hospitals, so it was just the normal [volunteering].”
In her teenage years, she volunteered as a Sunday School teacher and fellowship leader in Sydney where it all began. In her well-travelled life, Margaret lived and worked in many fields as she raised her family. Including a program manager in Corrections, with Relationships Australia, and taught at TAFE amongst other things.
Always volunteering wherever she went, after being part of the committee that saved Port Welshpool Long Jetty, Margaret and her husband settled back in the area and she became a member of VIEW, which is part of the Smith family, before she began work with St Vincent de Paul Mooroopna. As well as working closely with Asylum Seekers as a Social Justice person for the community.
While her work continues Margaret knows more than ever how important it is to attract new volunteers and inspire younger people to continue building and uplifting community groups. There are many ways to volunteer, and it can be greatly rewarding for the volunteer while helping others.
“What people get out of Volunteering; is they get to feel good. You get some wonderful ‘Yes’ moments,” said Margaret.
