LIKE many avid volunteers, Yarram’s Wendy Pope loves what she does and the chance to mix with people in the various community groups in which she is involved, not feeling she is doing anything out of the ordinary and pleasantly surprised to be named as a recipient of an OAM for her service to Yarram.
“I’m shocked but honoured to receive this reward,” Wendy said of her reaction to the King’s Birthday announcement.
The joy she gets from doing her bit for the community is illustrated through the diverse organisations in which she continues to play an active role.
She’s been an Australian Red Cross volunteer since 1968, originally with the now defunct Woodside Unit and now with the Yarram Tarra Unit.
“I can still help at 91 and enjoy baking for special events and attending meetings every month,” she said, quick to point out she’s just one member of a successful team.
Wendy is a former vice president and secretary as well as having been a Regional Representative and a leader of the Junior Red Cross School Program.
Her late husband Clive was also strongly involved in the community, including his service to the Woodside Fire Brigade, the couple having lived on a farm there before moving to the Yarram township in 1977.
It was his commitment to the Port Albert Yacht Club that drew Wendy to that organisation, where she is a Life Member and continues to handmake trophies.
She remains an enthusiastic member of the Rotary Club of Yarram, being a former president and having filled other executive positions, still relishing the chance to help raise funds for important initiatives such as Mercy Ships as well as local Rotary projects.
“I enjoy being part of supporting all these wonderful organisations,” Wendy said, still an enthusiastic attendee at Rotary’s weekly meetings where she hears from interesting guest speakers.
She is keen to continue her variety of community roles for as long as possible.
At Rotary, she is always happy to pitch in with barbecue duties and remains a part of the success of the Yarram Rotary Art Show through her cooking for the event.
Yarram Golf Club has had Wendy as a member for over 60 years, and she still loves getting out on the course for nine holes.
When not playing, she creates handmade prizes and fills various volunteer duties, having been the club’s secretary in the past.
Through her membership of Holy Trinity Anglican Church Yarram, Wendy was a co-founder of the town’s aptly named ‘Twice Blessed Op Shop’ where she still fills in for the odd volunteer shift.
She remains part of the Parish Council to which she has belonged for over 40 years, being an active fundraiser and a coordinator of the flower roster and the cleaning roster.
Previous recognition bestowed on her includes being named Wellington Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year in 2016, and a Service Award Laurel Wreath through the Australian Red Cross in 2018.