VOLUNTEER groups around the Myall Coast are suffering from a steady decline in numbers, with the impact becoming painfully clear in and around local towns.
The majority of town beautification work – such as gardening, painting, cleaning and artworks – is performed by volunteer groups who wish to make the towns they call home more liveable.
Many groups receive assistance from Council, while others gain State and Federal grants to fund their initiatives, but most are seeing rapidly slowing membership uptake in recent years.
The Hawks Nest Hall volunteer gardening group is one such contingent currently in need of greater numbers, now down to a grand total of eight, including part-time volunteers.
The gardening group looks after the large park in the centre of Hawks Nest, next to the Community Hall, and meets every Tuesday morning to tend its many flowering plants and maintain the grounds.
“The Tuesday Gardeners are keen to work hand in glove with other local volunteer groups, including Lions, Myall U3A, and Progress Association, who also do gardening, beautification and clean-up efforts around town,” long-time volunteer gardener Kath Verdon told NOTA.
The Tuesday group meets at the park on Tuesdays at 8am.
The Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association (HNTGPA) has recently renewed its own program of town beautification, starting with “guerilla gardening” efforts such as that seen at Moira Parade toilet block prior to Australia Day.
Volunteers cleared out wasp nests and attended to overgrown hedges so that basic amenities could be accessed and maintained.
The February General Meeting of HNTGPA discussed a range of future targets, ongoing support from the community, and support for other groups in town, including the Tuesday Gardeners.
“For many years, a small group of dedicated locals has met every Tuesday to care for the gardens around the Hawks Nest Hall; their quiet work has benefited all of us,” HNTGPA President Sandra Bourke told NOTA.
“Some of these wonderful volunteers are now stepping back after years of service, and we want to thank them sincerely for what they have given to our community.
“This also gives us an opportunity, so we are inviting new volunteers to help carry this work forward.
“You don’t need gardening experience, and you don’t need to commit every week – even an occasional helping hand makes a real difference.”
The Tea Gardens Lions club, arguably the most active community service club in town, currently has 39 members.
They say young blood is needed however, with only two under the age of 40.
“With all organisations, getting members is not always the issue,” Lions President Amanda Sykes told NOTA.
“Clubs can officially close down because no one is prepared to work their personal life around duties required to run a club.
“It’s not forever, it’s just a couple of years, and those with administrative skills may find it a good use of their time and abilities.
“Small towns survive because people step up to run their clubs and groups.
“They volunteer to keep things neat and tidy, provide a service for organisations coming into town and spending money, keep our sports clubs running, and raise funds for the schools, sporting clubs and people in need.”
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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