20 Years of Volunteering
As we celebrate International Volunteer Day on 5 December, our resident long-standing volunteer Pat Chadbourne prepares to depart from Parkinson’s WA after more than 20 years of service to the organisation. After recently finishing up her final Christmas Appeal and Newsletter mailout alongside her friends, Pat said she was going to miss the Parkinson’s community.
Pictured: Pat sits on a bench outside The Niche building
“The Parkinson’s community is important to me because it has given me a better understanding of how this condition affects the lives of the those who live with it and how the Parkinson’s nurses play such a valuable role,” she said.
“What I enjoy most about volunteering is meeting and working with other volunteers and knowing that in some way we are helping others.”
Pat explained that working at Parkinson’s had become a family connection point for her too.
“My mother had been a good role model. She had volunteered for several associations in her country town for many years,” she said.
“It so happened in 1999, Kate, my middle daughter who worked in computing at TAFE, was asked by her long-time school friend Jodie, if she would create a data base for the Parkinson's nurses. When this was complete, Jodie then asked my older daughter Amy if she would do data entry, and then she asked me if I would like to be a volunteer at Parkinson's.”
Pat said she has seen many changes in her time with Parkinson’s WA, including technology shifts and organisational directives.
“I volunteered at the Rokeby Road office in Subiaco for one morning a week. Sitting opposite Jody in her very small office, my task was to open the mail and to write receipts for new members and then enter their name and address on a card.”
“I also helped assemble the newsletter, which was printed in-house by folding and stapling. It was then taken by trolley to the local post office,” she explained.
“Eventually, Parkinson's moved from this office which they had shared with the Neurological Council of WA to larger premises in West Perth.”
Pictured: Pat sits in the Parkinson's WA office and works
Several years later, following the onboarding of the inaugural CEO, Pat said change came rapidly.
“The next move was to the Niche, a purpose-built premises in Nedlands in 2001, and Brenda Matthews was appointed the new CEO in 2003.”
“Memberships were entered onto a database, cards were dispensed and the membership was now online. Newsletters still had to be folded and stapled together, until finally, a machine was purchased which could do all that – and then came colour!”
“I have enjoyed getting to know changing staff who were always welcoming and friendly, and I learned a great deal about people with Parkinson's as well.”
Pat said she was now ready to retire and hoped in time there would be someone who could fill her shoes.
Pictured: Pat is sitting with her two daughters at a cafe (supplied)
Pat has been an amazing contributor and supporter for Parkinson’s WA and over 22 years, she has grown alongside the organisation. On Volunteer’s Day, we thank volunteers like Pat and her friends for their time, energy and dedication.
Please phone the office on (08) 6457 7373 or email info@parkinsonswa.org.au for information about volunteering with us, or alternatively visit our website for more information.
Words and pictures by Jacqui O'Leary