Peter Kerr has been nominated for the volunteer of the year award.
Camera IconPeter Kerr has been nominated for the volunteer of the year award. Credit: Supplied/Bruce Hunt

Peter nominated for volunteer of year

Staff ReporterHills Avon Valley Gazette

Mr Kerr (67) averages about 40 hours a week volunteering, about as much time employed people spend working, which would explain his nomination for the volunteer of the year award.

The Lesmurdie resident, who in April celebrated 10 years in Australia with his wife Krystyna, educates tourists and locals on the history of Rottnest Island and the featured submarine at the Fremantle Maritime Museum.

Being a tour guide for both locations gives Mr Kerr a sense of achievement.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

‘Even though there hasn’t been any experience in my immediate family, I have an interest in the military side of things, so I enjoy being a guide for the guns and tunnels on Rottnest,’ he said.

‘I feel like I have a lot of duties including giving the public information and advice on the tours.

‘The reward for me is the thanks I get from the people who join the tours, many of whom are locals who often tell me that they didn’t know any of what I have told them.’

The Kerrs came to Australia from the United Kingdom to be closer to friends and family, and in an effort to get to know their community better and give back, began volunteering.

‘We came in 2002 when we retired and after we had time to settle, we thought we ought to give back to the community somehow,’ Mr Kerr said.

While the Kerrs do not see an end in sight for their volunteering, they are happy with the hours they put in, but always remember to keep a balance in their lives.

‘We love volunteering but we also love gardening so we make sure we have enough spare time to spend in our garden,’ Mr Kerr said.