Western Suburbs vollies recognised at WA Volunteer Service Awards

WESTERN Suburbs volunteers at the Art Gallery of WA, St Vincent de Paul, Exchange Teachers Association, UWA and Kings Park were recognised at the WA Volunteer Service Awards last week.

“By providing their time and resources, volunteers help deliver services, products and opportunities that otherwise might have been more expensive or not provided at all,” Seniors and Volunteering Minister Tony Simpson said.

Wembley’s Daphne Wood and Elizabeth Frith have been volunteering at the Art Gallery for a combined 67 years, after both starting in the early 1980s.

Although not currently conducting tours, Ms Wood mentors new tour guides, while Ms Frith still takes people around the gallery.

Subiaco’s John Mitchell started at the charity St Vincent de Paul in 1987, and is now the president of its low cost food committee, while Sally McLeod from Mt Claremont has been a volunteer member of the Exchange Teachers Association for 26 years.

Joan Pope from Claremont has links to UWA going back to 1954.

“I was co-opted to several committees, including major events and publications, concerned with UWA’s centenary and I’m currently researching staff, students and convocation members during the Great War, gathering material for the Chronicle of Convocation, documenting our history,” Ms Pope said.

Nedlands’ Cynthia Playford has been a Kings Park guide since 1984, and has developed a wide knowledge of WA and exotic plants that she shares with park visitors.