Paula Morris spent her childhood moving all around Australia before settling in Wyndham aged 16. The Werribee resident tells Charlene Macaulay about volunteering and life in Werribee.
What’s your connection to the Wyndham area?
We moved to the area 16 years ago. My dad was in the military and he was posted to the Laverton RAAF base. I’m originally from North Queensland and I’ve probably lived in about 13 or 14 houses around the country.
What were your early years in Wyndham like?
When we first moved here, I didn’t know anyone … then, through connections, got involved in scouting with the 1st Werribee Scouts. Because I was 17 when I came here, I was classed as a rover, and once I turned 26, became a leader for the younger generation. I also got involved with the Werribee Lions Club. I work for the air force now as a civilian. I’m a logistics officer – I do a bit of administration work and finance.
You’re the current president of the Werribee Lions Club. How did you get involved?
I joined in 2011. My grandfather was part of Lions in North Queensland and I wanted to be involved in this great community. We’ve done a lot of community projects. We’ve helped a lady by sponsoring a hearing dog for her. We’ve also helped a family whose husband and father had passed away. We do barbecues, we sell Christmas cakes – that’s what helps the community. Our oldest member is 84, and I’m the second youngest. There’s a big variety.
Where’s your favourite place to go for a coffee or a meal?
Either the Brook on Sneydes or the Phoenix Hotel.
What do you like about living in Wyndham?
I like the variety of great public transport between trains and buses. I can’t drive – I’m mild epileptic and I’ve got no right peripheral vision, so it’s safer for me to be off the road. I love living here because you meet so many different people and it’s grown so much in the time I’ve been here. When I first moved here, Point Cook was country, and the plaza was so different.
