Jean volunteers decades of her time

Tarneit's Jean Bohmer with her Victorian Volunteering Award. (Jacob Pattison)393963_01

Many people don’t even live for 71 years let alone pursue a hobby for that long, but now in her eighth decade of volunteering, Tarneit’s Jean Bohmer won’t be stopping any time soon.

“Oh heck yes, my word,” declared the 88 year old when asked if she’ll continue helping others.

“I’ll keep on going as long as I’m able.”

Ms Bohmer’s lifetime of helping others, ranging from hospital visits and home care, to Lifeline, St John’s Ambulance and radio for the print handicapped, was last month recognised at the Victorian Volunteering Awards where she took out the volunteer impact category.

“Absolutely honoured,” she said of how it felt to receive the award at Government House.

“I love what I do so it gives me a feeling of satisfaction that I’m doing something with meaning and purpose.”

Nowadays that involves writing bereavement cards to family and friends of those who died in palliative care, a less active role than those she’s had in the past.

“I used to drive around to people’s homes but I can’t do that anymore because it’s too much for me to do now,” said Ms Bohmer who credits her parents with fostering her love of volunteering.

“I think my parents instilled in me the need to care for other people and I’ve just followed on. I was a nurse and so I think it’s just been an extension of nursing really.”

Ms Bohmer continued volunteering during her nursing career and also while raising her four children and then caring for her late husband John prior to his death from a long illness in 2006.

Rather than putting her feet up, her husband’s death and her retirement resulted in more volunteering than before.

Now about to turn 89, Ms Bohmer said age isn’t a barrier to volunteering.

“You’re never too old to do something to help another person.”

Cade Lucas.