Betty Parker has spent the past 40 years volunteering for Wyndham’s Meals on Wheels service and other charitable groups.
Mrs Parker started delivering meals with her mother in 1980, who volunteered for the Red Cross, a number of church organisations and Baptcare.
Mrs Parker’s father was also active in the community, working on the local hospital’s board.
Mrs Parker is also an op shop volunteer and a member of the Werribee Craft Festival committee.
The annual event, which has been running for more than four decades, raises funds for Wyndham charities and causes.
“Volunteering is giving back to your community in some way,” Mrs Parker said
“It’s nice to help people and you’re helping yourself by being out and about.”
Mrs Parker said her husband was a great supporter of her volunteer work.
“You can only do volunteering when you’ve got a good husband who puts up with you going out and about all the time,” she said.
In 2010, Mrs Parker was named Wyndham council’s Citizen of the Year.
Wyndham’s active city portfolio holder, Cr Peter Maynard, said Mrs Parker’s contribution to the municipality demonstrated an “outstanding commitment” to the community.
Cr Maynard encouraged other residents to think about volunteering.
“Wyndham has a wide variety of volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and abilities,” Cr Maynard said.
“We encourage others to consider seeking out volunteering opportunities like Betty to better connect with one another and be engaged in Wyndham life.”
See www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/volunteerdirectory for details.
