Geoff Gook won a Wyndham council Volunteer Community Award earlier this year, for his commitment to sport and recreation. He has lived in Wyndham for more than four decades.
How long have you lived in Wyndham?
I have been here for 47 years, I moved into Hoppers Crossing in May, 1970, when there was very little housing – there were still oats, barley and sheep around. There were only around 20,000 residents then, maybe 21,000. I had gotten married the previous month before moving, in April. I wanted to live in Werribee, but my wife, Margaret, said to live in the “new area” of Hoppers Crossing. We had two kids, Andrew and Sharon, and ended up moving to Werribee.
What has changed about Wyndham since you moved here?
People always say how multicultural the area is, but it always was multicultural, in the sense of the Werribee South farmers, many who come from Italy. But very much now, many immigrants are from the sub-continent (India). I spoke at a local school recently and there were 50 different nationalities there.
What do you like most about the area?
Werribee is a friendly place, although some aspects have changed – there are some people around who are selfish. But overall I think council are doing a marvellous job in terms
of kindergartens, facilities and sporting facilities.
Where is your favourite place in Wyndham?
I’m thinking about the sports grounds, Werribee River and Werribee South. It’s beautiful – I reckon it’s fantastic down here.
Which community groups are you involved in?
I’m involved in the Western Suburbs Churches’ and Community Cricket Association, starting out in 1983. I started playing cricket in 1958 and stopped after 42 years. At the time there were about 15 clubs with 30 teams. Now there are about 70 teams. I’m still the administrator of the association and umpire – this is my 20th season. I’m also on the committee at Crossroads Uniting Church. The church is 133 years old. We’re renting out the carpark behind us to motorists to help raise funds. Also, I don’t go all the time, but I support Beach Patrol 3030.
Would you encourage other people in the community to volunteer?
The country’s run on volunteers. My family has always done that, and now our son and daughter are, too. Margaret was the secretary of the Hoppers Crossing Tennis club for many years. I encourage people to be community-minded. I’m a bit of an optimist. When I got the council Volunteer Community Award, I said: ‘To grandparents who have got grandkids at home sitting on the little computer all day, give them a ball and get them out and about.”
