Marlene Burvill, 80, has volunteered all her working life. The much-loved matriarch helped out with at least 10 groups over 60 years in Ballan.
What’s your connection to Moorabool?
We’ve been residents here in Ballan for nearly 59 years. My husband passed away (15 months ago), but he was a resident in the shire for 81 years. Prior to that (my marriage), I was at Anakie. My husband had a farm in Ballan and I moved here with him when we got married.
What’s your favourite thing about living in Ballan?
The community. We all help each other out here. If we see anyone who’s in need, we’ll put ourselves out and help.
I feel we’re also very central to wherever we want to go – we can go down to the beach, we can go to Melbourne, we can go up to Daylesford. It’s a bit like Bacchus Marsh – we’re in the centre of everything … it’s just a lovely place, Ballan.
What would you change about the area if you could?
I shouldn’t say it, but I want more employment for children – I think everyone would say that. We’ve got no work here, have we? They’ve got to travel far. Years ago there was work, but not anymore. If they had jobs here … while they’re young they still live at home and don’t have to go away for work.
Where’s your favourite place to hang out?
I spend most of my time at the nursing home, volunteering. I do love it. I just feel I’m lucky that I can get around and do my own (thing). But some of the people I visit, they don’t see family or some haven’t got family, and I just feel I get a lot of pleasure talking to them. It’s lovely to help people.
You’ve been volunteering for many, many decades – how do you find the time?
Oh, I don’t know, I just do. I’m lucky I’m active – I’m going to have an operation (on Thursday) – it’s only a day procedure for my cancer that came back six months ago. But for the last six months, I’ve been doing the same things I did before the cancer, and I’m sure it’s helped me beat it. I don’t know for sure, but I’m really confident it has.
Why do you enjoy volunteering?
When I left school, I had all the paperwork done and I was going to be an occupational health therapist, but my dad said ‘no, you’ve got to stop and stay home’. So I was home on the farm, then I married, then I had children, then I worked at Fiskville, and then this (volunteering) door opened for me. I feel like I’m giving back to the community … I really enjoy it.
Do you have plans to retire from volunteering any time soon?
Not at the moment. None of us know tomorrow, do we? This is how I do it – put my clothes on, plan today and let tomorrow look after itself.
Marlene Burvill was Moorabool council’s 2016 Citizen of the Year, awarded at last year’s Australia Day celebrations.
