By XAVIER SMERDON
WERRIBEE’S queen of volunteering has been selflessly helping others for 42 years, and she has only recently started to slow down.
Joyce Burt was born in Wales before moving to England, then Kenya before finally settling in Werribee.
Since arriving in Werribee in 1970 there has rarely been a day where she has not taken the time to help anyone who needs it.
A meals on wheels delivery person for over 10 years, a Brownie Leader and Wyndham Vale District Commissioner, a St Johns first aid instructer and a volunteer and local unit chairperson and treasurer for Red Cross, Mrs Burt has done it all.
She has also been a devoted wife of Bob for 61 years and now cares for him in his old age.
Awards and letters from people like Queen Elizabeth II are so common in Mrs Burt’s house that they are often just placed in drawers.
Mrs Burt said she felt that she got much more out of volunteering than she ever gave.
“I don’t know that I’m proud of it, I’ve just enjoyed every minute of it,” Mrs Burt said.
“I did it because I loved doing it. We were all friends doing it, it wasn’t just me.”
Mrs Burt jokingly explained that volunteering was a good excuse to get out of housework.
Now 84-years-old, she has cut back on her volunteering commitments but can still be seen around town helping the Red Cross.
“I’m just regretting that I can’t do more now but I’ve got lovely memories of everything,”she said.
“Even though I say I’m 84 I don’t feel that old inside because I’ve kept my mind active.
“I volunteer because I think you’ve got to do something for others. I couldn’t just sit at home reading or I’d go crazy.”
