By YASEMIN TALAT
OAM for 48 years of dedicated volunteering
MORE than 900 people were honoured by the nation on Australia Day including Hobsons Bay resident Merridee Hardinge.
Mrs Hardinge received an Order of Australia Medal on Sunday in recognition of her service to the community of Hobsons Bay.
Mrs Hardinge’s voluntary service spans over 48 years. It includes her contribution to the Altona State Emergency Service Unit; Roadsafe Westgate Community Road Safety Council; Altona West Primary School and the VICSES Black Saturday Bushfire support among a long list of other community organisations.
“I felt honoured and privileged that I’ve been awarded the OAM for volunteering in my community, which is something I enjoy, and is an award which I wish to share with family and colleagues,” Ms Hardinge said.
The Altona resident has dedicated endless hours of her time over a handful of decades, volunteering with various groups and organisations while working and raising her three children.
“It’s a great city in which we live, with friendly people, quality beaches, recreational and community organisations, and by volunteering in a number of these organisations I feel I am making a worthwhile contribution,” she said.
Her volunteering journey first started in 1966 as a trained Warranted Assistant Cub Scout Leader.
“I found it personally rewarding and I have enjoyed volunteering over the years ever since,” Mrs Hardinge said.
In 1978 Mrs Hardinge became a parent support volunteer at the Altona playgroup when her eldest child Faye first started there.
She helped with fund-raising and was a parent support mentor until her three children moved to Lindwood Ave kindergarten where she continued her volunteering and support.
She then progressed with her three children to Altona West Primary school where she held the volunteer roles of president, secretary and treasurer over the years she was on the parents’ group committee.
Her extensive volunteer card also includes her dedication to the Victorian State Emergency Service (VICSES).
Mrs Hardinge worked for 12 years as a community support volunteer to the Altona unit before being formally registered as an operational volunteer member of the VICSES.
Night or day, and in any weather condition, Mrs Hardinge has supported the Altona SES unit in many ways.
From baking and preparing hot meals for the crews and actively fund-raising, Mrs Hardinge is loved and respected so much so that she is called ’mum’ by the members.
She is still active as Section Leader Administration and continues to co-ordinate fund-raising activities.
“I enjoy working in a team with the Altona members performing an important community service,” Mrs Hardinge said.
“The SES offers skills training in making volunteers ready to serve their community and grow in their personal development, and with the added bonus of having a supportive family volunteering with me.”
It is not the first time Mrs Hardinge has been recognised for her community service.
Her awards include Member of the Year VICSES Altona Unit in both 2011 and 2013 and the inaugural Inspirational Women Award from Hobsons Bay City Council in 2012.
“The best thing about volunteering is being able to assist our community in the times of need, help improve the local environment, working with friendly people of good will and a sense of personal achievement and reward by being able to continue to give something to others.”
