A century of service from volunteer trio

THERE are few people that have committed as much of their time volunteering to their Bellarine-based towns as Lorraine Collinson, Aline Dunn and Beth Neyland.

The trio were recognised by Bellarine Community Health (BCH) for more than 105 years of combined service at the conclusion of 2021.

Ms Collinson was awarded her 45 years of service certificate; Ms Dunn received her 32 years of service certificate and Ms Neyland was given her 28 years of service certificate by BCH to round out the year that was last December.

For all three women, a common motivator has always been serving the community and being able to adapt to the everchanging landscape of the healthcare system.

Ms Collinson, the wife of former Portarlington police officer-in-charge Barry Collinson, has always wanted to make her community a better one, and that was the certainly the case when she joined the local healthcare centre in 1977.

“When I moved down to Portarlington, I suppose I just wanted to do something to help the community and form some lifelong friendships,” Ms Collinson said.

“There are friendships I have formed which have lasted a very long time and are still going strong after 45 years.”

Ms Dunn’s first obligations in the healthcare industry were in special care in Melbourne looking after children with disabilities.

She then met Verna McLennan, the district nurse at Portarlington Community Health Centre at the time who was setting up a palliative care service, where Ms Dunn put her hand up and began volunteering in Portarlington alongside Ms Collinson.

“That’s how I got involved with the community health centre, in addition to the other duties I had whilst volunteering,” Ms Dunn said.

“It has always been super rewarding, just meeting and listening to new people, it is certainly something you get more out of than you put in when you spend a lot of time with them.

Point Lonsdale’s Ms Neyland has always been inclined to volunteer.

Before moving to Point Lonsdale, she had been volunteering in Geelong.

 

After moving to Point Lonsdale, Ms Neyland became part of an advisory committee at the community health centre before a new CEO disbanded the group.

“Following the disbandment is when I decided to become a volunteer at Point Lonsdale’s community health centre,” Ms Neyland said.

“The role of a volunteer has changed constantly over the years, whether it be delivering meals on wheels or helping in the hostel kitchen, we needed to do a range of things, but I loved every minute of it, and it is something I enjoy doing.”

Ms Neyland can be found assisting at BCH Point Lonsdale on the corner of Nelson Road and Grimes Road, whereas both Ms Collinson and Ms Dunn assist with the day-to-day operations once a week at Portarlington BCH’s community Op Shop at 39 Fenwick Street.