It’s all about community & family

Amazing, hardworking, friendly, approachable, dedicated, striving to make lives better for others on a daily basis. That was how Wattle Range Council Active Citizenship Award recipient Jay Watson in the Corcoran Ward was described by the person who nominated her for the honour and a cursory glance of her resume reveals why.

Jay is involved in Millicent Shares A Plate as a team member helping prepare and cook meals for those in need, a committee member and active fundraiser of the Millicent Cancer Support Group, delivers meals three times a week for Meals on Wheels and organises the canteen volunteers and works in the bar at the Mount Burr Football Club.

Jay also lends a hand in fundraising for the Millicent Gymnastics Club, where her granddaughter is a member, is a school council representative at Newbery Park Primary School, where two of her grandchildren are students, and is hands on at Millicent High School where she helps out in canteen when needed, is a member of school council, coordinator of parent club organising catering and events, especially the Year 12 graduation each year

And Jay has a long history of playing her role in the community.

“My passion for volunteering probably started when my daughters were at Tantanoola Primary School, where we had gala day, lamington days and a Melbourne Cup event every year,” she said. “I also helped out at Tantanoola Show over this time, then as canteen manager at Millicent High School for 25 years.”

Having spent a life volunteering, Jay would absolutely recommend everyone finds time to give something back to their local community.

“What I enjoy most about volunteering is the long life friends I have made, the camaraderie and giving back to community,” she said. “I would encourage anyone to volunteer. It’s a way of meeting people if you’re new to the community, you make great friends, satisfaction of helping others and giving back.”