Andrew happy to help out in Wye

THE theme for this year’s National Volunteer Week was “making a world of difference”, and Wye River resident Andrew Hack is a shining example.

Mr Hack moved to the coastal town with his family in 1997 but rather than slowing down and relaxing on the beach, he is now volunteering for no fewer than four different groups, including CFA and the Surf Life Saving Club.

He has been a CFA member since he moved to Wye River, where his father was also a member, and he became Captain of the Wye River CFA last year.

“Although I’d never lived here before, it always felt like home because we had holidayed there so much over the years,” he said.

He is a life member and 38-year veteran of Wye River Surf Life Saving Club; a volunteer umpire for the Lorne Dolphins football club, where his daughter Juna plays; and a member of the Aireys Inlet Eels football club committee, where his daughter Pema plays.

Mr Hack said being part of a small community meant playing your part to make the community safe and sustainable.

“Volunteering in your local community is, of course, a great opportunity for people to socialise and do something for the community and its people.

“It’s not an altruistic thing for me. It’s seeing something that needs to be done and doing it.

“You’ve got to put your hand up to help, especially in small towns. The more you put into it the more you get out of it.”

National Volunteer Week was held from May 20-26.

People who voluntarily put their own safety on the line for others deserve our respect, thanks and support, Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria chief executive officer Adam Barnett said.

“From our annual volunteer welfare and efficiency survey we know that more than 94 per cent of CFA volunteers say that protecting their local community and supporting their community in a meaningful way are in fact the key motivations for joining CFA in the first place.”