Westvale Community Centre volunteers bond to give back

Joy Munday and Julie Blyth describe themselves as being partners in crime – but their actions are well within the law.

Westvale Community Centre at Westvale Community Centre in Kings Park, the two have struck up a close friendship since Ms Blyth started volunteering earlier this year.

Whether having a cuppa at the weekly conversation club, convening the book and movie clubs or helping at council events, the pair are poster girls for volunteering.

Ms Munday started volunteering in 2008 after taking ballroom dancing classes at Westvale Community Centre. The 62-year-old Albanvale resident soon found herself as a community kitchen leader and the rest is history.

“A lot of people think, why volunteer when you’re not getting paid, but I think you’re more relaxed because you haven’t got a boss, we can go at our own pace and we enjoy it.”

Ms Blyth, 55, started volunteering earlier this year after going to a conversation club event at Sydenham library.

“I thought I’d like to get out and do something to give back to the community,” the St Albans resident said.

“Once I started coming to the centre, I really enjoyed it. Giving back was good, but it was getting me out of the house and out of my shell and enjoying myself too.”

Brimbank council will host its annual volunteer reward and recognition evening at Lakeside Reception Centre on December 11.

To become a volunteer call 9249 4789.