Don’t let her Scottish accent fool you. Sydenham resident and Tin Shed Neighbourhood House volunteer Ann Sciretta has western suburbs roots stretching back to the 1970s.
What’s your connection to the local community?
I started volunteering at the Tin Shed in the late ’90s and used to go every day after finishing work. Then I got multiple sclerosis and couldn’t give 100 per cent at work so I resigned and started spending my days at the Tin Shed. I’ve been president since 2004.
I do a lot of office work and help the treasurer. I’ve also packed bread for the needy and given food, clothing and household goods to people who need it such as refugees and victims of domestic violence.
We need more committee members to serve the community.
How do you spend your downtime?
I like to chill out at Watergardens. There’s lots of choice of restaurants. Hog’s Breath, La Porchetta and Café Greco are great. I also like to go to the movies or bowling and visit Brimbank library.
What would you change in your neighbour- hood?
When I moved to Sydenham there were only a few houses and now there’s lots of high-density living. The council closed Sydenham Road,
which makes it harder to get out of Sydenham. The pavements are a disgrace. I’m disabled and find it difficult to walk on them with my walker.
What wouldn’t you change?
I can do what I like when I like because everything is close by.
Share a funny story of being out and about in your neighbourhood.
One day I went out for lunch with a friend to the Chinese restaurant on Alfrieda Street in St Albans. I ducked into the restaurant to pick up our food while she waited in the car. After collecting our lunch I got back in the car and said, “Let’s go, babe” before noticing the car interior was a different colour. A man looked back at me and laughed. I was in the wrong car.
