Tara Murray
Anna D’Cruz wanted to give back to the country that had given her so much.
Having moved to Australia 35 years ago from India, Ms D’Cruz has called Brimbank home for most of that time.
With her working life starting to wind down, she got involved with volunteering with Brimbank council.
“It’s coming up in 10 years,” she said. “My dad did a lot of social work back home and we grew up with this feeling that we had to give back.
“I started thinking about retirement and getting myself ready for it by using my experience and giving back.”
Ms D’Cruz started volunteering one day a month as part of the home library service.
She said some of her clients had become friends.
“One is like my surrogate mum,” she said.
“Everyone has their likes and dislikes on books. I go through each client and pick out books I think they will like and then deliver the books to them.”
Ms D’Cruz said it was difficult during last year’s COVID-19 pandemic when she couldn’t volunteer because of lockdown restrictions.
She said she had no hesitation in returning to volunteering when she could.
“I told them I’m back, whenever they are ready,” she said.
“I’m fully retired now and I’m open to other types of volunteering now.”
Ms D’Cruz is one of 365 volunteers registered with Brimbank council – down from more than 400 before COVID-19.
The council will acknowledge more than 100 volunteers this year for their service, including 21 who have volunteered for 10 years or more.
Volunteers are involved in a number of programs including libraries, friends and support groups, neighbourhood hours and the community register.
Brimbank mayor Cr Ranka Rasic said National Volunteer Week is a chance to stop and thank the hundreds of people who make time to volunteer.
“Our 365 volunteers reflect Brimbank’s diversity, between them speaking 51 languages and coming from 45 different countries.
“Brimbank volunteers really are special people – and we are so grateful for their ongoing commitment to our community.
