Variety of volunteers at the Benevolent Society

Don Waddle has been helping at the society for the past eight years, while counterpart Robin Boag joined up last October.

Mr Waddle has been working with the society since before it made the move to its current office in Kings Meadows. 

Despite being one of the most experienced members of the organisation, he said he rarely thought about his longevity within the volunteer group.

“As the time goes away, it just becomes a Tuesday job,” he said.

“I started off when were at Kingsway and then we came here. 

“It’s something I still take a lot of joy in.”

Having retired from his job at Repco 18 years ago, Mr Waddle wandered into the Benevolent Society on a whim to see if they needed a helping hand.

He said his desire to help those less fortunate has remained the same throughout his tenure.

“I like to get in early and make up the trolleys, because you never know how a day is going to pan out,” he said.

“We have a great crew here, which is part of the reason why I enjoy it so much.

“I always look forward to Tuesdays and working with Robin.

“For me, they can’t come round quick enough.” 

In contrast to his Tuesday teammate, Robin Boag only began his volunteering career towards the end of 2016. 

Used to supplement the work he does for himself, Mr Boag admitted he didn’t know what to expect when he first started at the society.

“The Benevolent Society was one of those places I’d see from the supermarket and wonder what they did,” he said.

“When I actually came in, I realised they gave out food and furniture to people who need help.

“There is definitely a sense of satisfaction in helping people who, for one reason or another, are unable to help themselves.

“If I didn’t enjoy it here, I wouldn’t keep coming back.”

Robin is a regular feature at the site on Monday and Tuesday mornings, and works with different people on each of the days.

He said the variety of volunteers at the society was part of what he enjoyed most about being there.

“There are good lots of people on both days, and everyone seems to get along with one another,” he said.

“We are all working together for a common cause, and you get a lot of community engagement out of it as well.”

The Launceston Benevolent Society is an independent, non-profit organisation, which has been driving positive change in the region for more than two decades.

A dedicated group of volunteers provides assistance in the form of food hampers, food vouchers, clothing and budget advice.

For more information about the work of the Launceston Benevolent Society, head to http://www.lbs.org.au or call 03 6344 4213.