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Dr Meghan Bond crouched at the market gate, groups of people streaming past – empty bags, baskets and hands on the way in, overflowing with goods on the way out.
With a counter in hand she tallied those entering with a smile, searching faces for one in return.
A woman wandered up and patted the three-colour border collie, Coco, panting patiently next to her, before beginning to untie the dog.
“She has been amazing. She deserves so many pats, she’s exquisite,” Bond said.
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This is Bond’s fourth week volunteering at Harvest Market, after a 20 year stint away from the state she once called home. “I’m just getting a feel for everything,” she told the woman. “Reestablishing my connections in Tasmania.”
The connection with the market was established early. A phone call ahead established her volunteer position before she had even landed in the state.
Since then, Bond has worked as a greeter at the gate and as part of the pack-down team.
“There’s a bigger crew who do the pack down,” she told me. “But then here is nice because you get the dogs and you get to talk to everyone.”
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“My previous job, I used to work as an evaluator,” Bond continued, the puppy parking bay now empty. After finishing a PhD in climate change, she began work at a consultancy firm in Melbourne.
“So I would tell people how well their programs were going, were they could improve – whether they should continue it – those sort of things. So very desk bound, bureaucratic-type work.
“I started there as a researcher, ended up as a senior consultant, and then I moved into government.”
After a number of years, Bond made a decision. “I went: why not move back to Tasmania and buy a farm – that seems like a logical career step doesn’t it.”
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Growing up in the Tamar Valley, Bond has now returned to run Wilder Farm, backing onto the Great Western Tiers. Bureaucracy and climate change aside. volunteering has always been a big part of Bond’s life.
“I’ve always volunteered. It’s a beautiful way to do something, meet people, and sort of give back or contribute to something bigger than yourself.”
Over the years Bond has volunteered with Tamil Feast – a social enterprise for asylum seekers in Melbourne – Oxfam, both in her previous home and up in Brisbane, plus “loads of little other random stuff” like community greening projects.
“Does that make a career volunteer?” Bond asked. “I don’t know, there’s worse careers to have.”
“It’s fascinating, you meet everyone.”
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