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.

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.”

Click.

“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.”

Click click.

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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