Today is the last in our series of senior volunteer prtofiles for the NSW Seniors Festival. Over the past week we’ve met some fabulous senior volunteers, and today we meet the fifth in our series, Terry Lippett, from the Botany Port Hacking unit.
For 43 years Terry Lippett drove trucks for a living, hauling cargo for companies such as Kwikasair, CSR Sugar and Linfox, and delivering goods as diverse as supermarket groceries, Kmart products and building steel.
In 2008 aged 63, Terry suffered a transient ischemic attack, and although he made a full recovery, decided it was time to retire from the road. Looking for something to do, Terry took up woodworking, making wooden toys for the grandkids, but the fit was not quite right.
Some five years ago a relative who volunteered at the Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking unit suggested he consider joining. Terry checked it out, and hasn’t looked back since.
“I wasn’t doing much at home,” said Terry.
“Marine Rescue offered me the opportunity to use some of the skills I’d picked up as a Scout leader as well as pick up a few new ones.”
“I even was inspired enough to buy my own small boat.”
Terry found himself on a steep learning curve, having never learned to type, and little experience of anything digital, not even having his own email address. Terry, however, soon got the hang of things, and has enjoyed the opportunity to pick up new skills.
“The first time I was asked to use the radio I was totally tongue-tied,” said Terry.
“Fortunately I had a great mentor who was an ex teacher, and now I have no problem at all using the radio to talk to boaters.”
Terry’s advice to other seniors is to give it a go.
“One of the things I like about it,” said Terry, “is that you get to meet all sorts of different people.”
“We have a QC, a lady who used to fly Jumbo Jets, an agronomist and others from all sorts of different backgrounds.”
“We all get along, and you learn a lot about all sorts of things talking to them.”
“I really recommend Marine Rescue for any senior wanting to meet people and to give something to their community.”
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