International Women’s Day is Tuesday 8 March. This year, we pay tribute to four of our dedicated women volunteers and thank all of our women members for their service to the community.
Today we profile two of our dedicated members.
Photo shows Dorothy Lee (bottom left, left photo) in the State Communications Centre with Jean Laundy (right photo).
Dorothy Lee: Sydney unit (State Communications Centre)
In 2015 Dorothy Lee was out with friends on their boat when the engine broke down. After being assisted by the local Marine Rescue unit, Dorothy and her friends were encouraged to join. Seven years’ later, Dorothy remains an active volunteer with Marine Rescue NSW. Read more
In early 2015, Dorothy Lee was out with friends on their boat when the boat’s engine broke down. They called for help, and were soon being assisted by the local Marine Rescue unit, who gave them a tow.
The friendly crew aboard the rescue vessel suggested that Dorothy and her friends might like to join, and all three decided to give it a try. Seven years’ later, Dorothy’s friends have moved on, but Dorothy has stayed on as a volunteer with Marine Rescue Sydney, starting out as a radio operator and progressing to the role of Watch Officer, and more recently, helping out with fundraising.
Being a volunteer at Marine Rescue has a lot of benefits, according to Dorothy.
“For me, volunteering at Marine Rescue has let me meet people from all walks of life and has helped add meaning and purpose to my life,” Dorothy said. “It’s also really helped my communications skills and I get to speak to all sorts of interesting people on the radio.”
“Another thing I like being a radio operator is it allows me to volunteer far more flexibly than with many other volunteer organisations.”
Dorothy typically does a shift a week, usually starting at 9pm and finishing up around 1:30am, although she also does the occasional 1:30am to 6am shift, or Friday evenings from 4pm to 9pm, all of which fit in well with her lifestyle.
A shift for Dorothy can range from logging boaters on so they can be watched out for in case of an emergency, to taking radio calls about weather and sea conditions, or calling NSW Police’s Marine Area Command and the Zone Duty Operations Manager to help coordinate a life-saving rescue.
“Every rescue is different and that makes every shift different,” says Dorothy. “What is consistent is the feeling of making a positive impact on the community.”
“When I started, there were a lot more men than women as volunteers. It’s been great to see that imbalance change over time, and to see women valued for the contribution they are making to the unit.”
“To any women out there thinking of joining, I encourage you to give it a go, and come help make a positive contribution to the community.”
Jean Laundy: Point Danger unit
For Jean, age is no barrier to making a contribution. The modest 84 year old was awarded the Tweed Local Achievement Award after being secretly nominated by her peers. Jean has been a volunteer for many different organisations, putting the needs of people and animals before herself and happily recommends Marine Rescue NSW as a great place for senior women to get involved and contribute to their local community. Read more of Jean’s story.
When Jean’s husband died after a long illness, the then 80 year old found herself with a lot more time in her day. Jean was already volunteering at the local Friends of the Pound, and despite being at an age when many other ladies would be putting their feet up, decided to offer her time at another volunteer organisation.
Spying an advertisement asking for helpers at the local Marine Rescue Point Danger gift shop, Jean gave them a call, and soon found herself a regular at the shop, also helping out with raffles and other fundraising events.
Four years’ on, and Jean is going strong, regularly helping out in the gift shop to raise much needed funds for the Marine Rescue Point Danger unit.
For Jean, volunteering at Marine Rescue has not just given her the satisfaction of contributing something positive to her community, it has also been a great opportunity to meet new people and to make new friends.
“Everyone works together here,” said Jean. “There’s a real sense of camaraderie.”
Like many of the volunteer heroes in our community, Jean is very modest about her contribution, declining a 2020 nomination for the Tweed Local Achievement Award, a feature of the Tweed Seniors Festival, because she “didn’t think I was worthy enough”.
Last year, Jean’s fellow volunteers were cannier, secretly nominating her once again for the award – which she won.
“It came as a real surprise, especially when the representative from Council rang to inform me that I was getting an award” Jean said.
In addition to giving up her time for Marine Rescue, Jean has been a volunteer for many different organisations, putting the needs of people and animals before herself.
For Jean, age is no barrier to making a contribution, and she’s happy to recommend Marine Rescue as a great place for senior women to get involved and contribute to their local community.
“It doesn’t matter what your age is,” said Jean, “and it doesn’t matter if you can’t head out on a boat or become a radio operator, there’s always something useful you can do.”
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