EVELYN.THORN@cluthaleader.co.nz
Volunteers are the people who create a thriving community. Station manager Anne-Marie Tamblyn volunteers for St John in West Otago and appreciates the feeling volunteering gives her.
She has been involved in volunteer work for 25 years as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and has loved every second.
‘‘It’s just genuinely lovely to be able to help people,’’ she said.
‘‘Being face to face with new experiences every day and offering my assistance wherever I can is a driver for me and I love it.’’
From team work to individual work, she knows the focus St John has on its community, and she is always involved.
‘‘There are so many vital aspects of volunteering in a community.
‘‘There are a range of medical and trauma incidents and experiences especially in the West Otago area, and these can really build your character as a volunteer,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s been hard for a lot of people to get into activities during these past couple of years, but volunteering is the right start.
‘‘We are delighted to have a person from Clinton in the process of joining — it’s great to have new faces who are willing to help out their community.’’
The Tapanui St John station has recently been revamped and the crew of eight is looking for more people to join their team with a recruitment day.
The day will involve getting to know the team and what their jobs are all about, from medical aspects to seeing inside the quarters.
The day is on Friday, September 30 between 4pm and 7pm and Saturday, October 1 between 10am and noon, and interested people can contact Anne›Marie Tamblyn on 027 359 1400.
