General News
30 November, 2023
Two decades of devotion to volunteer role
For the last 20 years, at every Energy Breakthrough (EB), a Maryborough local has consistently volunteered at the canteen near the Princes Park grandstand — supporting not only a local football club but the entire community. A Maryborough Football...
For the last 20 years, at every Energy Breakthrough (EB), a Maryborough local has consistently volunteered at the canteen near the Princes Park grandstand — supporting not only a local football club but the entire community.
A Maryborough Football Netball Club member, Jim Macilwain has been helping the group raise funds at EB for over two decades now and his reason for doing so is simple yet important — it benefits the town.
According to the 88-year-old, volunteering is second-nature to him, something he does because he is part of the team.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s about uplifting Maryborough,” Jim said.
“In one way or another I’ve been involved with EB and I love it.
“This is my home and the club also benefits — I enjoy working with the entire team, we’ve been doing this together and it’s a good thing. I’m getting a bit on now but I still feel nice doing this.”
Jim’s strong commitment to his club and EB means that attendees at next year’s event will see him working away at the canteen once again, and perhaps for many more years to come.
“I know I’m not as fit as I used to be, age does take its toll,” he said.
“The body is wearing out but I don’t have any retirement plans yet. I’ll take it year by year now. It’s just so important to do this.
“EB helps everyone, especially the clubs because it takes a lot of money to run them and to survive so fundraising is critical for us.
“I also get a lot of enjoyment out of being here, I just gain a lot and I think everyone else really benefits from volunteering at EB too — it’s great.”