Community service is important – full stop. While the whole point of community service is to create positive outcomes for the greater good, in my experience what you put in is returned ten-fold in terms of personal satisfaction and lifelong friendships.
This article is a shout out to those who proactively contribute to Jamestown and our surrounding Mid-Northern communities. It’s also a shameless plug for upcoming local events and fundraisers. Read more…
Rosalie and I are proud and enthusiastic providers of community service. There is a long list of organisations we’ve supported over the years and while it’s been hard work at times, overwhelmingly it has been great fun, personally rewarding and earned us a place at plenty of dinner tables as we’ve come to know our fellow Jamestown citizens.
What Jamestown may lack in population it more than makes up for in positive participation.
And here come the plugs…
Planning is now underway for our Royal Flying Doctor Service Gala Ball.
Our Jamestown & District Support Group planning meetings are now underway. Our fundraising goal this year is $50K and we’re hoping to attract 200 guests who are ready to kick up their heels on Saturday 6 May for this essential community service.
Anyone who wants to lend a hand is very welcome and if you can help us with donated auction items, we’re very keen to hear from you.
Planning is also underway for JETT – Jamestown Easter Tennis Tournament, Friday 7 to Sunday 9, April.
I love my tennis, unfortunately my dodgy knees mean I can no longer run around a court, but I’m still pretty handy when it comes tournament room scheduling and recording results.
This Tournament is the Club’s major fundraiser, and it draws competitors from all over the place, bringing extra visitors over the Easter weekend which is good for the business community too.
While the fundraising aspect of community service is undoubtedly important, community events enable those who get involved to move in different circles and meet people they may otherwise not come across. This brings a clearer understanding of the character of the place.
We have a lot to be proud of here in Jamestown and to my way of thinking, community service should be a legacy that honours what our forebears started and what we can continue and build upon to ensure our ongoing quality of local lifestyle.
I was pleased to see Leith Cooper honoured in the recent Australia Day Awards.
Leith has first-hand experience of community service, providing a great example of how we as individuals can contribute to making things better.
Apart from his own considerable community service, he reminded us of Sir John Cockburn, a local GP who became Mayor of Jamestown, then SA Premier (1890) before contributing to the drafting of Australia’s Constitution.
The Mid-North Suicide Prevention Group was also honoured for its Golf Course Park Run, every Saturday from 8.00am.
Again, dodgy knees and hips prevent me running up and down those rolling hills, but I do love to help this fantastic organisation that provides invaluable mental health support.
Rosalie and I also support Jamestown Peterborough Football & Netball Club and most people know we are heavily involved in the Jamestown Racing Club. We’re particularly proud of the fact that the Club’s once a year Country Races (another plug!) which brings punters from around the State.
About seven years ago, I was a bit lonely at work and felt other sole business operators may have been feeling the same way. I asked a couple of business friends to lunch to talk about it and Board Room Sessions was born. These regular lunches provide local business people a chance to catch up informally and feel supported. It’s still going strong.
The point is, community service is vital to an area’s economic AND emotional well-being.
While funds are being raised and money spent on projects that make the place better, friendships are being forged breaking down social isolation and when the chips are down during times of drought, floods, bushfires and plagues of vermin, there’s a support system that kicks in to lend a hand.
Importantly, being involved allows us to understand ourselves and what we’re capable of. It also enables us to develop clearer insights and understanding of the character and needs of the people that make up our community.
As I said at the outset, this is a shout out for our fantastic Jamestown and Mid-Northern Area community service organisations, and a plug for the various fundraising events that bring us together. Get involved, you’ll be glad you did.
To find out more about getting involved in our community, feel free to give me a call on 08 8253 2906 or email info@financialservicessa.com.au
Phillip Dibben is a financial adviser at Active Financial Management. Active Financial Management and its advisers are Authorised Representatives of Fortnum Private Wealth Ltd ABN 54 139 889 535 AFSL 357306 trading as Fortnum Financial Advisers.
This information does not consider your personal circumstances (including taxation) and is of a general nature only. You should not act on the information provided without first obtaining advice specific to your circumstances.