For a decade Cate Verney has selflessly given her time to assist visitors at the Childers Arts Space and she believes the secret to volunteering is doing something you love.
Cate’s creative side helps her passion for volunteering to flow with ease and her dedication to helping, along with other volunteers within the region, will be honoured by Bundaberg Regional Council as part of National Volunteers Week.
As a visual artist herself, Cate’s knowledge of the arts and the Palace Memorial building make her an exceptional volunteer.
Cate said she started volunteering after moving to the Bundaberg Region and she believed there was a “natural curiosity” when dedicating time to others.
“My partner and I moved to Childers about 11 years ago, and because jobs in my field were scant here Centrelink told me about the volunteer program,” she said.
“My partner who was fully retired joined me, as he had been a volunteer for Meals on Wheels in Brisbane and enjoyed that very much.
“We loved the interaction with gallery visitors and staff.
“To be a successful and productive volunteer I think you must want to be where you are.
“You must have a natural curiosity and interest in people and in our case art.”
Cate said her volunteering role provided her with the opportunity to meet new people every day.
“What I enjoy most is the interaction, the art and of course the people!” she said.
“We have grey nomads and lots of interesting people from all walks of life call in to the gallery at Childers on their travels.
“It’s enjoyable being able to talk to them about art and life in general.”
Cate said there was never a dull moment when it came to spending time volunteering at Childers Arts Space and it helped to keep her inspired.
“We live on a 20-acre block on land at Apple Tree Creek, which is both our inspiration and our passion,” she said.
“We’re both artists and have been for many years.
“My partner Ian is president of the Childers Visual Artist Group and I have been studying for a degree in fine arts and visual culture with only two units till I finish – yippee!
“I am a mixed media artist, concerned with nature’s balancing act – the constant cycle of damage, repair and rebalance rippling out in ever-widening cycles in our world.”
Cate is one of many Bundaberg Regional Council volunteers who dedicate their time to assist the community.
These volunteers and many more from throughout the region will be acknowledged as part of a special National Volunteers Week morning tea on May 16 at the Bundaberg Multiplex.
