LONG-SERVING volunteer Deirdre Tiddy was recognised for her lifetime of community contribution at the recent Lions Club of Millicent changeover dinner.
Ms Tiddy’s significant contribution to the Millicent community saw her acknowledged with the Millicent Lions Volunteer of the Year award last Saturday.
In presenting the award, Lions Club of Millicent past secretary Michael Bleby told those attending of Ms Tiddy’s voluntary efforts with the Millicent Community Builders and the Lake McIntyre Committee.
Ms Tiddy helps with maintenance of the McArthur Park Reserve and is a regular volunteer at the Millicent Public Library, where she helps with school activities and holiday program events as well as exhibition catering.
“Deirdre is one of those volunteers in our community who quietly and constantly goes about giving her time and talents in many ways in a number of organisations,” he said.
“She supported husband Ian in many ways with his considerable community involvement and now in her own way continues that volunteer tradition.
“Deirdre is a very civic-minded volunteer and is indeed a worthy recipient of the Millicent Lions Club Volunteer of the Year Award.”
The retired school teacher came to Millicent in 1960, teaching for close to four decades at the old Millicent Primary School, Millicent South and Millicent North.
After meeting husband and community stalwart Ian, the couple were actively involved in many sectors of the community.
“Through husband Ian’s involvement in Rotary, she is one of a small group who continues to look after the Rotary Centenary Park,”Mr Bleby said.
“As a Rotary wife, Deirdre prepared many a morning tea for the workers when the establishment of the park was at its peak.
“She has also become an honourary member of the Rotary Club.”
Ms Tiddy was a member of the now defunct Millicent Soroptimist Club and is a past president of the Millicent Ladies Probus.
In accepting the award, Ms Tiddy said service clubs and volunteering had ruled her life since she was married.
“Volunteering was a normal part of my life and it was a wonderful way of getting to know people,” she said.
“I came from a little town on the river and things didn’t happen unless people pulled together.
“There has been a lot of fun and games in every group I’ve been involved in.
“Service clubs have really ruled my life ever since I got married.”
Ms Tiddy praised the Lions on their five decades of community service.
“Wherever I look at things I have been involved in, I have to look at the great work the Lions and the Lions Club have done,” she said.
“My life has been touched very much by the Lions Club.”
