THE dedication of Nangwarry Forestry Museum volunteer Vic Smith was recently recognised, with the local identity selected as this year’s Wattle Range Council Citizen of the Year for Sorby Adams ward.
For more than 20 years, Mr Smith has been the face and name of the unique museum – an archive that houses the region’s forest resources including Indigenous hardwoods.
The 85 year old has been responsible for securing the museum’s sponsorship and has held the position of secretary for close to two decades.
In addition to his work at the museum, Mr Smith previously served as secretary for the Sorby Adams ward consultant committee, a group where Nangwarry and Kalangadoo would meet and discuss issues before relaying the information to Wattle Range Council.
Mr Smith also holds the vice-president title of the South East branch of the Avicultural Society of South Australia, a state-wide bird watching society.
Speaking with The Pennant, Mr Smith reflected on his service to the facility and how he discovered he was to receive the award.
“Des Noll called me and informed me of the award,” Mr Smith said.
“I thought it was a prank call, so I ended up hanging up on him and it was not until I had spoken to one of the other councillors they told me it was not a joke.
“It just sounded so ridiculous to me.”
Over the years Mr Smith has kept the historical museum alive through hard work and dedication, often starting early and sometimes remaining at the facility until late at night.
“Every time someone comes through those doors it is a highlight for me,” he said.
“Each and every message that people have written in our book means so much to me because it is just so rewarding and makes all of the effort with it.”
Mr Smith said watching and speaking to visitors who enjoy the items on display was one of the greatest rewards of volunteering.
“The museum is the thing keeping me alive,” he said.
“If it was not for the museum I would not be here today.
“It gives me a purpose to get up and ready in the morning and it keeps my mind and body active and aware.”
This year’s Australia Day award ceremony was significant for Mr Smith, whose family travelled to Kalangadoo for the event.
He said his family had not been together for five years.
“The day was also my 85th birthday which made the day much better,” he said.
“To have my whole family there was so special for me.”
Mr Smith said he had no plans to slow down, with his service to the museum keeping him active.
“The heart is like any other muscle, if you do not use it then it deteriorates and I use mine daily just through the museum,” he said.
“It is not about what I have done for the museum but what the museum has done for me.”
