Jeff Huddlestone
VOLUNTEERS are an essential part of the community.
Sporting groups, school councils, service clubs and many other groups rely on volunteers as the lifeblood of what they do in and for the community.
Generally, residents might serve one or two organisations, but local Ross Parkinson OAM commits his time to four.
Mr Parkinson is an active member of SA Ambulance, Mount Gambier Lions Club portfolio chairman and volunteers at Red Cross and Riding for Disabled.
In his work helping all of the groups, Mr Parkinson’s focus is on humanitarian service.
Mr Parkinson, who joined Jay Cees in 1971, said he was motivated by the business and leadership organisation’s creed, in particular it’s last two sentences which read: ‘That earth’s great treasures lie in the human personality and that service to humanity is the best work of life.’
“It was those two lines that guided my interest and focus on service to humanity,” Mr Parkinson said.
A volunteering role with the then St John Ambulance turned into a career for Mr Parkinson, with posts in Bordertown and Millicent before becoming Senior Superintendent in Mount Gambier in 1986.
“It is a privilege to provide pre-hospital care and support for people in their darkest hours,” Mr Parkinson said.
He is still involved as a non-clinical member of the SA Ambulance service in Mount Gambier.
Mr Parkinson’s responsibilities with Lions include sending used eyeglasses to Lions Recycle for Sight, one of its trademark projects, and collecting for its Australian stamp collection.
“Lions is a global humanitarian organisation active in 209 countries; it serves locally, nationally and internationally,” he said.
In Lions and St John, it’s been a team effort with Mr Parkinson and his wife Sue who is involved with the Lions Club of Blue Lake City Lioness.
Mr Parkinson also does grounds maintenance at the Riding for Disabled complex on Sunnybrae Road, west of the airport.
“We maintain the facilities out there, keep the arena clean, cut the grass, look after the roses and do some odd jobs,” he said.
With the Red Cross, Mr Parkinson has a dual role, including as a driver for transporting disadvantaged people who can register and benefit from medical and social outings.
The service runs as far afield as Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton.
He also makes Saturday morning welfare telephone calls to around 25 clients in the South East and around the State from the Helen Street headquarters.
“The actual call and conversation sets a good pathway for the day, when we have a chat with them and make sure they’re okay,” Mr Parkinson said.
“The clients really appreciate it.”
As well as being a member of the Order of Australia, conferred for his achievement and meritorious service, Mr Parkinson has an impressive range of other award medals and pins from the groups he serves.
“All of these organisations are humanitarian in nature and are committed to service,” he said.
“The comradery of the volunteers is a great strength.
“I identify strongly with that.
“We don’t look for rewards.
“The reward is the satisfaction of doing something for someone else without any fanfare.”
