A big thank you

One of Tarragal Glen’s fabulous resident events organised by dedicated residents
In light of National Volunteer Week, Tarragal Glen resident Elaine Sheppard believes in the importance of thanking those around her who volunteer their time and offer their services for other residents to enjoy.
When I first came to Tarragal Glen, I wrote a piece to thank those in the village who afford us all the opportunity to indulge in our own particular hobby or interest.
I now write, six years later, to thank those residents who are still doing a wonderful job after all this time, as well as the newcomers who have brought us new ideas and activities.
Firstly, there is the residents’ committee who attend to our needs and concerns. Then we have the social committee, together with the bar and raffle committees, who diligently look after our social life.
There are the convenors of many interest groups such as the bowls, Probus, Tarragal Singers, sausage sizzlers, friendship clubs for both men and women, and the woodworking group.
Add to these those other special interest groups including bingo, mahjong, chess, shuffleboard, theatre parties, knitting, scrabble, patchwork, bridge, snooker, billiards, chapel services and fashion parades.
There are always those residents who go that extra mile in organising the annual art and craft show, Anzac and Remembrance services, Delta pet therapy, organ recitals, sing-a-long days, the Tarragal Singers, photographs of special events, and our ‘sound crew’ who are always there to provide the right ambience for our many events.
Since I first thanked these people all those years ago, I have witnessed those extra activities instigated by our newer residents, such as game nights, garden gnomes, the coffee corner, trivia time, table tennis, happy hour, bus trips further afield to special events and jigsaw puzzles in our up-to-date library.
What a wonderful group of volunteers! No wonder we are so busy and involved, and it’s all provided by our fellow residents giving freely of their time and expertise.
You often hear people say that when they retire they are often too busy to fit everything or everyone in. This is so true at Tarragal Glen, and it’s all because of the many people who allow us to indulge in a lifestyle to which we have really become accustomed.
Please don’t think I’m being sycophantic. I believe in the importance of publicly thanking those people who freely provide services to others. I have not named the convenors of all these clubs and groups, but you, as residents, know who they are. Indeed, many of the convenors have been doing so for well over a decade or more.
Not all of us want to join in, but as you can see, it’s there if you wish to do so! And it’s all because of residents who provide us with a varied and interesting lifestyle, giving freely of their time, and without any remuneration. What a great lifestyle choice we made when we retired to Tarragal Glen!
A big thank you to all those unselfish residents. You do a great job!