Beloved 90-year-old volunteer Joan Ward wins Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award
11/06/2024
Congratulations to Kathleen Joan Ward for taking home the 2024 WA Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award.
Kathleen Joan Ward, nee McIntyre, has been many things during her 74 years volunteering in Western Australia: secretary, president, board member, donation collector… now, after giving back so much to her community, she is the winner of the 2024 WA Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award.
“In was a huge honour to even be nominated let alone win the award,” said Joan.
There are people who will shy away from giving up their time, or will rarely offer to fill volunteer positions. Not Joan. Joan has always been happy to volunteer in whatever role required her attention, wanting nothing more than to help her community prosper. In small towns such as Dumbleyung (where Joan grew up), there are limited people to fill positions in community organisations, and Joan quickly became known as a reliable, skilled volunteer who could get the job done with no complaints.
“Small communities need everyone a do a few jobs each and you will have a vibrant and successful community. You meet and interact with so many people of all ages and form new networks and friends. It’s no good sitting at home doing nothing.” said Joan.
Joan was born into a family of community-minded people. Her father, a WWI veteran, left behind a legacy of volunteering within the Dumbleyung Road Board, the Dumbleyung RSL and the Dumbleyung Cricket Club. Joan continued his legacy when she was old enough to volunteer herself, first giving up her time as a secretary for the badminton and tennis clubs she played at, then becoming a secretary for the Dumbleyung Youth Club in her late teens and early twenties.
When she married Colin Ward, her community work in Dumbleyung grew as their family and lifestyle evolved. When Colin was president of the Dumbleyung P&C and of the Dumbleyung Football Club, jobs were naturally allotted to the ‘President’s Wife’ (such as typing reports, helping with catering, and organising events). Though no active title was given to Joan at this time, it was assumed the wife would support and help her husband in his role and many things were automatically passed on to her to complete – which was common in many committees during the time. Joan supported Colin during this time and helped raise a substantial amount of money for his organisations. When the couple had children later on, Joan raised her hand to volunteer again, this time for a Christmas Tree Celebration for the young children. Joan stepped up to coordinate the event, and despite her busy schedule, she would always make time to ensure the celebration happened for all the community’s children.
As her four children grew up, Joan’s broadened her community involvement and began volunteering as a Board Member for the Dumbleyung Hospital Board, voluntarily coordinated Red Cross blood donations, and volunteered as secretary in the 4MB Waterskiing Club that operated on Lake Dumbleyung. When the 1970s and 1980s rolled around, she also went on to volunteer for the Committee for the Dumbleyung Cottage Homes, the Dumbleyung Gymkhana, Dumbleyung Garden Club, and the Ladies Committee at the Lake View Golf Course.
Joan and Colin retired in Emu Point, which saw Joan give back to the Albany community in many ways. “I have just continued to do things when we moved from our small town of Dumbleyung and it was a way to get to meet new people when we moved to Albany… I think if you stop your life slows down and being at home isn’t good for your mental health or physical health. I encourage all older people to just take on one small job to help a community group,” said Joan.
Joan quickly got involved with running her lawn bowls club, holding the positions of secretary and president for a number of years. She also took no time in offering her help at the Albany Hospital Shop, selling small items, magazines and confectionery and drinks from the shop. She didn’t shy away when she was invited to the Port of Albany Probus group, and she is currently the president of the group. She also continues to publish the monthly newsletter for this group, which she has done for over 12 years.
When asked about her legacy as a volunteer, Joan said, “My children and their partners and also some of my grandchildren are also involved in the community and I’ve very proud of them. I can see that following through to my 26 great grandchildren too. I hope my legacy will be about encouraging people to build stronger regional communities and it’s all up to each of us to do our bit.”
Now aged 90, Joan is finally learning to turn down volunteering offers that come her way. With 74 years of offering her time, skills and experience, she is more than deserving of this award. Volunteering WA wishes to thank Joan for all that she has done and all that she continues to do for her fellow Western Australians.