Lyn Jacobsen is busy, cheerfully so.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The president of Pleasant Hills CWA and her merry band of members have been moving at a frenetic pace, even as their year draws to a close.
'Tis the season to be jolly and for many, thoughts turn to giving - to charity, to sparkly big Christmas appeals and, just generally, to those less fortunate than ourselves.
But for the CWA the business of helping others never stops; it doesn't need a season or a reason.
The Pleasant Hills group most recently set about distributing about 700 donated children's books to small schools across the region.
The branch had been contacted by a local newsagency with the offer of leftover books from promotions, which secretary Nett Maloney set about sorting into sets of 15, according to Lyn.
The books were loosely themed under 'The Great Australian Storybook Collection' or Disney/Pixar's 'My Magical Story Collection'.
"We distributed sets to 12 smaller schools and preschools in the region as well as sending many to bushfire-ravaged areas around Corryong and we still have some to take to Batlow," Lyn says.
It was Lyn who took to the road for the delivery "round trip" to some "very appreciative" schools before ducking up to meet Corryong police chaplain Carol Allen and dropping off books for students affected by fires.
To say Lyn, 73, is sprightly for her age would be, well, an insult really as this woman's energy and enthusiasm puts people half her age to shame.
If she's not busy baking for COVID-19 restricted lamington drives or church market days, she's rallying her merry band of CWA colleagues into their next mission possible.
Toni Hasler, one of the newer members, recently walked from Culcairn to Henty with a friend, raising $3000 for breast cancer.
It's a cause close to their hearts as a couple of members have experienced breast cancer in recent years.
"There's a strong breast cancer group at Henty (they've hit the $10,000 milestone to get a wall plaque at the Albury-Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre)," Lyn explains.
It's all in a day's work for this little branch, who were finalists in the Centre for Volunteering's state awards.
And while there had been quite a flutter of excitement in the camp at the prospect of winning - including a lovely little luncheon spread to watch the virtual awards ceremony - just being recognised for their endeavours was a bit of a buzz, Lyn says.
The certificate of appreciation from Burrumbuttock Public School librarian Amanda Church is far more treasured.
"It was such a different year - COVID-19 closed so much down," Lyn reflects.
"We went into total shock earlier ... we were all at a bit of a loss."
The Pleasant Hills gals had held "great hopes of doing wonders" with their scone stalls until the crisis hit.
At one point Lyn had five dozen eggs lying idle in the fridge.
What shone through was the friendships and care that kept people connected.
"So many people were very lonely and couldn't see family," Lyn reflects.
"You learnt little things mean a lot; it was something you could grip on to.
"And you learnt to appreciate what you've got."
