lois_08012_18.jpg: Lois and Russell Gardiner.
Now aged in her mid 70s, Lois Gardiner was acknowledged for her many years of involvement in the communities of Yannathan, Lang Lang and Kooweerup.
She has been involved throughout her lifetime in organisations and groups including the Yannathan Ladies Guild, her church community, Lang Lang care group, historical society and the Lang Lang Show, just to name a few.
“It was a total surprise. I had know idea,” Lois said of finding out about the award.
“I was staggered.”
Lois said she felt she was receiving the award for many people in the community who worked hard and contributed without any recognition.
“There are many that would be just as deserving,” she said.
Lois was born in Lang Lang and grew up on a farm at Catani and went to school locally before going away to boarding school at Methodist Ladies College in Melbourne for five years.
She then went on to complete a business diploma and work for Thomas Cook travel.
Lois married Russell at the age of 22 and they began farming at Caldermeade.
They have been married for 54 years.
Lois recalled Russell receiving a community award a couple of years ago and the joy of the occasion.
“I had my photo taken with him, and that was nice. I didn’t think it would happen to me,” she said.
Lois was awarded on Australia Day in front of her own local community at Lang Lang.
“It was lovely to receive the award with my family and friends there. None of them knew. It was a total surprise,” she said.
Lois said she grew up in an environment in which helping people was just part of life.
“Our grandmother lived with us and I had a single aunt so grew up around older people,” she said.
“In those days mum was involved with the school, the local hall committee and the home comfort club making things for the soldiers.”
Lois was a founding member of the Yannathan Ladies Guild, which organises the monthly Yannathan dance.
Guild member Claire McGregor nominated Lois for the Australia Day Award.
The 25yearold organisation has nine members, seven of whom are actively involved in catering for the dance.
The event is still going strong with recent attendances of about 50 to 60 people.
“The money we make at the dances now goes to sponsoring a World Vision child,” Lois said.
Lois said the most rewarding part of much of her community work was mixing with different people.
“I enjoy listening to people,” she said.
She said the personal reward had been in making many friends through the activities in which she had been involved.
Lois’s earlier volunteer activities revolved around the activities of her family when they were children.
Russell and Lois have five adult sons – Peter, Chris, David, Ian and John – and 10 grandchildren.
Russell was a Cub Scout leader and Lois helped out with the Scouts.
Similarly, Russell’s connection with the Lang Lang Show has meant Lois has been involved, assisting with catering and as a steward.
“I suspect that I’ll also be helping out at the Lang Lang Rodeo again this year,” she said.
Lois also helped establish the local preschool in Lang Lang and was involved with her children’s sporting and school life.
Helping charities has been an interest for Lois.
She collected for Red Cross Calling for 10 years, visiting the homes out of the townships as her collection area.
Lois has a passion for music and has played the organ at the Yannanthan Uniting Church for 52 years.
She is also a member of the Lang Lang Kooweerup Community Singers, who perform regularly at hospitals and nursing homes in the Kooweerup and Lang Lang area.
Lois also led singalongs at the homes in previous years.
“I love music and it is so wonderful to go to the nursing homes and see them wake up and start to listen and seeing them tap their toes,” she said.
Lois has enjoyed her volunteer work with the elderly, previously assisting with Meals on Wheels and community transport.
She recalled a challenging day volunteering for the Lang Lang Care group.
“I was taking a car of ladies to Kooweerup hospital when I got a flat tyre,” she said.
Lois was travelling on the South Gippsland Highway and watched as cars sped by.
“One of the ladies offered to get out and show some leg to get someone to stop and help,” she said.
“It wasn’t funny at the time – five elderly women with a flat tyre.”
A Kooweerup man travelling out of town turned around and came back to assist.
Lois said she and Russell supported each other in their community endeavours.
“He never held me back from doing anything,” she said.
“I often wonder if the children suffered for all the time I was running around, but they have all done well in life. One of my sons once joked I’ll be buried with the telephone in my hand.”
Lois is slowing down a little and takes time out for her other passion, her garden.
She is aware how society has changed over her lifetime and how it seems people have less time to volunteer.
She encourages people to get involved with their communities.
“I really encourage people, especially young people to get involved,” Lois said.
“Especially with their children’s schools they can really help and get an understanding of how they operate.”
Lois said volunteering was “what makes your life full”.
And for Lois it has provided a life of fulfilment.
She has every intention of staying active in the community for as long as she can.
“As long as I can stand on two feet, I’ll help out,” Lois said.
“I will for as long as I can.”
