For Serpentine Jarrahdale resident Merri Harris, volunteering has always been about connection, resilience and using her skills where they matter most.
Ms Harris’ quiet dedication was formally acknowledged on Monday, when she was named senior community citizen of the year at the shire’s Australia Day celebrations.
Born in Jarrahdale, Ms Harris spent 30 years living away before returning to the region in 2005, settling in Serpentine and quickly becoming a familiar and trusted figure within the community.
Throughout the past two decades, Ms Harris has played a central role in community life, volunteering with the Byford fire brigade when she returned in 2005, leading the shire’s senior keep fit classes and founding the SJ Food and Farm Alliance in 2014.
Ms Harris said her involvement in the seniors fitness program began by chance.
“The only reason that happened was because I bumped into two older ladies,” she said.
“They explained the person running the class wasn’t going to be able to do it anymore.
“So, I just volunteered. It’s something I’m familiar with.”
Ms Harris said her mother’s history of volunteering inspired her to follow in the same footsteps.
“I always knew volunteering was important,” Ms Harris said.
“My mother was a member of the Country Women’s Association for 48 years and was the president of the Public Schools Association, where she volunteered and taught music in schools.”
Ms Harris believes many community organisations are sustained by retired seniors who have both the time and experience to contribute meaningfully.
“They’ve got more time and they’ve accrued a whole lot of life skills that organisations can use to help them work better,” she said.
At the heart of Ms Harris’s volunteer work is a strong belief in building resilient and connected communities.
“Every community should have the skills, the facilities and the groups to enable that community to be resilient and connected,” she said.
“Because when the bad stuff hits the fan, you won’t have a coordinated response. You won’t have the people who know one another and can help.”
Rather than volunteering broadly, Ms Harris said she was deliberate about where she contributed her time.
“I’m not going to just put my hand up and do something any number of people can do,” she said.
“I’m going to work with groups that need the specific skills I have and go from there.”
For those considering volunteering but were unsure where to start, Ms Harris’ advice is simple: give it a go.
“Experience what it’s like, ask questions and work with other people,” she said.
“If it makes you happy, stick with it. If it doesn’t or it doesn’t feel like the right fit, go and try something else. It’s as simple as that.”
