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MSWA Bulletin Magazine Summer 2021

COVID-19 Vaccination Advice from Professor Carroll AM | The Role of the Local Area Coordinator | Continence Physiotherapy | Counselling: Men, Let's Talk

VOLUNTEERING WE HELPED

VOLUNTEERING WE HELPED EACH OTHER Marie Harris has served as an MSWA volunteer for 30 years. “In 1989, I’d hardly ever heard of multiple sclerosis,” says Marie Harris. “I’ve learned a lot about MS over the years.” 1989 was the year she moved from Perth to Bunbury to be closer to one of her daughters. “I didn’t have much to do down there, so when I saw an ad to be the secretary of the MS Society (now MSWA), I volunteered.” Back then, the team in Bunbury was very small. Initially, Marie’s role was connecting newly diagnosed Clients with the MSWA nurse in Perth. Then, she started helping with the Outreach group – making tea and accompanying Clients on picnics in the country. “The group in Bunbury really grew,” recalls Marie. She realised she wasn’t the only one who knew little about MS. “People knew nothing about it. I enjoyed raising awareness. I’d do the car raffle each year – going to the big shopping centres, sitting there on a little stool and people would donate.” It was also Marie’s task to deposit any money raised into the organisation’s bank account every Wednesday. “It was a very serious job – very important,” she laughs. She also started the Outreach group’s lottery club. “I started buying a lotto ticket every Saturday for the group. We occasionally had little wins but it was mostly for the fun of it. They’re still doing it now, someone took over.” In 2016, Marie received the state government’s ‘WA Volunteer Service Award’, given to individuals who volunteer for 25 years at a single organisation. “The medal I received is very dear to me,” she says. “I keep it in my jewellery box.” Marie was born and raised in Chile. She left to join the air force in World War II, which took her to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where she met her English husband. In 1968, the pair and their four children immigrated to Australia. Another impressive aspect of Marie’s life is her involvement in the mature age Masters swimming club in Bunbury, a group that she founded 30 years ago. “When I was living in Perth, I was really lonely for a time. I wanted to do something other than just sit and watch TV and go to sleep. I found out about a swimming club nearby. It was marvellous! They helped me with my swimming and we all formed strong friendships. Like Outreach, it was about people helping each other. When I moved down to Bunbury, I said, “There’s a pool here, there’s mature swimmers, why not?” So I started digging and finding people to join.” Three decades later, the group has over 70 members, and Marie has a large collection of medals for her swimming achievements in the WA State Masters Games, mostly for backstroke. Marie recently moved to Perth to live with daughter and son-inlaw, Carol and Dennis. At age 96, problems with her vertebrae mean she can no longer live alone. Lynda Whitton, who lives in Bunbury, first met Marie upon joining MSWA 25 years ago. The pair have had many adventures together over the years and remain firm friends. 20

“She’s an inspiration,” says Lynda. “She was still competitively swimming at the age of 89. She ran with the Olympic Torch through Bunbury. I would like to think I’m as active and mentally alert as her at her age. So would ninety percent of the people at the MSWA hub in Bunbury. Since she moved to Perth last year, not a week goes by where someone doesn’t ask ‘have you heard from Marie?’” In 2018, Marie was recognised for her incredible 30 years of service to MSWA. “It was a lovely time,” she recalls. “Marcus Stafford was there. He gave the Certificate of Appreciation to me.” She says she misses Bunbury but that the memories stay with her. “I have fond memories of the people I met in the Bunbury Outreach group. They were all wonderful people. We helped each other.” L to R: Celebrating her 96th birthday with the Bunbury crew (2020), cuddles with a Client’s granddaughter (2010), Bastille Day at Bunbury Outreach (2017). WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE THE BULLETIN ONLINE? Register your email address today to start receiving our monthly Vitality e-newsletter or the Bulletin magazine online. Email damien.hill@mswa.org.au or call 9365 4814 and let us know your current email address, or to update your contact details. 21

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