I was a Primary School teacher for about 30 years and am a mother of three adults, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and two lovely teenage grandchildren.
I spent much of my adult life outdoors, bushwalking, cycle touring, cross country skiing and rockclimbing.
Visiting the Royal Botanic Garden as a child in school holidays was always an important time for me and I have a black and white photo taken in the Garden in 1950. My friends and I were standing at the bottom of the steps near that old statue.
I jumped at the opportunity to give back to the Garden when the opportunity to volunteer in the Specimen Mounting program became available. Although I have no technical botanical qualifications other than bushcare, plants have always been a big part of my life and working in the National Herbarium of NSW opened up a new aspect of the value of plants. The social value gained from becoming friends with the other Monday volunteers is a joy. We chatter about all sorts of things as we stick and stitch.
Even if you feel you may not have a lot to offer it is good to learn a new skill.
Learn more about the volunteer programs at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney here.