David and Sheila Cannon volunteer regularly at Casey Hospital
By Lia Bichel
NARRE Warren South couple and volunteer team David and Sheila Cannon are two familiar faces at Casey Hospital.
After he retired five years ago, 70-year-old David Cannon found he had too much free time on his hands and decided to sign up as a volunteer.
“In my younger years I worked with juveniles, and I have always been community-minded,” he said. “I got bored, so I thought I would volunteer in the mental health department.”
For a couple of hours a day, two days a week, Mr Cannon makes crafts, plays pool, goes for walks or chats with patients in the ward.
“The main emphasis is on crafts and recreation, which I think is important for them because it gives them an opportunity to be active and get past the boredom,” he said. “Basically, I am there to be a friend. It’s different than being a staff member, because they are medically inclined while I can give something (to the patients) based on life experiences.”
Once a month, Mr Cannon’s wife Sheila joins him at Casey Hospital and prepares a barbecue for the patients. She also volunteers at the Casey Hospital fete twice a year.
“I used to volunteer a lot more, but I do a lot of babysitting now, so I am not at Casey Hospital as much as I used to be,” she said.
“But I enjoy working at the barbecue, and talking with the patients, or reading to them. I get pleasure from helping out.”
Mr and Mrs Cannon said they looked forward to volunteering and would continue to help staff and patients at Casey Hospitals for many years to come.
“I am pretty active yet,” Mr Cannon said, “and I will continue to volunteer until I get worn out or drop dead.”
Southern Health Volunteer co-ordinator Jane Livingston said there were hundreds of volunteers with Southern Health, and about 40 of them were situated at Casey Hospital.“They are quite active in fund-raising for hospital needs and also provide staff with an opportunity to take a break by doing admin work. The contact they have with patients is also important,” she said.
“Volunteers are inspirational to the community.”
Casey residents are urged to show their appreciation for volunteers during Volunteer Week, 11 to 17 May.
