Lynne’s long service

By Lia Bichel
FOR more than 30 years, community-minded Lynne Hucker dedicated much of her time to looking after the Narre Warren North Community Hall.
She recently retired from her hall booking role with the Narre Warren North managament committee but her decades of efforts didn’t go unnoticed.
The Narre Warren North resident, 69, was honoured at a recent meeting where she was given a certificate of appreciation from the Department of Sustainability and Environment and told she was the longest serving female member from any committee in Victoria.
“It was amazing to have that recognition,” she said.
“It was a great surprise.”
Mrs Hucker started her role in 1974, taking bookings for birthday parties, wedding receptions, discos and dances. She said the rental fee at that time was a mere $35 and a $10 bond.
Her workload quickly increased to include bookings for first birthdays and multi cultural events. The hall now costs $465 for rental and $400 bond.
Mrs Hucker had to schedule her weekly activities around her committee commitment, making sure to give and receive the keys before and after events and answer phone calls during the week.
She said her husband Barry, two children and the committee were very supportive of her role.
Since retiring from the committee, Mrs Hucker has had more time to work on her beautiful garden, ballroom dance twice a week and enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation.
“I really enjoyed working with the committee, but I am enjoying my free time now,” she said.
Chairman of the committee for 35 years, Bert Rae said he couldn’t praise Mrs Hucker highly enough for the work she had done.
“She has been vital to the operation of the hall,” he said.
“She’s an outstanding person.”