I began volunteering at Lort Smith in 2016. I started in the laundry but now help out in back of house kennels.

My duties tend to be walking the dogs that can go out, cleaning the day yards when required, the used food and water bowls and spending some time with the dogs in their enclosures to hopefully enhance their day.

The best thing about volunteering at Lort Smith is the unity of purpose for all the staff and volunteers to improve the lives and prospects of all the animals. And I think my favourite day was when Anastasia, my then laundry partner, bounded in one time and said she was adopting Tucker. He is a beautiful dog but has physical problems which made it difficult, if not impossible, for him to be rehomed and he was not doing well in the kennel environment. But Tucker is now thriving in his new home with Anastasia!

I just have one animal at home at the moment – Molly the greyhound. I am recently retired from the workforce but enjoy taking care of Molly and, now that it is winter again, following the fortunes of the Richmond Football Club. I also spend some time volunteering at Second Bite.