By Kyra Gillespie
Michelle Johnson is hanging up her hat at the Lang Lang Community Centre after 23 years as the centre co-ordinator.
She describes her resignation as bittersweet after dedicating so much of her life to the community.
“I’m feeling mixed emotions,” Ms Johnson said.
“I’ve been there a long time and seen a lot of growth at the centre over the years.”
Ms Johnson’s involvement in the community centre goes back years before her role as the co-ordinator.
“It all started from a group of mums who became friends through playgroup. We started doing craft things together to pass the time and eventually it’s all rolled on from there.
“Before the council built the community complex in 2004 we were operating out of old shops. It’s gone from being open one day a week for six hours to weekdays and weekends.”
The Lang Lang Community Centre now hosts a plethora of programs and workshops – everything from exercises classes, self-help groups to CPR and first aid training.
The centre also undertakes fundraising events each term and operates a backpack collection point for kids in foster care.
During her time as centre co-ordinator, Ms Johnson was also a member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), providing advanced first aid within the local community until an ambulance arrived.
Her role was to provide emergency response in locations that have a low caseload and no ambulance station.
“I love all of the activities and the people that come to the centre.
“The best part about the role has been the friendships along the way, the teamwork, and working with likeminded people who want to help other people.
“So many people see volunteering as giving up your time, and there is some aspect of that, but you get so much more back. Volunteering is not just giving, you receive so much in the process.
“It’s worth it to see the smiles on people’s faces and to know that it’s the little things that can make a person’s life better.”
Ms Johnson said she will never forget her time at the centre.
“It was a job that really came from the heart.
“It’s not like a typical nine to five job where you would switch off at the end of the day, it’s something you live.
“You have to have a passion for it.”
Now that she has resigned, Ms Johnson has plans to travel and life live in the slow lane for a change.
“The best thing about travelling is having time to think, taking in the environment, meeting new people and sharing stories.”
