An upstanding member of the Officer community, Carol Porter has been giving her heart and soul to various community projects for decades now – and inspiring others to do the same along the way. Just recently, she was recognised for 30 years of volunteer service with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and GABRIELLA PAYNE took a moment to learn more about her stellar achievements over the years.
“It’s the feeling of giving joy to a young person, a young child that might be going through difficult times – it’s just a lovely experience.”
Born and raised in Pakenham, Carol Porter has spent her lifetime giving back to the community that she loves.
Renowned for her hard work, passion and positive energy, Ms Porter has been a part of more than 15 different community groups over the years and now aged in her seventies – has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
Ms Porter is an incredible inspiration to those around her and just five years ago, was honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her ongoing service to her local community.
On top of that, Ms Porter was just recently celebrated with an award for her 30 years of volunteer service with the Cardinia-Casey Make-A-Wish Foundation, which has helped bring a smile to countless faces over the years.
“It’s always very nice to be appreciated – but you don’t do anything to get an award,” Ms Porter said.
“It’s the feeling of giving joy to a young person, a young child that might be going through difficult times – it’s just a lovely experience,” she said.
Ms Porter said that together with her husband of over 50 years, Robert, she had loved giving back to the community that was so dear to her.
“We do as much as we can, because we’ve been a few generations here in Officer,” she said.
“We love the area and we try to do our best for the local community.”
Growing up on an apple orchard in Pakenham back in the day, Ms Porter was raised by a loving family who had lived in the region for five generations.
After marrying Robert, the couple moved to their home in Officer in 1966, where they have lived ever since – and now are great-grandparents themselves.
This recent achievement is remarkable in itself – as Ms Porter was one of the inaugural members of the Cardinia-Casey Make-A-Wish Foundation, which started 30 years ago.
“It’s quite amazing that I’ve strummed this up,” Ms Porter said.
“Over the years we’ve helped a lot of children, we’ve done lots of wishes and lots of fundraising.
I’ve been the president of Make-A-Wish, I’ve been the guest speaker and gone out and talked to community groups – but most importantly I’ve seen the smile on many lovely children’s faces when they get granted their wish,” she said.
In her three decades of service at Make-A-Wish, Ms Porter has seen hundreds of wishes granted including everything from puppies to computers and travelling wishes to cubby houses.
Ms Porter said that perhaps one of the most memorable experiences for her has been meeting up with children the foundation has helped years later, and seeing them overcome their health problems.
“There was one little girl, Gabby, who got this cubby house – and I met up with her again many years later, and she’s now a happy mum with two children of her own,” she said.
“It’s wonderful to see that lots of our children can get through their health problems and have a lovely life.”
Kathy Mayus, the President of the Cardinia-Casey Make-A-Wish branch, said that Ms Porter’s 30 years of service was a remarkable achievement and noted that she was “the single longest serving person in our branch” – a feat in itself.
“This is a big accomplishment and we are just so proud of her,” Ms Mayus said.
“She has had her heart and soul connected for all these years and has helped grant the wishes of countless children.
We’re just delighted to have her and we’re so proud she’s part of our team,” she said.
Throughout her time with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ms Mayus said that Ms Porter had inspired many other community members to get involved with the organisation and there was no doubt that she had made a huge difference to many peoples lives.
Ms Mayus said that the foundation held a special morning tea recently to celebrate Ms Porter’s dedication and achievements over the years, and award her with a personalised glass vase to celebrate the occasion.
Ms Porter said she felt very honoured to receive the award and believed that the Make-A-Wish Foundation were doing amazing work in the community – something she was glad to be a part of.
“Robert and I have two beautiful sons, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren – so we’re very lucky,” Ms Porter said.
“I think when you have your own children and they’re healthy, you think to yourself, it’s nice to go out and fundraise and grant some wishes to children who really need it.”
As well as volunteering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ms Porter has served as a member of the Officer Memorial Gates committee for over 50 years, is a life delegate of the Liberal Women’s Council and is a life member at the Rythdale Officer Cardinia Football Club (ROC) ladies’ committee, where she has volunteered for over 20 years.
Throughout her sons’ childhood, she volunteered at Officer Primary School and Officer Scout Group from the 1960s to the ’80s, and was also involved with the then Pakenham Hospital, as a way to “give back” to the community after having her children.
Ms Porter has also volunteered with the Officer Community Association, Beaconsfield Bendigo Bank, Pakenham East Probus Club and Red Cross Doorknock Appeal among many others over the years.
If that wasn’t enough – Ms Porter and her husband have also run a successful family plumbing business for over 50 years.
Having been a volunteer all her life, Ms Porter said that she still loved being involved in as many organisations as possible, and despite the fact that she was getting older, she looked forward to continuing her charity work for years to come.
