Long-serving

By Shaun Inguanzo
SPRINGVALE’S Wes Eggleston says a new wave of volunteers will fail to match the long-term commitments of their predecessors.
Mr Eggleston, 77, is this year celebrating 40 years as volunteer secretary for the Springvale Benevolent Society.
The society is a not-for-profit group that provides material and financial assistance to struggling families in the area.
He told Star this week that the face of volunteering was changing, with young people refusing to commit to just one organisation.
“The mode of volunteering today is not long service,” he said.
“People are out for interest and variety.”
But Mr Eggleston said he wasn’t disappointed with the prospect that volunteers mightb never again spend 40 years with an organisation.
“I think we move with the times,” he said.
“You just have to accept it, that’s what life’s about. Young people today are marvellous, they just have an approach that is different to us.”
Mr Eggleston called on more young people to help “recharge” the Springvale Benevolent Society.
“But whether young people see that (the society) as significant is the question. It’s an affluent age and affluent people don’t always think of those not surviving well in our culture,” he said.
Mr Eggleston said he couldn’t predict where the society would be in the future, once its current stable of ageing members retired.
“Most of us are ageing and we know that,” he said.
“What form the society will take, I don’t know. But obviously the City of Greater Dandenong council will have something to say in due course, as it puts in money to the society.”
Mr Eggleston said he fell into his commitment with the society when fellow long-serving member John Beus seconded a motion to have him replace an outgoing treasurer.
Mr Eggleston later became secretary, and this week said he had no regrets about his continuing dedication to the society.
“I may be an old bachelor, but it’s not a wasted life, that’s for sure,” he said.
Mr Eggleston has twice battled cancer – his latest fight was six months ago – but he has lived to tell the tale.
“I want to survive. I am a believer, but I’m not in any hurry to go,” he said with a laugh.