RAAFA Estate Erskine residents took time out of their Thursday, for the people who continually give their time to help the community – volunteers.
The retirement estate held an afternoon tea for all their volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week.
RAAFA chief executive John Murray thanked the volunteers for everything they did for the organisation.
“RAAFA as an organisation has had members and volunteers at its core since the 1920s,” he said.
“Many of RAAFA’s members have volunteered their lives, fighting for their country and some of those who came home, had some very difficult times.
“Volunteering for many here, has been a natural thing to do.”
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One volunteer who was invited to join in the festivities was Wietse Van Der Kooi, who heads to RAAFA Estate once a week to “talk, laugh, eat, drink and play games” with the residents.
“What else do you want to wish for?” he said.
“It's a great enjoyment to me to see all the people who are in that position to have a good time otherwise they sit at home, and peter away, and it's nice to get them up and let them do something.”
Mr Van Der Kooi is no stranger to volunteering, taking up the pastime four years ago, after he retired and moved to Mandurah.
Along with volunteering at the retirement estate, he also the vice president of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre volunteer group, and is involved with putting on the Fantasy of Flower event set to run in early September.
“The volunteering gives me something to do, keeps my mind going and makes people smile and makes them happy,” Mr Van Der Kooi said.
“I think it's the biggest asset we can have is to make people smile and be happy, and enjoying their life.”
The event was catered by Halls Head College students as part of their hospitality class.