Muriel Peters, still volunteering at 91: ‘for my love of people’

What goes around comes around: RangeCare provides a package of home help and transport services to Muriel who happens to be one of their longest standing volunteers and recenty won an award as such.

Ninety one year old RangeCare client Muriel Peters, has recently been recognised for her tireless contribution as a volunteer with an award in the category, Seniors & Aged Care Services Volunteer at the Volunteering Sunshine Coast 2022 Awards.

Muriel was born in Nambour in 1930.

“I lost my mum when I was four and a half,” Muriel said. 

“Myself and my three siblings were very young when she passed away. It wasn’t until I had grown up that I realised how hard this would have been for my dad.

“In my own life, I feel I have been very blessed,” said Muriel. 

“My late husband served in the army in New Guinea during the war and we were married in 1950 on his return, just before my 21st birthday. We have four children, eleven grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren”.

Muriel’s work as a volunteer started at a very early age, as her Uncle was the first Chairman of Sundale. 

“I initially got involved with street stalls and fetes and that kind of thing,” she said. “I’ve volunteered with Sundale in lots of ways more or less since it was established”.

In the years that followed, Muriel volunteered in the Chapel, calling numbers at Bingo and in The Bible study group.

“I just like being there and helping people where I can,” Muriel said. “Recognition isn’t something that I look for, never have done. I do things because I love doing them. I had no idea I had been nominated for the award.

“As a volunteer, you don’t think of what will be acknowledged or singled out. 

“It was a huge surprise because what I’ve done, I’ve done for the love of doing it and my love of people. I love serving people, you know, helping them,” she said.

RangeCare currently provides a package of home help and transport services to Muriel, from gardening and cleaning to transport to health providers.

“The people are just so caring and have offered me a package that suits me perfectly,” Muriel said. “I am always recommending RangeCare to people!”.

And when it comes to advice for others who are considering volunteering?

“Well, I think it’s very important to follow your heart’s desire and help people. The more you give, the more you receive. If you give help and love and it comes from the heart, you receive far more back because people just love being helped”.

For more information about RangeCare go to  www.rangecare.com.au or phone 5445 7044.