Carol, who has been volunteering with Jenny’s Place since March, seems to have endless energy and an amazing community spirit. She is part of a dedicated team who have been sorting out our stores of donated clothing and goods this year. It has been a mammoth task but one that doesn’t seem to have daunted our amazing vollies! Together they have worked many hours to create an inventory and distribution system.  

Carol, who retired from primary school teaching 15 years ago, turns 70 this month! But age has never stopped her from pursuing her dreams. She took up Iron Man Triathlon as a sport at the age of 40, completing her first Iron Man event at 44. She is now an Iron Man Legend, having completed more than 10 triathlons.  

While she no longer competes in triathlons, Carol still does pilates, goes to the gym and paddles outrigger canoes on the beautiful waters of Port Stephens. She competes in 6-man Outrigger competitions and also paddles her own one-man outrigger for fun!  

Jenny’s Place isn’t Carol’s only volunteering role. She has volunteered for Camp Quality for the past 14 years. She has attended camps for children with cancer and their siblings, worked in their office and was Support Crew Team Leader on the 1,000 kms for Kids bike challenge for the past 10 years. She has also completed the Kokoda Track, the Sandakan Death March and the full length of Larapinta trails as fundraising treks for Camp Quality.  

When COVID hit last year Carol said, “I wasn’t able to do as much at Camp Quality, so I started looking for something closer to home that I could contribute to”. She began volunteering at Port Stephens’ Koala Sanctuary 12 months ago, caring for injured koalas and their enclosures.  

It was at Camp Quality that she met Jenny’s Place Community Relations Coordinator, Donna George, in her role as a fundraiser and community relations professional. Donna developed and ran the Camp Quality treks and the 1,000 kms for Kids challenge. Donna struck up lasting friendships with Carol and other regular volunteers at Camp Quality. They shared a lot over the years, including the excitement and adversity of the treks and challenges.  

When Donna put out the call for help for Jenny’s Place, this incredible group of friends answered. When asked what motivated her to volunteer for us, Carol says: 

“You needed help and all my mates are here. It was a no-brainer.” 

Carol also looks after two rescue dogs and a husband!