When I start looking for Edward Davis I make the mistake of starting at his home.
Of course, I eventually find him at the Mooroopna Men’s Shed, one of around 20 community organisations he’s been in involved with over six decades.
Given the contribution in volunteer hours he has freely given, it’s only right he is being recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day honours.
“I felt very good, I felt honoured to get it,” he said.
“A bit of recognition of what I've done and I’m very happy with it.”
Mr Davis has no hesitation in encouraging others to volunteer when asked why he has given so much to so many.
“Well, you’ll learn a lot,” he said.
“You’ll learn a lot of things you’d never learn in school and things like that, or more about life and dealing with people — and there’s a lot of nice people out there too.
“I know there is some not so nice, but most of them are very good I feel, and it enhances your education.”
Mr Davis understands that much of the lifestyle, or quality of life, regional communities boast, such as events and services, is built around organisations run by volunteers, and is concerned that not enough people are putting up their hands to do the work.
“I like helping people, and volunteers are hard to get nowadays, and that's one of the things that worries me about our society — not enough people are volunteering, but that may change,” he said.
If anyone knows the challenges and rewards of volunteering it’s Mr Davis.
He’s not only served on many, he’s committed to some for decades, including the Masonic Lodge for 60 years, the Mooroopna Recreation Reserve committee for 50 and the Kiwanis Club for 40.
He has served on local government as councillor and president of the former Rodney Shire Council, on committees for sporting clubs, schools, historical societies and service clubs dating back to the 1970s, and although he is showing no signs of slowing down, it does feel that it might be time for other volunteers to step forward.
“I think they should get into something and volunteer, and just let it progress,” he said.
“If they don't like it, go somewhere else, but I think the country needs volunteers — no doubt about that.”