BETH Hutch is one of the millions across Australia who take time out of their week to lend a hand.
The 72–year–old Euroa woman found herself with free time after her retirement in 2015 from a career in healthcare that spanned roles in psychiatric nursing, STI prevention and contract tracing.
Ms Hutch took up volunteering and now volunteers at the Euroa Arboretum on Thursday mornings and the Bowerbird Op Shop on Mondays.
"I think being a volunteer can be really satisfying," she said.
"You learn different things from different people, and do things you probably wouldn't have done."
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At the Arboretum she plants, pricks and weeds, and she appreciates that the work is "not rigid".
"It's not 'you have to sit here and you're doing this'," she said.
"It's all these people just piddling around but the jobs get done, and it's a good result."
She also enjoys the social aspect, including the group morning teas.
"It's a really nice social gathering – people bring cake and all sorts of things we shouldn't be eating," she said.
At the Bowerbird Op Shop on Mondays, she works at the front dealing with the public.
"I really enjoy it because you never know who's going to come in or what they want," she said.
"It's very rarely that you get anybody that's really grumpy and not happy coming into an op shop."
