On March 2, Zelda Williams will be celebrating her 70th birthday.
One might assume that at such an age this lady would be enjoying the quiet life.
Not so Zelda.
Presently she has her hands full preparing for “Red Cross Calling” the national annual month designated for red cross callers to raise the much needed funds for the running of the Red Cross service.
Although calling on volunteers for the majority of their good work they still require funds so that they can assist those in need.
A member of the Moss Vale/Berrima Red Cross since she was 19 years old Zelda has always been very active. She remembers only to well when she and her sister would serve breakfast to the men on the troop trains as they came through Moss Vale. The number of socks and fruitcakes they made during the war years were never counted. Her mother had been a member of the Red Cross for many years and to Zelda it was only natural to do the same.
The Moss Vale/ Berrima Red Cross members have been busily organising volunteers to collect during March.
Moss Vale High School students will be collecting in Moss Vale on March 1st getting the month off to a good start. The branch has been given a target of $6500, which is $200 more than they raised last year. The National target is $2.1 million.
A major door knock will be conducted on March 11 with scouts, guides and school students assisting with the door knocking.
Several of the local schools will be involved, either on separate dates or on March 11.
It allows students perform a service for their local community. “They realise that helping others is so important,” said Zelda.
“We need these young people to carry on community service.”
Some of the primary schools are being involved by holding mufti days to raise funds.
The funds raised go towards the many avenues of the Red Cross from looking after flood victims running the blood bank, Telecross, the Kosovan refugees, earthquake victims or to whoever the Red Cross assists.
There is a special concert organised for this Friday night to assist the victims of the earthquakes in India.
Zelda is always busy but she cannot stress too much that all the work that she does she does as part of a team. Be it the Red Cross, the Catholic Women’s League or Quota.
Zelda has been a member of Quota for 15 years and every year they host a wine tasting, an Arts and Crafts exhibition and the Quota Youth of the year quest.
They are very active in fund raising activities and help local groups and support major organisations such as Careflight, etc.
She was the first president of the St Paul’s Mothers Club some 40 years ago. It is now the P & F. There are now sons and daughters of the original members now serving on this committee.
“I love the feeling that I am doing something for others” said Zelda. “It keeps me young.”
She also enjoys being with young people having trained the debutantes at Chevalier College for 19 years. Along with a band of ladies they taught the debs the finer art of dancing and etiquette.
“Young people keep you alive” she said. She also volunteered to help with the deb’s at The Moss Vale Services Club for three years.
She enjoys all things to do with the young. She and husband Keith, work as a team. She helps him with his work for the groups he works with, including the recent sports awards and he helps her with her work.
It is a partnership that has worked very well for over 51 years and to mark the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary their family of five children 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren presented them with a book of memories and every family member made a contribution to this gift of love.
Meals on Wheels and Telecross are another two things in which Zelda is involved. As well as having being a volunteer worker when the Kosovans were in Sydney and being on standby for East Timor for disaster relief.
“Seeing what these people have gone through really makes you appreciate where you live.” Said Zelda. “Your own problems are non existent.”
By just being there she felt that she was a comfort for those in distress.
Zelda does still find time for pursuits of pleasure. She delights in decorating the church for weddings and uses flowers not only from her own garden but also the gardens of friends. “We all work together”. One of her granddaughters is getting married after Easter and she is planning the arrangements for the church already.
“Service to others mean a lot to me,” said Zelda. It was imbedded by our parents and now our children and grandchildren also get involved in helping others within their communities.”
“We’ll keep it up as long as we are able,” said Zelda
“I’m a bit of a crafty old thing,” joked Zelda when she described how she enjoys china painting, folkart, and sewing. Many of these items end up on stall for one or other of the service groups she is involved in.
Zelda has been an active member of The Catholic Women’s since it started in Moss Vale 11 years ago. She was the founding secretary/ treasurer and is currently the president. In her younger years she was Akela with the local cubs.
Whatever she takes on she attacks with the determination and dedication to ensure that the best result is achieved.
“There is a need for service and you should help whenever you can.” said Zelda who acknowledge all the great work by all the other volunteers who work together on whatever team they are.
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