Volunteering spans four generations
Photo L-R: Four generations of volunteering at Greta Valley Community Library (formerly located in Scargill) – Sue Sinclair, (holding a photo featuring her mother Ngaire Henderson) Deschia Sutherland and Tuiana Sutherland.
Volunteering at Greta Valley Community Library has spanned four generations and much more than half a century for one local family.
Greta Valley’s Deschia Sutherland is a familiar face at her local library, her daughter Tuiana lends a hand too. Deschia’s mum Sue Sinclair began her volunteering tenure 50 years ago when the library was based in Scargill, she was following in the volunteering footsteps of her mother Ngaire Henderson.
In 1984 the library shifted location to Greta Valley School, and last week the community celebrated 40 years.
“It has been run all this time by volunteers, it’s a wonderful asset to the community,” said Deschia, who admitted she was “a bit nervous” about organising last Thursday’s community celebration, but it went off without a hitch.
Coinciding with Greta Valley School’s book week meant local children enjoyed the occasion dressed up as their favourite book characters.
“We finished the day with a cake cutting by my mum and daughter who is the fourth-generation female from our family to volunteer in the library.”
Mayor Marie Black read the children a Margaret Mahy story, and spoke about the community library opening 40 years ago which Margaret Mahy officiated. She thoroughly enjoyed the occasion to catch up with returning library volunteers, parents and the school community.
“It was a glorious spring day to celebrate the milestone, and reading ‘A Lion in the Meadow’ by Margaret Mahy was a fantastic way to honour her presence when the library opened its doors four decades ago.”
