care for community Helen, 77 Helen is a lifelong advocate for her community and the environment and has spent decades turning her values into action. From coordinating Landcare initiatives for over 30 years to supporting the next generation through her granddaughter’s Coastcare group, she continues to nurture both people and place. Her commitment to environmental conservation and protection is grounded in the belief that we must care for the earth better than we do. Helen’s contribution to her community runs just as deep. A former councillor, she still attends council meetings and shares local updates through 2BOB Radio, helping others stay informed and engaged. She also volunteers in an op shop and shares her knowledge through sessions at U3A on topics including local government, writing, and the forests of the Manning. Helen has written and recorded numerous oral histories, preserving the stories and identity of her region so people can better understand the communities they belong to. When floods hit her home in Glenthorne, Helen experienced firsthand the strength of community. Supported by friends, strangers, and local churches, she saw the power of collective care in action. Through volunteering, activism, and education, Helen has found a sense of purpose that continues to grow. You will often find her on Fridays sitting with the Knitting Nannas, continuing her advocacy. For Helen, it comes down to knowing your values and living them: “If you can enact them, then you feel more fulfilled and satisfied with your life.” GLENTHORNE, DECEMBER 2025
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