13 March 2010

What to do in retirement?

| DavoDavo
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I’ll be retiring from the paid workforce at the end of April and I’ve been thinking for a while about what I could do in retirement to help the community in some volunteer capacity, however as the date looms large on the horizon I have realised that due to other things occupying my time I haven’t come up with any answers!

I’m male and reasonably fit for my age (70) and still have all my mental faculties, in fact they are in pretty good shape – even if I say so myself.

I’m going along to the Tuggeranong Mens’ Shed at the first opportunity (they meet on Tuesdays during the day) to see what they get up to, I have a lot of skills in mechanical engineering, electronics and computing that I might be able to help somebody with.

Is there anyone in the Lions or similar clubs that would care to post some suggestions or advice, or give me some contact e-mail addresses? I’m not the sort to rust away in a rocking chair, I intend to be active in as much as I can for as long as I can.

Having said I will retire from the paid workforce, that all depends on how my super fund goes I suppose (it’s been looking pretty shaky for a while) – so maybe if some part time work comes along?

I’ll be interested to read your thoughts on retirement, and all (serious) suggestions to keep myself out of mischief are welcome.

Cheers all.

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Hi All,
Thank you for the helpful and kind comments, don’t worry – I fully intend to take time to enjoy doing things for myself and with my family.

I might join a choir, I enjoy singing – can’t say I’m any good, but…

Lifeline book sorting? Good idea, I love books – trouble is I’d end up reading them all instead of sorting!

Community radio? Hmmm.

National Library? Might give them a call.

Technical aid to the disabled has always caught my fancy, I’ll investigate that.

Renovating steam engines would be great – dunno about the gunk part though.

I’m pretty good at admin stuff so ACT Emergency Services could be worth investigating.

Much as I like animals my wife isn’t so keen, so fostering dogs and/or cats is out I’m afraid. Golf? Nah, I’ve got better things to do.

Yes, the garden needs lots of TLC, but I hate gardening. However, I have made up my mind to attack it with ruthless efficiency, draw up some plans on my pooter and have at it. I do love to see a nice garden and I’m sure the results will be worth all the hard work, if only we would get reliable (i.e., more) rain!
I have a bicycle and intend to get out and about on that and I am going to get myself a season ticket to the swimming pool at Tuggeranong. I like to cook but my wife won’t let me, we have a difference of opinion about when to clean up the pots and pans.

sepi said :

Pegasus Riding for the disabled in Holt needs volunteers to led horses around or hold kids on the horses.

Retirement homes are desperate for people to visit the residents.

There is a service to teach migrants english, regular conversation groups.

And there is a group that needs drivers to transport old people to the shops or medical appointments.

Yep, they are all good ideas, need to get more info on those.

Well, loads of ideas, I’ll be checking out the various web links provided and Googling like mad.

Late post:

troll-sniffer said :

Engineers Without Borders is an organisation dedicated to water and sanitary care in devloping countries. With your background you might be suitable for their volunteering program, especially if you are interested in a bit of volunteering in overseas communities.

Thanks for that.

Wow! So many things to do! How can anybody ever say they are bored? Keep ’em coming!

Cheers,
Davo.

troll-sniffer12:32 pm 15 Mar 10

Engineers Without Borders is an organisation dedicated to water and sanitary care in devloping countries. With your background you might be suitable for their volunteering program, especially if you are interested in a bit of volunteering in overseas communities.

Don’t forget to make time for your family. My in-laws volunteer for the blood bank (serving drinks to blood donors), participate in Sing Australia and hold positions on the bowls board (which seems to involve as much work as having actual jobs). We have to book time to see them!

ChrisinTurner11:08 pm 14 Mar 10

The Wesley Music Centre is run entirely by volunteers and is always looking for extras. Google their website.

Pegasus Riding for the disabled in Holt needs volunteers to led horses around or hold kids on the horses.

Retirement homes are desperate for people to visit the residents.

There is a service to teach migrants english, regular conversation groups.

And there is a group that needs drivers to transport old people to the shops or medical appointments.

Pommy bastard12:28 pm 14 Mar 10

No suggestions, I just wanted to pass on my admiration for your willingness to put back into society.

Volunteering is great but don’t forget to do things just for you too.
…give your garden a face lift with some pretty flowers, restore some old furniture, check out some of the ACTs many walking tracks, learn how to cook different cuisines, try your hand at painting…try your feet at dancing…
Just think of all the things over the years that you have ever wanted to try…the possibilities are endless. You lucky thing!!

Sorry for the double post but here is the ARF website. http://www.fosterdogs.org/

Do you like animals, particularly dogs? Volunteer organisations such as ACT Rescue and Foster (ARF) are always looking for foster carers for dogs saved from euthanasia. Other help can include assisting at stalls, taking photos of dogs for websites, selling tickets and helping with transport.

Or, the pound have positions for volunteers walking dogs.

Other than that, play golf – its great!

Just quickly, I imagine that Technical Aid to the Disabled (link above) and Questacon would both be right up your alley.

ride the buses and get annoyed at the children. have a walking cane for added style.

The ACT Emergency Services always welcome volunteers to help with admin. There is a fitness component if you want to join the operational side

The Railway Museum at Kingston is always looking for people willing to help them restore 6029 into operational condition. Even cleaning gunk is moderately rewarding when it comes to 255 tonne steam locomotives.

GardeningGirl3:51 pm 13 Mar 10

This is something I thought of as soon as I saw you mention mechanical engineering. Took me a while to remember the name.

http://www.technicalaidact.org.au/SeekingVolunteers.htm

Wishing you a happy and fulfilling retirement!

Hello DavoDavo.

Here are some ideas:

– Lifeline Bookfair volunteer – they have warehouse in Mitchell were they sort books throughout the year (including Saturdays)

– Volunteer guide – I think that the National Gallery, Botanic Gardens, War Memorial all have volunteer guides

– Commununity radio – 1RPH, for example, has volunteer readers

– Rotary has the Sunday market at Jammo

– National Library – has a group of volunteers who are assisting to correct digitised online newspapers for the library’s collection

And various charities etc. need people to fix bits and pieces, assist people in learning about computers, etc. – so your engineering, electronics skills and computer skills would be very much valued.

There are also once-a-year events that need volunteers – National Folk Festival (which involves a lot of setting up of venues, etc.), Floriade, etc.

And Volunteering ACT has a website (http://www.volunteeract.org.au/) with a lot of information about volunteering opportunities in the region.

Enjoy your retirement (it might seem scary at the moment, but you’re probably going to end up busier than ever before).

Chirps, MudLark.

Try http://www.govolunteer.com.au/volunteer/default.htm

Do a search for opportunities in the ACT region. You may find something.

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