Selfless Dedication Earns Life Service Award

A much-loved member of the Parkes community in western NSW, Sr Kathleen Barker has volunteered in the local Vinnies Parkes shop for 35 years. At a recent Mass ‘Sr Kath’ was surprised to receive a Life Service Award for her long and selfless dedication to the Society.

On hand to share congratulations were (l-r) Kelly Morgan, Regional Director-West, Holy Family Parish priest Fr Barry Dwyer and Barbara Scott, Shop Day Organiser (former Retail Team Leader).

Sr Kath started off her shop volunteering at the retail front counter, recently taking on the important task of sorting donated clothes and other goods, although she has been unable to do so for the last few months due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Sr Kath has a great eye for neatness, often found at quiet moments on shift circling the front of the shop, picking up fallen clothes and replacing them on their hangers and generally keeping everything in order.

While on these missions, Sr Kath often picks out and purchases an item of clothing for herself and according to her fellow volunteers, she is always beautifully turned out.

Sr Kath is also known for her beautiful smile and the genuine way that she greets her Vinnies colleagues and all who visit the shop. According to her fellow volunteers, she’s also a great cook and in earlier years loved to dance and attended many of the local Catholic balls.

Congratulations to Sr Kath on her 35 golden years of service! We are so grateful to our volunteers like Sr Kath, who are the heart and soul of what we do. We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic people to join our team!