The Sydney Royal Easter Show is a spectacular event each and every year, filled with the most amazing food, rides and events. However for all this to be able to run smooth, a small army of volunteers is needed to put their hands up and get to work wherever they can. One volunteer has crossed borders at the young age of 70 to be a part of the show for the first time. Jill Grazatt has traveled all the way from Auckland, New Zealand to the Show for the first time to add it to her extensive volunteer history.
Jill’s volunteer history back in New Zealand includes a multitude of events such as the world choir games, the Fifa women’s World Cup and the world iron man. What draws Jill to volunteer is the opportunity to be a part of something that otherwise she may not have any connection with. When asked what has bought her to the Sydney Royal Easter Show this year she responds “why not”. Which speaks volumes to her amazing, giving nature.
Being a volunteer at the show has allowed Jill to be a part of a variety of experiences including Pet-a-chick, the Farmyard Nursery, and her personal favourite, cool gardens. Jill had a personal connection to the cool gardens experience as she has a love for her own garden back home. The program educating visitors on how you can plant certain trees in an area to help keep the temperature down.
When looking forward to the rest of the show, Jill cited wanting to be a part of the sheep and goats experience, working in Jamison Station and the flower and garden exhibits. She lit up when speaking of how the children interact with parts of the show including the opportunity that kids have to build a bee-hive and learn a little bit about how bees do what they do.
The opportunity to volunteer has created a community for Jill, as she was originally volunteering at the Great Vic Bike Ride when another volunteer offered up accommodation so she could volunteer at the show. Being a part of the show has been such a rewarding experience and Jill has considered ticking it off her bucket list, maybe after the second visit.
