VOLUNTEERS are becoming harder and harder to come by for many local organisations, as seen in recent editions of the Observer, but for the Friends of the Great South West Walk getting and keeping them has been a huge part of its success story.

And the Friends know how to honour those volunteers, doing so again in style at Cape Bridgewater on Monday.

Even more than that, they honoured the ‘father’ of the Walk, Bill Golding, who got an early 90th birthday celebration (the actual date was Wednesday).

The event was held one day after the 39th birthday of the Walk itself, which was officially opened on February 13, 1983.

The Friends also have two new life members in Alvin Cram and Gordon Page.

Mr Cram has been a volunteer for 26 years, implementing and managing the group’s website for more than 20 years, serving on the committee of management (including two years as president) and being a strong advocate for the establishment of its operations centre.

“It’s been a great pleasure to be involved in this group, it’s something that’s dear to my heart,” he said.

With more new people joining the Friends “I think it’s something that will continue on for many, many years”.

Mr Page joined in 1987, after a conversation with Mr Golding at a church event a few days before.

“I came out the following Wednesday and it was blowing a gale,” he said.

But he stayed and took over from Mr Golding as works officer in 1997, responsible for managing the track’s maintenance, a job he still does.

Along the way he has also served on the committee for 22 years, including one year as president, and is responsible for walker liaison, including leading 26 supported walks – the 27th starts next week.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with all the volunteers,” he said.

“They’ve been a great bunch and I hope to get a lot more years yet.”

Several other longstanding volunteers also received awards.

Copperhead awards for 10 years’ service went to long-time treasurer Hella Huppatz and former president (for seven years) Lou Florakx, also the producer of the monthly newsletter.

The Silver Banksia award for 15 years’ service went to John Legg, who was absent, a volunteer in the track maintenance crew.

Two Golden Wattle awards for 20 years’ service were presented to Bill Pike and Bill Rowbottom, like Mr Legg volunteers on the track maintenance crew.

About 40 people attended the function and they were all in fine voice when they joined in with Rosalea Collins (via video) with a rendition of Happy Birthday to Mr Golding, as Friends president Jen Johns, Mayor Anita Rank and long-time Friends member Graeme Hume were among those to pay tribute to Mr Golding.

“All I can say is he’s an absolute thorough gentleman (that) I’ve been privileged to work with all these years, and I hope that it continues on over the next 10 years at least,” Mr Hume said.

Ms Johns also gave a rundown of the Friends’ efforts in the past year.

While volunteer numbers remained steady about the 60 mark, there was a “huge increase” in hours worked.

The Monday and Saturday walking groups were proving popular, as was the supported walk, which once again had a waiting list.

Plans for 2022 included equipment and plant upgrades, an audit of signage on the Walk in response to feedback from members and walkers, and a regular column in the Observer, which is due to begin on Tuesday.

“All of what we do is only possible because of our volunteers,” Ms Johns said.