JANE Schmidt never saw herself as a volunteer. Now she can’t imagine not being one.

In rapid succession, she has joined Portland Cable Trams, the Mission to Seafarers, the TAC L2P Driver Mentor Program, 3RPC Community Radio and the Portland Women’s Services Club delivering their monthly meals on wheels program that fundraises for university scholarships for female students.

She enjoys the latter so much that she’s also signed up with Portland District Health to deliver their meals on wheels.

Does she have any spare hours left in her week?

“Look, it’s not that many. I probably average about 20 hours of volunteer work and am on call for more shifts. It’s whatever you want it to be, half an hour a week to 40 hours. That’s the good thing about volunteering – you can do whatever you want to do, and everyone’s grateful.”

Ms Schmidt, 58, was living in locked-down Melbourne with her partner during COVID-19 when they bought a property in Portland. It was their beloved bolthole during official bouts of freedom.

“We were going to rent it out during the pandemic but I wanted a holiday house because I just love being down here. Every time we heard a lockdown was coming, we were in the car.

“I retired from my job in finance and admin in 2022, sold my house and came down here in 2023. It was either Tasmania or here – my only condition was, no more 40 degrees days. Portland’s house prices were amazing and it’s got everything we need. The hospital was a big factor and 24-hour A and E.

“But then partner of nearly 20 years died and I was a bit numb for six months.

“Then I started volunteering – one group led to another – and I feel more valued as a volunteer than I ever did working. It’s brilliant.

“I don’t want to take work off somebody just for something to do, so this is great.”

She enjoys all her roles, especially the Seafarers Mission. “This is wonderful. When ships come to port, international crews aren’t allowed off the ships by themselves. We pick them up in minibuses and take them to the Port of Portland shop and rec room, and into town where they can shop, go to church.

“They’re very grateful – 95% are Filipino – and they really appreciate it. And that’s all you want to hear, that someone appreciates what you’re doing.”

Ms Schmidt works in the office for 3RPC and the Cable Trams.

“The great thing about the cable trams is that everyone is on holidays, so they’re all happy. It’s just awesome.”

Volunteering also leads to new friendships, Ms Schmidt says. “Down here, they’re just lovely people. It’s such a lovely community.”

According to the 2021 Census, 1651 Portland residents – 17.4% of the population – did voluntary work, a higher rate than the Victorian average of 13.3% and 14.1% nationally. In Glenelg Shire, 3422 residents – one in five (20.1%) – were volunteers.

This year’s National Volunteer Week runs from May 20-26 with the theme ‘Something for Everyone’, which is certainly true for a diverse city like Portland.

Potential volunteers should visit glenelg.vic.gov.au for a comprehensive list of volunteering options.