June Awarded NSW Volunteer Award.
June Howe is one of the twin town’s finest, a bonafide Local Legend. We bang on June’s front door but hear nothing, so shuffle around the back to find June pulling the batteries from her push mower. She has just completed the mowing. June still does much of her garden maintenance herself. She isn’t really slowing down at 90 years of age. She is a testament to keeping active in both body and mind.
Our writer fondly jokes with June about how fit she is, both remembering the ‘good old days’ at the Harden Tennis Courts when they were teamed up together in a pairs side. It was an odd match physically and age wise but one which brought team work and resilience.
Our writer would use his long teenage arms to protect the net, and at some 65 years of age then, June would move about the back court hitting the balls that he missed, back. A lot of tennis skill and knowledge was passed on to the younger generation from June. What she didn’t quietly say, she would show. This has continued in to every aspect of June’s life.
June was recently recognised with a volunteer award. The New South Wales Volunteer of the Year, Central West, Senior Winner, for her work with Can Assist Harden-Murrumburrah, amongst other local groups and causes. She said “I’ve got to go to Sydney for the next phase now.
June has been with Can Assist for years and years, already being recognised with a local long service award. June is happy to do all sorts of jobs for Can Assist, but it’s her willingness to brave the elements for raffle days that has brought her a large amount of recognition.
Depending on the season and the weather, alongside the side of the street the raffle is being held, volunteers are hardened by their love for the town and those in it. This is where June is in her element, in front of the butcher’s shop on the south side in the sun or in front of Supabarn shop in the shade. Wood raffle tickets are often the flavour of the day.
Come Clean up Australia Day June is often paired up with Billy Tobin picking up rubbish from the fast food service businesses in Young which is tossed out the window near Demondrille. She said, “Billy Tobin does the Cleanup Australia Day with me as a separate volunteer type of thing.”
When asked why she does it each year…….“I like doing it. I like to keep the town tidy and I’m proud of the town.”
June was kept a little in the dark when it came to what she was going up to Orange for, when receiving the award. She said “I went up with daughter-in-law, Michelle.” After winning this award, they have now informed her that she has to go to Sydney. “Well, they did. They said, that you’ve got to go to this one in Sydney. The lady from over there in Orange, she came up to me and she said, now, June, you’ve got to go to Sydney you know.
“Well, you could only have one person go to Orange with you. So, you know, there wasn’t a lot of people there. It was mainly the ones that were receiving awards, plus their one person who went.”
June admitted she did get a little emotional. She doesn’t do it for recognition. “Oh yes…It made you feel proud.” June will head to Sydney on December 4 for the next stage.
“I think a couple of my girls might be going to come down, but all the paperwork has got to be sent over. They could go to Sydney, but they may not be able to go to the ceremony.”
June does a lot of walking and gardening and credits this as how she keeps fit. June described what she would be doing next after the interview.
“Well, I’m going to get out there under the trees to get that long, yellow flower. It’s a bit like a clover but it’s tall and it’s easy to pull out, but you’ve got to make sure you get the whole lot otherwise it comes back up.”
June’s willingness to get in and get things done and be involved in the community, wherever they are has rubbed off on many family members. Son Glen with the Harden Hawks for decades, grandson Rodney, with the Hunting Club, Terry with Pony Club and helping people with their horses, while Brad is further afield with a Hotel in Seattle to name a few achievements.
Proud of her own garden and wanting to assist with the aged care garden. June used to do the Southern Cross Garden (the old one).
“I did the gardens up there. I did that until they closed it. We can’t seem to get them to get organised up at the Grange. I don’t know. I said to them, when are we going to be able to do something with this alleyway here and get some flowers and things in it? And they said, oh, we’re trying to get the residents interested. I said, well, they could come out and help when I’m there or Marilyn.”
June was also involved in the Corridor of Life on the southern side of Murrimboola Creek which has been affected by the flooding but had enough local knowledge regarding water lines, not to be washed away like the rest of the precinct in February.
June was asked a few questions about what keeps her going and enthused. “I do it, because I can. You just keep on doing things.”
Is it a matter of if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it? “It’s very true.”
Asked about her beloved Tennis. Are you still playing any Tennis or anything like that?
“No, they took our courts away. I thought I’d go out to Janice’s if I needed a hit, but my shoulders have been a little bit sore to do a back hand, so I’ve been playing golf.
“I used to play years ago, but then I got busy and I didn’t want to be playing in a comp. I just wanted to play when it suited me. So I’ve been going with Janice and Karen Tanswell. We go and play nine holes.
“We start pretty early now these days have got hot.”
June will be flying the flag for Harden in just over two months’ time. She is an inspiration for the young and older members of our town and everyone in the community.
Cheer her on if you see her.
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