Lyn’s 50 years of voluntary service endures, despite tragedy
Lyn Hassall … “I just want to let anyone know if they'd like to come and join the Maleny Show Society, it is very, very rewarding.” Pics: Mãrshä Fòtõgráfíê
For over 50 years, Lyn Hassall has been a dedicated volunteer with the Maleny Show Society. Now, she wants to encourage others, especially young people, to follow in her footsteps.
Lyn has devoted countless hours to supporting and enriching the local community, but she says she has gained much more than she has given. Her volunteer journey began in her early 20s and has encompassed various roles, from making sandwiches to selling show bags and Dairy Queen ice creams.
“I was just over 20 when I first volunteered,” Lyn recalls. “We were making sandwiches in a little room out the back and I did that for many years. I then went to selling show bags and Dairy Queen ice creams. The Butter Factory in Maleny used to loan us the ice cream machine and I did that for many, many years.”
After running a shop in Maleny from 2000 to 2005, Lyn returned to volunteering with renewed passion.
She became a steward for the Tapestry section at the Maleny Show Pavilion, a role she has cherished for nearly two decades. “I did patchwork with Ros Sinclair and Ellen Newsham. We started the first patchwork group in Maleny,” Lyn says. “And then when they retired, I continued with Mary Fleiter. And then we went to Tapestries and Fine Art, which is now Tapestries and Embroidery.”
Lyn’s dedication extends beyond her own contributions; she actively encourages younger generations to volunteer. “I just want to let anyone know if they'd like to come and join the Maleny Show Society, it is very, very rewarding,” she said. Lyn believes that volunteering helps build confidence, self-esteem, and teamwork skills, making it a valuable experience for everyone involved.
This year, the Maleny Show, which Lyn has served so well, is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 31 and June 1. Amidst the festivities, there will be a special memorial dedication for Lyn’s late son, Malcolm, who died in an accident in 1997. A wooden seat will be unveiled in Malcolm's memory, a tribute to Malcolm and to the unwavering volunteering spirit of his mother, Lyn.