Heather Yeatman

Can you tell me about your background, history and interests – how long you’ve lived in the Illawarra, where you’ve worked, your interests?

I’m not originally a Wollongong person. I come from Adelaide, but that was 36 years ago, so I’m pretty much a ‘Gong person now and living at Mount Ousley. I worked for 30 years at the University of Wollongong and retired four years ago.

My current interests, other than keeping fit and being involved in activities, are mainly gardening and crafts. I’m transforming our garden into an Australian native garden and volunteer up at the Grevillia Park once a week on Monday mornings.  I heavily invest in supporting this garden by purchasing their plants as well.  In terms of crafts, I sew, knit and crochet, although not so recently, and in the past I’ve done leather work – I made and sold leather bags and belts which helped finance my way through Uni.

Can you recall when and why you joined the Ramblers and what you were looking for, and most interested in?

I think it was probably six, maybe seven years ago that I joined to do some walking, or more probably kayaking because we’d just bought kayaks and while we’d done some paddling by ourselves and with friends, we felt we needed to find some people to go with on regular paddles. So, it was probably the opportunity to kayak that piqued our interest in joining. We also cycle.  So we enjoy all three of the Rambler’s activities.

Have you been away on any multi day trips with the Ramblers?

We did do one walking trip with Graham Burgess up at Talbingo, which was memorable because of the five days of sleet and rain! We’ve done cycling away trips down in Victoria and most recently at Lake Macquarie. And we’ve booked for the Northern Rivers, one coming up in June. We’ve done several kayaking trips down from Tumut, Tallowa Dam and down the south coast on some of the lakes – Wallaga Lake (near Bermagui) and so on. Last year we went to Lord Howe Island – a wonderful trip.  So we’ve done a bit of everything.

What have been some of the highlights for you in joining the Ramblers?

I think it’s mainly the members. Everyone is very welcoming, friendly and enjoyable company. Whether it’s trips away or just an activity with coffee, you always have a laugh. You feel as if people are interested in you, and you’re interested in them. It’s the like-minded people that you get to meet in the Ramblers.  Being out in nature and camping by the river is always just gorgeous. You’re doing things with a group of people, rather than by oneself, which is good risk minimisation if things do go wrong, like falling out of kayaks! It’s always nice to have other people around who are in the main, more skilled than you. Plus, you get to see new places that you hadn’t seen before, which is always really nice.

From your experience and your observations over those six or seven years, have you got any tips for new members?

Just get yourself involved and keep going on regular activities so you get to know people a little bit more.  And also volunteer to do a few things. I think it’s always helpful if you get more involved with what the club’s doing. You’ve got more of an investment in what goes on and you also get to know more people.

You’ve recently taken on the role of Secretary. What influenced this decision?

Well, a couple of things. One is that somebody has to – I’ve been with the club probably six years, and I always like to think that if you’re taking advantage of what the club offers, then it’s good to contribute back. Secondly the position was available, and I’ve got skills in the area of meeting conduct, so it wasn’t unfamiliar territory for me. So, I thought, why not help out in and make a contribution?

Do you have any final comments, Heather?

I think a challenge to all members is for them to encourage their friends and other people to join and be involved. Take opportunities to chat about the fun things we do as part of the Ramblers, and pique other people’s interest to come along and give it a go.

I think that’s something that the club probably needs to focus on a bit more in the coming years, in terms of how we attract new members and retain them once they have joined. How do we make sure that it’s interesting enough for them to stick around?  That’s something to take up and explore with the Committee and broader membership.

Interview conducted by Julie McDonald

Publicity Officer