Local, John Bennett, has this week received an Order of Australia medal (OAM) for his exceptional volunteer work and philanthropy throughout the Northern Rivers over the last 30 years.
Following his retirement from his successful market research company Bennett Research he moved to the Northern Rivers in 1989 at the age of 49.
‘I had put my efforts into my job, and after my early retirement, I wanted to give something back,’ he told The Echo. John has been a founder and contributor to many of the key projects that the region is known for, from the Uncle Project, Byron Youth Service, Byron Bay Writers Festival and The Buttery, to the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, Enova Energy, Sourdough Business Pathways and the NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) program.
‘This was my first introduction to community volunteering through Paul Jameson. I would give talks to NEIS applicants and then went on the selection panel.’
Paul says, ‘One of the key features of John is getting the right people involved in projects’.
John added, ‘The key thing is that different people bring different skills to any project. We need more volunteers, especially in their 50s and 60s to get projects going and keep current projects running. So many people have a professional and business skills they can transfer to these types or organisations.’
Vollie satisfaction
‘There is enormous satisfaction that comes from volunteering, a sense of wellbeing, achievement and progress’.
Now in his 80s, John has pulled back his volunteering, and is now only working on the Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF) bequest project with Paul.
‘We have been running the bequest and gift-giving fund morning teas for about five years. It provides information on the ways that people can leave a bequest to the community.
‘Money is like manure,’ says John. ‘It is made to spread around, if you pile it up it stinks.’
John has left a $1 million bequest as part of this program and encourages other people to look at what to can leave.
‘It is important to speak to your family and friends who might be impacted by a bequest. I spoke to my three kids and asked if they were happy for me to leave a bequest of $1 million to the foundation. They agreed that would be good.
‘As part of the NRCF bequest program we are being proactive about talking to people about the idea of leaving a bequest,’ said John.
‘We are looking for new friends who might be interested leaving a bequest both big and small. The morning teas are around two hours and Paul and I explain how you can determine where your money goes, for example to youth programs, the environment etc.’
To find out more, visit www.nrcf.org.au/giving/bequests.
‘John has been always ready with his time, his expertise, his wallet, and his love for the community. He really does “Deserve a Medal”,’ said John’s old friend Linda Dean as part of nominating him for the OAM.
Byron Bay Community Centre general manager, Louise O’Conell agreed stating, ‘For over 20 years John has played a role in fundraising for the the Byron Bay Community Centre. He was patron of Buy a Brick fundraising for the construction of the building in around 2006 and is active in volunteer programs and support. John’s attributes of selflessness and working for the greater good benefits Byron Shire in ways that will reach out in decades ahead.’
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