Published on Friday, 16 May 2025 at 3:58:28 PM
It is a warm autumn day and former Councillor and local volunteer Jono Farmer is in the garden at the Glyde-In Community Learning Centre.
He is in a setting he is familiar and comfortable with, having played an influential role in the development of the center for the past 22 years.
Mr Farmer is a charismatic man, and it is easy to see how many residents and visitors to the Town, and in Fremantle, have become friends and acquaintances through his various volunteering roles.
“Centre maintenance and gardening here keep me busy,” he said.
Mr Farmer has been volunteering at Glyde-In since 2003 and has been an active committee member since 2004.
He was tasked with the planning and project management of the building of the garden room which has provided an added venue for talks and other activities.
The new building replaced an unsafe garage. His experience from his former volunteer role as a Councillor at the Town of East Fremantle for eight years (from 1979), helped the Glyde-In Chairman obtain Council approval for the new building.
The project was delivered on time and on budget.
“I enjoyed huge satisfaction from working with an excellent architect and first-class builder; not to mention negotiating a grant from the Town of East Fremantle, who matched Glyde-In’s contribution,” he said.
“A generous grant from Lotterywest provided the balance of the funds needed, culminating in an excellent addition to Glyde-In and further capitalisation of The Town’s property.”
Another project which Mr Farmer initiated and built, with other volunteers, was a deck at the rear of the cottage. The deck has revolutionised both areas for volunteers and guests to use.
Having fun, meeting new people and “feeling a buzz” are just some of the reasons Mr Farmer loves to volunteer.
“I love getting involved with people, feeling satisfaction that I am doing something worthwhile,” he said.
It’s a generous role that has filled his weeks. From feeding the homeless at the Fremantle Street Kitchen three times a month, to being a Rottnest Volunteer Guide several times a month.
More recently, Mr Farmer has taken up the volunteer role of playing the harmonica and singing with his partner, Paddy, once a month at Neighbourhood Link’s Wednesday morning teas.
“I have met so many different groups of people and have a wide range of acquaintances now,” he said.
National Volunteer Week runs from Monday 19 to Sunday 25 May.
For those looking to volunteer, Mr Farmer’s advice is to give it a go.
“It can be lots of fun. The good thing is if it’s not fun, you can change and volunteer elsewhere,” he said.
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