Lifelong volunteer Noreen Elliott was lost for words when Sunrise Helping Hand revealed her new backyard and front yard on Channel Seven’s Sunrise last month.
Sunrise reporter Katie Brown made sure Ms Elliott had not seen the renovations Carpentry Australia completed, but once she opened her eyes, she was stunned.
Ms Elliott said she was grateful for the renovation that would make a difference to her activities.
“I’m extremely happy, absolutely delighted they took the time to do what they did, and I’m very grateful to them all for what they’ve done for me,” she said.
“I can now just walk there around the corner and put the clothes on the line near – that’s the most amazing thing.
“I can see myself when I’m sort of settled down and manage to look at it … especially in the autumn and spring out there with a book and a nice cup of tea or apple, enjoying the sunshine because the sun comes diagonally across the house.”
Prior to renovations, Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvinton visited Ms Elliott to present the good news she would be the next helping hand recipient.
Sunrise’s Helping Hand partners with various trades to help deserving recipients like Ms Elliott who had spent 43 years helping St Vincent de Paul – an organisation she joined when she dropped off a donation and decided to attend a meeting in Canberra.
Over four decades, Ms Elliott has dedicated her time listening to people, with some of the best times helping people in numerous roles such as presidency, vice president, secretary, and regional president.
Towards the end of last year, Ms Elliott decided to hand in her resignation as president at Saint Peter’s conference after a long journey with the organisation.
“I always said I reckon I get more out of it than I’ve ever given to it, because it’s just knowing that you can put a smile on somebody else’s face – that you helped them out of a difficulty,” she said.
“I’m the sort of person who likes to get on with it … if a job has to be done, it’s got to be done, and I’ve enjoyed it, I’ve made some really good friends over the years from people who have joined the society.”
