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What I do

26/3/2023

4 Comments

 
PictureJen Rutherford pictured at the Waterline Living Library event this month.
By Jen Rutherford

SOMEBODY asked me recently what I do in Corinella. (With that feel of “What could anyone possibly do in Corinella?!”)

 
Here’s my answer.

Learn swing dancing, teach a self-evolvement course, run a business consulting to the community housing sector, run a monthly community gathering called 
Waterline Living Library, volunteer for wombat mange management, propagate and plant mangroves, help community connect via the Corinella Residents and Ratepayers community building subcommittee, organise social events, lawn bowl, walk my dogs two or three times a day, swim, visit old people, ride my bike, bake sourdough bread, which I’m planning to teach, planning a clothes swap event, grow fruit and vegetables, help in the community garden, smile at strangers and make time for spontaneous chats with neighbours, tend to chickens, planning a women’s dancercise class for Corinella hall.

PictureJen (second from right) volunteering with the Coronet Bay
Community Garden group at a recent Cowes event
Not much really…
 
I moved from Heidelberg Heights in 2017 and came down to have a look at what had been touted in a recent newsaper article as one of the ten cheapest seaside towns in Victoria.  I booked in to a B&B for the night and the next morning drove up to the real estate agent in Grantville who drove me around Corinella and Coronet Bay to look at properties.  I ended up buying the first property I saw and moved in in August 2017. 
 
At first I wondered whether I would make friends and have enough to do but being a pretty outgoing person who loves meeting people I just started saying hello and chatting with people.  Pretty soon I found out about goings on.  I thought if it's not happening maybe I could help start something. So over the years I’ve had some influence in starting some groups in Coronet Bay, like a band I play drums in, the swing dance group I go to on Mondays and a few others such as the Corinella Weeders group.

And my daughter and I set up the Friends of Corinella foreshore Facebook page that now has nearly 400 members.

4 Comments
Hilary Stuchbery
27/3/2023 11:07:02 am

Good on you Jen! Recently I met an older friend and they say to my husband (who is 8 years my junior) "Are you still working?" and "Yes" is the answer. Then they turn to me and say 'what are you doing with yourself?' I don't know where to start - there's so much - so I just mumble "I'm keeping busy". I'm sure they think I don't do anything. As you say, if there's a gap just get on and create what's missing! You're a great example.

Reply
Jen
29/3/2023 06:22:56 am

Hi Hilary,
Thank you for your perspective. I agree It is hard to express but felt good to reflect and account for the focus of my attention which is really the most precious thing one possesses and has complete control over and choice to place it in helpful and happy places feels good.

Reply
Anne Heath Mennell
27/3/2023 03:04:34 pm

Hi Jen,
Great to hear that you have settled in so happily and are keeping productively busy. You put me to shame!

I'm interested in the clothes swap idea and wonder whether you could contact me, via the Editor.

Reply
Jen Rutherford
29/3/2023 06:24:35 am

Hi Anne

Great to hear your interest. Have been wanting to find a few people to get this going.

Reply



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