By BRIDGET SCOTT
A DEDICATED Doveton woman whose volunteer career spans more than 40 years was recognised for her devotion last Monday when one of the City of Casey’s highest honours was bestowed on her.
Veronica Hill is a stranger to few around the Doveton traps and has had her hand in more organisations than she can count.
Mrs Hill said she was “still in shock” days after she was announced as the Casey Citizen of the Year for 2015.
“I was sitting back enjoying the evening and thinking it was all very good,” she said.
“I never thought in my wildest dreams (I would win).”
Her hard work began when Mrs Hill became a founding member of the Doveton Little Athletics Club alongside her late husband Jim.
“When my children were young there wasn’t a great deal for them to do,” she said.
“We travelled elsewhere to let them do little athletics and decided there was a need for it in this area.
“Together with my husband we helped start one, but he was the driving force.”
As a result of her commitment she is a life member of the Dandenong Little Athletics Centre and has also been involved with local netball.
Mrs Hill said that it had been a “pleasure to work with children through various types of groups“.
“It’s a joy to be able to encourage young people to be the best they can be,” she said.
“I just love that sort of thing.”
She said while she has been involved with a “multitude” of different things there is one group that holds a spot close to her heart.
“My one main love would be the little athletics,” she said.
“I’ve been involved with it for more than 40 years.”
“It’s been a passion all my life.”
Mrs Hill said she enjoys anything to do with younger children.
“I love encouraging them to be involved,” she said.
In recent years her work on the Doveton Show committee has consumed her time.
“I get an enormous pleasure out of it,” she said.
Mrs Hill and Jim were also renowned for their impressive Christmas light display which were enjoyed by many and raised more than $10,000 for the Very Special Kids Charity.
