Colleen Rankin

# Colleen Rankin A community mover and shaker Born 1944-07-18 in Victoria ## Who I am 2026 I am the mother of three wonderful children and have been very involved in the early years of my five also wonderful grandchildren. Three of whom have great careers, one is at medical school and the youngest still at high school An only child of volunteering parents, I started as a volunteer at 9 years of age holding a street stall of items donated by neighbours for flood victims. I continue my life of volunteering to the present day at 82 years of age. ## Early life and family My father, Charles Granville, was an illigal immigrant from Ireland, arriving in Australia in about 1936. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940 and fought in New Guinea during the second world war. He stayed on in the Air Force for another 20 years and was granted Australian Citizenship late in that time. I was born in 1944 and started life with extended family in St Kilda, Victoria, until 4 years after my Dad returned. We then moved to Ballarat where he continued to serve. My mother was Joyce Granville who met my father in Melbourne, during his leave from New Guinea. Mum worked in a factory packing chocolates. In her later years she told me that after a week of being allowed to eat all she wanted she couldn't contemplate eating chocolate for many years. They married during the war and I was their only child. I met my husband, Frank Rankin, when I was 17 years old at an RAAF dance, he was a drummer and singer in the band and I loved to dance. We married in 1963. Now married for 62 years. ## Education and teachers I had some early unpleasant school years, few really happy ones. A State school in Ballarat for about four years which was quite enjoyable. Next a school at Point Cook RAAF Base for only a few months, because the teacher was dismissed for bullying behaviour and the school closed . I was terrified every day there. I then attended a State School in Werribee with a very good teacher but I was bullied by the boys. Next a Catholic School in Werribee, with huge overcrowding and tough nuns. From 13 to 16 years of age at a Catholic girls school in Wagga Wagga, where I remember only one nun behaved like a human being, rather than a automaton. I was however a good student, always in the top three in the class. I then undertook a secretarial course at Wagga Wagga technical college. ## Work and calling My working life started as a civilian secretary at the RAAF Base at Wagga Wagga, where my father was stationed. Next to a large advertising agency, George Pattersons, in Melbourne. Three young women and two young men - our salary was two thirds of theirs - simply because they were males. During my married life I worked part time at several jobs. Typing at home for a building company, having great difficulty following the audio tapes in what I called 'builders language'. A high profile cafe in Perth, where we had moved because of my husbands Air Force career. A local deli close to our home in Cloverdale for a few months. Then a lighting factory on a production line, where I was so slow I had partially completed lights on the floor, on chairs, all around me! Eventually I improved to the point where my position was at the end of the line checking compliance. My last employement (18 years) was as a photo journalist with our local paper, The Examiner. I loved rewarding a local champion in any sphere of endeavour with a story and looking for interesting photos for the front page. ## Achievements President of the largest Air Force Women's Association in Victoria, from about 1973 to 1977, raising money for widows and children of deceased Air Force personnel. Led the Byford Primary School P & C to a major upgrade of the school in the 1980s. Achieved the same as the Chair of Armadale High Board in the early 1990s. Played a major part in the development of the Serpentine Jarrahdale Aged Persons Village in the late 1980s and early 1990s, culminating in the Shire's first live-in aged care facilities. I proudly became the first female President of the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire in 1996. After retirement from Council I led an upgrade of roadworks in the Byford town centre, including giant sculptures by international artist Len Zuks through the town. As a member of Landcare SJ, and President of the Byford Progress Association, I sourced funding and was instrumental in the creation of a bushland reserve in what was the centre of town in the 1980s and into the 1990s. Recruiting a team, under Keep Australia Beautiful WA to pick up roadside litter from 1984 until the present day. ## Awards and recognition Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire Citizen of the Year 1981 Roadwise Human Spirit Award - Road Safety Council (undated, 1990s) Armadale Senior High School Community Education Award 1992 Serpentine Jarrahdale Aged Persons Village Certificate of Appreciation 1994 Byford Volunteer Fire Brigade Honorary Member 1995 Freeman of the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire 2001 Centenary of Federation Medal 2001 Order of Australia Medal 2001 Clem Kentish Community Service Award 2011 Department of Environment WA Outstanding Service Award 2012 Keep Australia Beautiful Award for Continual Achievement 2014 Armadale RSL for commitment to 2015 Anzac commemoration Serpentine Jarrahdale Senior Citizen of the Year 2020 Landcare SJ Certificate of Appreciation 2020 Clubs WA Volunteer of the Year 2024 ## Service to community Within the Air Force Women's Association, apart from raising funds, I personally saw that local women in need were assisted. In building the first units for the Aged Person's Village I recruited local farmers to volunteer their time and delivered donated sand for the ground works. Other volunteers created drainage installations. Enjoyed the cut and thrust of political manoeuvering, to gain State Goverment support for school upgrades and also Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire projects. I was an unpaid Shire Councillor for 13 years. Enjoyed weeding and planting Shire reserves over a 15 year period. Particularly developing urban water drainage basins, creek restoration and bridges in a local park, funded by grants. In 2015 purchased and distributed wool and patterns to knitters throughout the Shire create poppies for sale for returned servicemen. I also love volunteering at Cohunu Koala Park. All the animals are fabulous, but I love the wallabies the best. Now I feed the kangaroos or a friendly wallaby, see a joey peeping out with curiosity. Some so very tiny, others fill mum's pouch, it is a great experience, of that there is no doubt. ## People and passions Met my oldest friend when we were 9 years old. Her family moved in next door one week after my birthday party. On that day I informed Diane she would have been invited if she had moved in a week earlier! We now host three or four parties a year with about 20 great friends in attendance. I have always loved dogs, beagles, daschunds and currently a Tenterfield Terrier. Best place to be is our back garden - half an acre of trees, shrubs, flowers and many sculptures. My husband and I usually have a building project on the go - paths, brick edged garden beds, boardwalks, bridges over the creek, gazebos, fancy handrails and seats. Dancing has always been a passion and I Line Dance and Zumba. Rock-n-roll, country and jazz, I dance along with pizazz! I learn the steps, get them right? Doesn't matter if not quite. The local natural environment is very important to me - Darling Scarp, a living treasure, it rises high, our crowning glory, Hills and valleys adorned by nature, its rare beauty tells its story. I also write poetry for our local Australia Day and Anzac Day services and my own pleasure. ## What I have learned Get involved!!!! Fight for what you believe in. There is nothing more satisfying than moving a mountain! LIVE LIFE FOR EACH MOMENT Live life for each moment, stop and take it all in. Treasure those deep thoughts, don't let your head spin. Now don't give a thought, to what may happen next, Just live in the moment, and give it your best. Don't think of tomorrow, don't rush through today, Hold onto each moment, don't push it away. Laugh till you're in stitches, cry when your life's sad, You must live that moment, no matter how bad. Think of your family, turn over your mind, To the great moments, you can surely find. Think of a loved one, who's no longer with you, Life's full of moments you need to review. Your growth's for the taking, your mind to expand, Grasp now this moment, bleak thoughts to withstand. So thinkof each moment, as taking a chance, To live your life boldly, each day to enhance.