To say Jackie Bradshaw is dedicated to helping others enjoy sport is an understatement: Jackie has volunteered on and off the court at Sydney’s Hunters Hill Tennis Club where she has been a member for over 45 years and now she devotes much of her time to using tennis to assist her nephew’s physical rehabilitation.

Jackie first joined Hunters Hill Tennis Club in 1964 as a player. Years later she became more involved in the operation of the club, serving as a member on the organisational committee for 18 years, 11 years of which were on the social committee and 7 years as club secretary.

During her time at Hunters Hill, Jackie volunteered for many tasks, including looking after old and new memberships, drafting the club’s monthly newsletter, helping out with social events and generally offering assistance wherever help was needed.

Jackie has dedicated much of her time to one club because, in her words, ‘we have a unique club; I have made and treasure many friendships from my involvement. I have seen the club go through various cycles and I felt I could contribute by putting  my energy into helping to make sure the club is run smoothly’.

Last year, after nearly half a century of involvement with Hunters Hill, Jackie resigned as club secretary to devote more time to assisting with and fundraising for her nephew James’s physical rehabilitation.  James has quadriplegia as the result of a freak and tragic accident in 2008, when he fainted and fell backwards from a stool breaking his neck.   He is undergoing an intense rehabilitation program. As James can achieve some movement with his right arm, Jackie makes tennis part of his routine at least once a week by strapping a racquet into his hand and heading to a friend’s tennis court.

‘As an able-bodied tennis player this certainly puts things in perspective,’ said Jackie. ‘James was an extremely active 29 year old who had his life changed in a split second; he is not only an inspiration to me and all the family but to anyone who crosses his path.’

Jackie’s remarkable dedication to helping people enjoy her sport is a testament to the strength of Australia’s volunteering culture, which is so crucial for the success of community sport.

Quick questions

Why did you start volunteering?

My parents did a huge amount of community voluntary work, so I was brought up in a household where this was normal.  My father helped start the first sailing club in Woolwich with some of his friends and my mother started the Brownies.  The first voluntary work I did was at age 13 helping my grandmother who opened a canteen in what is now called the Ryde Rehabilitation Centre. 

Why do you continue?

The rewards of giving outweigh those of taking and it is nice to work with likeminded givers. 

Most rewarding moment?

Without doubt, watching my nephew James take his first steps after his catastrophic accident.  He was told he would never walk again but his commitment, that of his family, professionals and volunteers in his circle of friends have enabled him to take these first steps and continue to improve.

What do you get out of it?

It is extremely rewarding when you see your hard work result in a really positive and successful outcome.   When you volunteer you become acquainted with people from different walks of life, who have similar goals and who you would probably not otherwise encounter.