Our Aging Community with Kirsti Kee

THE LIVEWELL Hervey Bay podcast recently sat down with Kirsti Kee, a volunteering retiree of the Fraser Coast. 

The focus of this podcast was to explore the latter part of working life and transitioning into retirement but continuing to remain connected in the community. 

Kirsti concluded her teaching career and entered retirement approximately 12 years ago. Since then, she has made a significant transition into community service, dedicating her time and skills to various volunteering opportunities.

Her commitment to helping others has allowed Kirsti to remain actively engaged in the community, bringing valuable experience from her years as an educator to her new role as a volunteer.

“I wanted to give back to the community and link up with key groups that align with my interests of education and social interaction,” said Kirsti.

“Therefore, I moved straight from the working world into the world of volunteer.”

“Currently I am actively involved with the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, Rotary Hervey Bay Sunrise and the Chairperson at Fraser Coast Anglican College.”

“The important thing to understand is what you want to give back to. Sometimes volunteering within the community in the field you know makes it feel comfortable and safe.”

“But on the other hand I think retirement can give you the opportunity to find something different and the time to try something new.”

“We need to put strategies in place to make sure we don’t fall into the trap of isolation.”

“There is a misconception that when we retire, we are going to have a life where we walk on the beach, play with the dog, read a book etc.”

“Truth is, you can only do so much of that.”

“We need human contact and interaction with other people.”

“Find things you like doing. If you’re a couple do things together but you also need to find things you enjoy doing outside of that.”

“So when you both come together throughout the day or at mealtimes you have new things to talk about and share.”

“If you are interested in volunteering, both Rotary and Service Clubs are great places to start.”

“For example, Rotary Sunrise worked closely with Fraser Coast Hospice while it was being built and assisted with the landscaping works.”

“There is such a wide range and a variety of options available.”

While volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and keep our minds active during retirement, we also need to remember to look after ourselves and exercise.

“I’ve been strolling along the beach for as long as I can remember, and about 20 years ago, I developed a passion for cycling. To this day, I still indulge in both activities.”

“A group of old school friends and I completed a 296-mile walk, which is approximately 476 kilometres in England a couple of years ago. We continue to meet and do big walks every couple of years.”

“It’s imperative, you always need something to look forward to and to work towards.”

“You can easily settle into your own comfort zone, but it’s important to get out and about.”

“Drawing in on my own personal experience, my husband passed away around five years ago and I wanted to completely and utterly retreat, but you realise that human contact and interaction is so important.”

“You have to put yourself out there, reach out to local groups. You will be amazed at what you find.”

“If I had to give my younger self a piece of advice, it would be to trust the process.”

“Don’t take yourself too seriously and spot sweating the small stuff.”

“When we learn to let go of the need for perfection and the pressure to constantly prove ourselves, we can focus more on what truly matters and make a positive impact on our communities and ourselves.”

“It’s about embracing humility, imperfection and finding joy in the journey rather than getting caught up in the destination.