Big family, big heart

When it comes to International Women’s Day, Kathy Crofts is one of the first to help her community celebrate its amazing local women.

Kathy, who has lived in Bullsbrook with her family for nearly 50 years, is a longstanding member of the Extended Families Group Bullsbrook, which has organised the local International Women’s Day Luncheon in Bullsbrook for more than three decades.

Volunteering and community service have always been a big of part of life for Kathy, from her 19 years as an ambulance officer to keeping Bullsbrook locals up to date as editor of the Babbling Brook Newspaper for 23 years.

The busy great-grandmother says staying at home to raise her family opened up opportunities to help her community in numerous ways, year after year.

She has notched up 37 years’ service with the Bullsbrook Conference of St Vincent de Paul Society, been a member of the Bullsbrook Community Association and the Parish Council since the 1970s, and over the years helped out with everything from Girl Guides and the Christian Caring Group, to the Pearce Swimming Club.

We asked Kathy to share some of her insights as a long-term community champion and Bullsbrook local.

1. What I love most about living in Bullsbrook is the people. They are very friendly and very helpful when help is needed in an emergency.

2. The role volunteers play in Bullsbrook is so important because all clubs, groups and associations are run by volunteers. Our local youth wouldn’t have all such a range of activities and sport events, for example, if it were not for our volunteers.

3. Bullsbrook’s best kept secret is its history. All the history our new museum group is accumulating is amazing. The Bullsbrook Agricultural Hall, now home to the Bullsbrook Museum, was built before the Midland Town Hall. The part Bullsbrook played during the World War II is also fascinating.

4. Things I do for fun include being an active member of Chequers Golf Club,  the Bullsbrook Branch of the RSL  the Bullsbrook Museum group and my church group. My husband and I have 18 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, all living within 20 minutes of our home. We’re always included in all their birthdays so we have plenty of outings and fun.

5. My advice to young women and girls would be … stay at home with babies and children. Love them as much as you can, but be firm and fair with discipline.