Checking in with older members of our community is important in these times of isolation.
They may be feeling vulnerable and lonely. This is not so for George and Joyce Radford.
The busy couple, who have been members of the Lions and Lioness Clubs of Lakes Entrance for many years, haven’t been too fazed by the coronavirus and its restrictions.
“We generally only do one big shop every three weeks anyway, so that hasn’t changed,” Joyce said.
“It has been a bit annoying that some things have sold out when we get there, but we are coping.
“I am definitely not a morning person so don’t get to do the shop when only the older customers can go.
“We get our paper delivered instead of going out to buy it as well.”
One of their sons was moving house and getting rid of his fernery, so George and Joyce decided to put it in their yard.
“That has kept us very busy over past weeks, we have got it erected and all set up,” Joyce said.
“We had to dig a nectarine tree out to make room. The suggestion was made to get a big bin and have a real clean up but I don’t think we will do that yet.”
The Radford family moved to Lakes Entrance in 1977 and ran a service station situated at the corner of the Esplanade and Laura Street until 1984.
They have four children, three sons who live in Bairnsdale and one daughter in Melbourne, and 10 grandchildren.
“Two of our sons are in food manufacturing, so they have been working and going home, so we haven’t seen them for some time,” George said.
“Our daughter and her family were going to come down for Easter, but of course that couldn’t happen.”
When they moved here in 1977 George transferred from his Lions Club in Melbourne. It was the year a Lions Club was formed in Lakes Entrance.
Both George and Joyce have served as governors and George will be president of Lakes Entrance for the coming year.
“I am looking forward to getting some new, younger members involved,” he said.
One thing Joyce does miss is Monday night Bingo, not just the organising, but the social side.
“It is run by the Lions Club and provides such a service for elderly people to get out and socialise,” she said.
Another activity they will be missing is the ANZAC Day breakfast.
George feels Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has done a good job in this crisis.
“He certainly gets the brunt of it, but I feel he has had to do what he has done,” George said.
“I am absolutely sure there would be 75 per cent more cases if he hadn’t been so tough. He is a lifesaver.
“We are the envy of many countries with our low rate of infection.”
Asked if he agreed with no fishing, George hoped it would start up again soon but hasn’t had time to go fishing for years.
“My rods have cobwebs on them,” he said.
Most businesses know the Radfords as the lifesaver administrators. For many years they have resupplied the Lions Club fundraising lifesavers that are very popular with customers and owners alike. Both Joyce and George agree these are trying times, but they have kept busy and positive throughout.
IMAGE: George and Joyce Radford are taking coronavirus restrictions in their stride. (PS)
