Community
14 May, 2026
Decades of dedication behind fundraiser
SEEING first-hand the care and support Cooinda offers to its participants has been a guiding motivation behind Jean Lemke’s fundraising efforts.
Ms Lemke was among the small team of volunteers behind a market stall held in Terang last Friday morning.
Tables lined High Street outside the Josie Black Community Health Centre, filled with a range of goods for sale in a bid to raise funds for Cooinda as the region’s local disability service provider.
Ms Lemke has been a driving force behind the street stall, which Cooinda’s Efforts Committee hosts twice a year, while her involvement with the provider spans more than four decades.
“I’ve been volunteering with Cooinda since 1982,” she said
“I’ve done practically everything, including being on the board.
“I have a nephew, John Lemke, who goes to Cooinda and he’s been there for about 52 years, maybe even longer.
“They were really good when John was very young, and Cooinda really helped him a lot.
“Mum used to help when she was alive, so we volunteered because we were grateful for everything they had done – it’s just continued on from there.”
Ms Lemke said the stalls proved popular, raising around $2000 each time as the community shows its support through the purchase of baked goods, preserves and knitted goods – all of which are made by volunteers throughout the year.
“We hold the stalls twice each year,” she said.
“We basically have a raffle, cakes, preserves and crafts – which we all make on and off.
“There’s only about four members who make everything.”