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Why Mr Bean is being blamed for decreasing electric vehicle sales

<p>Rowan Atkinson has been blamed for a decrease in electric car sales, with a "damaging" article being debunked in the House of Lords. </p> <p>The actor and comedian, who is also a well-known car enthusiast, wrote an article for <em>The Guardian</em>, claiming he felt "duped" by electric vehicles, saying they aren't as eco-friendly as they are often portrayed. </p> <p>Atkinson says the problem with the vehicles' sustainable marketing focuses on just one part of the car’s operating life: what comes out of the exhaust pipes and ignores other elements such as the manufacturing and the mining of rare earth minerals, shipping and building of the batteries.</p> <p>These claims, and the article itself, have been addressed by the UK's House of Lords, with politicians blaming the story for a decrease in electric vehicle sales. </p> <p>UK think tank the Green Alliance says, “One of the most damaging articles was a comment piece written by Rowan Atkinson in The Guardian which has been roundly debunked.”</p> <p>Other deterrents identified by the committee were the high purchase price and insufficient charging infrastructure.</p> <p>Social media users were quick to take Atkinson's side in the debate, with one person writing on X, “If Rowan Atkinson is responsible, then give him a knighthood.”</p> <p>Another user says, “Rowan Atkinson with a degree and masters in Engineering. Knows more than those pushing electric cars.”</p> <p>"Apparently it's Mr Bean's fault for the poor take up of electric cars. Cancel him," another said.</p> <p>For the last 12 months, high power costs in the UK have meant that fast charging your electric car can be more expensive than refuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle.</p> <p>The UK is planning to ban sales of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2035, despite the slip in sales. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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"Final act of cowardice" by Hannah Clarke’s ex-husband

<p dir="ltr"><em>Content warning: This article contains distressing content and descriptions of domestic violence.</em></p> <p dir="ltr">A coroner has recommended widespread changes to domestic violence training and support in Australia while delivering her findings on the deaths of Hannah Clarke and her children at the hands of her ex-husband.</p> <p dir="ltr">Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley became emotional while delivering her findings, detailing the final moments of the young family during Rowan Baxter’s “final act of cowardice”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Clarke and her children, six-year-old Aaliyah, four-year-old Laianah, and three-year-old Trey, died after Baxter, her ex-husband, ambushed the family on their way to school in February, 2020.</p> <p dir="ltr">After dousing their car in petrol, neighbours watched on in horror as he set the vehicle alight.</p> <p dir="ltr">In Bentley’s findings, published on Wednesday, it was revealed that Clarke died from multi-organ failure as a result of the fire.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bentley said the three children died at 8.25am on February 19 from the effects of the fire, while Baxter died from a self-inflicted stab wound.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The children died almost immediately from the inhalation of fumes and burns," Bentley said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Hannah had received full-thickness, non-survivable burns."</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite suffering severe injuries, Bentley said Clarke showed “astounding bravery” and was able to describe what Baxter had done to nearby witnesses.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her findings come three months after the long-awaited coronial inquest into the deaths began.</p> <p dir="ltr">During the inquest, the court was told of how Baxter displayed controlling and abusive behaviour towards Clarke, including controlled what she wore and who she could see, demanding sex every night, and berating her body image.</p> <p dir="ltr">The court was told that Baxter abducted Laianah on Boxing Day 2019, taking her to northern NSW before returning her several days later.</p> <p dir="ltr">In another incident, Baxter assaulted Clarke after she confronted him about why he had explicit photos of her in his car - which was evidence he hoped to use in court.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bentley said she found it unlikely that police, service providers or family could have stopped Baxter from carrying out his “murderous” plans, describing him as a “master of manipulation”.</p> <p dir="ltr">"After Hannah left him and he realised he could no longer control her, he began to rally support from friends he had not seen for years and professionals he considered could advance his cause,” Bentley said.</p> <p dir="ltr">She described him killing himself as a “final act of cowardice” since he was unable to live with the public denunciation and punishment he would be subject to.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The truth is Hannah, who knew him best, was initially in favour of him having contact with the children … but she perceived he was becoming more dangerous," Bentley said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Her fears were genuine and realistic and ultimately confirmed in the worst way."</p> <p dir="ltr">The coroner said there were missed opportunities to keep Baxter accountable, including their response to his breaching of the domestic violence order.</p> <p dir="ltr">The court heard that training of police officers, particularly frontline officers, around domestic violence was insufficient, and that there was a “significant lack of counselling programmes and support” for perpetrators in Queensland.</p> <p dir="ltr">"However, in this case, I am satisfied that even had it been available, Baxter was not interested in engaging in such programmes unless it furthered his cause … [of] Hannah agreeing to his wishes," she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bentley made four recommendations, including that the Queensland government fund the police to provide "five-day face-to-face domestic violence training programme for all specialist domestic violence police officers", and mandatory face-to-face training for all police officers.</p> <p dir="ltr">"My final recommendation is that the Queensland government provide funding for men's behaviour change programmes both in prisons and in the community as a matter of urgency," Bentley said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I offer my most sincere condolences to Mr and Mrs Clarke, other family members and friends and family of their children."</p> <p dir="ltr">Outside court, Hannah’s parents Sue and Lloyd Clarke said they were pleased with the findings.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We expected most of the results," Clarke told reporters.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We need to see everything that's been recommended implemented in every state."</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong><em>If you are in need of support or are a victim of domestic violence, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the national family violence counselling service on 1800 737 732.</em></strong></p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-d0e10153-7fff-5753-895b-89513ece704c"></span></em></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Nine News</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Video shows Rowan Baxter purchasing killing tools

<p dir="ltr">A video showing Rowan Baxter purchasing the tools he would use to kill Hannah Clarke and their three children has played in court.</p> <p dir="ltr">CCTV showed Baxter at a local Brisbane Bunnings store buying zip ties, cleaning fluid and fuel at about 6 pm on February 17, 2020, just two days before the horrific murder.</p> <p dir="ltr">Wearing a black singlet and shorts, Baxter also appeared to wander around before paying for the items.</p> <p dir="ltr">Later that afternoon, Baxter called a men’s support helpline where he said he was the victim.</p> <p dir="ltr">"My wife, to be honest, it's almost like a game to put her in a better position for family court," he was heard saying, <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/inquest-into-hannah-clarkes-death-tracks-killers-movements-in-days-before-murder-brisbane-queensland/d882dce1-d321-4cd6-9791-0f37d4892e91" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nine News</a> reported.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I'm not the one who has the problem. I'm just doing what I'm told.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I never even thought my wife was capable of doing anything like this."</p> <p dir="ltr">On 19 February, 2020, before Baxter set alight to the family car with Ms Clarke and their three children - Aaliyah, Laianah, and Trey - he was seen at a Caltex petrol station purchasing 4.6L of fuel and three Kinder Surprises.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Clarke was taking her three children to school when Baxter doused them with fuel.</p> <p dir="ltr">The three children died at the scene while Ms Clarke was taken to hospital. Baxter later stabbed himself with a knife and died.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Clarke suffered burns to 97 per cent of her body and, despite her injuries, was able to give police three statements about what happened.</p> <p dir="ltr">The inquest continues.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: CCTV footage</em></p>

Legal

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How Mr Bean came to be

<p dir="ltr">We all grew up watching Rowan Atkinson in the much loved <em>Mr Bean</em> television series, animation and movies.</p> <p dir="ltr">But how did it all come to be? </p> <p dir="ltr">Atkinson, who actually has a degree in electrical engineering from Oxford University, came up with the show’s idea while studying.</p> <p dir="ltr">It was his love for acting and performing with the university’s comedy group known as “The Oxford Revue” which helped bring his character to life.</p> <p dir="ltr">The British actor had a stutter which would disappear while portraying a character but he was well received by his peers and eventually by large audiences.</p> <p dir="ltr">Atkinson described the show as “a child in a man’s body” and went on to create his dream which debuted on New Year’s Day in 1990 on ITV to a worldwide audience.</p> <p dir="ltr">Not many actors can boast that. </p> <p dir="ltr">Atkinson worked with fellow actor Richard Curtis, who saw a successful five-year run of <em>Mr Bean</em> which in turn saw the production of several movies.</p> <p dir="ltr">Then in 2002, an animated series of <em>Mr Bean</em> was also created, which saw it enjoyed by millions more around the globe. </p> <p dir="ltr">So how much did this make for Atkinson? </p> <p dir="ltr">Are you ready? An eye-watering $150 million. </p> <p dir="ltr">Not bad when you consider that the iconic character barely even utters a word! </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Movies

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Friend reveals killer dad Rowan Baxter plotted to kill other family members

<p>The man who killed his estranged wife and their three children in a car fire planned on murdering other people, his wife’s friend said.</p> <p>Rowan Baxter ambushed Hannah Clarke and their children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4 and Trey, 3, on their school run before dousing the four in petrol and setting them alight in a car in Brisbane’s suburb of Camp Hill last week.</p> <p>Baxter later died from self-inflicted wounds.</p> <p>Speaking to <em><a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/rowan-baxter-hannah-clarkes-killer-had-planned-to-murder-expartner-and-son/news-story/da79c7251c769c172289187793bcd76d">The Australian</a></em>, Clarke’s friend Nikki Brooks said Baxter had told Clarke how he had planned to kill his ex-partner and their son Isaiah years earlier.</p> <p>“Hannah had told me that he had a rope and something in his car,” Brooks said.</p> <p>“He’d driven to do it. He’d prepared what he needed to kill Isaiah and [Isaiah’s mother] and then didn’t do it. Isaiah would have been maybe seven or eight. It was the first time she was going to leave him as well.”</p> <p>Brooks said Baxter told Clarke he had almost killed another person in a separate incident, resulting in a conviction for grievous bodily harm.</p> <p>“Hannah just knew there was a road rage incident – he lost his mind and nearly beat someone to death,” she said.</p> <p>“He would make it out to be someone else’s fault, of course – someone did something and he acted the way he did because he had a baby in the car.”</p> <p>Brooks gave a statement to Queensland police a week before Clarke’s death.</p> <p>“I was giving an affidavit to the police to support Hannah’s claim that he’d breached a Domestic Violence Order,” she told <em><a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/camp-hill-car-fire-hannah-clarkes-best-friend-predicts-tragedy/9f5a1aaf-578a-46d4-8122-f1c1c122fef7">A Current Affair</a></em>.</p> <p>Brooks said when Clarke “knew she’d made the right decision” when she left Baxter late last year.</p> <p>“The day she came back she stayed with me and we felt safe. He didn’t know where I lived,” Brooks said.</p> <p>“It was the happiest afternoon and night of our lives … She just looked relieved and she just seemed really happy. She knew she’d made the right decision.”</p> <p>The Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust is now assisting Clarke’s family to set up a charity named ‘Small Steps 4 Hannah’, which aims to raise awareness of domestic violence and help save lives.</p>

Legal

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"I could be next": Abused women fearful of Rowan Baxter copycats

<p>Hannah Clarke’s brother has opened up about the horror he had faced after hearing the traumatic way his sister and her children were murdered, while a women’s legal service reveals there has been an increase in calls from women saying their partners have threatened to kill them the same way.</p> <p>Ms Clarke and her three children were brutally killed in Brisbane last week after her estranged husband, Rowan Baxter, doused them in petrol and set them alight.</p> <p>Speaking to<span> </span><em>7.30</em>, her brother, Nathaniel Clarke, said the things that “cut me the deepest” is that Baxter made them suffer.</p> <p>“It wasn’t quick. It was planned and executed,” said Mr Clarke.</p> <p>“He had a plan that night when he called the kids and he was a blubbering mess. He knew what he was doing then. He had it all planned out, he knew what he was doing the following morning.</p> <p>“He couldn’t even do it quick. That’s the worst thing. He made them suffer, and her.”</p> <p>Angela Lynch, CEO of Women’s Legal Service Queensland, said the service had been inundated with calls since the incident.</p> <p>“We’ve had clients and women saying that their perpetrators and their partner is saying they’re going to do what he did to them. They are fearful and something inside them has said, ‘I could be next’,” said Ms Lynch.</p> <p>Mr Clarke said the day his sister was killed was “the worst day of my life”.</p> <p>“I was out in the paddock working, and the bloke I work with called me in and said, ‘Look, you’ve got to take this, it’s personal,” said Mr Clarke.</p> <p>“I took it and my wife couldn’t get the words out. I got: ‘You need to come home’, and then silence. And my heart broke. I didn’t know if it was my kids, I didn’t know what was going on.</p> <p>“And then the next thing she said is: ‘He killed them all’.”</p> <p>Mr Clarke then called his father who had told him that his sister was in intensive care.</p> <p>“I didn’t know the magnitude of what had happened,” said Mr Clarke.</p> <p>“It had been explained on the phone what sort of had happened, but I didn’t know the whole nation had already stopped.”</p> <p>Mr Clarke said looking back, there weren’t many signs over the years that Baxter was a toxic individual.</p> <p>“He seemed at the start like a good bloke,” said Mr Clarke.</p> <p>“There were a few things but you didn’t see, obviously, what we’ve seen now. You couldn’t have seen that from the start.”</p> <p>He said one of the “small things” was that he and his sister suddenly started having less contact.</p> <p>“You think something’s wrong but you can’t put your finger on it,” said Mr Clarke.</p> <p>“You just sort of think, ‘Oh, it’s just family problems between you and your sister’ … but to look back, in a big picture over a timeline, you can now see triggers, I suppose, of, ‘OK, this makes a lot more sense now on what he was trying to do’.”</p> <p>Mr Clarke said his brother-in-law’s controlling nature was more obvious in the last two or three years.</p> <p>"He was the type of person that had to win everything, had to be the best at everything, really didn't like when he wasn't," he said.</p> <p>"He had to control every moment he was in.</p> <p>"To be one of those people, it does make you selfish, and that was it. It was all about him."</p> <p>Mr Clarke said he never imagined that Baxter was capable of carrying out such a brutal attack.</p> <p>"Hannah had her suspicions that he might try to do something to her, but we all thought, 'No, he couldn't'.</p> <p>"It was just a vicious attack to make her suffer as long as he could. And that was it. It was just — I still can't get over it."</p>

News

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Rowan Baxter’s family speaks after vicious murders: “Everyone else, they’re shocked – I’m not”

<p>The cousin of family killer Rowan Baxter has spoken out about her family, saying he was an “angry child” while growing up together.</p> <p>Alana Hampson told <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/crime/there-was-a-lot-of-violence-rowan-baxters-relatives-speak-out-about-killer-dads-upbringing/news-story/f54961c4792b002951ab055b067135a1" target="_blank"><em>news.com.au</em></a> that while she was estranged from her older cousin Rowan, she lived with him and his brother Charles as a teenager while going through foster care.</p> <p>“He was an angry kid,” the 38-year-old admitted.</p> <p>“There was a bit of cruelty there sometimes, little hints throughout his life. He would yell at you to get out of his room or swear at you. Rowan was like that real abrupt kid. Just one of those rough tumbling boys with attitude.”</p> <p>42-year-old NRL Player Rowan Baxter burned his estranged wife Hannah Clarke and their three children to death last week in their family SUV before stabbing himself and dying.</p> <p>In a 2004 newspaper interview, Rowan told reporters he had quit rugby union to join the Mt Albert Lions rugby league club after being repeatedly overlooked for selection by the Bay of Plenty Steamers.</p> <p>“Word got back to me they (Bay of Plenty) thought I had anger problems,” Baxter told The Daily Post.</p> <p>The 42-year-old was reportedly involved in two vicious brawls while playing club rugby for Te Puke in 2002 and 2003.</p> <p>“That’s the way I play, I don’t regret it, that’s who I am,” Baxter said.</p> <p>Ms Hampson’s mother, Dorothy Ann Baxter, is the sister of Rowan’s father, Charlie — one of nine brothers and sisters in the clan from New Zealand’s Tauranga region.</p> <p>“I haven’t been around my family most of my life — I hate my family,” Ms Hampson told</p> <p><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/crime/there-was-a-lot-of-violence-rowan-baxters-relatives-speak-out-about-killer-dads-upbringing/news-story/f54961c4792b002951ab055b067135a1" target="_blank">news.com.au.</a></p> <p>“(He was) f***ed in the head. There was a lot of violence. The Baxters had a hard life. (One of my other cousins), his younger baby died. The baby coffin was put in the car and he did doughnuts.”</p> <p>Ms Hampson said that while she herself hasn’t had “clean life”, her cousin’s acts are unforgiveable.</p> <p>“I haven’t had a clean life myself but for someone to do that … I can’t believe anyone would do that. Someone told me you’ve got to forgive — you can’t forgive that,” she said.</p> <p>While she last saw Rowan “a long time ago”, she says the horrific murders have left the family shell-shocked. “It’s affected all my aunties, they’re speechless,” she said.</p> <p>Heart-stricken Dorothy Ann Baxter described Rowan as “a good boy” who “lost the plot”. Ms Baxter confirmed she hadn’t seen Rowan since he moved to Australia.</p> <p>“He was always a good boy. I can’t understand,” she said.</p> <p>“He’s lost the plot. I don’t know. He couldn’t handle it then one day he just lost it. It’s not good. But I know he wouldn’t do it out of his own mind so he had to be … lost it, just lost the plot. Some of us do. I’m not saying Rowan was good for what he did but people do lose the plot.”</p> <p>Ms Baxter spoke of funeral arrangements for Rowan, saying: “Of course there’s going to be a funeral</p> <p>“They’ve got to get him back here first, the cops have still got him haven’t they?”</p> <p>She added, “We’re going to say goodbye to him. He’s going to be put with his mother. I’m just glad my mum wasn’t here because it would have killed her.”</p> <p>But Ms Hampson says she is “definitely not going to the funeral”. </p> <p>“I can’t bring myself to see that,” she said.</p> <p>“It’s a bit hard to swallow. He can rot in hell for what he did to those kids.”</p>

News

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This fan theory will change the way you look at Mr Bean

<p>It’s been 25 years since Mr Bean first appeared on our screens, but a new fan theory might just change the way you look at Rowan Atkinson’s popular character.</p> <p>A fan theory on the popular internet forum Reddit claims Mr Bean is actually a character from outer space, and they point to the opening sequence as proof.</p> <p>Reddit user iKomrade said, “At the beginning of an episode, you see a bright light appear on the ground and then it grows bigger and bigger until it stops and Mr Bean falls, which in my opinion, is a comical take on an alien being beamed down from a spaceship.”</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5LCAvh1nvvs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>Other users argued and expanded on the theory, with one forum users believing he was a human who was once abducted by aliens before being he returned to earth.</p> <p>Redditor chris2webby wrote, “He used to be normal, which is how he has his own apartment, has a girlfriend, and somehow has some spending money.</p> <p>“But then he was abducted by aliens, tested on, and then dumped back onto Earth (which explains the opening to every episode where he falls from a light in the sky). Since he was tested on, it messed with his mind and now he is socially awkward.”</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2_cDB2pR6eY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>Atkinson gave legs to this theory in an 1993 interview where he gave a brief rundown of a synopsis of a Mr Bean episode that never actually got made.</p> <p>Atkinson reportedly said, “He sees this spaceship landing in a field and he stops the car. He looks up and suddenly the door (lowers) and this bright light comes out of the spaceship and a Mr Bean walks out of the spaceship... and then another Mr Bean and they all shake hands and then 25 more Mr Beans all come out of the spaceship and pat him on the back and say ‘very nice to see you’.”</p> <p>So, what’s your take? Do you think there’s more to Mr Bean than meets the eyes? Or do some people just have too much time on their hands? Let us know! </p>

TV

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British Airways unleash hilarious new safety video

<p>It is no secret that airlines compete fiercely with each other to have the most entertaining safety videos. British Airways might have created the funniest video yet with their new one that features a star-studded cast.</p> <p>Celebrities including Rowan Atkinson, Sir Ian McKellen, Gordon Ramsay and Thandie Newton teamed up with charity Comic Relief, all pretending to audition for a role as they demonstrate the safety procedures.</p> <p>The video begins with <em>12 Years a Slave</em> Oscar-nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor who admitted he had never made a safety video before.</p> <p>British comedian Asim Chaudry stars as the video’s director and says, “Well this could be your big break, OK mate? So don’t mess it up.”</p> <p>Chiwetel perfectly executes the audition but Asim writes him off as being “a bit of a show off” as he didn’t need the autocue.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YCoQwZ9BQ9Q?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>Gordon Ramsay enters next reading a script with words like “darling” while placing a petite handbag under a seat.</p> <p>When Ramsay realises his part was written for someone else, he outbursts in his signature style.</p> <p>When Thandie Newton appears, she explains to viewers how to find the exits and the director is mesmerised over her performance.</p> <p>“No seriously, that bit about the nearest exits? Really powerful,” he says.</p> <p>Sir Ian McKellen makes a cameo alongside Warwick Davis, who played Professor Flitwick in the Harry Potter movies. The pair demonstrate the safety masks.</p> <p>Jim Broadbent, who played Bridget Jones’ dad, demonstrates putting away tray tables before landing.</p> <p>“Genius! Look, I’ve got goosebumps,” Asim says.</p> <p>“I suppose it did have a certain je ne sais quoi, thank you,” Jim replies.</p> <p>Gillian Anderson from <em>X-Files </em>closes with the brace position, and – without uttering a word – Rowan Atkinson adds his magic touch.</p> <p>The safety video will raise money for Flying Start, a charity dedicated to raising money for children in need around the globe.</p>

Travel Tips

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How to choose the right volunteer project for you

<p><em><strong>Rowan Rafferty and Jan Wild are a couple of baby boomers who describe themselves as rewired rather than retired; determined to grab this time of life with both hands. They blog at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.retirement-planning.info/" target="_blank">Retiring Not Shy</a></span> to inspire and encourage you to live your best possible retirement.</strong></em></p> <p>One of the things regularly recommended for retirees is to take up a voluntary role. Indeed, volunteering can be a great way to keep connected and maintain our self-worth.</p> <p>Many of us will have done volunteer work throughout our lives through involvement in long standing service groups, e.g. Lions, bodies associated with our children’s school or just once a year on Cleanup Australia Day; the opportunities are many and diverse.</p> <p>In the process of rewiring (retirement, semi-retirement… as you choose) getting involved more fully in volunteering can be worthwhile. This may be part of your “giving back’” to our communities, supporting a cause, furthering an interest, a hobby or learning, expanding social connections. There may be a myriad of other motivations now you have a little more time on your hands.</p> <p>At this point I must say, whilst still working (very part time) I’ve never been so busy in my life!</p> <p>Volunteering may fulfill many different objectives for you, but at the end of the day will hopefully be an enjoyable and productive use of your time.</p> <p>I guess there is a continuum between social drivers and committed objectives i.e. doing something predominantly to mix with others and have some fun, or with specific outcomes to be achieved. Nothing wrong with a little frivolity and laughter while picking up litter on a beach or a bushland reserve, being a member of a volunteer fire brigade or feeding the homeless. Whatever your focus, the objective is to serve a broader purpose for the greater good.</p> <p>There is, however, a distinct difference between a social group (the objective being entertainment or having fun) and a volunteer group with formal structures, rules etc. (it may possibly be an incorporated body). You need to understand the difference and decide what type of organisation suits you best. Be aware too of the risks you may sign up for as a committee member or director.</p> <p>Personally I have two conditions for volunteering: one is that although I’m doing it for free, I’d like my time to be valued and not squandered on “make work” projects, the second is that I don’t believe in volunteering for profit making corporations. I’m not talking about community fundraising, that is a valuable activity, but I see a fine line between exploitation and volunteering. However, I digress.</p> <p>There are other considerations here, particularly if you are completely new to a group and more particularly if you have moved to a different community and have decided to take the plunge into volunteering as a “newbie”.</p> <p>I was recently asked by friends about integrating into a new community through joining volunteer organisations.</p> <p>My experience suggests that most groups welcome new members with open arms as you represent another pair of hands to spread the load. But be aware that two ears, two eyes and one mouth will be the correct proportion! Give it time, know your facts. Watch and listen, as this is your opportunity to see how things work and decide if it suits you.</p> <p>Sit back and observe for some time until you are genuinely asked for your opinion. That, “So what do you think?” question is best answered very diplomatically if you are uncomfortable with the status quo; the question may actually be asking you to endorse what is already happening, no other opinion required!</p> <p>Tempting though it may be to jump in with helpful suggestions, it is inevitably better to establish the internal politics of the group before dipping a toe into their water. On the other hand, you may simply resolve to keep quiet, go with the flow and just enjoy the ride; or you may decide to take your skills and talents elsewhere.</p> <p>Remember the “fun” bit of being a volunteer?</p> <p>I have had some hard lessons but I have also had very rewarding times, learnt a lot and feel I’ve made – and hope to continue to make – a valuable contribution, of which I’m proud.</p> <p>What have your volunteering experiences been like? Where have you felt your contributions have been most valuable or valued? Is there wisdom in the pointers above, or are they or just the mind of an old cynic.</p> <p><em>This article first appeared on <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.retirement-planning.info/" target="_blank">Retiring Not Shy</a></strong></span>. Follow Rowan and Jan on <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/retiringnotshy/" target="_blank">Facebook here.</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em><strong>Do you have a story or opinion to share? Head over the Over60 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/community/contributor/community-contributor/">“Share your story” page</a>.</span></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Relat</strong><strong>ed links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/05/at-71-i-followed-a-life-long-dream-to-volunteer-in-cambodia/"><strong>At 71 I followed a life-long dream to volunteer in Cambodia</strong></a></em></span></p> <div class="grid_4"> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/06/the-simple-yet-powerful-tool-to-plan-your-retirement/"><strong>The simple yet powerful tool to plan your retirement</strong></a></em></span></p> </div> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/02/how-you-can-make-a-difference-by-volunteering/">How you can make a difference by volunteering</a></strong></em></span></p>

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