Bev Hoffman was awarded the honour of being Rochester and District’s Citizen of the Year on Australia Day.
Bev is an easily recognisable face at Rochester Community House as a long-standing volunteer, and has supported many of the programs that the house manages, including the Foodshare program, Community Kitchen and Men’s Shed, and is also an active member of the house’s committee of management.
Nominator Amanda Logie of Rochester Community House said in her submission that she first met Bev after the 2011 floods when her property was heavily impacted by flood waters, and even then, her first concern was for her elderly neighbours.
Bev is the first to put her hand up to help older, more vulnerable members of the community, constantly putting others before herself.
“I was absolutely gobsmacked (when I found out), I had no idea,” Bev said.
“I actually thought when they came to the door that they were bringing me some bad news, because I don’t usually have people at my front door, they usually come out the back.”
Bev has been with the Community House just over 10 years, and has also volunteered her time at events the house has run, and at the monthly Rochester town market, which RCH previously managed.
“I help when people can’t come in,” she said.
“It’s what I enjoy doing, helping people out and volunteering.”