To say Wayne Breese has committed to his work as volunteer, may be a little bit of an understatement.

The retired teacher, 68, drives children in care to various appointments for the Department for Child Protection, five days a week.

“Sometimes six days,” he said. “I sometimes work on the weekends as well.

“I don’t have a relationship and I’m retired, so I don’t really have any other commitments.

“I suppose I’ve dedicated myself to the department.”

Wayne, who taught in the APY Lands in the state’s Far North and at Streaky Bay on the West Coast, is being celebrated along with DCP’s more than 180 other volunteers as part of International Volunteer Day, held earlier this month.

He also worked in mental health for two decades – a career that set him up perfectly for his volunteering.

“I just try to make them feel comfortable and try to allay their fears,” Wayne said.

“After a while, I think they become quite fond of me and ask for me to drive them.”

Wayne, who has three grown children and three grandchildren, was a finalist in the Volunteer of the Year category at the recent SA Child Protection Awards.

He was also be recognised for his efforts earlier this month at the Annual Southern Suburbs Volunteer Serviced Award Ceremony.

Wayne has now been volunteering out of DCP’s Noarlunga office for the past five years and particularly enjoys the camaraderie shared with staff.

“I’ve probably got a reputation for having a sense humour,” he said, “and I enjoy making them laugh.”

And Wayne’s caring nature doesn’t stop with children in care – he also tended his ailing mother for a decade and now lives with, and assists, his 76-year-old eldest brother.

“He still pulls the big brother rank on me though,” he said.

More information about volunteering can be found at Volunteering in Child Protection.

This story was prepared by the Department for Child Protection and is republished here with permission.