Lisa Lucken is our volunteer extraordinaire of the month. She does a mighty fine job running our canteen at the Headers Club.
Lisa (and her sons) generously spend hours of her own time organising, cleaning, cooking, serving, and always bringing a smile and great energy. Her efforts create a positive ripple effect throughout the club’s atmosphere and the wider community.
On behalf of the Headers community, we sincerely thank Lisa for her tireless efforts, we truly don’t know what we would do without you.
Let’s get to know the wonderful Lisa a little better.
1. How did you first get involved with the Nimbin Headers?
I got involved through my kids. First, both my step kids played for the Headers, so it was a no-brainer that my sons would also play as soon as they were old enough.
Early involvement was admittedly minimal; supplying oranges when it was my week, washing the shirts and bibs sometimes… I got more involved as my kids got older.
2. Can you share a little about your background and why you chose to volunteer with the club?
I really enjoy being of service. At parties I gravitate towards the kitchen. I realise that it is learnt behaviour that borders on compulsion. It’s a way to manage my anxiety too.
When my kids were younger, I was a single parent, working and already on three committees, so I didn’t do much more than the previously mentioned tasks.
Three years ago, I came to the Headers AGM with curiosity, and it quickly snowballed from there. The (then) canteen co-ordinator had some big plans and, having grown up around catering and restaurants, I felt compelled to give it a try.
3. What do your volunteer duties involve?
As the current co-ordinator, I am responsible for food preparation and ordering stock. Cleaning and re-stocking the Front of House, kitchen, and generally the toilets falls on the canteen volunteers.
Menu changes, balancing the till and eftpos sales, and assisting with purchasing club merchandise are also part of the role. Ensuring we have enough volunteers on open days is a big one too.
4. What food or drink sells out the most?
The coconut waters and Maximus drinks are the best sellers most of the year round.
5. What’s your least favourite thing to cook or prepare?
Food-wise, prepping bacon is my least favourite job. Logistically, creating rosters and spreadsheets are low on my list of talents.
6. How do you think the canteen positively contributes to the club’s atmosphere?
I think seeing the hatch open and the lights on makes the club appear inviting. People come to the canteen for food and drinks, but also information, basic first aid (ice!), emergency sock purchases, and occasionally to check lost and found for spare shin guards.
Sometimes people want to get their bearings if they’re new or visiting, and sometimes they just want to chat.
7. Who do you rely on most for support in this role?
For the past two years I have relied heavily on my two teenage sons for help in the canteen; they’re godsends. Zavier has been a FOH pro while also helping in the kitchen, and Elliot has been the Headers barista.
The usual suspects from the club and committee have prevented me from going bonkers (Max, Gordon, Nigel, Christine… you know who you are!). Last year Paul came on board to help more regularly in the kitchen too.
This coming year, with my sons both committed elsewhere, there is a fantastic opportunity for new volunteers. FOH is a great way to meet people, make sales, learn eftpos, and get basic work experience. There is also the opportunity to make coffee, for any budding baristas.
Basically, without volunteers the club just cannot work. Simple.
8. How do you balance volunteering with other commitments, such as work and family?
When it comes to how I do the work the canteen needs done… mostly I just do it. I fit it in whenever and wherever I can. Sometimes it works well and things are ordered and cruisy; other times I am chasing my tail. Managing food prep, stock orders, volunteers and my own life is a juggling act.
In between it all, I love that I have the freedom to do things like offering small, freshly-made pancakes during junior games or making homemade iced teas.
9. Are there any specific moments or memories at the club that you’re especially fond of or find funny?
I enjoy the conversations I get to have with the various folks that make up the Headers community. The advice I’ve gleaned, the compassion I’ve seen, the friends I’ve made, and the opportunities to learn new things – it’s priceless.
Watching people come together for the club, for their community, for their mates, whatever their motivations are, is a beautiful thing.
10. What do you enjoy most about volunteering at the club?
I believe that volunteering is a unique position to hold. It’s a quasi-job, but the ‘payment’ is variable. Some do it for the accolades, some altruistically, some for the free pie and drink… it doesn’t matter to me.
The point is that you show up, do your best, and hopefully get what you need out of the experience.
