A history of giving: celebrating Tig and Marilyn’s 30 years of volunteering

For Tig and Marilyn Simmons, who have both been volunteering with MS Plus since 1996, the joy of volunteering comes from knowing your contribution matters.

“Of course there is the personal satisfaction you get from volunteering, and the social aspect of it, but really it’s knowing you contributed to something worthwhile – you gave back to society in some way,” Tig says.

Tig and Marilyn first started volunteering with MS Plus, then known as the MS Society, 30 years ago to help with the MS Readathon. When MS Society Victoria moved to their Blackburn office from Camberwell in 2001, Tig and Marilyn followed to cover a wide variety of volunteer roles.

“We did a little bit of everything between us,” Tig says. “From helping at reception, to supporting the facilities team with maintenance around the Blackburn office, helping out the events team, and working in the Blackburn office café before it closed in 2016. We even once spent a whole day putting the Christmas tree up in the foyer!”

MS Plus event coordinator, Kiri says it has been a pleasure working with Marilyn.

“I’ve been working with Marilyn for the past three years and her support has been invaluable. It has been such a privilege getting to know both Marilyn and Tig during my time with MS Plus, the events team really couldn’t run without our incredible volunteers,” Kiri says.

Supporting those who support others

Marilyn also understands firsthand the importance of organisations like MS Plus that help drive forward MS research, education and treatment. She was first diagnosed with MS in 1962 just before her 17th birthday – six years after her twin sister Carolyn. 

“There was almost no treatment when Carolyn and I were first diagnosed,” Marilyn says.

“I had been experiencing numbness in my limbs and couldn’t use my hands for a while, which was why I came to be diagnosed, but then not much could be done until the late 1990s when I started my first medication. 

“I have been lucky. I had one quite nasty relapse early on, then almost nothing for 20 years, when it resurfaced again. I was still able to work as a home economics and textiles teacher for 30 years. Unfortunately for my sister things progressed much more rapidly and severely. She passed away in 2008,” Marilyn says.

Tig and Marilyn, who volunteer at several organisations, say the staff at MS Plus have always been very welcoming and supportive. 

“We always finish every day feeling positive. That’s also a big part of volunteering, if you’re not in a happy place then you wouldn’t bother,” Tig says.

A drive to give back

Both Marilyn and Tig give back to the MS community in many ways. Both work as MS Ambassadors, Marilyn giving talks to schools and community groups on her experience with MS and Tig on his experience as a carer.

“We thoroughly enjoyed it,” says Marilyn. “It gives a lot of people a lot more knowledge about what MS is, and the fact that it isn’t the same for every person.”

Marilyn also helps to oversee a Peer Support Group, started back in 2000 by a then MS physiotherapist. “The group catches up during a regular water aerobics class, then often heads out to lunch afterwards. It’s lovely,” Marilyn says.

And, as icing on the cake, Marilyn raised an incredible $40,000 taking part in the Fitzroy MS Mega Swim, the first Fitzroy swimmer to reach 20 years. 

“I refused to get wet,” laughs Tig, “but I was always there on the sidelines cheering Marilyn on.”