Mrs Wooton has been the centre’s co-ordinator since 1979 and has loved every minute of it, putting in hundreds of hours of unpaid work on top of her role.

“I started off in the hospital in a program there, and then we came out into the community,” Mrs Wooton said.

“We have about 45 members from around the region and a wonderful group of about 20 volunteers.”

Guests at the celebratory luncheon at the Burra Leisure Activity Centre on Friday, June 19 included past and present volunteers, members of the local health service and clients.

The Burra groups runs six sessions each week over three days - Monday, Wednesday and Friday - as well as having special days just for men once a month, on a Tuesday.