As a volunteer at Sturt Bowling Club, Brian Dunstall is just as comfortable designing an irrigation system as he is cooking sausages at Thursday Night Owls or serving food at tournaments.
Drawing on many years in the pump sales and engineering industry, Brian has helped transform the club's irrigation system with the support of fellow volunteers.
But ask him why he volunteers, and the answer has little to do with engineering.
He says his willingness to help comes from the values he learnt growing up and from a simple desire to see Sturt continue to flourish.
When did you first become involved with Sturt Bowling Club, and what inspired you to become such an active volunteer?
I started playing Night Owls in 2008 and volunteered to help with the Thursday Night Owls BBQ in approximately 2016.
Offering to help where I can has just been something I seem to do.
Through your irrigation business, you've been able to bring valuable professional expertise to the club. Could you tell us about some of the irrigation projects you've assisted at Sturt, and how they have benefited the club?
With my background in pump sales and engineering, I first became involved in discussions with our greenkeeper, James Gregory, in 2018.
James wanted to improve the watering of the greens by installing a tank and pump system that would provide constant pressure and better coverage.
Unfortunately, the project couldn't proceed at the time because funding wasn't available.
Fast forward to 2025. By then I had retired and was asked to revisit the project.
With a lot of physical work by club volunteers, together with the coordination of electrical and plumbing services, the system is now fully operational.
Your volunteering extends beyond irrigation. Are there other ways you've contributed?
I also help out with the Thursday Night Owls BBQ, assist with food service during tournaments and occasionally join the "Stranglers" grounds maintenance team when needed.
Looking back, is there one project or contribution at Sturt that gives you particular satisfaction?
The most satisfaction has come from seeing the irrigation pump system working, along with some of the associated improvements.
Where do you think your willingness to volunteer comes from? Was it something you learnt from your family, or has it simply always been part of who you are?
I believe those values came from my parents and my general upbringing.
Your wife Lesley also makes a wonderful contribution to the club. Has volunteering together become an important part of your lives?
Over the years we've both enjoyed helping in different ways, and now that we're retired we have more time to contribute.
The bowling club has become an important part of our lives.
After everything you've contributed to Sturt, what continues to motivate you to volunteer?
Seeing the enthusiasm of others at the club and the need to keep up this enthusiasm.
Whenever there's manual work to be done, it's always enjoyable working alongside Puzzle (Neville Riddle), Mocha (Graeme Dunstan) and Deano (Dean Pye).
Finally, what would you say to members who may be thinking about volunteering but aren't quite sure where to start?
Talk to people who are already involved in an area that interests you.
You might be surprised by the skills or experience you can offer.
Every volunteer makes a difference. Together we help Sturt continue to thrive and strengthen its growing reputation within the community.