David Hall — Councillor, Toc H Australian Council

Toc H is a bit different from other organisations. I would have to say that I think it is a bit special. Toc H has been described as a ‘Movement’ – an organisation which is moving – a way of life – a model for living. Perhaps Toc H is all of these things. Toc H is a membership organisation. Toc H is people helping people.

Toc H is now one hundred years old and it is still going. Toc H has changed, otherwise it would have died long ago – but I suggest that basically people do not change. People still need to be wanted, cared for, respected – loved. Remember the slogan “people caring for people”?

As I say, Toc H has always been a membership organisation, an organisation in which the members are the mainstay of its existence. Without members Toc H could not, realistically exist. Commitment to membership is probably Toc H’s greatest challenge.

In what I call “old Toc H” members belonged to Branches and Branches related to communities – generally geographical. In country areas this was easily defined – less so in suburbia. Nevertheless, the Branch felt responsible for its area. The branch got to know its area – its people and its needs and the Branch’s service in the community could readily be identified. A branch in a more affluent area would likely have different needs requiring different jobs from a Branch serving a lower socio-economic area. Nevertheless, in general terms, people’s needs are much the same – to be wanted cared for, supported.

The organisation of a Toc H Branch in “old Toc H” was a bit different from other organisations. In particular there were two important positions not found in other clubs – namely Jobmaster and the Pilot. Both are very important positions on the Branch Executive (along with Chair, Secretary and Treasurer). Often there was the Chaplain too. I have been asked to concentrate on the position of Jobmaster – ‘Jobbie’ for short.

The Jobbie had two main tasks. To source jobs for members and to match the job to the member or members. Sometimes the job could be a ‘one off’ or it could be a regular commitment. Other jobs could be an individual member looking after the particular needs of an individual. The Branch might undertake to have a ‘blitz’ on an elderly person’s garden or an individual member might look after shopping or transport for an individual. Doing things for people is the most satisfying thing.

The jobbie should know the area – the demographic and, in general, where there is likely to be a need – a community hospital or other facility, old people’s home and so on. The Jobbie should know the talents of the members, trades etc to be able to match the member with the job, the scale of the job and what additional support is needed. It’s all very simple really, but it depends on the willingness of the Jobbie to research the job and of the members to undertake the job and any challenges that go with it.

In my memory of up to sixty years ago most jobs were Branch jobs rather than individual jobs, but individual jobs built up strong relationships between the member and the ‘client’. My first branch job was gardening at an aboriginal girl’s hostel on a monthly basis. I remember that entertainment figured pretty strongly in our service. Our ‘clients’ included an elderly citizens home and a house for blind men. There was a group where individuals were trying to re-integrate back into the community. We sometimes transported clients to medical appointments.

The Area Toc H film unit was well supported and circulated for use by different Branches in various Nursing and elderly people’s Homes using, I think, a 16mm projector with free documentary films. The time always ended with ‘supper’. Another job which we found very rewarding was the ‘Sunday afternoon Drives’. It would be difficult to replicate that job these days. Too many rules and regulations. We would collect the old person from their home and join up with the others for afternoon tea in a park or similar facility with a toilet, taking them home afterwards. Critical to all this was the role of the jobbie.

A big job in the 1980’s was the Emergency Flashing Light Project. This involved a red light flashing in the window of an old person living alone to alert passers by that help was needed. Some branches, such as Mitcham, Victoria and Mitcham SA established workshops to manufacture Light Units. The branch, or a Service Club undertook to install and maintain the unit. This last was a most important aspect of the project as it meant that someone had to regularly visit the old person to check on the unit. The project got quite large and Mitcham used to send batches of lights all over the country for service clubs to install and maintain.

This was one project where technology overtook us and people were able to achieve the same result by hanging a device around their neck – not needing a battery and wiring. That’s fine, the Flashing light achieved its objective and was superseded.

The jobbie was involved with the camping programmes, although the organisation of camps was not a ‘one person’ job. Members still had to be organised. Jobs became more facility related and less ‘amateur’ related – needing professional or artisan involvement.

So now we have to consider the role of the ‘jobbie’ in 21st century Toc H. Is there still a role for this position? I say that it all depends. In many cases Toc H has to find the money and pay for professional help. There is certainly a limited amount that caring individuals can do.

Nevertheless there must still be a role for the Jobbie. Individuals have needs which can be met by another individual. Toc H still needs to be organised into workable groups (Branches). Toc H is a membership organisation. Membership assumes a level of commitment to the organisation.

Obviously we can not go back to the 1950’s or 1960’s. Toc H does not have the same commitment to a town or suburb – but individuals still have needs. In many cases those needs are the same as they were 60+ years ago.

What is the role of the ‘Jobbie’ today? – you tell me…..

David Hall
Councillor, Toc H Australian Council