For former board member Robin, a gift in her Will to Hobart City Mission means support will always be there for people in need.

“From my youngest years, I was taught that once you’ve got clothes on your back and food in your mouth, see what you can do to help others.

I think it’s a good discipline and a good part of human behaviour to be reaching out, as well as thinking about whether you have enough.

It’s important, that people in the community feel that they have a responsibility to give, as well as to receive. I really do think that.

And it’s not just those who are wealthy enough to splash some money around.

My long association with Hobart City Mission was a big lead-in to my decision to leave a Gift in my Will.

I’ve decided to look after my family and support four other organisations in my Will.

I know that Hobart City Mission, amongst other organisations, work very very hard for those who haven’t got enough, and who need a leg up.

Hobart City Mission has fortunately been sensitive to changing needs, adapting flexibly to meet those needs that are found to have been neglected.

I suppose it would be lovely if Hobart City Mission wasn’t needed in 50 years, but that won’t be the case. I think it’s just human nature.

There are always going to be people who don’t have enough. Don’t have good enough healthcare or a good enough education.

People say, ‘oh the baby boomers, they had it all’, and that this time now is a tough time.

But, it’s always a tough time in some ways – you’re always recovering from a war, or going into another war. There was really high unemployment through the late 70s & 80s.

By comparison, we live in affluent times now, there’s no denying that.

But by comparison too, that often means there’s also a bigger gap, between those that are living okay, and the ones that aren’t. It almost becomes more distinct.

I’d encourage others to consider leaving a gift in their will. And not to be too specific. You can always expect that there are going to be a different set of needs in the future that we can’t always predict.

And a gift in a Will can grow, in its usefulness and its use can diversify. A gift in my will can help address the needs that will undoubtedly arise in the future.  

It’s not self-serving, no one’s going to put your name up in lights necessarily, but all sorts of things are achieved by people’s very quiet giving. It’s just special.”