He’s travelled tens of thousands of kilometres across the state to support vulnerable children, and Bob Napier is so popular in his community, he last year stood in as Father Christmas four times.

The 77-year-old has spent the past 11 years volunteering with the Department for Child Protection’s Port Augusta office, driving children to school, visits with family members and appointments.

He calls himself a “full-time volunteer”, also rolling up his sleeves to support his local Lions club and the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s fundraising efforts.

“I spent most of my life working for people and trying to please people, and I really enjoy being appreciated,” he says.

“When you just work for someone, you finish work and you’re forgotten about. But I really believe that when you’re a volunteer, if you do a good job, you leave a footprint behind.”

And that footprint is a big one; Bob’s role with the Department for Child Protection has taken him all over the Upper Spencer Gulf, as well as the Yorke Peninsula, Riverland, Mid North, West Coast and Far North towns including Coober Pedy, Andamooka and Roxby Downs.

In the lead up to National Volunteer Week (18-24 May), the Department for Child Protection is celebrating the vital role more than 200 volunteers, including Bob, play in creating safe, supportive environments for children and young people in care.

Among the rewarding aspects of his position is seeing young people find their feet and live fulfilling lives.

“I’ve had the satisfaction where I’ve been able to see them as young teenagers and they’re doing really well – that’s great, especially when I’ve been transporting them for 10 or 11 years,” he says.

At local events for the families the department supports, Bob has earned his place playing the Easter Bunny and Father Christmas and last year, he also donned the Santa suit for three other organisations.

Bob’s paid employment also took him all over the state for station roles – initially as a jackaroo, then an overseer, and finally, station manager.

He finished up his working life running his own concreting business in Adelaide, but by then the bush was calling, and he took up the opportunity to buy a ‘hobby block’ outside Port Augusta where he could grow native trees.

In 2022, he was awarded the Premier’s Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service for commitment to supporting organisations throughout Port Augusta.

The Department for Child Protection is hosting a lunch for volunteers across South Australia at Sunnybrae Estate in northern Adelaide, on Wednesday, 20 May.

For more information about volunteering, visit childprotection.sa.gov.au/volunteers or call 0492 000 743.