Delta Park’s most committed volunteer returns
Delta Park users can celebrate the return of Shirley Tebbutt.
Delta Park’s most committed volunteer for 40 years, leader of its users group and author of the park’s newsletter, Shirley Tebbutt, is back.
A colon cancer diagnosis forced the 79-year-old to step down last year, but entering remission and a vast improvement in her health, inevitably meant a return for the woman whose heart must be made of cosmos petals.
Indeed a few months later, and already plans are in place to lay bricks to extend a parking lot, remove hyacinth from dams, de-weed pathways, and instal a new fence around Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary, where Tebbutt has just placed a new lock.
Though Tebbutt has always done projects with her three workers as a volunteer and has never kept a single cent she received through donations for park projects, she has been made the designated warden for the park by Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo – a mark of honour and one that gives her some authority.
When Tebbutt stepped down, City Parks was one of the first organisations to credit her for making the park what it is today. “Under Shirley’s watch, Delta Park has become a sought-after haven for residents seeking refuge away from the bustle of city life. Now more than ever, Joburg needs green champions and volunteers to nurture and foster healthy living in our cities,” spokesperson Jenny Moodley had said.
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According to Tebbutt, that is exactly why she does this. “I love the park. It is so peaceful and I love seeing people go for walks after a hard day of work and enjoying the park like I do,” she said. “It is heart-warming to be back. Some have warned me that it is too much work and bad for me, but it actually keeps me alive and healthy.”
While on a walk, Bicaela Brown and Natalie Sherman commented the park was looking beautiful and well-maintained, though they would like to see a water fountain.
Stephan Buys said he enjoyed visiting the park and thanked Tebbutt for her work.
“It is just the homeless in the spruit and some crime, which you see everywhere, that’s a problem,” he added.
Tebbutt hopes the new fence at the bird sanctuary will deal with this but she needs donations for this, and encouraged residents to help her and her workers make it possible.
Community members can also contact her if they would like to be emailed the park’s monthy newsletter.
Details: Shirley Tebbutt etebbutt@worldonline.co.za
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