Merlyn first became involved with Bendigo Foodshare through her involvement in Rotary, where she volunteered for our Mobile Christmas Food Pantry relief shifts for a couple of years.  In 2020, Merlyn needed a legitimate purpose to enable her to get out of the house during lockdowns, and knowing what a good organisation Bendigo Foodshare is, she enquired as to whether they were in need of volunteers – the answer is always YES! So, Bendigo Foodshare became a social outlet for Merlyn, while allowing her to get involved in a worthy cause. 

“During lockdown, I thought the need for food relief in the community was growing, and Bendigo Foodshare is a great organisation to be involved in”.

Merlyn has enjoyed a long and very successful career as a distinguished soprano opera singer and teacher, and among many other achievements, was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday 2013 Honours List for significant service to music.  Merlyn has been fortunate to travel the world in her career and considers Germany one of her favourite countries – she undertook postgraduate studies at the Munich Hochschule. 

When Merlyn is not singing in concerts and festivals, she undertakes many community projects as the President of Bendigo South Rotary Club, she mentors a young Karen refugee with her reading, she enjoys gardening and cooking a variety of different foods. As if that is not enough, Merlyn still fits in regular bushwalks with the Bendigo Outdoor Club and the Junortoun Walking Group!  

Thank you, Merlyn, for sharing some of your busy schedule with Bendigo Foodshare – we really appreciate it. 

Want to learn more about Merlyn’s singing career? Visit her website http://www.merlynquaife.com/biography.html