When something is going on in the Duntroon community, chances are Jan Keeling will be involved somewhere.
The hours Mrs Keeling spends volunteering each week are almost equivalent to a full-time job.
She was a key instigator in setting up the village wetlands and the community garden. She is helping to resurrect and maintain the community hall, keep Nicol’s Blacksmith operational, and help other community groups to secure funding.
She also has a strong desire to bring the community together.
Mrs Keeling was born in Duntroon, the eldest daughter of Liza and Eion Rutherford. She grew up on the family farm, Lundie Braes, which was originally bought by her great-grandfather in the early 1900s.
Thai style . . . Pat Thongseema has been running Thai cooking classes in the Duntroon community hall. PHOTO: SUPPLIED/JAN KEELING
Duntroon is not the place you would usually go to hunt down authentic Thai cuisine, or perhaps now it is.
Thai national Parttarawadee Thongseema, more commonly known as Pat, has been cooking at the Duntroon Hotel on a Monday and Tuesday night almost since it reopened in February last year.
Her reputation for good food has grown in the district and Miss Thongseema estimates she cooks about 30 dishes over the two nights – which are usually when a pub is traditionally the quietest.