Three years later he confidently says responding to that advertisement was one of the most fulfilling things he has ever done.
As the secretary of the Lions club, he now spends his mornings helping at the centre.
"It’s bloody great because you know what you’re doing here is going back into the community," Mr Pitcher said.
It gave him a great sense of pride, he said.
"When I first arrived here I just thought you turned up and had a cup of tea then did a couple of hours here and a couple there.
However, he quickly found out that was not the case.
"I wanted something to do and I tell you what, just seeing what we do is absolutely amazing. It’s opened my eyes.
"I can see myself being here for a long time."
Lions volunteer John Diggs agreed with Mr Pitcher about the sense of fulfilment.
"It’s good. It’s not just sitting around doing nothing — it’s quite physical," Mr Diggs said.
Mr Pitcher encouraged others to give it a try.
"If you’re sitting at home and you’re not doing an awful lot but you want to do something worthwhile, come and see us."
People should get in contact if they were interested, he said.
"A lot of people see it as a place where you’re to old to anything else, that’s not the case.
"It gives you a purpose — something to get up and do."
Each day about 13 to 14 people would volunteer their time to help, he said.
"But [the number] is getting a bit skinny."
Some members could no longer lend their time and help, he said.
Each year volunteers at the centre recycle about 650 tonnes of cardboard.
They also recycled tin cans, milk bottles, paper and plastics, Mr Pitcher said.
- By Ben Andrews
