LIJO KURIAN
Residential Services Manager - Southern Cross Care, Myrtle Bank, SA
“Providing care is more like a vocation, than a job. Anyone can become a nurse or a carer by completing the required curriculum, but it requires ongoing dedication and compassion.”
CARLA ROWE
Lifestyle Co-ordinator, Baptistcare Morrison Gardens
Perth, WA
“This is real life and much more challenging and rewarding than any reality TV show.
I have learned the basic principles of affection, and understanding, patience, sympathy, empathy and listening. My motto is, laugh with them, cry with them, but most importantly listen to them.”
JULIAN SPORNE
Assistant Manager, Resthaven Community Respite Services, SA
“After a career in finance and taxation, I have found my niche.
If you have compassion for others, an understanding of how important it is to respect a person’s individuality and are looking for a rewarding career, I encourage you to consider making the move to aged care. You won’t regret it.”
LISA BROOK
Team Leader, IRT 5 Islands Resort,
Port Kembla, NSW
“If you want to make a change in someone’s life, this is the job. You are the last link in their journey and that must be your focus.”
ILSA BIRD
Sector Support Coordinator, Your Side Australia, NSW
“Aged care is not something that we do to someone, it’s a journey and partnership with an individual where they have choice and control. Without humility aged care becomes just a job, just a service, just a task. Humility allows us to take on a role where we can be of service to others and allows them to take the lead.”
PENI TIATIA
Carer, Crowley Care, NSW
“Seeing a smile on the residents’ faces at the end of the day, and creating special friendships with the residents and their families makes me really appreciate the work I do. Every day is different and knowing that you are helping someone leaves you feeling very humble and content.”
MOTOKO OKEEFFE
Home Care Support Worker, Glenview Community Services, TAS
“It’s a wonderful industry to work in, and rewarding to know that you have been helpful to someone whose wish is to remain in their home.”
MARIA NIEPCE
Aged Care Support Worker, YourCare Home Care Services, Tasmania
“Getting old does not mean that these people do not have any goals, hopes or passion left. My role is to listen to them, to hear them, to see them, to respect them and to make life just a little bit easier for them. They earned it!”
LYNNE WATERFORD
Registered Nurse, Koonambil Aged Care Ltd, NSW
“I didn’t think Aged Care would be for me, but I gave it a go and I’m still here 16 years later. It is not just a job to me. It is more than that. The residents and families that you have been working with become part of your life and family.”
EVA PANOUSOPOULOS
Endorsed Enrolled Nurse, Martin Luther Homes, VIC
“The thing I most love about my job is giving our residents the life they deserve, ensuring all their needs are met and they feel respected and listened to.”
IRENE REEVES
Volunteer, Koonambil Aged Care Ltd, NSW
“It doesn’t matter how old you are, you can learn something new from our older generations each and every day. I love listening to them, hearing about their lives and their growing up. Some of them have some very interesting stories to tell, and it's just great to sit and listen to them.”
CHERYL MARKHAM
Pastoral Carer, Mercy Place, East Melbourne
“We get to hear their stories, their life stories. We get to carry their stories after they’re gone, and we can take them with us through our life journey.”
DANICA LANGFORD-LENANE
Personal Carer, Sunset Lodge, Taralga
“I'm a shoulder to cry on when you can't remember, or when you forget how to speak. I'm the one who will listen to your stories and jokes - even if you've already told me the same one five times today. I’ll still laugh. I'll be the one to make you feel beautiful and give you your dignity when you can't do your hair, or you think that red lip liner goes on your eyebrows. I'll be there when you haven't had visitors in weeks. I'm the one that hears the stories of when you were young, and even when you forget them I'll always remember. I'll be the one who sits and holds your hand, and makes sure you’re comfortable before saying goodbye.”
ANGELA LORD
Volunteer, Snug Village Christian Homes, Snug, Tasmania
“I just love doing what I’m doing because I get a lot out of it. I know residents and staff enjoy my company, and I can bring some joy and happiness.”
DOROTHY ‘DOT’ LIPMANN
Volunteer, McLean Lodge - Wintringham, Flemington
“These people were genuinely homeless and I wondered what I would say to them…All they wanted was someone to sit with them. And stay. And listen.”
LINDA CLARKE
Facilities & Maintenance Coordinator, Dougherty Apartments, Chatswood
“I believe if you go into this work with heart and give of yourself, you will receive ten fold back from residents compared to what you put in.”
SUE LANGE
Lifestyle Coordinator, Alwyndor Aged Care, Adelaide
“I've loved every minute of all my jobs working in this industry, I really feel as though I found the perfect working environment for me.”
VICKI FRASER
Lifestyle Manager, CaSPA Care, South Melbourne
“This generation we’re caring for now are just a wonderful generation of human beings who hold so much knowledge, wisdom and inspiration. What they can share and what we can learn from them is just amazing.”
KATE PAGE
Service Manager, Mercy Place, East Melbourne
“What I love about my job is every day I come to work in a home.”
KHORYOM “TUT” NUYON
Personal Care Assistant, Fronditha Care’s Templestowe STORGI facility
“Working in aged care has changed my life and my family’s life.”
MARLENE MOODIE
General Manager, Adventist Senior Living, Cooranbong
“I’ve developed quite a passion for talking for being part of important industry changes and having the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of people who are at the pointy end of life. That’s what has really attracted me to this industry and has kept me here.”
SHARON BROOKSBY
Home Carer, Murray Mallee Aged Care Group, Murray Bridge
“I truly feel like I’ve discovered the job I’ve been waiting my whole life to find because I really can’t imagine doing anything else now.”
BERNADETTE NASH
Home Care Employee at McLean Care Community, Tamworth NSW
“Caring for people as individuals in their home gives me great sense of satisfaction that I am providing a valuable service to the community and making a positive difference to someone’s life, so they can stay in their own home for as long as possible.”
ELIZABETH MORSE
Clinical Manager,Mercy Place,
Warrnambool, VIC
“You build up real relationships with the residents and for me that has been so satisfying. I care about them and they care about me.”
TONY BALDWIN
Hotel Services Manager, Crowley Care Services, NSW
“My team makes a birthday cake for every resident’s birthday. It doesn’t matter how many birthdays there are in a day here. It’s a small effort that make someone’s day a whole lot better!”
