How long have you worked at Finley Regional Care?
Eight years so far.
What interested you in working in Aged Care?
Helping the elderly.
What is your role at Finley Regional Care? What does it involve?
Keeping clients in their own home, which is a privilege to provide support that’s needed.
What are your qualifications?
First Aid Certificate, Food Handling Certificate, Certificate IV in Home & Community Care, Certificate IV in Aged Care Medication Assistance, Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.
What do you like most about working here?
Working in the community, with clients and having contact with like-minded staff.
If you had to describe Finley Regional Care in four words, what would you say?
Good place to work.
What has exceeded your expectations or surprised you the most since coming here?
How staff will do that little bit extra to keep a client safe and happy.
Tell us one thing about you people might not know.
I used to judge dairy cows.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Read and garden.
What’s your favourite quote or saying?
My clients tell me it’s “good girl” or it’s “all good, no problem”.
Where do you live?
In Berrigan.
What three traits define you?
Honest, capable and committed.
How do you define success?
To finish a job, and leave the client safe and happy, and always being respectful to a client and treating them with dignity.
When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time?
Read and put my feet up!
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Be a florist.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Help my family.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Enjoying retirement!
Favourite movie?
The Power of One.
Are you messy or organised?
Try to be organised.
Best vacation you’ve been to?
Recently to New Zealand.
Choose your Mr Men/Little Miss, to describe your work personality?
Little Miss Sunshine!
Do you have a favourite newspaper or blog?
No.
Do you recall any embarrassing moment at work?
Only embarrassing if you let them be.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
It would have to be an older actress!
If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
A florist.
If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be?
Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross.
If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and why?
My grandmother, she did similar work to me, 100 years ago in England.
If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?
World Peace.
If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Salad.
If you were an animal what would you be?
A dog.
If you were on death row, what would your last meal be?
A salad.
If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?
A hat, an axe and a shovel.
If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be?
To help widowed men survive with cooking and housework, etc.
If your house was burning down, what is the one non-living thing you would save?
Photos.
Least favourite food?
Tripe.
Motto or personal mantra?
To do your best.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I have farmed most of my life.
Top two life highlights?
Marriage and children.
What advice would you give to recent new staff?
Listen to clients, watch for the slightest change, always ask if you are unsure and treat clients as if they were family.
What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?
There’s life after dairy cows. You can start a new career at 64 years of age. Keep learning.
What are your three most overused words/phrases?
I’ll be back shortly. Will fix that problem tomorrow. Too busy right now.
What did you want to be when growing up?
A vet.
What do you always want to try and never did?
Being a florist.
What do you like to do on your days off?
Gardening and my jobs.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Up at 6.00am, start work by 8.00am, visit clients in their homes, offering support where needed, home by 4.00pm, usually get dinner and then in bed by 10.00pm.
What does true leadership mean to you?
Allowing a person to make a mistake but helping them achieve their goal with patience and guidance.
What has been the most important innovation you have witnessed in your lifetime?
The mobile phone.
What is on your bucket list?
Visiting Europe, Canada and Africa, and also enjoying retirement.
What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far?
Losing my lifelong partner.
What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
You can survive on your own.
What is the one thing you cannot resist?
Celery.
What is the one thing, you can’t live without?
My religion.
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Haggis.
What are the two worst things you did as a kid?
Had a thumb caught in a taxi door and was dragged along.
Galloped a horse flat out down steep hills with poor mum watching!
What is your biggest pet peeve?
There’s no more common sense left in this world today.
What is your favourite childhood memory?
A happy home with good parents and a great big brother, and a farm with lots of animals.
What is your favourite number and why?
Lucky 7.
What is your favourite sport?
Netball.
What is your greatest fear?
To lose my sight.
What is your personal philosophy?
Finish whatever job you start, and always put things away where they come from. Be honest, caring, and value your friendships.
What phobias do you have?
I don’t like mice!
What places have you lived in?
In the NSW South Coast, the Hunter Valley and Riverina.
What TV show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love?
Bonanza.
What was your favourite book, toy, or outfit as a child?
Had a horse.
What would people never guess you do in your role?
Almost become a member of a client’s family. They are especially appreciative of what is done for them.
What would you like to be famous for?
Helping people less fortunate.
What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?
Females can achieve their dreams.
Where is your favourite place to eat?
At home with family and friends.
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
A European River Cruise.
Where would you like to travel to?
England again.
Would you rather be a tiny elephant or a giant hamster?
Tiny elephants, as they have fantastic memories.
You’re happiest when?
All is well with my family and friends.
What are your hopes for our industry?
The need is great, so we must expand so that we will be able to cater for the numbers that are rising. Somehow, we need to get a younger work force trained and ready; and not lose any standards of care in the process.
