How long have you worked at Finley?
Six-and-a-half years.
What interested you in working in Aged Care?
After caring for my Grandfather I became interested in aged care, plus it is a first step to get into the Health Industry, so I can then go on and become a Paramedic.
What is your role at Finley Regional Care? What does it involve?
Team Leader / CSE – Care Service Employee. It involves providing care to residents in the Dementia Wing and providing direction and support to care staff in this area.
What are your qualifications?
Certificate III and IV in Aged Care and AIN – Assistant in Nursing. I am also Dementia and Counselling Trained. And I have a Play Up Certificate – a play-based program run by the Arts Health Institute which uses humour therapy to reduce agitation and increase happiness and positive behaviours in residents who live with dementia, who may be self-isolating or depressed.
What do you like most about working here?
It’s personally rewarding to care for people with Dementia. I am passionate about caring for people with Dementia, the money is just a bonus.
If you had to describe Finley Regional Care in four words, what would you say?
Caring environment, good culture.
What has exceeded your expectations or surprised you the most since coming here?
Support from management and senior staff in providing opportunities for staff to grow and develop. That I have gone above and beyond the expectations of my role. And working with residents with Dementia.
Tell us one thing about you people might not know.
I have a cat called Pedro.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Fish, go to the gym and sleep.
What’s your favourite quote or saying?
“Smile because you are too beautiful not to”.
Where do you live?
Finley.
What three traits define you?
I am passionate about my job, willing to help people in need and I tell it straight – no fluffing around.
How do you define success?
Going beyond expectations in my role, gaining respect from fellow staff members and wanting to better myself and not allowing people to hold me back.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Ariel from the Little Mermaid.
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
At home I chat with my cat Pedro.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Play the violin.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Pay off my loan.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Working as a paramedic.
Favourite movie?
Grease .
Are you messy or organised?
At work I am organised and at home it depends on my current workload.
Best vacation you’ve been on?
Country Music Festival at Ipswich.
Choose your Mr Men/Little Miss, to describe your work personality?
Little Miss Bossy.
Do you have a favourite newspaper or blog?
Cosmopolitan Magazine.
Do you have an office nickname? What is it?
Britt.
Do you recall any embarrassing moment at work?
Sometimes I have “Britt Moments” – stupid dumb questions or statements.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Margot Robbie.
If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
Fire Fighter/Paramedic.
If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be?
Johnny Cash – I would love to hear his point of view on his life.
If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and why?
Johnny Cash.
If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?
Battle at Gallipoli.
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 sloth.
If you were on death row, what would your last meal be?
Nacho Parma.
If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?
Food, shelter and Pedro.
If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be?
“This is Us” – promoting the fact that everyone has issues so we need to support one another.
If your house was burning down, what is the one non-living thing you would save?
My Grandfather’s blanket.
Least favourite food?
Lamb – due to growing up in shearing sheds!!
Motto or personal mantra?
I will do it when I am ready.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am 22 years old, I have two sisters and grew up around shearing sheds (hence why I don’t eat lamb), and used to roustabout.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us.
I am obsessed with Staffy dogs.
Top two life highlights?
Getting my driver’s licence (I used to be afraid to drive a car), and becoming a Team Leader at a young age – 19.
What advice would you give to recent new staff?
Follow positive peers and don’t get involved in any negative culture. And you need to work in Aged Care with a passion for caring for the aged and frail, not just for the money.
What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?
Leadership and how to be a good leader, empathy, and keeping an open mind with people with Dementia.
What are your three most overused words/phrases?
Not suitable to print!!
What did you want to be when growing up?
A shearer, work in Aged Care and become a Paramedic.
What do you always want to try and never did?
Skydiving and travel.
What do you like to do on your days off?
Go fishing, visit friends and catch up on housework.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Get up early and go to work as I usually start at 7.00am, go to the gym, eat, then sleep.
What does true leadership mean to you?
Keeping positive even if surrounded with negativity, keeping an open mind with change and being approachable.
What has been the most important innovation you have witnessed in your lifetime?
Learning how to cook sweet potato in the microwave!! Mind-blowing!!
What is an ability you wish you had?
Not to overthink things.
What is on your bucket list?
Skydiving, travelling, volunteering and going to Kenya as a nurse.
What is the first concert you attended?
Zac Brown Band.
What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far?
Mental health issues.
What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
To allow people to be there for me.
What is the one thing you cannot resist?
Buying toys for my cat, Pedro!!
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
My phone.
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
When I was four years old I ate some sheep poo thinking they were sultanas!!
What are the two worst things you did as a kid?
Trying to defeat swooping magpies on my bike, and learning to rollerblade – big mistake, ha ha!!
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Not making the first coffee of the day correctly.
What is your favourite childhood memory?
Camping.
What is your favourite number and why?
13 – my birthday and my Mother’s birthday.
What is your favourite sport?
Wrestling.
What is your greatest fear?
Heights.
What is your hidden talent?
Juggling.
What is your personal philosophy?
Make at least one person smile each day.
What music is on your iPhone/Android phone?
Country.
What one food do you wish had zero calories?
Nachos.
What phobias do you have?
People touching my personal belongings, and yabbies!!
What places have you lived in?
Too many to note, but mostly in Finley.
What TV show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love?
King of Queens.
What was your favourite book, toy, or outfit as a child?
Little Mermaid.
What would people never guess you do in your role?
Being a resident’s friend and becoming a part of their family – people think we are only there to assist them with their needs, which is totally not the case.
What would you like to be famous for?
Being an advocate for good nursing practices.
What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?
Make good life choices.
Where is your favourite place to eat?
Pubs with good meals.
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
Hawaii.
Where would you like to travel to?
Kenya and Gallipoli.
Which one would you want most – flying cars, robot housekeepers, or moon cities?
Robot housekeepers.
Would you rather be a tiny elephant or a giant hamster?
A tiny elephant because they would be so cute.
You’re happiest when?
When I have had a good week at work, have been out socially with my friends and my cat doesn’t wake me up at 4.00am!!
What are your hopes for our industry?
That we expand into a more medical-related atmosphere, so our residents can enjoy their last moments in their own room here in their home.
