How long have you worked at Finley?
Just celebrated ten years.
What interested you in working in Aged Care?
I needed a job when I moved to Finley, and you might say I drifted into aged care. At the time, the nursing home was the largest employer in Finley, and I needed work. After chatting with some employees who enjoyed the work, I thought it was worth a shot in that line.
What is your role at Finley Regional Care? What does it involve?
Leisure & Lifestyle Team Member. I bring music and an appreciation of music to residents. Due to my age I can relate to residents with the music, and world events of the past 60 years.
What are your qualifications?
I describe myself as “Commercially Experienced” in Banking, Accounting and managed sporting goods manufacturing and distributing businesses for over 30 years. My first formal qualifications came at the Finley TAFE (in Aged Care, Leisure & Lifestyle, and Food Handling) and while working at FRC. I could no longer rely on “The Gift of the Gab”.
What do you like most about working here?
My job description. The staff in Leisure & Lifestyle are always professional in the way they go about their business and are all here for the right reason. Together with our valued volunteers, we make a good team.
If you had to describe Finley Regional Care in 4 words, what would you say?
Jewel in the Crown (for Finley). I believe that people will come to Finley because of FRC and what is being offered now and into the future.
What has exceeded your expectations or surprised you the most since coming here?
Discovering and learning about Aged Care, what is available and how it works and opportunities in aged care.
Tell us one thing about you people might not know.
Through being a member of Rotary in Brisbane I became a volunteer with The Mission to Seafarers, a Christian welfare charity founded in 1856 for seafarers when their ships were in port. There are hundreds of these clubs around the world. Princess Anne is the President and I had the privilege of meeting her at the Brisbane Seafarers Centre.
What do you like to do in your free time?
These days, playing and listening to music and trading sporting events, in particular horse racing.
What’s your favourite quote or saying?
Borrowed from a resident here – ‘Life is what you make it’.
Where do you live?
Tocumwal.
How do you define success?
Acceptance from peers and acknowledgement of doing a good job from Residents. They can be our harshest critics.
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
Reading.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Play the piano.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Not at FRC as an employee but maybe as a resident!!!
Favourite movie?
Too many to choose.
Are you messy or organised?
Proudly messy.
Best vacation you’ve been on?
Visiting my daughter in the UK.
Do you have an office nickname? What is it?
Probably do, but I don’t know what it is!!
Do you recall any embarrassing moment at work?
Sitting down chatting with residents in one of the houses, and having a staff member come along and put a bib on me.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Sir Les Patterson.
If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
To carry Tommy Emmanuel’s guitar case.
If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Breakfast.
If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?
Guitar, good book and a long cool drink.
If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be?
Don’t worry, it may never happen.
Least favourite food?
Peanut paste.
Top two life highlights?
Birth of children and people who have supported me through really tough times.
What advice would you give to recent new staff?
Try and learn as much as possible about working here at FRC and the Aged Care industry. Further your education.
What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?
To organise, delegate and be honest always.
What did you want to be when growing up?
I wanted to join the Navy.
What do you always want to try and never did?
Water skiing.
What do you like to do on your days off?
Help with Rotary jobs, research music, read, and spend time with my darling Judy.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Off to bed between 12 and 2.30am, up at 6.30am then work; but if not working I have a poppy nap in the arvo and have a punt on English and Irish horse races.
What does true leadership mean to you?
Someone who leads by example.
What has been the most important innovation you have witnessed in your lifetime?
Computer and telecommunications age.
What is an ability you wish you had?
To remember names, dates and places.
What is on your bucket list?
Travel both in Australia and overseas. Get more involved with family.
What is the first concert you attended?
Pete Seeger (folk singer) at Festival Hall Brisbane in the mid 60’s – regarded as one of America’s music legends. At this concert I saw my first five-string banjo and 12-string guitar.
What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
Getting along with people both staff and residents, to smile often, be interested in people, and be a good listener.
What is the one thing you cannot resist?
Sweets and lollies.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Insincere people.
What is your favourite number?
2 or 8.
What is your favourite sport?
Horse racing.
What is your greatest fear?
Not betting on the winner.
What is your hidden talent?
Still looking.
What is your personal philosophy?
Be happy.
What music is on your iPhone/Android phone?
Real mix of music.
What one food do you wish had zero calories?
Sweets and lollies.
What places have you lived in?
QLD and NSW Riverina.
What TV show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love?
Nigella Lawson.
What was your favourite book, toy, or outfit as a child?
Robert Louis Stevenson’s book – Kidnapped.
What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?
It’s going to be okay.
Where is your favourite place to eat?
Anywhere.
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
Europe.
Which one would you want most – flying cars, robot housekeepers, or moon cities?
Flying cars.
You’re happiest when?
People around me are happy.
What are your hopes for our industry?
That staff are more valued, and that pay, conditions and education to be at a level that makes Aged Care a desired career path, and not just a job.
In my ten years of employment at FRC, the management and staff at this time, appear to be the most stable and happiest. It’s a joy to come to work.
