How long have you worked at Finley?
Just over one month.
What interested you about working in Aged Care?
I was always very close to my grandparents throughout my life, and when my grandfather gave up on life in his late retirement it really hit home that surely there is more that can be done to ensure older people can still have a meaningful life and feel respected and valued.
What is your role at Finley Regional Care? What does it involve?
My role at Finley Regional Care is that of a Wellness, Leisure & Lifestyle team member. Being part of this team involves planning, implementing and providing meaningful leisure and lifestyle activities and choices to our older members of the community using a person-centred approach which is based on the individual’s wants and needs.
What are your qualifications?
- Certificate IV in “Warehouse Operations”.
- Certificate IV in “Retail Management”.
- Qualified “Painter & Decorator”.
- Certificate IV “Massage Therapy”.
- Currently studying “Certificate IV Leisure & Health -Aged Care”.
- I have been working in the Aged Care Leisure & Lifestyle industry for approximately 16 months in Regional Victoria.
What do you like most about working here?
Finley Regional Care is a very family and community orientated organisation, and I am enjoying being a part of this.
If you had to describe Finley Regional Care in four words, what would you say?
Welcoming, Family, Community and Inspiring.
What has exceeded your expectations or surprised you the most since coming here?
How welcoming the residents and staff have been.
Tell us one thing about you people might not know.
I may regret saying this, but I have been known to shed a tear or two during sad or moving movie moments. Just ask my wife, lol.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I am a mad fisherman and enjoy chasing the big one that got away, and love spending time with my family doing things we all enjoy.
What is your favourite quote or saying?
“This day means you have me, that I am yours. This day means come and live your life with me”. These are words from my wedding vows to Ali.
What three traits define you?
Honesty, respect and good old-fashioned values.
How do you define success?
Defining success in my role at FRC is seeing our residents smile, laugh and feel valued.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
I always liked the character “Wile E Coyote”, I never give up!
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I would love to learn how to hand sign to better communicate with people with hearing difficulties.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Probably faint.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
Here at FRC, continuing to be a part of a wonderful family and team.
Favourite movie?
I have two, “Dances with Wolves” and “Gladiator”.
Are you messy or organised?
Generally, pretty organised, though sometimes I try too hard and things get messy, lol.
Best vacation you’ve been on?
I have fond memories of camping and fishing on the Murray River, but the best is yet to come.
Choose your Mr Men/Little Miss, to describe your work personality?
Mr Fussy.
Do you have an office nickname? What is it?
I believe there is one floating around since I started here at FRC, but it has not been revealed to me yet.
Do you recall any embarrassing moment at work?
I can’t think of one right now, but I’m sure there will be one somewhere along the way at FRC.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Kevin Costner would be the man for the job.
If you could meet anyone in the world (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
Wyatt Earp – having a name like Wyatt, you have to love the Wild West.
If you were an animal what would you be?
Wolf. I always felt the wolf represented me. It wasn’t until later in life I really understood what this meant.
If you were stuck on death row, what would your last meal be?
Bangers and mash, or maybe a nice piece of grilled Barramundi.
If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?
My wife, my fishing gear and music.
If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be?
If you want it, go and make it happen.
If your house was burning down, what is the one non-living thing you would
save?
My fishing gear.
Least favourite food?
Brussel Sprouts.
Motto or personal mantra?
There is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Top two life highlights?
Learning to fish with my grandfather, and marrying my amazing wife.
What advice would you give to recent new staff?
Be yourself, and remember we are all here to achieve a common goal.
What are the three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?
Patience, respect and communication.
What are your three most overused words/phrases?
“It is what it is.”
What did you want to be when growing up?
An architect.
What did you always want to try but never did?
Have a holiday on a houseboat. I plan to though in the future.
What do you like to do on your days off?
Spend time with my family, fishing, camping and watching V8 Supercars.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every day we have is a blessing.
What is an ability you wish you had?
I’ll get back to you on that one.
What is on your bucket list?
Catching that metre-long Murray Cod.
What was your first concert you attended?
INXS in 1988 on the Gold Coast.
What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far?
Finding that special person who will hold your heart forever. I can confidently say I have now overcome this challenge.
What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
Life is too short, live it while you can.
What is one thing you cannot resist?
Cheesecake.
What is one thing you can’t live without?
I would struggle without my amazing family, but closely behind I couldn’t live without my fishing.
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Probably an earthworm. The things you do when we were kids, lol.
What are the two worst things you did as a kid?
One of them was laughing at my Mum when she broke her wooden spoon over my younger brother’s backside. That was a long time ago.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
People putting the toilet roll on the holder the wrong way around. It’s always over, not under, lol.
What is your favourite childhood memory?
Going on fishing trips with my grandparents.
What is your favourite number and why?
The number 4, the day of the month I was born.
What is your favourite sport?
V8 Supercars.
What is your greatest fear?
Not living my life to the fullest.
What is your hidden talent?
Magic fingers, haha; its massage therapy.
What is your personal philosophy?
If you don’t do it now, you never will!
What food do you wish had zero calories?
Cheesecake and chocolate.
What places have you lived?
Montmorency, Melbourne, Paynesville, East Gippsland, Cobram and now Finley.
What tv show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love?
Pretty Woman.
What would people never guess you do in your role?
Paint fingernails. I can and I have before, lol.
What would you like to be famous for?
If anything, I would like to be famous for making a difference in people’s lives.
What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?
Forget the girls, just go fishing.
Where is your favourite place to eat?
The Travelling Squid, East Gippsland. Best calamari in the country.
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
Driving holiday around Australia for a few years.
You’re happiest when?
When the people around me are happy?
What are your hopes for our industry?
That the focus remains on providing the best possible care and services for the older people in our community whilst not forgetting that every single individual is important as we move forward into the future.
