National Volunteer Week, 2023 | Meet one of our volunteers, Peter Debus
- 19 May 2023
Tell us about your professional life prior to becoming a Baptcare volunteer.
I had an exciting career including working as a copywriter and editor, publicity/promotions manager for Kluwer, publishing director in academic publishing (Macmillan and Cambridge University Press) and a director of an online newspaper, The Mandarin (part of the Crikey group). I was lucky enough to live and work abroad in the Netherlands for many years.
I also spent 14 years as a director at Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) a kind of graduate school for public servants. ANZSOG specialises in research and teaching in public administration and policy.
Given your background, we’re assuming reading is one of your biggest hobbies?
Yes, I’m a keen reader, mainly in non-fiction – politics and social sciences – but I’m also trying to read more fiction. I also enjoy travel and biking riding with my partner, and spending time with my first grandchild who we mind every week.
Why did you get into volunteering?
My mother was probably my inspiration. She was an active volunteer and I had always been impressed by what she did. She volunteered at a hospital ICU reception desk in Sydney and often would tell dramatic stories about colourful underworld characters who were trying to bluff their way into the ICU department to see people.
I always thought that I’d do some sort of volunteering when I finished working.
I always envisaged driving around in a minibus taking older people to outings. There is something about getting out and about – and driving – that appealed to me. So, I’m very excited to learn that I’m about to fulfil this dream and start driving a Baptcare minibus!
Why did you choose to volunteer at Baptcare?
I have a friend, Sam Hicks who works at Baptcare (Sam is our Head of Learning and Development) who encouraged me to volunteer.
What is involved in your volunteering work at Baptcare?
I visit some Baptcare residential aged care communities and spend time with residents chatting or taking them out for errands if requested. As mentioned, I will also be driving a Baptcare minibus soon!
What have been your impressions of volunteering at Baptcare?
Hedley Sutton is an amazing place. Its grounds are spectacular and there’s even a nice café onsite! I’ve also been impressed by the variety of events offered, including musical performances, talks and Devotions delivered by Baptcare’s Spiritual Care team.
Anything that surprised you about the volunteering experience?
The onboarding administration including police checks. But of course, it makes sense that this thoroughness is required. Another thing that keeps catching me is the COVID precautions. I keep needing to remind myself to leave home a bit earlier to factor in the 15-minute COVID test before I start my volunteering session.
Any final words about your volunteer role?
I feel like I’m serving a useful purpose in being a volunteer. It’s great to give back to the community at a stage in my life when I have more time.
Thank you for the time and care you give to Baptcare as one of our volunteers, Peter. We look forward to seeing photos of you as a minibus driver extraordinaire very soon!
Community news
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Personal Alert Victoria | Enhancing safety and independence
Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) offers eligible Victorians a free personal monitoring and emergency response service. This important service is funded by the Victorian Government and helps people continue to live independently at home, safe in the knowledge that help is only a button press away.If you or someone you know is frail, elderly and isolated or who is living with a disability, you may like to consider applying for the PAV program.What does the PAV service involve?The PAV service responds to calls for assistance 24 hours per day.Clients wear a pendant around their neck or wrist which is designed with a button that, when pressed, dials the PAV hotline connecting the caller with trained staff ready to provide assistance. For example, if you fall or suddenly feel unwell, you can press the button and be connected with someone who can speak with you through the pendant.PAV hotline staff will talk with you to determine whether a call should be placed with emergency services, one of your nominated contacts (usually family members, friends or neighbours) or whether you simply require some reassurance about your situation (in the event of a non-urgent issue).How does my pendant connect me to the PAV hotline?A receiver unit sits next to your telephone and is plugged into your telephone line. When it receives an alert from your pendant (after you have pressed the button), the receiver unit automatically dials the PAV hotline.Who is eligible for the PAV service?Eligibility is determined via an assessment conducted in your own home.There are two sets of eligibility criteria to meet – Part A and Part B:Part A:You must meet all three conditions set out below –Daily monitoring – you consent to daily monitoring.Wearable pendant - you are capable of using and willing to wear the PAV pendant at all times.Living situation – you live alone OR are alone for most of the day or evening OR live with a person who would be unable to get to the phone in an emergency (or is unable to use the phone).Part B:You must meet two of these criteria –You have had at least one fall that needed medical attention in the previous six months or be at risk of falls.You suffer from a major medical or chronic condition that puts you at risk of medical emergencies or has some ongoing effect on your health or wellbeing.You are taking six or more different medications on a permanent basis that are prescribed by your doctor / medical specialist.Who conducts my eligibility assessment for PAV?Eligibility assessments for the PAV service are usually conducted by your local council, community health service, aged care assessment service, district nursing service and some publicly funded community rehabilitation services.You can either contact your local service provider directly (for example, by enquiring with your local council’s aged care program) or be referred to an assessment service by your doctor or local community health service.It’s worth noting that there may be a waiting period involved until a PAV unit becomes available for installation at your home.For more detailed information on the PAV program, please refer to the PAV program and service guidelines provided by the Victorian Department of Health.
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Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) offers eligible Victorians a free personal monitoring and emergency response service. This important service is funded by the Victorian Government and helps people continue to live independently at home, safe in the knowledge that help is only a button press away.If you or someone you know is frail, elderly and isolated or who is living with a disability, you may like to consider applying for the PAV program.What does the PAV service involve?The PAV service responds to calls for assistance 24 hours per day.Clients wear a pendant around their neck or wrist which is designed with a button that, when pressed, dials the PAV hotline connecting the caller with trained staff ready to provide assistance. For example, if you fall or suddenly feel unwell, you can press the button and be connected with someone who can speak with you through the pendant.PAV hotline staff will talk with you to determine whether a call should be placed with emergency services, one of your nominated contacts (usually family members, friends or neighbours) or whether you simply require some reassurance about your situation (in the event of a non-urgent issue).How does my pendant connect me to the PAV hotline?A receiver unit sits next to your telephone and is plugged into your telephone line. When it receives an alert from your pendant (after you have pressed the button), the receiver unit automatically dials the PAV hotline.Who is eligible for the PAV service?Eligibility is determined via an assessment conducted in your own home.There are two sets of eligibility criteria to meet – Part A and Part B:Part A:You must meet all three conditions set out below –Daily monitoring – you consent to daily monitoring.Wearable pendant - you are capable of using and willing to wear the PAV pendant at all times.Living situation – you live alone OR are alone for most of the day or evening OR live with a person who would be unable to get to the phone in an emergency (or is unable to use the phone).Part B:You must meet two of these criteria –You have had at least one fall that needed medical attention in the previous six months or be at risk of falls.You suffer from a major medical or chronic condition that puts you at risk of medical emergencies or has some ongoing effect on your health or wellbeing.You are taking six or more different medications on a permanent basis that are prescribed by your doctor / medical specialist.Who conducts my eligibility assessment for PAV?Eligibility assessments for the PAV service are usually conducted by your local council, community health service, aged care assessment service, district nursing service and some publicly funded community rehabilitation services.You can either contact your local service provider directly (for example, by enquiring with your local council’s aged care program) or be referred to an assessment service by your doctor or local community health service.It’s worth noting that there may be a waiting period involved until a PAV unit becomes available for installation at your home.For more detailed information on the PAV program, please refer to the PAV program and service guidelines provided by the Victorian Department of Health.
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Enjoying the comforts of home: Lynette and George
Lynette is 75 and her husband, George, is 70. With a little help from home care, they're able to live healthily and happily together at home.
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