News and views from our community

Meet Swinburne Digital Story Program volunteer, Natalie Alexander

Benjamin Franklin once said, ‘If you want something done, give it to a busy person’. This saying applies to the Swinburne Digital Story Program Aged Care volunteer, Natalie Alexander.In addition to a busy family life (three children aged from 9-14), Natalie is currently completing her fourth year of a Monash University psychology pathway. Natalie is hoping to be practising psychology in the child/adolescent space after her Master’s program.Natalie is also an active volunteer with various organisations, including the Swinburne Digital Story Program Aged Care project at Baptcare’s Hedley Sutton community.How long have you been volunteering with the Swinburne Digital Story Program Aged Care project?I started in January this year.Have you done any other volunteering?I’ve always done volunteering. Currently, I’m an active volunteer in schools, Raise Youth Mentoring program, Very Special Kids and of course the Swinburne Digital Story program. I like to volunteer in a variety of spaces to learn more about those worlds. I believe that this breadth of experience will help me in my career.How did you get involved in the Swinburne Digital Story project?I follow Swinburne on social media, saw an ad for the Digital Story program and got in touch with Rebecca Collins, the program Director.What drew you to the project?I thought it sounded wonderful to spend time with someone who is perhaps a bit lonely, and just provide them some company. The physical memento of the four-minute digital story after the program will hopefully not only be enjoyed by the resident, but also be useful do the aged care employees. I hope the digital story program will help the staff understand the resident being profiled a bit better, help the everyday conversation and ultimately, the quality of the resident’s life.It’s also lovely to be able to leave a gift for the resident that hopefully enhances their wellbeing.Whose digital story are you covering?Barbara, a resident from Hedley Sutton.What do you enjoy about volunteering with the Swinburne Digital Story Program in Aged Care?It’s a rewarding process to invest time in something worthwhile that will hopefully deliver some positive outcomes and joy.Residents have fascinating stories. They don’t think they’ve got much to tell until someone gives them the time and space to talk.It has also provided me with some invaluable training, and I now have skills that I can use in the future.Why do you do volunteering?I like giving back to my community. And I believe the world is a little bit nicer if we go out of our way for someone else. I really enjoy volunteering and It’s fulfilling to think you can bring some joy into someone’s life.Hopefully I can brighten Barbara’s day and give her someone to talk with. I also feel quite privileged to get to hear someone else’s life story.Selfishly, I also think it’s helpful for me to be amongst other age groups. It helps me understand more about people and this will help me in my daily life as well as my study. And lastly, I find that volunteering can help put your own little problems in perspective.How would you describe the process of creating a digital story?Firstly, you learn a lot with the program, such as good conversation starters, about feeling comfortable sitting in silence, and mostly how to be around older adults. We then use these skills to reminisce with the resident and find out more about them, with the aim of turning what we have learnt into a short digital story. Rebecca from Swinburne is very supportive and always is ready to help if needed.It has been lovely to see Hedley staff treat the residents with such friendliness and respect. I was walking recently with Barbara to the Hedley café and it was like walking with a celebrity – all the staff calling out ‘Hello’ to Barbara. I have been impressed by the Hedley staff, they are so friendly.If someone was thinking about trying out volunteering, what would you say?I’d encourage people to do volunteering if they can. It’s a great experience, you gain as much as you give.If you’re interested in joining our vibrant volunteering community, please email us on volunteer@baptcare.org.au

• 26 Jun 2023

Australian-first energy efficient social housing project opens in Sunshine

Our ground-breaking affordable housing project in Sunshine is complete. This is a Baptcare Affordable Housing (BAH) pilot project in environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.The 20 new residences include eight PassivHauses. This is the first PassivHaus-designed social/affordable housing in Australia.We have invested more capital into building these houses because we believe that, in the long-term, their efficiency will alleviate financial pressures for residents.Soaring energy prices are a huge burden for many renters, so we have designed and built our extremely energy-efficient housing to reduce the pressure of high power bills.“We are proud of this innovative project and believe it will be a game-changer for renters battling high energy costs,” said Baptcare Chief Executive Officer Geraldine Lannon.“We look forward to seeing what impact the PassivHauses have for people living in them, in terms of health, financial and social outcomes. This is a bold step forward in social and affordable housing, and we anticipate great outcomes for the families, couples and individuals living in these homes.“Baptcare is dedicated to finding better ways to work with our customers. We believe that second-best is not good enough. We want to be leaders in creating best outcomes for and with our customers,” Ms Lannon saidThe completed housing project includes two four-bedroom PassivHauses and six two-bedroom PassivHauses. These dwellings meet international PassivHaus standards for airtightness, thermal insulation, ventilation, use of high-performance windows and doors and thermal bridge-free construction.The other twelve dwellings - eight one-bedroom and four two-bedroom homes - are built to seven-star NaTHERS energy rating and aim to achieve a minimum of gold standard of the Liveable Housing Australia for accessibility to and within the property.The development provides housing support for larger families, sole parents, financially disadvantaged people, people experiencing family or domestic violence, and older Victorians who meet the criteria for social/affordable housing.All of the new residences have been allocated to renters. The new houses are located close to Sunshine shopping centre, services and public transport.“In a cost of living crisis, Baptcare has developed a community in collaboration with Homes Victoria that is truly trying to minimise the ongoing running costs to their tenants,” said James Kelly, Seniors Living & Care Partner, ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects.“We’ve used a simple architectural vernacular tailored to the streetscape. It includes a small, private, family-oriented park at the rear, with landscaping by John Patrick, where residents can connect to nature and each other.“The interiors are functional, quality spaces, with simple joinery and the timber-framed, triple-glazed windows are really quite beautiful objects in their own right,” Mr Kelly said.BAH will work with Sustainability Victoria and other agencies to study the ongoing impact of building highly energy-efficient social and affordable housing, and what this means for the health, financial and social outcomes for the people living in these dwellings.This project has been funded through the Building Works Package, with the Victorian Government contributing $7 million to the $11.5 million development.Learn more about our PassivHauses here.

• 23 Jun 2023

• Faces of Baptcare

Faces of Baptcare #45 | Meet Shari Scholes-miller

What is your current role and what does it involve day to day?My current role as an Assessment Officer involves the onboarding of new clients to our home care program. I spend my day meeting new clients in their homes and making sure things are all good and ready for us to begin delivering services to them. How long have you been working at Baptcare?I have been with Baptcare going on five years. I started back in 2017 as part of the customer enquiries team, then moved on to become a Customer Liaison Consultant, and now I’m an Assessment Officer. What do you like about working with Baptcare and in the home care space? I love being able to meet so many new and interesting people every day, all with their own stories to tell and experiences to share. I love being able to give something back to a group of people (our elderly population) who have given so much of themselves to our community over their lifetime. Can you share a particularly special customer interaction you’ve had recently?I saw a client recently who was going through a tough personal time, and by the end of my visit, they put their hand on my shoulder and thanked me just for listening. They told me that I had managed to turn their day around. It was a really special feeling for me. Did you always want to work within the caring space?I have always had a calling to work in “care” in some capacity. Prior to working at Baptcare, I had spent time working as a service coordinator in the early childhood education sector. What did you want to be when you grew up?For some reason I used to say I wanted to be a marine biologist - I never even knew what a marine biologist was at the time! Later on, I thought about being a physiotherapist as I used to help my grandfather out as he had a knee that caused him a great deal of pain. He used to tell me I’d make a great physio one day. Do you have a favourite quote or motto in life?Worrying about something will never change the outcome. How would your friends describe you?Generous, thoughtful, and always busy! If you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why?I am a BIG Elton John fan and have been lucky enough to see him perform live three times. I would be thrilled to be seated next to him at a dinner party - I think it would be a blast! Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself?I am a certified scuba diver (since the age of 12) and I have been to three of the five Disneyland theme parks around the world (and counting!) OK… we feel a Disney deep dive coming on….Which Disney theme parks have you visited?I have visited Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, 3 times; Disneyworld in Orlando, FL, once; and Disneyland Paris, once.What’s the next Disney location on your list?I would love to say Japan is next on my to do list.What do you like about the Disney parks?I could write a book to answer this one! There is something about the place that just evokes joy. I cry every single time I walk into a park (from happiness). You can’t have a bad day at Disney. The food, the smells, the cast members… magical! The thing I look forward to the most is always the fireworks. My favourite rides are:-Disneyland CA - Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance-Disneyland Paris - Indiana Jones-Disneyworld FL - Expedition EverestAnd my favourite thing to eat at all Disney Parks is the hot buttery popcorn.Is there a reason you are so into them? I have grown up watching Disney movies, as most of us did. And my sister actually worked at Disneyworld FL for a year, and I remember seeing her photos and listening to her talk about it just HAD to experience it for myself. I love the escape from reality you experience at the Disney Parks.When you’re at Disneyland it’s like you’re in a literal fantasy world where everything is bright and beautiful and grand. It really brings people together. I took my husband to Disneyland for the first time, and he is so not a Disney fan. And yet he had one of the best days ever there. Like I said - no bad days at Disney!If you could be a Disney character, who would it be and why?TOUGH ONE! Let me think… Maybe Mickey? He is just classic and timeless and brings instant happiness.As do you Shari! Thank you for sharing your little bit of magic each day in our home care team.If you’d like to learn more about Baptcare’s home care services, please visit our website at https://www.baptcare.org.au/services/home-care/what-you-need-to-know

• 15 Jun 2023

Passionate volunteers help give families a better start

There are some moments you don’t forget.Such as the little non-verbal boy, initially wary, who allowed Glenda Dawson to play with his toy trains – then had such fun that he spread his arms wide at the end of the session to try to block her from leaving.Or the mother battling mental health issues, raising four children with their own health challenges, isolated from her family, who turned to Glenda one day and said, ‘I trust you.’“It was a very special moment, knowing that she felt that way, and that I could provide that connection for her,” Glenda, a long-serving volunteer with Baptcare Home-Start in Bendigo, reflects.Home-Start is a voluntary home visiting service that offers practical support and mentoring to families with children under the age of five. It is an evidence-based program based on the simple but powerful belief that children need a happy and secure childhood and that parents play the key role in giving their children a good start in life and helping them achieve their full potential. Trained volunteers are linked to families on a one-to-one basis, to give support and foster community connection on a short- or long-term basis. Most volunteers are parents or grandparents themselves.Glenda is a retired schoolteacher and grandmother who felt she had the capacity to contribute to her community. “I prayed about what I should do with my free time. It was then I saw the ad to volunteer with Baptcare Home-Start. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.“The training, supervision and support that I was given at the start and continue to be given on an ongoing basis is vital to the work that we do,” she says. “As I look at our community and the times we’re living in, the need for this program is growing.“Sometimes it is just a matter of sitting over a cup of tea and having a chat. Sometimes I fold the washing, sometimes I go with them to a medical appointment, and sometimes I keep an eye on the kids while the Mum has a shower for longer than the two minutes she usually gets to herself.Overall, it’s just about building the relationships and encouraging them. It is amazing, and I have seen that Baptcare Home-Start makes a real difference to these families.”Glenda’s observations are echoed by Jenny Mitchell, another highly-valued Baptcare Home-Start volunteer. Jenny is an experienced social worker who was looking for an opportunity to continue to use her skills during retirement.“I am such an advocate for this program,” she enthuses. “For a start, it’s not time limited. It’s not six weeks and then it’s done – it’s a relationship with a family for as long as they need.“It’s a strength-based program, which I love. We’re not there to tell parents what to do or to judge them. It’s about walking alongside them. It’s about looking for the strengths, so when I’m with a family I always make sure I comment on things I can see that are going well. And there is always something you can say!“I think every city and town in Australia should have multiple Home-Start programs, but also I love that our programme is small. I think that’s what makes it effective; it’s not giant and one-size-fits-all – it’s small and local and manageable.”Baptcare responds to each family’s needs through a combination of home-visiting support, group work, parenting education and social events. The aim is to support parents as they grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with their children and widen their links with the local community.Jenny also gives her time and abilities to help support the Baptcare team in training new volunteers. “I can’t emphasise enough how important this program is, and how incredibly cost-effective it is, and the value it provides to the community,” Jenny says.“We hear over and over again from families how much they appreciate it and how it helps them to get on with their lives. In terms of dollars spent, the value to our community not just now but over time is enormous.“We also have excellent ongoing training and support for the volunteers. You have to support your workers, be they volunteers or paid, and that’s what happens with Baptcare’s Home-Start.”Baptcare Home-Start operates in Bendigo, where the current program has been active for 12 years and works with around 40 families and 100 children each year, and also our newer service in Sunshine. The program has a proven, lasting and positive impact on the development of children and the health and welfare of families.More information: Home-Start Program - Baptcare

• 13 Jun 2023

• Faces of Baptcare

Faces of Baptcare #44 | Meet David Ware, Spiritual Care Coordinator/Chaplain

David is a much-loved member of staff at our Hedley Sutton Community in leafy Camberwell, Victoria. His bright and cheerful personality radiates warmth and positivity to all he meets – and his poetry is sure to put a smile on your face.Read on to learn more about David’s work, why he loves working at Baptcare and enjoy reading some of his poetry!Tell us about your work as a Spiritual Care Coordinator/Chaplain – what does a typical day look like for you (if there is such a thing)?Some days are very different to others – over a week, I do many different things including:Creating and leading devotional services and a variety of resident interest programs, for example, weekly current affairs sessions and monthly ‘can of worms’ discussions.Providing emotional and spiritual support to our residents, staff and families.Coordinating and leading a team of spiritual care volunteers.Keeping up to date with required assessments and documentation.Why did you decide to become a Spiritual Care Coordinator/Chaplain? And why did you decide to work in the aged care sector?I am not sure I chose aged care—I think that in some strange way it (God?) chose me. I was walking the streets of Geelong reading water meters, using hardly any of my ability or gifts (although I did get very fit!) when the opportunity to become a Baptcare Chaplain arose. I wasn’t sure how I would go—but after a period of adjustment I found it fitted me quite well.How long have you worked at Baptcare?I commenced working with Baptcare in November 2011, so I have been with the organisation for more than 11 years. During this time, I have worked across three sites: the Western Metro Community Aged Care Office in Sunshine (as it was then), Strathalan Community (with a focus on Retirement Living) and our Hedley Sutton Community. I have also helped out at a few other sites from time to time.Why do you like working at Baptcare?One of the things I have most enjoyed about Baptcare is working with many wonderful people who really care about the people they work for and believe in the importance of what they do.To me, Baptcare really does care about the residents, clients, consumers and communities we serve. It is good to feel that I am part of making a positive difference.Have you always worked as a Chaplain?Not always—although I have previously worked as a School Chaplain in public and private school settings. It does seem to have been a bit of a “sweet spot” where my gifts, personality and sense of vocation come together well.Other jobs I have had:Braille Transcriber (I worked for over five years full-time and part-time in this role).Integration Aide work (undertaken part-time for four years with a visually handicapped high school student, while I completed a BA/B Theol double degree).Church Pastor (both as a solo/main pastor and as part of a team).What did you want to be when you were growing up?There was a time when I thought I would like to be a schoolteacher. I was dissuaded from this in Year 6 by a teacher who thought I was too shy to do this role. Looking back, I think that was a poor assessment of my capabilities and I have ended up doing a fair bit of teaching anyway!I notice that you are a very natural performer in front of a big crowd and connect with ease – how did you develop those skills?Thanks for the compliment! (I am actually quite shy).I think it’s largely been a case of identifying the strengths that I have when it comes to connecting with a group (even a large group) and honing those skills through practice. Over the years, I have got a pretty good feel for what works well in a public setting and what doesn’t.These are my tips:Find a “hook” for any brief speech of 3-4 minutes, for example, I have spoken about MAD (Make A Difference) volunteers.Don’t labour the point (longer is not always better—in fact, it can be worse).Use interesting stories as illustrations (stories that connect with people are a great communication tool. Jesus used a lot of stories).Where possible, break the message into smaller “bite size” pieces (in devotions, I generally have three sections that go for 4-5 minutes rather than one long message).Make sure the different parts of the message connect well (the sum of the whole should be greater than the sum of the parts).Have one main point which provides a focus for all the sub points.Make it interesting and keep a sense of humour.Connect with people’s own stories and experiences (i.e., I try to start where people are at—not where I think they should be).Your poetry is wonderful! When did you develop a love of writing? I have always been able to write rhymes, poems and song lyrics. But I generally need a reason to write.Until 2020, most of my writing was done for the many short talks I created for devotional services I presented at Hedley Sutton.However, when COVID hit in 2020, I had a conviction that if ever there was a time when I needed to get on the “front foot” with my writing this was it! So, I wrote a lot more poems from that time on.(Editor’s note - here’s an excerpt from David’s piece ‘If God’ for your enjoyment):Oh yes there’s been times when fired up, crankyGod’s upbraided the world for its brash hanky-pankyBut still all in all, though it may pass as ordinaryHis patience has been exemplar, extraordinaryThrough all that does happen we still hear joy’s tuneThe sun shines on brightly and so does the moon,And fun does emerge from the strangest of placesGod must be a prankster, to make all our faces.He’s more than a judge, he’s a big-hearted dad,With a laugh and a smile, to make our hearts glad.And like the best earthly mother, who never gives inHe helps us to rise up and again to begin.Yes God is a jokester, a weaver of talesWho delights in our quirks and whose love never fails.You ask me in earnest: How was this thought seeded?Well I am still here, what more proof is needed!?What else do you like to do in your spare time?I am a bit of a sports tragic and follow the Geelong football club and get to matches when I can.I play table tennis at home against one of my sons—and we have some epic matches. I am holding sway—just!I enjoy getting down to Anglesea on the Surf Coast and to other places for short trips when I can.I enjoy reading and am particularly interested in history and the insights it can provide into why people, communities and countries do the things they do.I am part of a great small group—where we share life, prayer and faith together.I like going to our local café or visiting places like Warrandyte that are renewing and life giving.If you could invite anyone in the world along to a dinner party (living or dead – doesn’t matter), who would you invite and why?That is a great question!I am hoping to meet Jesus one day, so I will leave him off my dinner list!Jonah: What was it like being swallowed by a whale? Did you learn anything from that experience?Elvis Presley: What was it really like being “The King”? Would you have made all those B grade movies again if you had another chance?Elizabeth 1 (Queen of England 1558-1603): What was it like being a powerful woman in a man’s world? Was being Henry VIII’s daughter a help or a hindrance? Did you regret that you never got married?What’s your motto in life?To leave the world and people I love and meet, better than I found them.Thank you, David, for everything you do to support our valued residents, staff and volunteers at Baptcare. If you would like to learn more about how Baptcare provides emotional and spiritual support through our network of pastoral carers and chaplains, click here.

• 08 Jun 2023

• Faces of Baptcare

Faces of Baptcare #43 | Meet Bernadette Bullock

Bernadette Bullock is one of Baptcare’s longest serving employees and a much-loved part of our community. Without hesitation, her colleagues described Bernadette as caring, loyal, kind, fun, supportive and knowledgeable. You can read about Bernadette’s amazing Baptcare journey below (and learn a bit about her hobby English paper piecing too!). What is your current role at Baptcare?Since September 2019 I‘ve worked as Sales Manager for the new retirement living community in Frankston South called Peninsula View Retirement Residences.My role is quite varied but revolves around regular communication. I work with development and marketing to create a road map in order to sell the retirement apartments and villas off the plan. I communicate regularly to stakeholders and customers about their needs and how we can assist them in satisfying those needs. Another major part of my role is to maintain relationships throughout the build of the Peninsula View Retirement Residences, including assistance with the customer’s induction into a new site and then supporting them as they adjust to living in their new community.What would a perfect workday look like for you?A day that involves productive communicating with purchasers (both existing and prospective) where I’m able to keep them informed of what is happening on the development. I also enjoy any conversations with other retirement living team members and supporting people in any way that I can.You have been working at Baptcare for 31 years! What roles have you had during this time and what has kept you at Baptcare?I started working at Karana in 1992 for Baptist Social Services as a casual in the kitchen while I was studying to be a Mothercraft nurse (childcare). I also completed a Certificate Three in Disability Care. I worked across catering, cleaning, laundry and even dabbled in personal care before moving into supervisory roles. I progressed to supervisor in the domestic area.Next I moved to Baptist Catering, then Strathalan to start our assisted living program. In 2006 I completed Graduate Diploma in Aged Care Management at Victoria University which was supported by Baptcare.Around 2008 I took on the management of the assisted living and the retirement living village and worked across this portfolio until l left in 2019 for my current role.In 2015/2016 I won the Victorian/Tasmanian Manager of the Year for retirement living under the Property Council of Australia. This award was very special for me because it was a resident-nominated award.What keeps me at Baptcare are the people. I have always had the opportunity at Baptcare to be mentored by fabulous people who have supported me, guided me, and given space to make mistakes and learn.What changes have you seen at Baptcare over that time? I have seen our Karana, Hedley Sutton, Westhaven and Strathalan communities all re-built and now I’m watching the cycle starting again, especially Strathalan and The Orchards. While Baptcare’s size has grown dramatically I feel that we still show the care and respect to the people we serve in all aspects of our organisation. Have you always wanted to work within the Retirement Living space? I started working with children but after almost 10 years in that area I decided that I needed to change direction. I think, coming from a large family, I have always felt the need to nurture people and through studying I had the opportunity to work for Baptcare and have just never had the urge to leave. What motivates you at work/in life?My motivations for work and in life are doing the right thing, showing care, respect and being able to guide and support people to achieve the next part of their life. Away from work, family and friends are especially important to me.What did you want to be as a young child?I wanted to be a nurse. Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself?I have six brothers and one sister, and I like to do English paper piecing and embroidery.(ed. English Paper Piecing involves stabilizing fabric pieces with paper before sewing them into intricate designs. See example below.)What would your ideal weekend involve?Catching up with friends, gardening, and spending time with my dog.Do you have a mentor or idol? It would be my sister. There is nine years between us but we are extremely close. Her ability to show care and compassion to others while working fulltime amazes me. She is always there when needed.If you’d like to learn more about Baptcare’s retirement living communities, please call 0439 410 207 or refer to website: peninsulaviewliving.com.au

• 01 Jun 2023

• Faces of Baptcare

Meet Elton David – Head Chef at our Hedley Sutton Community and our Faces of Baptcare # 42

When did you start working at Baptcare?I started at Hedley Sutton back in 2016.Tell us about a typical day at work – if there is one!In terms of what I deliver with the team, we produce breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and supper each day. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we have a ‘Café Night’ where we host the residents and their families for a meal. We prepare around 400 meals each day.I guess I’m a different kind of chef because I really love spending time with the residents, quite apart from my cooking. Hedley Sutton is their home and so I like them to think of me as part of their family. I always let them know, “I’m there for you, don’t worry.” I love to connect with them. When they see me walking by, they call out to me, “Hey Elton, do you remember about this or that?” And I call out to them, “Sure thing!” and we get to have a conversation and I feel like I’m developing a bond with them.Why do you love working at Baptcare?What I love about working in the aged care sector is that the residents share their wisdom, knowledge and life experiences with me. They have so much to give! I learn so much more from them than what I give.I’m really committed to making sure older people get good, nutritious food. Put simply, when I think of our residents, I think about how this is someone’s mother or father. They need love and care and great food. This is what Baptcare stands for – love and compassion for others. This is what I know how to do – take others on journey and make life better for them.Have you always worked in food and hospitality?Yes, I worked for 21 years at Rod Laver Arena. We did big numbers in terms of meals and very long hours. I started as a dish washer and advanced through the ranks until I became a Chef and Supervisor. We did a lot of functions, concerts and the Australian Open Tennis, course. A lot of big events!What was your first job?When I came to Australia in 1998 from India, my first job was as a dish washer. Unfortunately, my father passed away shortly after I arrived and that’s when I became the breadwinner in my family. I felt a need to channel that pressure into something positive so I worked on building up my career in hospitality.What are the most important skills to have in your job?Patience is key. I think, with the right training, you can make anyone into a good chef - but you can’t make a good person.What do you do to relax and unwind?I like music - I play the piano and guitar. I really enjoy listening to gospel music.Do you like cooking at home – or do you try to avoid it?I do like cooking at home with my family and friends. I like simple, home-cooked Indian food – and I’m incredibly lucky that my wife is also a great cook. I also like Thai food.Do you have a motto in life?To serve others.If you could cook for anyone in the world (living or dead), who would it be and why?I would love to cook for my dad – he always thought I was a very bad cook! But I think he would be very happy with how I’ve developed my skills and worked hard at my job. I’d like to share a meal with him now.Have you cooked for anyone famous?I was lucky enough to serve Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, when she visited Melbourne for the Commonwealth Games in 2006. I felt very honoured to be a part of the celebration.What’s on the menu tonight?Tonight, we are serving chicken skewers with fried rice and bok choy. There’s a crème brulee for dessert.Sounds delicious Elton! Thank you for your wonderful service and dedication to our beloved residents at Hedley Sutton. Thanks also to your fantastic team, who work hard in the kitchen each day to prepare so many delicious meals.

• 23 May 2023

National Volunteer Week, 2023 | Meet one of our volunteers, Peter Debus

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!

• 19 May 2023

• Faces of Baptcare

Faces of Baptcare #41 | Meet Bryan Mooney, Volunteer Program Specialist

Talking with Bryan is energising. His active mind darts from anecdotes to philosophy, intermingled with playful asides. As Volunteer Program Partner, Lana Davis commented “engaging Bryan to be our Volunteer Program Specialist was an easy decision. Bryan brings a wealth of knowledge coupled with a vibrant can-do attitude”.Bryan’s life mirrors the Ancient Roman philosopher Seneca’s famous saying that “Life, if well lived, is long enough.” Bryan Mooney has a full, ‘well-lived’ life and we’re just grateful to be a part of it.What is your current role and what does it involve day to day?My title is Volunteer Program Specialist and it’s quite a diverse (and busy!) role. There are many, many meetings that aim to increase our volunteer numbers so as to improve the quality of life of our residents. An important part of my job is to check in with our volunteers. My aim is to let the volunteers know that we appreciate and value them, to make them feel special – because they are.Baptcare has a duty of care to look after the wellbeing and happiness of our volunteers in the same way they give back to our residents. It’s all part of a wonderful circle of care.What drew you to the world of volunteering?I’ve always had the mindset of service and giving back to the community and this has just been intensified through life experience. I guess we all go through life stages where we focus on different needs. For me from about my 30s I started to think about how I could help others and what difference could I make in life.The most valuable thing we all have in life is time. As you get older, you become conscious that time is running out. You ask yourself questions like what sort of legacy do you want to leave? Who have you impacted in this life?You’re quite the philosopher Bryan!Yes, I’m clearly feeling a bit philosophical today - and I haven’t even had a coffee yet!But I really believe that the good news stories are so important. They can be a foil against the heaviness of life.I think it’s important to highlight that life isn’t all black. There is so much good and so much joy in life and so much of that joy comes from helping others.How would you describe volunteers?Volunteers are really lovely people – beautiful souls. It is wonderful being around them.How long have you been working within the Volunteering team at Baptcare?I have been at Baptcare for a total of three years, and in the volunteering team for one-and-a-half years.What was your professional background before you joined Baptcare?I had completed a course as a Personal Care Worker (PCA) and was required to complete my qualifying hours. My teachers recommended Baptcare, so I started as a PCA trainee at Hedley Sutton aged care community. I ended up satisfying my 150 hours of training at Baptcare then was delighted when they asked if I’d like to stay.When did you move to the Lifestyle area? One day I was asked to help out in Lifestyle for the day and it was a great fit because I’m convivial and can talk under water. I ended up moving to Lifestyle permanently for six months and loved it. Baptcare Hedley Sutton wanted to keep me but they didn’t have the space but I was fortunate enough to be wooed by Baptcare Karana too. In the end I split my hours between Baptcare Hedley Sutton and Baptcare Karana.What was your role in these early days?I started driving the bus with residents for outings. Then someone from the volunteering space left from Baptcare Hedley Sutton and kindly put my name forward. This was at the very start of the pandemic, so I was able to help enforce COVID protocols, amongst other things.After nine months in the volunteering space, I was promoted into my current role as Volunteer Program Specialist. What do you like about working with Baptcare and in the volunteering space? I find working in the volunteering space really fulfilling. It reflects my values, in particular caring for and celebrating people. I think that people are beautiful spirits and souls, particularly volunteers, so it’s a privilege to work alongside them daily in my job.It also suits my skill set and personal qualities. In my job you need to be able to bond quickly and find common ground to interact effectively with people. My background in DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) with all its travel and diverse interactions means that I’m an easy match for my job.What makes a good volunteer?I think this is a redundant question. Anyone who wants to volunteer IS a perfect volunteer because they want to create change and comfort people. What is your work background?My original career was in the public service as a diplomat. I was with DFAT for 13 years. I was lucky enough to have been chosen as one of a select group for a year-long trial, and one of only two people who passed. In 1986 the Public Service approached me to discuss potential diplomatic training. My details were sent through to DFAT and then I had to undergo a range of testing before being offered a spot in the diplomatic training program.What do you mean ‘testing’?There were polygraphs done and psychological profiling – it all seemed quite James Bond to me, and the international travel appealed. Did you like being a diplomat?I loved it! I think my characteristics of being efficient, polite and discrete were a good fit too.Can you tell us a bit about life as a diplomat?Originally, I was seconded to work for Gareth Evans, then posted to Turkey for 2.5 years. After that posting, I left DFAT so I could keep travelling the world. Around this time I designed a shaving product for sensitive skin and spent a year developing the product for commercial sale.All this travel – what are some of your favourite places in the world?Turkey is close to my heart as well as Jerusalem – such a magical space – really the most beautiful city on earth. I also love Egypt and travelling through the Valley of the Kings. What did you want to be when you grew up?I wanted to do everything – mirrored by my very full life now! The way I see it is that unless you’re reincarnated you’ve got one shot at life so it’s good to experience whatever you can.(Ed. This reminds us of the Roman philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca’s quote “Life, if well lived, is long enough.”)We can feel some more philosophy coming on Bryan. (And still without caffeine – impressive!)Yes, I think that learning is infinite in this ‘school of life’ we live in. It’s good to keep improving yourself.For me, my aim is to build wide life skills because these will mean I can empathise with, and help, more people. Can you tell us 2 surprising things about yourself?I built my own 100 kilogram record turntable! (photo below). It took me almost a year to make in my spare time.Also, I was obsessed with martial arts from the age of five to 27 years old. I was addicted to it but didn’t compete. I’m not interested in competitive levels in life – just the experience itself. We’ve heard on the grapevine that you’re into music. Who are your favourite bands/musicians? I love all types of music from classical music when I grew up to opera, ballet, experimental jazz, avant garde and even German psychedelic rock. It transports me to other worlds.My favourite living artist is NIls Frahm.Do you play any music?While I’m heavily into the musical thing, I don’t play any instruments. But I do enjoy looking for rare and obscure vinyls and first pressings. We’re so lucky in Australia. I reckon we have the best record shops in Melbourne and Sydney.I also love going to concerts.Do you have a favourite quote or motto in life?Carpe diem – seize the day. If you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why?Alexander the Great.Assuming that I could understand ancient Macedonian/Greek, I would like to ask him how he accomplished as much as he did in his 32 years of life, and how he found being taught by Aristotle.

• 18 May 2023