News and views from our community
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Australian Home Medicines Review | Empowering better health
The Home Medicines Review program, administered by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, plays a key role in ensuring the safe use of medicines at home.The program involves an accredited pharmacist visiting you at home to check that you are taking your medicines correctly and that they are working for you. The pharmacist will work with you to ensure that you are receiving the right medicines at the right dose for your condition. They will also help identify any potential drug interactions and advise on any dosage adjustment and simplifications to your medication review.You may want to ask for a Home Medicines Review if you take a lot of different medicine, visit different doctors to obtain prescriptions, are feeling unwell on your medication or are struggling to remember to take your dose at the right time.How do I get a Home Medicines review?Your doctor can assess your eligibility for a Home Medicine Review, so the first step is to make an appointment with your General Practitioner (GP). If your doctor agrees that you would benefit from a Home Medicines Review, they will write a referral to an accredited pharmacist.While there is no cost for a Home Medicines Review, you may need to pay for your GP visit, unless they are a bulk billing clinic.Preparing for a Home Medicines ReviewBefore the pharmacist arrives, take stock of all the medicines you are taking. This should include prescribed medication, over the counter medicines (e.g., pain relief, eye and ear drops, etc.) as well as any vitamins or other supplements.What happens during the Home Medicines Review?The pharmacist will visit you at home and ask you questions about all the medicines, vitamins and supplements you are taking.They will assess the safety of your medicines by checking that they haven’t passed their expiry dates and are being stored correctly. The pharmacist will ask you questions about how you are taking the medicines and suggest ways to help you remember to take them at the right times.What happens after the Home Medicines Review?After speaking with you, the pharmacist will write up a report and send it to your doctor. You can make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the report findings. Your doctor will write up a plan for you to help better manage your medicines, including changes to your medicines, if needed. This is known as a ‘Medication Management Plan’.Where can I get more information about the Home Medicines Review program?For more information, visit the Home Medicines Review website or speak with your GP.Remember: knowledge is the best prescription for well-being. So, if you are feeling concerned about your medication, don’t hesitate to reach out for advice.
- 18 Apr 2024
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Baptcare recognised for our inclusive volunteering program
We are thrilled to share that Baptcare has been nominated for an Inclusive Volunteering Program award in the 2024 EV Strengthening Communities Inclusive Volunteering Awards. These awards acknowledge and celebrate organisations whose volunteering programs welcome volunteers from all walks of life.Baptcare received the following acknowledgment of such inclusivity in our nomination application. “The Baptcare volunteer program team acknowledges, celebrates, and recognises the efforts of students, migrants, First Nations and the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community and the strengths they bring to the 24 programs they offer”.“Inclusivity is at the heart of our Baptcare values and volunteering mission, as supported by our workforce data. Last year, we had an increase in diversity hires by more than 120 people,” said Baptcare Volunteer Program Partner, Lana Davis.“I’m so proud of Baptcare’s fair, equitable and inclusive practices in our recruitment, engagement and management of volunteers and the feedback we receive from our volunteers that they feel safe, supported and empowered in their volunteering journey with us,” she said.“I've heard many stories from our migrant volunteers on their inability to obtain work in Australia despite being highly skilled with university degrees. We are proud our inclusive practices, pathways to employment options and wellbeing programs have attracted our wonderful community of volunteers,” said Lana.Congratulations to all the volunteer team and community. Fingers crossed for some good news on 1 May at the awards ceremony!Find out how to join our fabulous volunteering community here.
- 12 Apr 2024
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Meet Robyn Jones
Visiting Baptcare’s Orana Respite Day and Social Centre in East Devonport, Tasmania is like walking into a cosy relative’s home. You’re greeted by the smell of a hearty hot meal and everyone seems genuinely happy and relaxed from the chatty clients to the various lifestyle and kitchen staff. Overseeing the happiness is Robyn Jones, Home Care Program Manager at Orana who is often seen quietly interacting in the background with her trademark composition and kindness. A quote from Sheryl Sandberg (Former Chief Operating Officer of Facebook) comes to mind: “Leadership is making others better as a result of your presence …”What is your current role and what does it involve day to day? I am the Home Care (HC) Program Manager at Orana. As we are such a tightknit and supportive team at Orana, my days can vary depending on what’s needed at the centre. For example, it may involve supporting staff to resolve tricky situations within our budgetary requirements or it may involve filling in for someone in the social centre (which I love as I get to chat to all our beautiful clients!) Overall, my role is to ensure we have happy clients and staff and that everyone is working to the best of their ability to provide the best possible support to our clients in the Day Centre and/or clients in their own homes in the community.How long have you been working at Baptcare and how long at Orana?I have been working for Baptcare for over five years. I started in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) space as Regional Manager in Launceston then moved over to Devonport in 2021 to manage our HC services which is where my passion lies.What do you like about working with Baptcare and at Orana? Baptcare have been very supportive to me over the years and have given me opportunities to work in different areas of the business. I love working at Orana as I love HC. I genuinely love working with all our clients in the Day Centre and in their own homes. I love making a difference in their lives and if I can make a client happy by bantering with them or giving them a solution to their problem then I go home, knowing I have made a small difference to someone. The staff I work with daily are also amazing. I can put my hand on my heart and say they are the best team I’ve ever worked with and I have been in the HC sector for over 30 years so that’s really saying something!Can you share a particularly special workday or customer interaction you’ve had recently? We had the pleasure of having our CEO, Geraldine Lannon, and her team visit Orana late last year. During this visit, we had some of our clients interviewed by the media team. To hear the laughter and the stories on this day made me so proud to work at Baptcare and to work with such beautiful people.How would you sum up Orana? Why do you think it’s such a special place for so many people? Orana is a special place because of the staff who run our Day Centre and all the staff who provide support to our clients. And then there’s our cook who is also amazing! We give our clients the opportunity to meet new people and form new friendships. A group of our clients even chose to go on a cruise together recently! No matter which Orana staff member answers a phone call, I know that the person will always be greeted with a happy voice. We make our clients feel welcome so they know Orana is a safe place for them. The feedback we receive from the community and clients is that our care workers are like their additional family. Our low staff levels speaks volumes.Are there any common experiences you notice with your customers? Are they generally a bit shy when they first join Orana? What kinds of comments do they make about Orana? Most new clients are in two minds when coming for the first time as they don’t know anyone. We make sure that we sit all the new clients with longstanding clients who are very sociable. I often see our current clients get up and go introduce themselves and welcome the new clients to Orana, which makes them feel special. We make sure that we include our new clients in conversations and encourage them to stay on for activities after lunch. It is very rare that a new client doesn’t return to Orana. We often hear clients say that they wish that they’d come to Orana earlier; that they love it here, that Orana is like their second family and even that it has saved their life.And now a bit about you, Robyn. Did you always want to work within the aged care space and what are some other jobs you’ve performed in your career? With the exception of a small stint at Baptcare in the NDIS space, I have always worked in aged care. When my children were little and at school, I worked in a residential kitchen where I would help prepare and deliver the meals to residents in the dining room. I enjoyed listening to their stories and enjoyed my job so much that I put myself through study for my Certificate III in Aged and Community Care. Once I achieved this, I started working in home care and have never looked back. I continued with my study and was given opportunities through my career to go into other positions. I have had over 10 roles within the home care space so feel I have done it all. I like to share my career story with others to encourage them to set goals and know that you can achieve whatever goals you set your mind to.What did you want to be when you grew up?I thought I would work in childcare but my career path changed when I accepted an opportunity in a residential aged care community. I have never regretted that decision.Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself? Five months ago, I joined a dragon boat paddling group that’s made up of breast cancer survivors and supporters of breast cancer. I had never paddled in my life, but I love it and have made some wonderful friends. I have three sons, four granddaughters and one grandson who mean the world to me. People describe me as a very strong person but one of the hardest things that I’ve had to face in my life was moving away from them. Thank goodness for technology and Facetime!Do you have a favourite quote or motto in life? Life is short so don’t put off what you can do today.Please complete this question: my favourite weekend would include going away for the weekend. Tasmania have so many beautiful places that are only a couple of hours drive away. Going away helps me recharge my batteries for the week ahead. What are two things on your bucket list? Visit the UK and meet family I haven’t met but are friends on Facebook.Visit Canada for a white Christmas.Do you have a mentor or idol? OR If you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why? If I was to sit at a table with someone of my choice, it would be Hugh Jackman. He seems like a down to earth person.You can read more about our Orana community on our website.
- 10 Apr 2024
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New Beginnings reflection by Cathy Taylor, Spiritual Care Coordinator
We asked Cathy to write a piece on the theme ‘new beginnings’ for the first internal Baptcare newsletter for 2024. Here is her thoughtful piece.Every moment offers a chance for a new beginning. Each breath holds a new opportunity to be grateful. Though we mark a date on the calendar when a new year begins, if we see each day as a gift, then there is always an opportunity to start again, to start afresh.In the morning, we can choose to be mindful and appreciate the first conscious breath we take as our eyes flutter open. We can feel the coolness or warmth of the air as we step outside the house. Another new moment. It’s the little moments like these that I encourage my clients to reflect on. The spiritual practice of gratitude: noticing what they can be grateful for in their day. We often rush through our days. It is the small moments that make up our lives, moment by moment by moment.This year my daughter began primary school. We live within walking distance, and that walk to and from school is enjoyable for us both. I must admit some mornings we rush out the door, walking at a pace where we are unable to slow down! Most mornings though, we stop, and literally smell the roses. Breathing in their delightful aroma, exquisite. My daughter notices a feather, or a dragon-shaped cloud in the sky. We listen to the magpies sing, we sing back. These moments, the little moments, make up life.Each moment we have a choice, each moment a new opportunity, to begin again.You can learn more about Spiritual Care at Baptcare here.
- 04 Apr 2024
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Meet Isabelle Oehler
Isabelle Oehler is a Consultant in our Customer Enquiry Centre. She builds immediate rapport with members of the public and Baptcare customers who ring in with queries or concerns.“Isabelle brings a positive and inclusive energy to our team, doing her best to make everyone feel valued and seen,” says her team leader, Jamie Waiariki.Read on to find out what Isabelle likes about her job, the thinking behind her choice of three dream dinner companions, and why the resurgence of Crocs as a fashion item did not come as a surprise…Isabelle, what does a good day at work look like for you?A good work day includes have a laugh with the customers on the phone, enjoying their conversations and have those satisfying interactions explaining the difference between CHSP and HCP.Which of Baptcare’s WECARE values (Wellbeing, Ethics, Co-creating, Accountability, Respect, Effectiveness) resonate most with you? Wellbeing and Respect. I believe these two values go hand to hand.What sort of work did you do before joining Baptcare?I worked predominantly in retail and at a café as a barista/waitress. However, I have studied Media and Communication, have had the opportunity to work in Public Relations/Event Management and volunteered with various events that help those in need.One of your retail jobs was at the Crocs store in Richmond. Be honest: have you been surprised by the recent resurgence of Crocs as a fashion item?Actually no. With the different collaborations that Crocs have done over the years with other brands such as Hello Kitty they have caught the attention outside of their target market. Therefore, not only are they cute and fun but also provide comfort and practical uses.Now we can see how great you must have been in retail! What did you want to be when you grew up? An artist. I love arts and crafts.Can you tell us something surprising about yourself?My guilty pleasure is reality tv.What is your go-to karaoke song?Whitney Houston, ‘I will always love you’.Do you have a favourite quote or motto in life?Look good, feel good. If you could have dinner with any three people, who would they be?Joe Brumm, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. Joe Brumm is the creator of ‘Bluey’ and Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko are the creators of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’. I believe both shows are ridiculously smart in their own right. I would love to chat to them about their journey through production, storylines, concept and so on.What do you like most about working at Baptcare?I like working with my team. Everyone is supportive, respectful and understanding. How would your friends describe you?Confident, loving and caring.What would a perfect weekend look like for you?Staying near the beach, watching anime and reality tv, and eating all my favourite food.Lastly, what IS the difference between CHSP and HCP?So glad you asked! It relates to the level of support that you receive from the provider. CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Program) is the entry-level of support for customers while HCP (Home Care Package) is for customers who have more complex needs. We are always happy to talk people through this, because it can be confusing. We want to make things as clear as we can and help people get the level of support they require.
- 02 Apr 2024
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An Easter reflection — by Asher Kirby, Spiritual Care Supervisor, Residential Aged Care
One of my favourite Easter traditions is the Easter Egg Hunt. In my extended family gatherings, the young children are sent into the garden in the afternoon to find hidden chocolate eggs. One year, the egg hiders decided to save time by hiding the eggs early in the day. As the grandchildren ran around discovering lovely shiny foil-wrapped packages, we quickly realised that the day was hotter than anticipated, so the children were collecting foil-wrapped pools of melted chocolate! I love Easter for the holidays, celebrations and traditions (even when they don't go quite as planned). I also love it for the meaning it holds for me as a Christian — the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus. I draw deep meaning from this story, but I also draw meaning from the themes I see in the Easter events that I believe are common to us all. For Christians, Good Friday is a day associated with grief, loss and uncertainty about the future, because it remembers the unexpected death of Jesus. We can all identify with the loss of a loved one, or grief over some aspect of life that has not gone the way we expected it to. We know the feeling of being unsure about the future, and we reach out to others for support. Easter Sunday, by contrast, is for Christians a day connected with hope, celebration and new life, as it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus. For most of us, we can easily identify with these feelings of celebration and new life. We look for hope in our relationships and our work, and we offer hope to one another when we bring all of who we are into those spaces. While each of our experiences is unique, there is commonality in the journey we are on. This Easter, may you find hope and celebration as you go through the weekend, even amidst any grief or uncertainty you are carrying. (And if chocolate eggs are your thing — may yours be non-melted and delicious!)
- 25 Mar 2024
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Elpis thriving with Living Well Together approach
Elpis Savidis is one of the most enthusiastic participants in Living Well Together, our Montessori-informed model of care at Baptcare Brookview Residential Aged Care community.
- 20 Mar 2024
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Meet Renee McDonald
Renee McDonald was a minor celebrity within her Communications and Customer Experience team recently when she celebrated 17 years working at Baptcare (or her ‘workaversary’ as she called it) Her inbox was flooded with the warmest testimonials with words like quiet achiever, caring, empathetic, professional and humble being used time and time again. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Renee to witness these qualities firsthand and hear more about her personal and Baptcare journey. You have worked at Baptcare for 17 years. Firstly, congratulations and secondly, the question everyone has on their lips, what are the main reasons you’ve stayed at Baptcare? Fun and variety. I also get the chance to help people which I really enjoy.I also am very proud of being a part of a company that makes a positive difference to a variety of different groups in society. You’ve had a range of roles over your years, starting as a Support Co-ordinator before moving to Office Manager and Retirement Living Co-ordinator roles. You’re currently the Client Relationship Partner in residential aged care sales. How have you found the variety of roles you’ve done at Baptcare and has this variety been a factor? Well, I first started at Baptcare on a short-term part-time contact covering for the Long Service Leave of one of the receptionists. Fortunately for me when she returned from her leave she wanted to cut back one of her days and there was also a vacancy in the lifestyle department so I was able to work in admin and lifestyle.I started working at Strathalan when I had small children and feel so lucky that I found a place that was understanding and supportive of working mothers and I was able to work part-time and job share when my boys were young. As my children got older and I was able to take on more challenging roles, I was very fortunate with the opportunities that came up at Strathalan as the site also developed and grew. I worked as Roster Clerk and Program Co-ordinator for the Strathalan Volunteer Program before moving into Retirement Living Support Coordinator role.I would definitely say that being able to grow and experience different roles has been a major factor in me staying with Baptcare.Have you noticed any major changes in Baptcare/working life over the past 17 years? Baptcare has changed a lot in the 17 years that I have worked here! But I think the heart is still the same What is your current role and what does it involve day to day? I am currently working as Client Relationship Partner based at Strathalan. I get to showcase our Residential Aged Care services and help people and their families access the best aged care they possibly can.What do you like about working with Baptcare and in the Client Relationship space? Baptcare and in particular Strathalan has been a massive part of my life for the past 17 years. The people who live at Strathalan and the amazing people I get to work with – it is more than just work, it is a family. There are many co-workers and a number of residents who I have worked with for a large part of my 17 years if not all of it.I’m also very proud to be part of the sales team! Although we are all spread across Baptcare sites I feel as supported and connected to them as I do the people I am physically with every day.What would you say to someone thinking of joining Baptcare? Do it Can you share a particularly special work day/customer interaction you’ve had recently? I couldn’t pick just one because there are a lot of these! One of the best parts of working here is being able to interact with the people we care for and help to make a positive difference in their day.Did you always want to work within the caring space and what are some other jobs you’ve performed in your career? I am very much a person who likes to help others and look after people but before coming to Baptcare I had worked mainly in administrative roles in different industries. I had three out of my four grandparents needing to go into aged care and when I saw the ad in the local paper 17 years ago I thought, ‘Yes – that’s somewhere I would like to work’.What was your first job ever? My first ever job was an administration traineeship at the Fire Brigade Training College in the community safety department. Lots of phone calls about beeping smoke alarms.What did you want to be when you grew up? Oh, lots of different things! I still haven’t decided though!Can you tell us 2 surprising things about yourself? I’m scared of birds (probably not surprising to those that know me).We cheekily suggested to Renee that we could photoshop some birds into her Faces of Baptcare photo if she’d like and got the following response:Haha yes! Photoshop birds in, that would be hilarious! The photo is taken in the Strathalan garden area and as you walk out the door there is a sign that says ‘caution swooping birds’. I feel like I’m taking my life into my own hands every time I walk out there.What was the last thing you watched and read? The Well-Lived Life by Dr Gladys McGarey and who can miss the car wreck TV that is Married at First Sight (MAFS)!What would your favourite weekend involve?My favourite weekend would include a walk near a body of water with my dogs and time with my gorgeous family.What are two things on your bucket list? I would love to travel through Europe and also travel to Mexico.Do you have a mentor or idol? OR If you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why? Oh, this is a tough one. Definitely in my working life at Baptcare I’ve had the pleasure of working with and learning form the great leaders we have! What would be interesting would be to sit with the group of Baptist ladies that had the vision that started Baptcare all those years ago when they bought a farmhouse and property in Macleod and hear what they think of us now.Thanks Renee. Something tells us that those ladies would be delighted to sit down with you too and would the first to applaud your amazing contributions to Baptcare. Here’s to the next 17+ years…
- 20 Mar 2024
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World Social Work Day – Meet Michael and James
What are your current roles?Until recently when I moved to the Kinship Care area, James and I had worked together for nearly two years in the Targeted Care Package (TCP) space. TCP provides intensive case management for young people in out of home care who are at risk of entering residential care.Can you please explain out of home care versus residential care?Out of home care is a young person, 0-18 years old, living in a placement away from their biological parents. This could be a kinship placement with a family member such as a grandparent or aunt, for example.Residential care is a young person living in a community home, being cared for by support staff. This residence is shared with other young people who are supported by services on a 24/7 basis.How long have you been working at Baptcare?Michael: September 2021 James: August 2022Can you tell us more about the Targeted Care Package (TCP) space and what your jobs involve day by day?The TCP is a smaller team in the Baptcare Victoria Family and Community Services (FACS) space and is quite a niche program in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). We work closely with child protection to provide support to the young people and their family to ensure children are supported to stay at home. We sit on smaller case loads and visit the client once a week and the work is intensive.A typical day at TCP entails engaging with clients, some of whom are at high risk. Thus, it's common for us to proactively address their immediate safety concerns. We also adapt to various challenging situations, such as when a child reveals abuse or exhibits behaviours indicating potential risk. In such cases, we collaborate closely with their extensive care teams to orchestrate a suitable, effective and timely response.TCP consistently keeps us alert, as each day brings unpredictable situations. However, the gratification stems from our close collaboration with clients, offering profound insight into their lives and requirements. We're often commended for making seemingly impossible feats a reality.What do you like about working with Baptcare and in the FACS space? Michael: The cohesive and welcoming friendly culture at the Sunshine office truly sets it apart. It's not just a great team and community, but an environment where everyone works together seamlessly. The Sunshine office embodies this spirit, making it a wonderful space to work in. And of course, the sweet biscuit tin adds an extra touch of warmth to our collaborative atmosphere.James: I enjoy it when the snack bowl is stocked with Mentos. On a different topic, the office environment is fantastic. The team fosters a welcoming atmosphere, and there's a sense of camaraderie among everyone. Lunchtimes are particularly enjoyable because you never know who you'll end up chatting with, but you can always count on it being an interesting conversation.It’s World Social Work Day – what is one thing you’d both like to change in society if you had a magic wand?Michael: I would make V/Line trains actually run on time. In terms of social work, I would like unlimited funding and a much-needed update for the DFFH CRIS and CRISSP*.*Ed. the CRIS (Client Relationship Information System) and CRISSP (Client Relationship Information System for Service Providers) are the client information and case management systems designed to improve services and facilitate the provision of coordinated care of DFFH clients.James: This is a tricky one as I would probably want spiders to be the size of cats but less deadly so we could keep them as pets, especially jumping spiders, but I suspect most people would disagree with this. So, I would probably like to change society’s attitudes to mental health issues and make it socially acceptable for people to talk about and seek help for themselves.Can you share a particularly special work day/customer interaction you’ve had recently?Michael: for me it was not long ago when a client I had worked with for maybe two years ago turned 18. We closed with the family. To see all the growth and how far he had come in a short time was heartwarming. The placement was close to breaking down when I came on board. When the time came to an end, he was closer with his grandmother and had a plan to enter a mechanical apprenticeship all lined up for next term. It was hard to say goodbye to him and his carer but I knew he was on the right track.James: this is a random one but through a strange series of events I ended up meeting a past client and we caught up. It was so nice to see what an accomplished adult she had become.Can we just ask what you mean when you say “we closed with the family”?Young people are no longer under child protection care when they reach 18 years of age. Unfortunately, that means we can no longer provide services to our clients. So, when we close a case with a client it means we stop working with them and follow the “closing process”. This usually involves doing all we can to ensure they are set up for the best possible future without us. This could mean setting up Better Futures (a less intensive case management service for people aged over 18 years) or any other relevant supports and finalising our service with the family.Did you always want to work within the Family and Community Services (FACS) space? If not, what drew you to your line of work - and what are some other jobs you’ve performed in your career?Michael: Honestly, I had no idea this line of work existed when I left university. I went into my Bachelor degree in Health Sciences with no idea where I was going to end up. I fell into youth work and wanted to continue to grow in the field. I got a job in workers compensation case management after youth work and realised I needed to go back to working with youth. IT WAS NOT FOR ME! TCP Baptcare saved me when they accepted my application. I also worked as a waiter and at McDonalds through university. Hospitality is way more stressful than you think! Its way more stressful than family services.James: Similar to Michael, I didn’t know this area really existed, but I knew I wanted to work with teens; they are such a strange and interesting demographic to work with. On one hand they can be incredibly challenging but on the other, they can surprise you with just how much they are capable of with the right amount of support. But to be honest, I have mostly worked in administrative roles prior to this industry, and as anyone who has met me in person would agree, that is not my strong suit.What did you want to be when you grew up?Michael: A dinosaur (still do) Velociraptor or Allosaurus. Yes, T-Rex was bigger but we all know who had the brains behind the operations.James: An Astronomer because I’ve always been interested in space and I always had the mathematics background. It was a last-minute gut instinct that made me switch my preferences to a psychology degree.Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself?Michael:I can make 2-minute noodles in 1 minute and 52 seconds.During Covid, I attempted watch repair and blacksmithing. I was not successful.James:Surprisingly, I do not have a black belt in: Karate, Jujitsu, Tae Kwan do, Maui Tai, Ninjitsu, Aikedio, Krav Maga, Kick boxing and tennis.My top genre on Spotify is country music.Please complete this question: my favourite weekend would include …Michael: Time spent with my puppies, Noodle (Shetland Sheepdog) and Ducky (Corgi) and some time to go surfing.James: Pottery classes (this is actually legitimate) and watching horror movies.What are two things on your bucket list?Michael:to learn the difference between “affect” and “effect.” I have googled this and still don’t quite comprehend the differences.See the northern lights.James:Live with a Doberman (you don’t own them they are like roommates).Run my own art exhibition.What is the last thing you watched and/or read?Michael: The Wikipedia page on the Emu War. Did you know they’re going to make a musical about it!?James: I am currently reading a horror novel, “Exquisite Corpse” by Poppy Z Brite and I’m re-watching “Avatar the Last Airbender” (the original not the remake).Do you have a mentor or idol? OR, if you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why?Michael: I would like to sit next to the two guys who made the TV series “Come Fly With Me” and beg them to make another season.James: Probably the judges on “Drag Race” - I need fashion advice.One last question relating to your working relationship.You seem to have a great working relationship. What do you like most about each other - what are each other’s superpowers - and what do like about working together? Michael: James is a very considerate worker. James is very selfless as a co-worker and is the first to support his team when things need to be done. James is very therapeutic in his works and goes above and beyond for his clients. James will form completely wild scenarios to attempt to solve obstacles when working with a TCP case that some people might say: this almost borders on crazy conspiracy theories.His superpower is knowing completely useless information in depth.What I liked most about working with James was he could lift the team’s spirits no matter what circumstances.He will playfully disagree with someone’s point of view on purpose just to create debate. For example, if you said you liked pineapple on pizza, James would argue that pineapple on pizza is the worst, even though he enjoys pineapple on pizza, just so he can stir up the other person. This is quite enjoyable to watch as an outsider.Since I’ve changed roles within Baptcare FACS, James hasn’t been the same without me.James: Michael is probably one of the best co-workers I have ever had. It helps that he knows everything possible about the role but his biggest strength is that he is always willing to share that knowledge no matter how many times I ask him how to find the same document.Michael is also excellent with all his clients. I won’t say who, but two of his clients recently started crying when they found out he was moving to a new role, at least I hope this was the reason and not that they realised that they would now just be stuck with me.Michael’s superpower would be the ability to run twice as fast as a V/Line train so that he would have more time for his dogs at home.The best part about working with Michael was feeling as though you always had someone on your side who you could trust to point you in the right direction when you need it, even if he does sometimes have to talk me down for some of my more outlandish theories.On a personal level, what I really like most about Michael is how you can have really intelligent discussions about pretty much anything and he will hear you out and give you a genuinely good conversation, even if the topic is something insane, (like how big an animal do you think you could take in a one on one fight?).As Michael said, he has changed roles and it hasn’t been the same but he’s still a joy to see in the office.
- 15 Mar 2024
