Every week Anne and her beloved Maltese Shih Tzu visit The Forrest Centre, an 80-bed not-for-profit residential aged care home, bringing a ray of sunshine into the lives of Wagga’s most cherished senior citizens.
With wagging tails and smiling faces, they lift the spirits of residents, visitors and staff, engaging all in lively conversations.
Ellie May’s calming presence allows the pastoral care volunteer to connect with residents who often share special memories or updates about their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
“(Ellie May’s) the best icebreaker. She’s really good for that, then they love to chat. They’re lovely people and it’s a nice way to fill a little bit of time,” Anne said.
Anne is not new to volunteer work having previously volunteered with Riding for the Disabled in Wagga.
Her association with The Forrest Centre began with taking communion to Catholic residents, but Anne now visits two days a week – one just with Ellie May and a second to assist with operating the music for hymns for the Anglican church service.
“It absolutely fascinates me how some of the residents with dementia don’t know their own children, but they know the Our Father and they know all the words to their favourite hymns,” she said.
Anne sees volunteering as a way to give back to a community where she has lived all her life.
“I’ve lived 67 years in Wagga. There are quite a few people that I’ve known who grew up in the area and it’s nice to go and have a chat with them. You only need to spend 10 minutes with four to five people. For them it’s like fresh air and brightens up their day,” she said.
“I worked for the government for 40 years and then looked after my parents who were quite ill in their last few years. After they passed, I thought what am I going to do now? I enjoy talking to the oldies. They just love having someone to talk to … and, most of all, they want to see the dog.”
Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) CEO Tom Symondson said the work of volunteers in aged care was highly valued and much appreciated.
“With a diminishing pool of people willing or able to volunteer, keeping and recruiting volunteers like Anne is increasingly important to the aged care sector.
“Anne was recently nominated in ACCPA’s You are ACE! recognition campaign. We applaud her volunteer work in aged care, her commitment, kindness and for making such an obvious difference to the lives of the older people in Wagga.”
The Forrest Centre CEO Evan Robertson said Anne’s generosity with her time and spirit made such a difference in the day-to-day lives of residents.
“Her smile and her companionship are a real highlight of our pastoral program. Not to mention the two-in-one combo you get with Ellie May. I wish we had many more like Anne and Ellie. The value and service to our community from Anne’s contribution cannot be measured,” he said.
