Bill 85 & Margaret 83, inspiring Warrigal village residents
Our greatest achievement has been married to one another for 56 years. It’s the team work and the compatibility we share. “The secret of a long life span is letting him be the boss and doing what I’m told!” says Margaret...
“I had been overseas, when I came back I had itchy feet to go again and my neighbour invited me to go to a Country Ball, she promised me that I’d meet a lot of people. So I went with her and that’s how Bill and I met” says Margaret.
“The ball was in Cooma in May which was very cold. The girls would go all dressed and rugged up and when we got inside we’d strip off into our dancing gear and off we’d go!” said Margaret.
“The first time we went to the Ball, coming home at 3am we ran out of petrol and I was very embarrassed. We were seven miles out of town and all the cars were going the opposite direction. It was a mad dash to get dressed and off to work the next morning” says Bill.
The next year we went back to the Ball and we were called out into the middle of the floor where they said “Last year, this young couple, on their first date ran out of petrol, this year they’re engaged.” The next year we went back we were married!
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We’re inspired by our people every day.
We love hearing their stories. We believe older people should have the opportunity to be themselves, be happy, connected and live great lives. Providing outstanding support and services for older people, that’s our story.
#inspiringpeopleofwarrigal
Jack Weston, inspiring Warrigal Connect customer
I joined the army in 1956 when I was 15 because my dad and all my uncles were in the army and I wanted to do the same as them. I was in the army for about 12 years and I enjoyed every bit of it and wished I was still in it!...
I travelled everywhere with the army. It was terrific on the old steam trains. The old bag racks they had on the top that was my bed when I had to travel by train.
I couldn’t read or write but they sent me everywhere. Mum used to ask where I was going next time and I never knew. Wherever they want to send me - I’ll go. A lot of people did help me, the Salvation Army was good. They used to let my mother know where I was.
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Valentine, inspiring Warrigal Connect customer
I was born in Calcutta, India. I grew up in British Government schools until I was 15 when I came to Australia, then we lived in Melbourne. After that I married a lovely Australian and we were posted overseas for two stints including Edinburgh and London. I had always wanted to go to Edinburgh so it was perfect going there. I had already been doing a bit of Scottish dancing so I felt very much at home...
I just love the garden and I love my roses; I’m very fond of perfumed roses. I have a really good carer from Warrigal, Greg. He is a wonderful help with the garden. My orchard keeps me occupied these days. I make lots of jam. The fruit is preserved when I get it and I make plum jam, apple jelly and I also just bottle apples and pears. I’m going crazy bottling fruit at the moment! I sell the jam and the apple jelly at markets. I do four markets a month which keeps me very busy and is very tiring. Now that it’s getting colder its getting harder. You’ve got to get up early to get to the markets.
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Dawn, 91, inspiring Warrigal Village Resident
My trip to Norfolk Island was beautiful, it was very laid back in those years. Cows had right of way in the streets. We stayed in a motel that was being renovated so there was only my two friends, myself and another couple there so we got VIP treatment...
We went for lots of walks, there’s lots of interesting cemeteries and we spent a lot of time walking around and eating. It was the first time I ever ate an avocado! It was beautiful scenery and we went on a bus trip all around the island, it was very peaceful and lovely. There was no television, no radios and newspapers were about 3 days old so it was very restful. We had a lovely time.
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Jacky, inspiring Warrigal Employee
My husband has a Harley Davidson and we go for rides on the motorbike, I bought it for him for his 60th birthday. It’s a BIG motorbike. It’s a 2 seater. I was 16 when I first met him, and he had a motorbike then, I married him when I was 18 and we just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary! We’ve been to Perth from Sydney on the motorbike. It took us 7 days to get there because we were just taking our time...
One of my main reasons for going into a Deputy Manager role at Warrigal was I could see my future and I will probably end up as a resident in an aged care home. And I want to know that when I am at that stage I will be happy to go into care.
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Joan - 85, inspiring Warrigal resident
I met my husband when I had a boyfriend. He didn’t take me to the Bathurst show and I got upset. I still went to the show and his two mates were there. I said that we would meet them at The City Picture theatre that night. But the City Pictures were full, so we went up to the other picture theatre in town and they were sitting waiting for us...
They tossed a penny to see who would escort who, so Ian tossed it and got me! When my boyfriend came back the next day I told him to move on! Ian asked me for a date so I went out with him. After 64 years of marriage, I think I might have picked the right one!!
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Karen, inspiring Warrigal Employee
I’ve been a carer since I was 19 but I’ve come back to it three times! I’ve worked for a friend as a dressmaker, I’ve worked for Telstra and I’ve worked for another friend in a motel. I think I love older people because I love that they can tell you a good story! I love it when they come in and you can see that they’re starting to get comfortable and the families start to connect. You sort of become part of their family. It’s nice when you are on first name basis with the residents...
My favourite part of the job that I love doing the most is interacting with the residents. Their storytelling… they’re not all the same. Some have very sad stories and don’t have any families. When you’ve come back after a bit of time away you’re welcomed you with open arms – that is really nice.
I love the dementia wing; I connect better with those people. Not everybody likes it. You either like it or you don’t, everybody’s different. Everyday you will either get a sad story or a happy story; they’ve always got something to tell you.
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Kath, 80, inspiring Warrigal Volunteer
I had never volunteered before, it was only because my husband was at Warrigal. He died 2 years ago and I wanted to come back to see what I could do to help a little bit...
I can’t get out of bed quick enough to get here. I’ve made a lot of friends here. I’m here at 8:30 some mornings until 4 o’clock in the afternoon, four days a week. Sometimes I come back on Sunday and go to church with the residents. I enjoy every part of it. I love helping to feed the residents and we play bingo. I talk and I read to them and I bring them a lot of books in that they can read.
I’ve been coming to Warrigal for 9 years now. Every Christmas I come here for my lunch. This is my family here. When I come in here and they see me sitting there, you should see the look on their face. You have no idea what its like. I’m here because I love it and I treat everybody equally. I cared for my husband when he was so sick, so it is a special place for me.
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Edward Lindsay, inspiring Warrigal Employee
I first joined Warrigal as a volunteer whilst completing a course of study. Warrigal was my second experience in aged care and I immediately saw the difference. The level of care and heart is a world away from what I had seen before. That really impressed me, and I found it quite moving after my experiences moving my mother into care - which were still pretty raw...
I was lucky that there was a team meeting during my time as a volunteer and was very impressed by their outlook and the way they went about doing things. In previous jobs I was always working with different people, I never got to feel like I belonged to a particular team. Studies completed I called up Warrigal to see if they had any work going. By chance, the Maintenance Service Officer at Bundanoon had recently left. They were happy to give me some hours to see us through until they found someone permanent. But one day my boss gave me a gentle tug on the shirt and said ‘I think you should apply for the job’! The rest is history!
I love the residents at Bundanoon; many have become the friends I happen to see every day when I am at work. You also get to know many in their family! Bundanoon is a real community, and at it’s heart is our aged care home and Village, Everyone is interconnected somehow. We have a mob of kangaroos that are part of our identity.
I like to draw and paint so, some years back, took on an advanced diploma in fine arts. I was planning my retirement so majored in painting and the new love that is photography! I draw any subject matter depending on what is in front of me, or not. Sometimes I compose simple still-life studies and draw them, but much still comes from the imagination!
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Anne, inspiring Warrigal Employee
I started at Warrigal on Valentines Day 2011. I have always had an affinity for older people. Some of my closest friends have been and still are in their 70s and 80s. I think I just get on better with older people than younger people. I find them very inspiring, they’ve got so much to teach us and they’re still so willing to learn...
I love working at Warrigal Bundanoon, I think the location is fantastic. Everyone who comes here tells me that they love the aspects and outlook from here and so do I. We see kangaroos out the window everyday. The people here are really lovely, I’ve made some lifelong friends here at Bundanoon.
One of my happiest memories is waking up where I live in the Highlands, I just love waking up listening to the bird song and being in the nice country air. It’s very picturesque. I love the community atmosphere, everyone knows you. People look after each other so if someone is having problems, people will rally around even if they don’t know you very well. Community friendship and support is very important, especially as a single person living on my own.
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Yurike Murray, inspiring Warrigal Employee
I grew up in West Java, Indonesia and went to school just like here in Australia. When I finished high school I worked for a newspaper in Jakarta, then after two years I trained as a stewardess for domestic and international airline. As a stewardess I met many Australian passengers and pilots, it was then I realised I would love to move to Australia...
One of my happiest memories was receiving my Australia Citizenship because Australia is such a great country with so many great people and opportunities.
My career as a Carer began with Warrigal in 2011, my very first job application was with Warrigal. I thought it was amazing as I was new to Australia and was being accepted so soon. I had never done anything like caring before, apart from looking after my elderly mother. I realised that I was good at this work because I like being with people and I like to help people.
One day when I went to a see a client who was socially withdrawn, I stopped to purchase a game of scrabble. When I got there I said to the client “come on lets play scrabble”. He enjoyed this so much that when I arrived the next time he would be waiting at the table with the scrabble game already set up ready to go. This inspired me to try other things with him such as singing, paper mache, painting, sewing and puzzles. I told the client that he was helping me improve my English if we played the games together!
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Jodie, inspiring Warrigal Employee
Before working at Warrigal, I held a position in hospitality for 10 years. In that time I was privileged to be able to assist and form strong bonds with my older customers on a daily basis. You would be worried about them if you hadn’t seen them for a while! So when it came time for me to think about a new career choice, I sat and thought about what came naturally to me – so here I am!...
I love what I do. I have never witnessed so much appreciation from clients before in all my life. You walk away from them feeling fantastic, knowing that from their appreciation you have done such a good job and helped them in probably more ways than we realise. So that’s a good feeling.
Working as a carer certainly helps you understand what is important in life. I would pass on to my children to always make sure that you are there for your family no matter what. Life is short and you can make big differences in people’s lives just from being around.
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Natasha, inspiring Warrigal Employee
I love the people I work with, I like the fact that it’s versatile and it gives you opportunity to expand. Everyday is not the same, the customers are amazing and they have so much appreciation for everything that we do for them. Nothing is ever a bother for us with older people. That’s what we’re here for, to help them, so they can stay at home...
My life in general would be my greatest achievement. I personally think that I’ve done a lot with my life, I have 3 great kids and we’re building our own home. There’s a lot to be proud of, not a lot of people have that opportunity.
In my spare time I breed bulldogs. I buy a lot of them, I have 5! I like to cook and sew. I sewed my daughter an Elsa dress for a concert and I’ve made a patchwork blanket. At the moment we live in town on a quarter of an acre but we have just bought 25 acres, so we spend our weekends clearing trees and getting ready to build.
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Pam, inspiring Warrigal Connect customer
I was named Pamela Joy. At school over half the class had the same name. I wanted to become a sewing teacher but in those days most girls left school to find a job before marrying and I was no different. I have always made my own clothes and those of our children, then I took up patchwork and machine embroidery 20 years ago...
I met Erwin at church where I attended a physical culture group. I was on stage when the curtains were opened and he saw me from the public address box. He was impressed so made enquiries about where I would be going the following Saturday night. A group of us gathered at the railway station to go into Baptist Youth Fellowship in the City. I almost didn’t go because my hair turned out a mess! When he saw me stomping down the ramp at the station he thought he saw a “vision” coming.
We went out together for 5 years until we married just after my 21st birthday by which time we had saved enough for a deposit on a house in Newcastle. We have now been married almost 54 years, during which time we had two children and lived in NSW, USA, Victoria and Western Australia.
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Kathleen Thompson, inspiring Warrigal Employee
One of my greatest achievements in life apart from my 3 lovely daughters and 5 grand children has been winning the title of a New Zealand Dog Champion for both obedience and agility. The dog was on TV and won trophies, we were the second team to ever succeed in this achievement! When I moved back to Australia I got another dog and made him an obedience champion here too...
I have always loved animals and I’ve always been a dog trainer. My first dog training experience was when I was about eight. My neighbour would pay me $5.00 to do a trick with my dog and that would be my pocket money. Later on, I used to do seminars to help other people control their dogs. People can enjoy their dogs and become part of the family more if they can control them better.
I found that I took to Aged Care like a duck to water, it was lovely. The key is compassion. There are a lot of things you deal with that not many people can handle. You’re not just a person, you’re an advocate for the family, good listener and you are there if they need someone to bounce ideas or express their feelings about adjusting to the needs of their loved ones. I really enjoy doing Dog Therapy in aged care as well, I see how much it really helps the residents.
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John Dorman, inspiring Warrigal resident
My love of photography started off in Newcastle. I did some tuition with the Newcastle Herald photographer. One of the things that I decided to do after I had gone through some of the courses and had some idea of what it was about - was a pinhole photograph of Newcastle Cathedral. Instead of using a lens you use the eye of a needle. You can use a hole in a cardboard box if you like to get the same effect, but it was handy to set it up. This type of photo would give you a long exposure of about 20 minutes. I set it up on the tripod and got a nice photograph of Newcastle Cathedral. Later on I took one with a 35 millimetre lens inside the Cathedral and got quite a nice photograph of the interior of the Cathedral...
An interesting position I had to be in to take a photo of the ceiling of the church at Edinburgh Castle meant I had to lay down on the floor and take it looking up. It turned out quite nicely. A few people had a look to work out what I was doing!
Another photo I took was on the border of Costa Rico and Guatemala, they’d put on a dance for us. They had this lovely dance going on and I took a hand held photograph of about half a second which captured the movement. It turned out quite nicely.
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Alma, 88, inspiring Warrigal village resident
I trained as a nurse just after the war finished and I loved it. I worked at Kenmore Psychiatric Hospital when I was seventeen. There were six of us nurses to start with and we had to clean up after the war. They used Kenmore as a military hospital and they had Japanese prisoners in one ward. They didn’t fumigate afterwards and they had all these skin problems and when we went to work we all got scabies and boils. That was the bad part but the good part was the patients, I loved all the patients. In the end I was in a ward where they were absolutely lovely ladies and I was there on my own and I just loved them...
I can remember my pay was four pounds a week, with one pound, three shillings and seven-pence taken out for board and laundering of my uniforms.
I did my three years of training at Kenmore just after the war finished, but because I got married before I registered they wouldn’t let me go back. So 22 years and 4 children later, I went back to school and got my registration. When I went back I ended up working at Kenmore for another twelve years.
It was hard working at Kenmore, my friend and I wrote a book in 2007 and we sold lots of copies.
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Dawn, 91, inspiring Warrigal Village Resident
In the War I was a Nurses Aid in a maternity hospital and we did everything. We had to bath all the babies, make the beds, clean the wards, do the ironing, be on call with the patients coming in through the night - so it was really hard work...
All the trained staff were away at the war. We had the Matron in Charge but we had to do everything else. The pay wasn’t very good and we had to pay for broken thermometers and I broke one every week so I never had any pay left! We had to buy our own uniforms so we didn’t have much money. We used to love it when a patient came in and they had a lot of children because she would have coupons she didn’t need so we would get the coupons, and you needed them to buy things.
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Alan Cluff, inspiring Warrigal Board member of 25 years & Chairman for 3 years
“My first involvement with Warrigal was when I joined Rotary. Within 3 months they asked me to represent Rotary at the Committee of Management at Warrigal. I attended these meetings for a number of years. When Warrigal began to expand we had to become incorporated, so the members of the committee were immediately classified as Directors of what is now known as Warrigal, so I became a director in 1967...
My time at Warrigal was a very happy time, being a part of the organisation, seeing it grow, thrive and being a leader in the field - it was great to see. I served about 25 years on the Warrigal board through various roles on the committee.
I was Assistant Treasurer for about a year, then Secretary, then Vice Chairman and then Chairman for 3 years. When I indicated my wish to retire, I nominated Alan Hardy and when he assumed the chairmanship he asked me to stay on for another year.
Those 25 years serving on the Warrigal Board were very interesting times, it was very rewarding and I’ve seen tremendous growth in Warrigal. One of the highlights was when I first come onto the Board, the organisation had only 17 staff. When I finished, we had well over 400 staff. We created jobs in various places and this was great to see.
When I was younger I loved travelling. I took my mother home to Scotland for 6 months. She was Scottish to the backbone and was one of 13 children.
I remember we landed in England and went my mother’s sisters. After about 3 weeks I said I was taking off! My cousin loaned me a bicycle so I cycled across England, into Wales and over to Ireland. I had given my mother the address for a small town in the West of Ireland and when I arrived there was a letter for me which said: “Dear Alan, your uncle was bitterly disappointed when I arrived in Scotland. You were not with me. Love Mum”. In other words, she was saying “Get on your bike and get over here!”, so I got back on my bike.
I rode up to Dublin then caught a boat across to Glasgow. When I got off the boat, I realised I was headed in the wrong direction. I saw a policeman and in his Scottish accent he told me “Ahh laddie, you’re going the wrong direction – go that-a-way”. So I headed off and I started going around in a circle, I was disorientated and I didn’t know why. Eventually I saw a name of a town that I recognised and finally made it.
When I arrived, I knocked on the door and my uncle answered and said “Ah Alan good to see you”. I could hear two women talking and I didn’t recognise my mother’s voice. It had only been a few weeks since I’d seen her but I could barely recognize her Scottish accent!
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Brian Mackander OAM, inspiring Warrigal Board Member & Chairman
I was on the Warrigal Board from 1967 – 1976. I then became the district governor of Apex Service Club for the Illawarra and I knew that I couldn’t do both jobs because Apex was a big job. I had 13 clubs to look after and about 300 members plus I had to travel quite a bit. So I stood down from the Warrigal Board from 1976-1984. I was then invited back to assist in moving the nursing home from Mt Warrigal to George St Warilla. I then became Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Board from 1988-1996...
One of my greatest achievements was receiving an Order of Australia in 1994 for Community Services. As well as my involvement with Warrigal, I was involved in many community organisations such as: Apex Service Club, Lake Illawarra Police Citizens Youth Club, Tawarra special school for handicapped children, Oak Flats Karoo Bay Sea Scouts, Wollongong Smith Family, Masonic Lodge and the Shellharbour Justices Association.
One day I got a phone call at work from my wife, in 34 years my wife very rarely called while I was at work. She told me that a huge envelope arrived in the mail with a special stamp on the front of it. She wanted to open it, but I said ‘No way, it’s addressed to me!’
When I got home she was waiting with the envelop in the middle of the table, she was so excited. Then I opened it and it read “You have been awarded the Order of Australia”, we were both quite emotional.
At the bottom of the letter it said: “Please do not disclose the contents of this letter until after the announcement by the Australian Government”. So we had to find a safe place in our house away from our four kids and two daughters in law. I said to my wife “The safest place to put this letter is in your knicker drawer because no one will want to look in there!”
Just before the OAM was announced, our eldest son was going to Queensland. My wife wanted to tell him about the OAM however I decided to print a copy of the letter and just as he was at the boarding gate I handed him the letter. He thought it was money so said “Thanks Dad”. By the time he opened it, he was up in the air. He called me as soon as he landed and he cried down the phone, he promised to organise a party when he got home to celebrate.
The ceremony was wonderful, we got lots of photos of the Governor shaking my hand.
I’ve got five life memberships in organisations and you don’t expect more than a pat on the back but it’s nice when you get some letters after your name.
I didn’t know who nominated me for the Order of Australia, as it’s suppose to be kept a secret however once it was announced people started ringing me up and letting me know they had something to do with it!
About 3-4 years later I got a big envelope with all references that formed part of my application, it was touching to read what everyone had written about my roles in community organisations.
Since then I have nominated 16 other people for an Order of Australia. It is quite a lengthy process nominating someone. You have to find out what the person has done, gather a list of organisations they have been involved in and get reference letters from these organisations.
I’m very proud of my time with Warrigal. We would take our grandchildren up to Warrigal or the honour board at the Council Chambers. There are 39 people who have their name on the honour board, most of them have passed away, but when you show your grandchildren they recognise their Grandfather is in the limelight. It's something for them to remember you by and it gives them something they think that they can achieve.
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Mark, inspiring Warrigal Employee
I came to the Illawarra 31 years ago. I had a job as a general assistant doing maintenance in schools. I changed jobs to work permanent nights on the door of Corrimal Leagues Club for three years and at four years I became supervisor. I did this so I could mind my children during the day to enable my wife to go back to work as a teacher. When the children were old enough to go to school I left the club. I started a lawn mowing business which I had for 12 years. I had 60% elderly customer base which provided me satisfaction compared to no job satisfaction other than money in the steelworks!...
I chose Warrigal because I wanted to go back to having that feeling of satisfaction I had when I had my lawn mowing business.
There is a culture at Warrigal and a feeling of being a part of a team. Everybody is equal with one goal and that’s to make the residents happy and feel wanted. I received a fruit tray from Jo the Residential Services Manager at Albion Park Rail with a card that said “From your friends in the Nursing Home”.
At first I was worried that working in an area where a large percentage of residents had some stage of dementia, it would not bring me the same rewards as the elderly customers that I had whilst mowing lawns, as they still had full facilities and still at home. I was worried I wouldn’t feel that same satisfaction but I soon realised I was wrong. It was still the same and at times greater. I found dementia residents to be special people. Each resident is sometimes in their own world but all they need is to be wanted, to feel part of a family of worth. While their own way of acknowledging gratitude was not as structured and deep as my lawn mowing customers – it was done with that same honesty and sincerity. Sometimes it is not a thank you, it is just a simple smile or laugh or eye contact. But that feeling of satisfaction you get from that contact is amazing.
There is a resident who’s only form of communication is to say to me “Hello old mate”. So when I see her in her chair, I always smile and say “Hello old mate” and she smiles back and says “Hello old mate” back to me and that feeling of making contact with her is very rewarding.
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Margaret, 60 years, inspiring Warrigal employee of 25 years
"My husband and I have a caravan and we’ve had several long stints away, we’ve been around Australia three times. It’s nice being a grey-haired nomad for a little while. It’s nice having no plan to go anywhere, just go where you like. I’m very lucky with the life I’ve got...
25 years ago a job came up in payroll with Warrigal, it was part-time and I had two young daughters in primary school, so it suited me fine. I attended the interview with one blue shoe on and one black shoe on – I had two pairs of court shoes! I arrived at the interview and thought ‘oh no.’ I just laughed about it!
I started as the payroll clerk, it was called Mt Warrigal Retirement Village back then and my office was at Warilla. It was very friendly, and very hectic. I noticed that those nurses ran, which they still do now. It is such a big job for the staff, I admire them immensely for what they do and the care that they show. And that’s what first struck a chord with me, and I think that’s why I’ve stayed at Warrigal for 25 years - I just felt that it is a caring industry, and the fact that Warrigal is not for profit made a big difference as I’ve always felt like I’m assisting or making a difference in some way, behind-the-scenes.
Payroll was very manual back then. We had hand written timesheets that we had to extend and work out the penalties and total it all up. When I started we didn’t have computers. I taught myself how to use a computer, learnt from others and I did a couple of courses. I’ve always been a numbers person, and funnily enough I’ve ended back in numbers working in the Finance team for the past 4 years.
I’ve got wonderful friends that I’ve made here over the years. Some have left and some have returned too! I think after working with an organisation for such a long time you become very loyal to the company. Three of my friends from work and myself are going overseas next year for six weeks. We’re going to the UK, France, Singapore, and Finland.
I love sport, I’ve always played competitive tennis since I was a child. I have a bad knee now so those days are gone unfortunately. I often go and watch tennis tournaments, and I’m a cricket tragic, I love cricket, love to go and watch a match with my daughters. I like any sport really."
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Margaret, 71 years, inspiring Warrigal village resident
"I love travel – I love seeing something different from what I’ve grown up with. That is why I call Egypt my ‘Disneyland’. It is so different to anywhere else. The pyramids are such a wonderful structure, they blow your mind. They are rough and uneven with sand everywhere.
I’ve grown up in a family who thinks I’m ridiculous for even leaving Australia. None of my 10 brothers and sisters has ever travelled. They think I’m crazy and that there is something wrong with me!
I like small group tours because you get to know so many different people. I’ve met Doctors and Lawyers who I would have never had met at home.
My greatest piece of travel advice is to always pack half and half in each suitcase when you travel as a couple. That way if one suitcase goes missing, you will always have some clothes! My husband and I lost a suitcase once, and we were so happy that we had taken my advice!
I think I got the travel bug because I got cancer 30 years ago. I thought to myself ‘We aren’t here forever’. I’m not going to waste time thinking whether or not I have a fancy house or nice clothes, I want to see the world.
I haven’t regretted it, not one bit. People say to me ‘I’m going to do that when I retire’, and I say to them ‘Do it now, because you just don’t know what is ahead of you’. My husband sadly only lived for 18 months after he retired, he was 69."
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Renate, 88 years, future Warrigal Shell Cove Village neighbour
"I volunteered for the Australian Aerial Patrol, I was on Shark Patrol. We had to spot the sharks for the swimmers. I had the number 1 position, I saw 72 sharks in one day! That day we flew down over Ulladulla and from then on I said ‘I’m never going in the water again!’
When people went swimming, we were there to look out for them. We went to the beaches without lifeguards, we had to look for the sharks and sound the siren. These people know exactly when to get out, they would hear the alarm. You can see a lot from the air, especially in the water. We would sound the alarm when we would see the sharks in the second breaker, but sometimes they were very close, in the first breaker.
I really love flying. I wanted to be a pilot since I was 12 years old but I couldn’t because of the war in Germany. But now I can fly and that makes me happy. On one of my first trips, I got a glimpse of the coastline. It was absolutely marvellous to see how our coastline is, it’s beautiful and that stays in my head all the time. I come from Germany, but when I saw that I said ‘I never want to leave here, I love it.”
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Norm, 96 years, one of the inspiring original founders of Warrigal
In 1964, Norm Roland was President of the Shellharbour Lion’s Club which identified the need for services for older people. He later became the Chairman of Warrigal for 14 years. Norm is a Warrigal company life member, living in his own home with a little care from Warrigal Connect, and is one very inspiring man still going out on fishing trawlers at age 96!
“It actually started as a Lion’s Club project. We had a Chairman who was doctor Peter Wilson, and he put it forward to the board that at that stage there wasn’t a nursing home between Wollongong and the Victorian border. So we decided to ask council if we could convert the old residence on top of Mt Warrigal in to a nursing home. And we had council agree to that.
We converted that to a 10 bed hostel. We found out what we needed to do to qualify for Commonwealth funding, which we did with a lot of help. We sought donations; the whole district was behind the creation of the place. That’s how Warrigal started. But it wasn’t commercially viable with 10 beds, so we extended to 26 beds.
At that stage we had a visit from the Commonwealth Health Fund who said because we had created this nursing home at no cost to the government we were entitled to double that number of units in the hostel.
Because Kiama had been involved with Warrigal Care since day one, the Soroptimists Club of Kiama had been trying to get a nursing home going for years without success, so they came in with us with and that’s how we got Warrigal Care established.
The idea was just to create something for Shellharbour, and since then of course it expanded throughout the state, which had to happen of course. It’s quite different now. In those days there was nothing available for sick elderly people, a nursing home was the answer.
I’m quite happy with my own life, I don’t want to change it. I’m very happy here and I hope I can stay here. I hope if I can’t take care of myself that Warrigal will take me in. I like my lifestyle and looking after myself, with a little help from Warrigal.
I go fishing. I have a lot of friends. I go to the bowling club. I still try to keep myself active. The trouble is I’m running out of hobbies. When you get to my age – I’ve made enough clocks on the wall, I’ve made enough tables. I’m cluttered up! If you’ve got any suggestions of new hobbies let me know!!
I love being on the water. See that boat up there – True Blue – a friend and I used to own that. We used to keep it up at Bowen, and we had some very good trips, and some very rough trips! We used to go from Bowen out to the Barrier Reef.
I used to get up in the morning – if there was any wind in the trees I’d go back to bed. They had a local fishing competition, and I used to win that most of the time, and I’d get up early and would be back in the harbour by 9 o’clock as everyone else would be going out – that’s the time to catch fish.”
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Alan, 74 years, Warrigal Chairman of 17 years
Our Chairman, Alan Hardy has asked to step down from the position of Chairman of the Board. He has been a director for 32 years and Chairman for nearly 17. During this time Alan, a retired high school teacher, has inspired Warrigal employees past and present, our customers, their families and our local community...
It was an opportunity to put something back into the community and the recognition that older people’s lives could be improved that led to Alan joining the board in 1984, “I have always had a pretty egalitarian view in society and I thought that older people in our community were a group of people that were not being looked after well enough. I felt that was an area I could possibly help make their lives better – by providing services that they didn’t have.”
Alan is passionate about volunteering, having been involved in various community groups and committees over the years. He plans to remain a Warrigal volunteer after he leaves the board. “Volunteers are vital to this organisation. We could not provide the services that we do without volunteers, it is just not possible. I think one of the real gems of being a volunteer is the benefit that comes to you through volunteering. You can see the value of volunteers to the organisation firstly through the number that we have, and secondly through the length of time they stay with Warrigal.”
It is the culture that Alan recognises as one of the greatest changes and achievements he is most proud of in his time as Chairman. “I am very proud of Warrigal, the commitment of staff is unbelievable.”
According to Alan, independence, choice and community are ingredients for a great life for older people. His contribution to Warrigal and to improving the lives of older people will be long lasting.
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Marilyn, Warrigal Volunteer
"I became interested in volunteering after my mother and father-in-law became Warrigal residents and I would chat with other residents. I could see what a difference it made to their day and how good it made me feel. I just love going home each day knowing I have helped to make a difference in the customer's lives, no matter how small.
I love coming to Warrigal, I actually think I get more out of doing so than the customers do.
My prized possession is my Pomeranian dog 'Bella,' she is my baby, and I bring her in to Warrigal to visit the residents and they absolutely love her!"
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Lorenzo, 31 years, Deputy Residential Services Manager
"I was born and raised in the Philippines. I grew up in a very close nuclear and extended family setting. It is natural for me to have a love and passion for taking care of older people.
I finished my Bachelor's degree in Nursing through my love of music - I sing and I play the drums. My first Australian visa back in 2003 was due to a drummer's conference in Sydney.
I came to Australia with a dream of becoming a registered nurse here. This is the closest thing to becoming a doctor which has been my dream since I was young boy. I was born to a not so fortunate family. We did not have the resources, but against all odds, I ended up here! I am proud that I have experienced aged care as a carer and "worked my way up". I am proud that even though my family and I had a rough start during our first 5 years of moving to Australia, I managed to get my registration as a nurse, finish my managerial degrees on top of it and land a job in Goulburn. I am forever grateful that Warrigal gave me the opportunity to prove my self and I am now serving the community as a Deputy Residential Services Manager."
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Les, 80 years, Warrigal Resident
"I excelled in shooting, winning several titles which gave me the opportunity to be selected for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 for Pistol Shooting. I loved competing, it allowed me to socialise with many shooters from all over Australia and the world. In my career I broke 2 Australian records and won 5 Australian championship shows...
I became interested in shooting whilst working in spare parts. A customer came in and was talking about his guns and the Gun Club he belonged too. He invited me to come and have a look. After I asked a few questions I thought this would be a great leisure sport to get into, that was in 1958. It soon became a passion. I excelled in shooting winning several titles within 6 yrs of starting, which gave me the opportunity to be selected for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 for Pistol Shooting. Due to my work commitments I was only able to practice 2 hrs per day - during my lunch break and on weekends.
I loved competing, it allowed me to socialise with many shooters from all over Australia and the world. In my career I broke 2 Australian records and won 5 Australian championship shows.
I retired from club shooting in 1985."
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Pauline, 67 years, Warrigal Care Employee
I don’t have a mobile phone. When I go out shopping I don’t want to be found! Not having a mobile phone is great – I must be one of the only ones. Did I tell you I love to shop?! I love shopping for anything! I started laybuying for Christmas in March..
I’ve worked at Warrigal Queanbeyan for 22 years in April!
I used to work in telephone sales. Then I had a call from a lady who asked if I wanted to be a carer – I hadn’t done that type of work before.
I do lots of fundraising. The last two years we organised Christmas presents for Marymead Children’s Home, I organised for the presents to be donated. It’s nice giving to the kids.
I always tell my kids keep calm and relax. Everything will work out in the end.
Every day is different. No two days are the same. That’s what I always say.
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Bronwyn, 60 years, Warrigal Cook
"Does my hair look alright? I usually go purple, sometimes red! ...
I love the residents and the staff I work with, it’s a great little team. Our residents like their roast dinners, and they love Friday fish & chips. Easter, Christmas in July and other functions are always fun with different menus for the celebrations.
I have five grandchildren, I babysit them and like to take them to shows and things. We have family dinners at my house, my grandkids love cooking too."
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Heather, 64 years, Warrigal Employee
“I love gardening, I have hundreds of garden gnomes in my garden. I love them all. They are surrounded by flowers. I have lots of pots and wheelbarrows filled with flowers...
I’ve been at Warrigal Bundanoon for 30 years. I started in nursing. I love the one-on-one time with residents and hearing their stories. They share their life stories, and they also want to hear your life story so residents become part of your family.
I wish I had written a book, there have been so many stories. Ladies used to tell me yarns about what it was like getting around on a horse and buggy.
There was a man named John, he was very nice, he used to be a sheep farmer. He used to think I was his wife and treat me so and chase me around all the time! All the ladies would be giggling!”
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Kathy & Valma
“I’ve been looking after Valma for four years. She’s so lovely, a social butterfly I call her. She loves to dress up nicely. We talk about our family, what’s happening in the news and in our lives... I think I get more out of it....
Valma is a sewer and knitter and loves fashion. We talk about our family, and are both Christians. She tells me about shopping and bargains she gets, and we talk about what’s happening in the news and in our lives.
I think I get more out of it – I love knowing I can make someone’s day, it’s rewarding. I get so much out of making Valma and other customer’s happy and knowing that they are safe.
Our Connect customers are passionate about staying in their home as long as possible, so it is lovely to make that happen. They love being home.
It’s an honour to be a carer. It’s the best job I think."
Kathy, Warrigal Connect Carer
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Cheryl, Warrigal Employee
"I worked in retail as a manager for 14 years and I needed a change with my career. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I saw an add in the paper for a casual cleaner, I applied and got the job. I figured this would do until I found my niche… Within one month of working I was promoted to a full time personal care assistant. I have been at Warrigal nearly 23 years… So I guess I have found my niche!"
Ivy, Warrigal Resident
"The first time I met Harold I waited on his table. I had a flower in my blouse and he asked if he could have it. I said ‘no.’ Harold asked me if I’d go to the pictures with him. He asked twice – the second time I said ‘yes.’ Harold and I were married for 69 years and 8 months- he was a family man, he loved his family...
My children are the joy of my life and I am very proud of them.
I will always remember the Warrigal staff and how they treated my Husband Harold when he had his stroke, my family even spent the nights with myself and Harold, all the kids were with us. The staff in the kitchen were angels – they would bring us lovely sandwiches and refreshments. The staff were magnificent and I cant thank them enough for their kindness – they made Harold’s illness bearable."
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Deb, (21 + 21) years, Warrigal Employee
"I have a lot of respect for care staff. I have been there so I understand. It’s physically, emotionally and mentally challenging. But it is so rewarding. There are several characters who stay with me. One in particular, his name was Hughie. He was a council worker, he asked for everyone to call him “ugly.” I remember having to thicken his beer, he said I was the only one who could get it right. He was cheeky! He was a lovely man...
“I went for a cleaning job at Warrigal Bundanoon 21 years ago, but the matron needed nurses on the floor, so I started as an assistant in nursing. Later I worked as a Physio Aid and a Recreational Activities Officer. I am now Employee Development Officer – it still surprises me to this day that I got the role!
My aim is to ensure our staff are well trained so that our residents are well looked after. Happy residents make a happy home. I miss the interaction with residents, so I try and visit a lot – you can learn so much from their stories.
I’m getting married in Fiji in soon! I have a daughter and 3 soon to be step children. We love taking the kids to the movies, the beach, the zoo. They have lots of time with their grandparents so they don’t sit at home on their gadgets!"
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Fred, 91 years
"We had four boys. I had a pact with my wife that if the youngest was a boy we would go to Australia, and if it was a girl we would stay at home. And it was a boy. So several months later we are on the boat going to Australia…
- I was born in Belgium. When I was 8 years, as my father was Dutch, and that was the depression years we had to go back to Holland. So I grew up in Holland.
I went with the Dutch Army to Indonesia for two years… I met my wife before I went to Indonesia. I asked her if she wanted to wait for me. We wrote letters, she saved them all...
We had four boys. I had a pact with my wife that if the youngest was a boy we would go to Australia, and if it was a girl we would stay at home. And it was a boy. So several months later we are on the boat going to Australia… We thought with four boys to give them a good future it better to go to Australia than stay in Holland… there was a lot more opportunity. After 6 years we had a girl here, we couldn’t believe it.
Turning 90 hey, it was something. But I have to still go on, because I have been called after my grandfather, and he went to 99. How I’m going now, I think I might make it!
Did you have a dance at your party? No, my wife wasn’t there. My wife Johanna. That was my dance partner. We did English waltz, tango, fox trot, slow fox, we danced a lot my wife and myself… My daughter she can dance very well. But the boys are more interested in football… We could dance very well."
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Fiona, Hairdresser at Warrigal village
"My job is very rewarding because I make people happy with what I do… I love this place for the purpose it provides, I love it for the people who work here and live here. I have the best job in the world.
I was working part time as a hairdresser since I was 13, it was always a passion of mine. When I left school I couldn’t get an apprenticeship so I took whatever job I could find. I fell into an apprenticeship at 20, and bought my first business at 21 and have never looked back. I have worked for myself ever since."
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Meg, 85 years
"I was a very bright student, not naughty – heavens no. Not to be pretentious, but I was very bright at school! ...
My father was a school teacher. He would spend his whole life at school - seven days a week. I remember going down with my father to school while he worked. I enjoyed going down there. I wrote on the blackboards, poked around or just watched what he was doing.
I did a commercial course and worked for a real estate agency in Wagga. Apart from real estate they had a franchise for dispatching planes out of Wagga. They held the passenger lists and weighed the luggage. It was an interesting job as I got to see all sorts of people. It was an interesting occupation. I worked there until I got married.
Oh I married a school teacher too! Isn't that funny! He was on my father's staff.
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Eddy, 79 years
See those rocks, they’re from all over the world, that’s my hobby. Those rocks remind me of places more than photos. Have you heard of the Blarney stone in Ireland? Well I’ve kissed the Blarney stone. I gave it two kisses! Fair dinkum!
Something I always teach my grandchildren, as soon as they’re old enough, you’ve got to have Poppy’s wink! That’s what I do all the time. I’m known for me wink! Fair dinkum.
Every class I went to I repeated, and I got to 14 and they said “you’ve got no where to go, you can’t go to high school ‘cause you can’t write and you can’t spell. So you can be the gardener. Righto. Well the boy’s school was next to the girls school. So the girls school had all the lovely garden, and the boys had overgrown bush!
I was a cabinet maker by trade. (Later) I got a job as a car detailer in a smash repairs place and I stayed there for the rest of my (working) life. And that’s not bad for a bloke who didn’t get an education. I can’t read properly and I can’t spell. I can’t write. But I’ve done alright. I always had a job – that’s great.
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June, 91 years
"I loved France. I always said we’d go back to France because he wasn’t as adventurous as I was. When they let us off the bus the fellow said “go and get lost” because that’s the best way to see Paris. Well my husband couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel because he was so worried about getting lost! I wanted to go up the Eiffel Tower but he wouldn't so I said he’d have to take me back again...
We decided we’d buy a coffee lounge in Wollongong. It was called the White Knight and it was on the corner of Keira and crown Street. We were one of the first in Wollongong. I didn’t drink coffee much then. It was only new. That was in the late 50’s...
I always used to leave Sundays free so we could have family day. You’ve got to leave one day free for the kids. We bought a little caravan – we called it our glass bubble...
I liked Avon because I like to do things I’ve always worked all of my life on different things and I was 60 actually and they came to the door and knocked and asked if I would like to do Avon. I was about 83 when I finished working. I liked getting up and getting dressed and going out and meeting people..."
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Walter, 98 years
"The Queen came to the Teacher’s College, I had to escort her... She overstayed her time by three quarters of an hour...
My greatest achievement - Getting out of the war alive and in one piece.
I have 5 children of my own and 2 foster children.
My saddest moment was when my wife died – 13 years ago
It was a large bay liner. 7 weeks on the boat. 150 kids. We came in to Fremantle. We were behind all these big boats. We had to wait for 4 days at least in the port. I met a man in Fremantle and he said "Are you in Sydney for the first time" and we said yes. And he said "make sure you tell Australians how bloody good they are!" This was good advice I thought! We first stayed in a camp, in the north shore near Linfield in an old air force base, filled with all sorts of people.
We were delighted in Australia, enough to know we did the right thing to move. It was difficult to get used to the temperature at first. And the teachers would call the headmaster by his first name – they would call across the playground "hey Don" – that amazed me. Calling your headmaster by his Christian name! We always called our headmaster "mister" in England.
I came to the Teachers College in ’82. The Queen came to the Teacher’s College, I had to escort her... She overstayed her time by three quarters of an hour."
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Moira, Warrigal Employee
"12 months ago I was having a party at my house when my chimney caught on fire. There were 2 fire trucks and half a dozen fire fighters at the house. My granddaughter was six at the time and said "Nan, this is the best party I’ve ever been to...
I am happy to be working with our residents. As long as our residents are happy, I’m happy. I work with good partners - you are only as good as your partners. I love my job with a passion, I love the characters I meet."
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Lavena, 86 years
"I’ve always done something with my hands – I’ve sewn, crocheted or knit. One of the things I did make is this – I started the table cloth after my husband died to give me something to do with my hands, to put my brain to use. And at Christmas I use it with a red table cloth underneath, and it comes out quite pretty...
I have made many wedding dresses. I made my daughter Wendy’s wedding dress and one of my granddaughters 5 years ago – and that was the last one I made, it was lovely.
I have been on the QE2 two times. The second time I flew to Tahiti with my son and daughter in law and we boarded there, and we cruised back to Sydney. We stood outside the heads until the tide was the right height to come in to Sydney harbour. We went out on deck at 5 o’clock in the morning as we wanted to see it coming in... And when the tide was right we moved in very, very slowly and it was a glorious site going up Sydney harbour."
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Shiva, Warrigal Employee, 28 years
"It’s only when I say words like “six” and “fish and chips” that you can pick it up. When working as a physio, the residents used to knock me all the time. When I was counting, we would be doing sets of 10 and every time I would say “six” they would burst in to laughter...
We migrated from Fiji to New Zealand when I was three months old because there was a military coup in our country and dad wanted to get me and the family out of there. So we moved to New Zealand. Dad was studying in New Zealand at the time, he’s an accountant.
The biggest thing I remember about my dad growing up is how hard working he is. My mum and my dad would work Monday to Friday and then on weekends would do cleaning jobs. They would take me and my sister along to help out and as a family we would clean factories and offices. Myself and my wife worked 7 days for 5 years to afford a deposit on our house and pay for our big wedding and honeymoon. Now that we have a family we work Monday to Friday and our aim is to spend lots of time with our kids, because that’s what is important. We wanted to set ourselves up. We don’t come from money, we’ve come from pretty poor backgrounds, and we wanted to get to a point where we could live fairly comfortably. And we’ve achieved that, so we’re pretty happy with ourselves so we can hopefully give our kids a good life.
Becoming a dad- that was the greatest experience of my life. I think I have been very blessed to have things fall in to place for me. A good job, lovely wife, kids, and house, all within a short period of time. I think things have been going from strength to strength. We have a new baby girl - so two girls!"
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Sheila, 76 years
"I loved obstetrics. I have an Aboriginal goddaughter from one family I got to know in Moree, she was one of the babies I delivered and cared for...
I really think I was a paediatric nurse at heart; I really loved working with families and young children. The first baby I saw being delivered, before I was allowed to do the deliveries, I remember thinking ‘this is just amazing really, this new life’ – it was so terrific, it was always so special.
This china was from my parent’s home… I have a group of friends and we call ourselves the 'Birthday Girls' and so on our birthdays we make this lovely afternoon tea, like a high tea, and bring out the best china and silver teapot and everything."
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Maria, 88 years
"When I hear the music going I dance, it just happens naturally. I cannot stop it." ...
Shirley (Maria's Daughter): "Mum and her partner used to dance - Waltz, Fox Trot, you name it - and they were always noticed."
Maria: "I love music you know. I loved the German music, because we lived close to the border."
Shirley: "Around the time when Mum was very crook and was having seizures, she wouldn’t talk to us, she seemed very vague. She didn’t even look at us. My daughter played her ‘Tulips from Amsterdam’ on her phone. And she had her eyes shut but she made a movement and the next morning I walked in and she yelled out “Shirley Shirley” – and it was as though the music brought her back."
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Olive, 88 years
"I met an Australian Navy man named Cyril at the age of 17 and fell madly in love. My family felt I was too young to be interested in boys and I was sent to live with my father in Tamworth in the country. A year later Cyril followed me to the country and my father realised this was serious and I wasn’t going to marry a farmer as was his wish...
My mother had a Café in Sydney at the bottom of George Street towards the wharf. I had to stay at my grandmothers at night times because it was war time in Sydney and the young yanks from the army, navy and air force were out and about, and at the age of 16 we were very interested- but we were kept well away.
I have 10 children from 2 marriages. I was a widow for seven years between marriages..."
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Martin, 88 years
"Seeing the Nazi soldiers and all that leaving Holland after 5 years of misery and occupation- that’s the happiest memory of my life. Five years of constant never knowing where you’re at... They put my parents in a concentration camp for a couple of months, nothing to eat for a long time and you couldn’t go outside in the streets so you couldn’t go to high school...
I was caught 3 times by SS soldiers, twice I got away and the third time they got me at gunpoint so luckily somebody said 'I’ll go get your father.' My father spoke fluent German so he went to the SS man and said “what do you think you’re doing?” And he said ‘he’s got to go to the bunkers on the coast and build concrete bunkers there.” My father said “Well, I’ve got news for you, he’s not even allowed there, because he’s an American citizen.”
Holland was completely stripped of everything, so everything had to start off from the ground up. Well after a few years I didn’t see any purpose any more to stay there. And I said 'well if you go back to America the Korean War is just going on there' and I had already got my papers from the American Army to be drafted. So I thought if I finish up in Korea I’ll get killed there for nothing. So I go to Australia instead, and that’s why I’m here.
I paint international water colour and acrylic portraits. I never had proper tuition until a couple years back, someone living in Bundanoon, I got in touch with him and he said 'if you’ve got anything I’ll bring it out in you,' and he did and the result is still hanging around."
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Bruce 83 years
"I had an 11m yacht that I built in my backyard in Woonona. It took 18 years to build. The kids next door were convinced I knew something – that it was going to flood!
I was in the merchant’s service for about 4 years when I was about 24. I went to sea as ship’s electrician...
Later a friend and I sailed from Wollongong up to Scarborough, North Brisbane. We did a two month trip as far as Bowen It’s a wonderful feeling of freedom. It’s more than that; a boat under sail is a marvellous creature because it moves virtually silently. You are going across the water and it’s almost absolutely silent, the only sound is the wash from the bower as you go through the water. It’s a super, super experience."
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Ian, 71 years
"I never stopped doing community work – I have helped the Salvation Army, the Cancer Council, the Heart Foundation, the Red Cross, ex-services legion, and was President and Chairman of The Lion’s Club. My daughter says that I have passed on to them the ability to care for others- which makes me proud...
I brought my kids up to understand that childhood is an apprenticeship and the more they learn during their apprenticeship the better they will achieve.
My career? I went in to the department of the army and from there I transferred to the diplomatic court. I applied for the job in foreign affairs, it was in external affairs, and they posted me in Moscow because of my military background. My daughter was born in Helsinki as a result of that, we called her a little Finn. It was the time of the communist regime and you weren’t allowed to go places, to get to see the ballet or the red army choir you had to apply and if your embassy wasn’t in the favour you wouldn’t get approved to see it. I went to Taiwan, which was then the Republic of China, in ’72 just before Whitlam got in. So I got there just in enough time to close the post and open the post in China."
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Pauline, 80 years
"I worked at Smiths Hill High School for 33 years. I introduced archery to the school – that wasn’t as successful as it might have been so we stopped that! The neighbours were a bit too close! ...
I meet many, many ex pupils, and there is one thing they always say, without a doubt, 'I loved PE, except Miss Skellon, I hated the vaulting horse,' and I've heard it so often I think ‘gee I must have been awful making them jump over it!'
Teaching is where I should be. When I was in third year, I thought I would be a French teacher or a pharmacist. And then I had this PE teacher, and we wouldn't do what the old ladies would do, we did folk dancing and it was fun. We saw a vaulting horse for the first time! She was so good that three of us all chose to do PE when leaving and she was the reason I became a Christian. She was a very inspiring lady. Her influence is why I became a PE teacher. And I still keep in touch with her, she is 92."
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