It’s pretty easy to spot the new chaplain at Uniting AgeWell’s Kalkee Communities of Murray and Nangatta.
Victor Pitman-Jones - “just call me Vic” – is the one in the loud colourful shirt with the chrome dome, a pierced ear, two tattoos and huge smile. “I like cheerful shirts,” he explains. “It gives people something to smile about. And I’m certainly game to wear a pink wig to help raise awareness during Breast Cancer Week – or even for fun!”
Vic often has knitting needles close by as he whips up jumpers for his grandchildren and lots of other bits and bobs. “It’s not unusual for men to knit,” he says. “In the olden days, fishermen used to knit. It kept their fingers nimble for when they made rope cables.”
Vic is going to stand out even more in a few months’ time. He’s a Sydney Swans supporter in a community of die-hard Cats fans. “I’ll be support for Andy, the resident who is the other lone Swans supporter,” says Vic. “I’m sure we’ll have lots of interesting conversations!”
One of his fans is resident Margaret VAN who says of the new chaplain,” He gets us, he totally understands us. He’s great!”
Vic’s other hobbies are as colourful as his shirts. He has lead and sung in choirs for the Salvation Army, plays the trombone and wants to learn the ukulele. He loves sport, music, war history, movies and is always game for a walk in the great outdoors. He’s even walked the Kokoda Trail.
His career has also been diverse. He was raised in Melbourne and when he left school did an apprenticeship as an electrical fitter before joining the Salvation Army Training College at the age of 20. He was ordained two years later, and spent 30 years working as a chaplain for the Salvos across Australia.
Vic also worked as a funeral director, for the Jesuit Social Services supporting families after suicide, and at another aged care organisation before recently joining Uniting AgeWell.
“I loved the values of Uniting AgeWell,” Vic says. “I love the inclusiveness, the ethos and kindness that I see in the organisation.” To this end he feels privileged to minister to all in an organisation that puts all faiths and religions on an equal footing.
He also appreciates that Uniting AgeWell is a learning organisation that champions everyone to be the best version of themselves. Over the years he’s done a Bachelor of Theology and is currently studying a Graduate Diploma in Ageing and Pastoral studies.
Vic is happily married, has four children and a close family member who is transitioning from being a woman to a man. “I am giving them all the love and support that I can,” he says. “I’m so proud of them and their courage in being the person they were meant to be.”
Uniting AgeWell’s Kalkee Communities are welcoming residential respite stays with a special offer - stay for two weeks and pay for just one.
Discover respite at Uniting AgeWell Kalkee Community Murray Discover respite at Uniting AgeWell Kalkee Community Nangatta.