Personal Care Worker Barbara Punton is still in the role 30 years later for the best possible reason. She thoroughly enjoys her career.
The 71-year-old started off as a cleaner at Strath-Haven Community in Bendigo, and two years later became a Personal Care Worker (PCW), a job she says keeps her mentally and physically fit – and happy!
“It’s impossible not to get close to the residents,” Barbara explains. “You’re providing personal care and ensuring their needs are met and that they are content. You get to know both them and their families. How can you not form bonds?”
It is the joy she gets from helping residents and the camaraderie she feels with the staff that keep her turning up to work smiling and energetic. “We often have a bit of a giggle,” Barbara says. “The other day I jokingly told the Residential Services Manager Kate Jackson that I wanted to work from home for the day and she burst out laughing.”
That’s the thing with being a frontline worker. It’s hands on. There is no working from home. Like during the bleak months of COVID-19 where Barbara found herself donned in plastic from head to toe looking after residents. “It was tough,” Barbara states. “But we were all determined to do our best to make things as easy as possible for the residents.”
She is quick to admit the role brings her great joy. “I think you need empathy and dedication to be in the job, but the rewards are huge. It’s wonderful to know I am helping older people live happily and well.”
Barbara also says the organisation is very supportive of all that she does. “It’s good to work with a company that genuinely cares.”
Barbara, who first did office work after finishing school at Ballarat, married Ian and moved to their grain and sheep farm in Shelbourne. Three children later, Barbara went to volunteer at Strath-Haven Community, and one week later they offered her a role. She was a cleaner for two years before studying to become a PCW. Not only does she love the work but also says the extra money is useful to enable her and Ian to travel widely.
The farm has now become a family business, with her son and two grandsons helping run it.
Her advice to those thinking of entering age care. “Have patience, lots of it. And understanding and empathy. You need to be a people-person.”
Read more about Service milestones to celebrate