Inverpine aged care employee celebrates her 80th birthday

The Bolton Clarke Inverpine community is no stranger to 80^th birthday celebrations, but something special was in order when team member Agnes turned 80 earlier this month.

The Personal Care Worker says it’s her passion for caring for older people that has kept her at work, despite trying retirement for a short time in her early 70s.

“I retired when I was 73 but that only lasted for about a year when I came back to work – I got bored!” Agnes said.

“I am older than some residents here who we care for, but I am close to a lot of them and we get on really well.

“As a PCW, I feel the most important thing is that you have a good conversation with the residents, and it really makes your day when you talk to them.

“I always think that one day I’ll be in that situation, so I want to look after them in the same way I want to be looked after.”

Working in the healthcare industry was something Agnes was always drawn to, starting her career in hotel services at the Mater Hospital in Mackay during the 1970s.

“I always wanted to do nursing when I was young, but I was hesitant to start the course.

“I ended up getting my Certificate III in Aged Care later in life when I was working in aged care and I just loved it.

“It keeps my mind going and I’ve learnt a lot – I never used to use a computer, it used to be all pen and paper.

“My work keeps me on my toes and makes me look forward to the next day whereas when I retired, I would just stay at home.

“I really think that a career in aged care is extremely rewarding and it can build you up as a person.”