For more than 20 years, Annette has been part of BaptistCare, supporting clients in Gundagai in the Murrumbidgee region of NSW. She joined
BaptistCare when her children were young, after working in a variety of jobs. The care worker role offered something she hadn’t found elsewhere: flexibility.
“At the time, I had three little ones and this job worked around them,” Annette recalls. “I didn’t have to do night shifts like I had in other jobs and my parents and sister could help mind the kids. It wasn’t full-time, but it was enough to keep us going, and it fitted perfectly with family life.”
Listening, connecting, caring
As a care worker, Annette spends her days supporting clients in both practical and personal ways. “I go out in the field and do the cleaning, shopping, whatever the clients want,” she says.
Her role is about meeting people where they are and giving them the support they need to live independently at home. It’s connection, as much as care. “We might be the only people they see that whole day, or for two or three days,” Annette says. “We’re only there for an hour, so we’ve got to make the most of it.”
After two decades, what Annette values most hasn’t changed: it’s the people. “I really enjoy working with clients and hearing their stories. I’ve always loved history and many people talk about life on the land – things like milking cows. I can relate because I grew up with that myself. It makes me feel connected when they share those memories.”
For Annette, listening is key. “Asking about people’s lives helps build genuine connection. That’s what I love.”
Why the work matters
Annette is honest that being a care worker has its challenges. It can be sad when clients pass away, especially in a small town where she has known many of them all her life. But she finds strength in knowing her work has made a difference.
“At first, it upset me a lot,” she says. “But then I realised, you’ve given them longer at home than they might have had otherwise – sometimes three or four extra years.”
Technology has been another challenge. “When I started, rosters came in the mail and you faxed things back. Moving to phones and apps has been the hardest part for me,” she admits.
But she’s quick to add how grateful she is for her colleagues. “The office staff in Wagga are amazing. If I need help, they’ll give me a bit of extra time or show me what to do. I wouldn’t get that anywhere else. That support has kept me here.”
Healthy ageing
Annette says that people who have reached their 80s and 90s must be doing something right. She’s also noticed they often have one thing in common. “They grew up walking everywhere, working hard,” she says. “They didn’t sit around like we do now and I think that’s made a big difference.”
A life grounded in family
Outside work, Annette enjoys life’s simple pleasures. “I do a bit of gardening, though not much,” she says. “I don’t really have big hobbies – I spend time with my family.”
Her three daughters and extended family keep her busy. “Mum’s still alive – she’ll be 89 this year – and I’ve got lots of siblings. Dad only passed away last year, so family is really important to me.”
Considering a career as a care worker?
Annette’s advice is simple: “Go for it,” she says. “It is a rewarding job. You can see the difference it makes in people’s lives. You know you’ve helped someone stay at home, where they want to be, for as long as possible. That makes it all worthwhile.”
