“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 handwritten 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 I 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.”