Passion for caring
FOR the past four decades, Patricia Hedge has devoted her life to caring for Toowoomba’s elderly.
It’s a passion that stemmed from a very young age when she helped look after her parents at her Oakey property where she would often be around the elderly, assisting them with every day tasks.
Patricia will celebrate 43 years of being a personal care worker at Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Symes Thorpe Residential Aged Care Home on October 8.
“I was always interested in working in aged care from an early age. Even as a kid I used to be doing things for elderly people and it sort of developed through the years,” she said.
“It was always the care of the elderly which drew me to work at Symes Thorpe.
“Symes Thorpe has had many additional wings added over my time here, previously we did not have high care at all and it was more like a hostel kind of environment.
“I was actually living in the nursing quarters for about 12 months until I obtained my car and licence. Now the nurses’ quarters have been transformed into the staffroom.”
Symes Thorpe residential manager Antonia Hynes said Patricia has always had a strong work ethic and is a valued staff member.
“Trish is a dedicated and valued member of the Symes Thorpe team,” she said.
“Trish has performed a number of roles through the years and continues to show compassion and care to all the residents here and be a role model to onboarding staff.”
Patricia has worked in different positions from being a relief supervisor to mentoring new staff.
“Staff tell me that I have a great dedication and high standard in my role that I hope provides guidance and a positive role model for the new staff,’ she said.
Her favourite saying is “let’s get the show on the road” and “I also wouldn’t mind winning the lotto and might mention that once or twice to staff.”
Outside of work, Patricia enjoys gardening, reading books and going to the movies.