Meet our volunteer, Rosa

What was your motivation to become a Volunteer?

About 25 years ago, I broke my wrist and went to Connect Health & Community for physio, and it was beautiful.  When my wrist healed, the physio asked me to attend treatment in the hydrotherapy pool for physio on my hands.  One day my physio asked me if I would like to volunteer in the pool, but I told her I couldn't as my husband was sick.  But my physio was persistent and encouraged me to come and try it.  I tried it couple of times to see if I liked it …and I loved it!  I was a little worried about doing the wrong thing, but the physio reassured me that clients are capable of doing their exercises.  I just need to make sure everyone is safe.

What did you do before becoming a Volunteer?
When I first came to Australia I went to work at a biscuit factory in Port Melbourne 56 years ago. I then worked as a tailor, making jackets and things like that.  We moved house and I worked for a milliner, I did all the trimming for the hats.  After that, my husband bought a fruit shop business in Centre Road.  We had that fruit shop for 39 years. I also sold books, Encyclopaedia Britannica, on the side and because I knew all the Italian people in the area, they paid me to go with the District Manager to sell the books.  My husband would look after the kids.  During the week I worked in the fruit shop and on the weekends, went with the District Manager to sell the books.

How long have you been volunteering at Connect Health & Community, and in what roles?
I have been volunteering with Connect Health for about 20 years as a hydrotherapy pool assistant and emergency pool assistant and supervisor.  I try to convince people who have never been in a pool to give volunteering a go.  I tell them they can come and try with me, I will show them what to do.

What has been your best volunteer experience while at Connect Health?
Everything has been good.  I love it!  It makes me feel good in my heart.  I like people, everyone – I like to help.  I enjoy being in the pool.  I ask other people if they want to be a volunteer.  I tell them I’m nearly 90 so if I can do it, they can too!  When I started volunteering I started with three shifts in one day.  I was also an emergency volunteer - if someone couldn’t come they would ring me to see if I could help.  I’m only 5 minutes away.  It keeps me young – nobody believes I’m 90!

What do you enjoy doing outside of your volunteering?
I enjoy cleaning the house. I get lots of visitors in the morning they come at 9am for a coffee.  I have lots of neighbours that drop in to see me.  I enjoy my garden and people.

Thank you, Rosa.  And thanks to all our volunteers.