June 30 is a date that has meanings for many related to end of financial year considerations and the need for accountants just to name a few. For one special lady, the date celebrates a milestone of helping people.
Cathy Judd, Client Support Officer for Torbay Lifestyles and Care at Torquay, knows the date more importantly as the day she started at the iconic facility 30 years ago.
Torbay Lifestyles and Care was one of the very first “retirement villages” in Hervey Bay, celebrating 50 years in 2027, and has evolved with the community including the support of devoted staff such as Cathy.
Mrs. Judd visited Queensland over 30 years ago on a holiday from New Zealand with her husband and young family and hired a car, visiting a growing fishing village called Hervey Bay.
“It was then we realised this could be home, so we purchased a piece of land”, says Cathy.
After a year of cleaning roles once settling in the region, a friend of her daughter’s suggested a cleaning role at Torbay. “My parents did a lot for the aged community, so I thought “why not” and started with Torbay on the 30th June, 1994.”
After 6 months, her passion for drama and choirs got her involved with these activities at the facility that eventually lead her to an Activities role at the Tavistock Court area of the village.
“That role was for almost 15 years that I loved coming to work each day”.
She then was asked to take on the “Hostess” role, which is still titled on her office door today, and now represents her current role of Client Support Officer. It’s a role she is very passionate about.
“My role is to assist residents where possible………hospital visits, holding their hands before surgeries………it’s a role that’s tailored for me and I just love it!”.
There are no plans for retirement although she enjoys travelling with her husband Brian, in which they will celebrate 44 years of marriage in October.
She feels very strongly about being available for someone to talk to and the art of listening. The ability to let the person tell their story and to be there when they want to speak up.
It’s a skill society welcomes.
Torbay Lifestyles and Care provides quality accommodation, focused support services and lifestyle options with 1559 Independent Living Units within the Retirement Village and 134 bed Residential Aged Care Facility catering to residents with diverse care needs.
For further information, please call Carrie Chappell – Chief Executive Officer on 4125 0800.