Celebrating 103 years of Elsie

Based in Camperdown, about an hour from Warrnambool, Gayle has worked with genU for around four years. She first considered the work after a friend suggested it to her.

“I honestly didn’t think it would be my thing, but I was very, very wrong,” Gayle said. “I am the happiest that I have ever been since I started working in this industry.”

For Elsie, life began on a dairy farm at Curdies River. As a child, she walked four miles across the paddocks to school. By the age of 12, she was working in her father’s cow yard.

After marrying her late husband, Walter, and raising their three children, Elsie eventually retired from farm life and moved into her current home in Camperdown.

Today, Elsie still enjoys a busy calendar. She attends monthly luncheons with the Camperdown and Cobden Senior Citizens groups and looks forward to the monthly Country and Western shows at Camperdown Hall. At home, she enjoys reading and word search puzzles. She is also a proud Collingwood supporter.

Elsie values her independence. With help from family, friends and her Support at Home workers managed through genU, she continues to live in her own home and enjoy life in the town she knows so well.

For Gayle, getting to know the people she supports is one of the best parts of the job. Her visits with Elsie often include sharing stories about the local area and years gone by.

Elsie’s memories of dairy farming, including carrying milk in tins up to the house, give Gayle a glimpse of how much life has changed.

Gayle also enjoys the everyday moments, from having a laugh and swapping shopping tips to learning about home remedies and spending time with people’s pets.

Working in rural communities brings challenges, too. Gayle sees how difficult it can be when people live far from services or have fewer chances to see others. Helping someone get to an appointment or head out for the day can make a real difference.

“People in the rural area are a very, very important community for the country. And if we can keep the community running, everybody benefits,” she said.

Gayle also appreciates the help and encouragement she receives from her colleagues.

“The support that I’ve received from the staff here at genU has been absolutely amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever worked in any situation where I have felt as supported.”

Helping others in her local community has brought Gayle a sense of satisfaction in her work.

“It’s hard to describe unless you do it, but I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” she said.

For Elsie, having people she can rely on means she can keep enjoying her own home, time with family and outings around town. At 103, she has plenty of stories to share and favourite things to keep enjoying.

Happy 103rd birthday, Elsie!