“Growing up with my mother and aunties working in aged and disability care, I knew that working with Australian Unity as a care worker would be the ideal position.” — Mitchell Mcinnes, Service Coordinator at Australian Unity
Key points
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Gloria began her career as a care worker more than 25 years ago when returning to the workforce after having children.
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Gloria’s children, Mitchell Mcinnes and Jennifer Carley, have also joined the Australian Unity team, working together to deliver quality home care services to customers in Sydney.
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Working with family has been a pleasure for Jocell Robertson, who says they’re all able to learn from one another, as they each bring different skills, experiences and perspectives to the team.
In the late 1990s, when Gloria Mcinnes and her sister-in-law Jocell Robertson started working for the Home Care Service of NSW (now Australian Unity), little did they know that they’d end up inspiring future generations to follow in their footsteps.
Currently working as a Service Coordinator at the Bankstown Branch, Gloria began her career as a care worker more than 25 years ago when returning to the workforce after having children.
“When Mitchell, my baby, was in preschool, I started to feel that I needed to do something and to interact with people over the age of nine!” Gloria says. “The role offered flexibility with working hours, which was exactly what I was looking for. Since then, I’ve never looked back. I’m very grateful for the opportunities given to me by Australian Unity.”
Gloria’s children, Mitchell Mcinnes and Jennifer Carley, have also joined the Australian Unity team, working together to deliver quality home care services to customers in Sydney. With a background working as an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse (EEN), Jennifer switched to care work after motherhood.
“After working in the community, I don’t think I’d ever go back to the hospital setting. I love how I have more time to talk to the clients and get to know them,” says Jennifer, who is now a Home Care Worker Coach, providing support, advice and resources to care workers.
Just like his sister, Mitchell was keen to find work with flexible hours, as well as opportunities to develop his interpersonal and communication skills and connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds. He started his care work journey seven years ago, fitting in work around his studies.
“Growing up with my mother and aunties working in aged and disability care, I knew that working with Australian Unity as a care worker would be the ideal position,” says Mitchell, who is now a Service Coordinator, working alongside his mother and aunt.
He shares that care work offers many benefits, both professionally and personally. “I’ve learnt how rewarding it can feel [to care for others],” he says, adding that working with his relatives is also a bonus. “Working with my family has given me the chance to see a different side of them and what they’re passionate about. Not many people get the opportunity to see their family members in a working environment, so I do feel lucky to experience that.”
Like any proud parent, Gloria has enjoyed seeing her children flourish in their chosen careers.
The role offered flexibility with working hours, which was exactly what I was looking for.
- Gloria Mcinnes, Service Coordinator
at Australian Unity
“My son Mitchell joined as a care worker and made me realise that, after all the years I had spent picking up after him and cleaning his room, he was more than capable of doing this himself!” Gloria says. “I remember getting calls from customers congratulating me on how lovely and well-mannered Mitchell is. As a parent, that’s what we want to hear.”
Gloria explains that her daughter Jennifer’s motivation to work with older people started long ago.
“She was very close to her nan, and I think this has given her patience and a love for helping and connecting with older customers.”
Working with family has been a pleasure for Jocell, who says they’re all able to learn from one another, as they each bring different skills, experiences and perspectives to the team. Over the years, she’s shared many laughs with Gloria and has learnt a lot from Mitchell while caring for customers. Meanwhile, Jennifer has shared many ideas on how to “support our care workers”.
“As my retirement gets closer, I am so glad we have this time together,” Jocell reflects. “We will be talking about it for many years to come.”
Do you have a great story to share about your support team? Email us at flourish@australianunity.com.au
Disclaimer:
Information provided in this article is of a general nature. Australian Unity accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any of the opinions, advice, representations or information contained in this publication. Readers should rely on their own advice and enquiries in making decisions affecting their own health, wellbeing or interest. Interviewee names and titles were accurate at the time of writing.
