‘Full of beautiful experiences’: 90-year-old Rosemary’s six decades of volunteering

You’d be hard pressed to find a longer serving—or more passionate—volunteer than Rosemary Parfrey. At age 90, she’s clocked up an incredible 60 years of volunteering with Catholic aged and disability organisation VMCH—and she’s not done yet!

National Volunteer Week—which runs from 19 to 26 May this year—highlights the important role of volunteers across Australia. The theme this year, ‘Connecting Communities’, celebrates the power of volunteering to bring people together. It’s a sentiment that rings true for Rosemary, whose gift of time and care has improved the lives of countless people living in aged care and affordable housing.

On Thursday 22 May, Rosemary will be among 36 VMCH volunteers honoured for their roles at the organisation’s annual Volunteers’ Celebration and Service Recognition event.

Rosemary’s volunteer journey began in 1965, when she signed up to help with Christmas Day lunch at VMCH’s St Catherine’s aged care in Balwyn.

‘I took two of my daughters with me and left my poor husband at home with the other five to sort out quarrelling over toys and take care of Christmas dinner!’ Rosemary says with a laugh.

I love getting to know residents on a deeper level, their past lives and their families.

Over the years, along with paid roles, Rosemary has worn a variety of volunteer hats, including reading at Sunday Mass, pampering residents with manicures and helping with lifestyle activities. However, her favourite pastime has simply been spending quality one-on-one time with residents.

‘I love getting to know residents on a deeper level, their past lives and their families. I also came up with a special project for the residents who had no families or visitors. On their 70th, 80th or 90th birthdays, I’d buy them a gift, help them get dressed up and take them for lunch at the Windsor Hotel. That was very enjoyable for them and for me.’

Volunteering has also been a family affair for Rosemary, with all her seven children having either volunteered or been employed at St Catherine’s over the years.

Rosemary is proud that all her children have since entered human services roles. Her daughter Mary says, ‘Certainly, we all spent time learning how to talk and care with elderly residents, which has held us in good stead for our respective careers. I’m incredibly proud of mum and of how deeply caring she is of all of humanity. She is the best example of a good 90 years, and I feel confident that she will be volunteering when she is 100.’

Indeed, in recent times, Rosemary has been volunteering with VMCH’s TeleFriend program, making weekly calls to affordable homes residents who are at risk of social isolation.

‘I’ve made great friendships with Helga and also Paul, who I have quite a bit in common with, including our spirituality and love of the Collingwood Football Club! I waffle on to them about all sorts of things. I hope I make a little difference to their lives; it’s a lovely program.’

Come and do it and your life will never be the same. It will be full of beautiful experiences.

VMCH Senior Manager Volunteer Engagement Bron Summers says the organisation is ‘deeply grateful’ for Rosemary’s selfless contributions.

‘Rosemary has enriched the lives of so many residents in our community. We thank her sincerely for her compassionate spirit and the warmth she brings to others, particularly when she is so busy in other parts of her life as well.’

The grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of five has no plans to slow down. If she’s not out riding her bike, tending to her veggie garden or spending time with family, Rosemary is busy in her other volunteer role of 37 years with the Smith Family, raising funds to support students entering university.

This National Volunteer Week, Rosemary is keen to share her advice to anyone considering becoming a volunteer: ‘I’d tell them to jump in! Come and do it and your life will never be the same. It will be full of beautiful experiences.’