Back in September 2021 the Rotary Melbourne Health and Ageing Committee reported that a project to support the administration of the community Covid activities had been created.
St John Ambulance sought volunteers to screen visitors to medical facilities and I put up my hand to join the program. The volunteers were to be involved in attending shifts at Werribee Mercy Hospital to ensure public visitors were eligible and safe to enter.
After detailed consultation with St John Ambulance it was decided that willing Rotary Melbourne member/ volunteers could be engaged as Support Service Workers and paid a salary by St John Ambulance, the organisation contracted by the Victorian Government, and then pass on the net income to Rotary Melbourne.
After submitting an expression of interest in participating as a (paid) volunteer in October 2021, as Covid in the community was settling down, I decided to participate as a volunteer. All the usual employment documents, including police check and working with children check (employee) had to be completed.
In April 2022 I completed the St John first-aid course and was offered an employment contract. Shortly after that I attended my induction after receiving my police check and working with children (employee) check. An underlying health issue initially delayed attending my first shift, which didn’t occur until late November 2022, at Werribee Mercy Hospital.
I have now undertaken 11 shifts over the last 5 months. St John Ambulance advised last week that the Mercy Hospital no longer required their contract worker, and asked to express interest should appropriate further opportunities arise.
To date I have passed on net earnings of $2,382 to be added to the Club’s Health and Aging Committee budget.
While it was most satisfying to have been able to raise funds to support healthcare projects, I also found this volunteering experience enjoyable and rewarding.
Observing the various medical issues that multi-cultural people in the West suffer from has made me realize how fortunate I am to have relatively easy access to health services.
Sue Smith
Bulletin/Directory Editor
