Rita Stemmerik might be in her 70s, but that hasn’t slowed her volunteer workload. The busy cafe/kiosk manager at SwanCare group’s Waminda Care facility at Bentley has taken the honours at the annual Aged and Community Services of WA Excellence Awards 2010. Rita took out the volunteer category for her exceptional contribution to community service “From an unemployed youth worker who has known tough times, to an elderly lady who receives fan mail from residents and relatives for her work, volunteers like Rita Stemmerik are a triumph for the aged and community care sector,” said Aged and Community Services WA chief executive officer Stephen Kobelke. “Volunteers can make a huge difference in aged and community care.
“Rita is an active volunteer who for decades has given her time and expertise to aged care residents – way beyond that expected of volunteers.” Waminda manager Jean Rothschild said that as a live-in “house mother” to the facility’s residents and manager of a very busy kiosk/cafe, Rita’s volunteer commitments extended well beyond the hours of most employees in the paid workforce. “Under her management the kiosk has grown to become a thriving fundraising resource for the community and a popular meeting place for residents and their families, with over 2000 customers coming to Rita’s during March 2010,” Mrs Rothschild said. “From 1999, Waminda Kiosk has evolved into Rita’s Kiosk and Retreat under Rita’s guiding hand and visionary management.” Mrs Rothschild said that in her role as house mother, Rita was a friend and confidante, a listening ear and an impartial link between residents and the care team. “She is a special brand of person who generously gives her time, frequently during the night, and often when a resident is unwell or unsettled,” she said.
Rita is also trainer and carer of Waminda’s house pet, Mindy. “Together Rita and Mindy make an exceptional team, sharing time with the residents and bringing enormous joy to the Waminda community,” Mrs Rothschild said. “Rita has employed her dog handling skills in training Mindy for the role of providing unconditional love and an added dimension to the quality of life of the residents.” Rita also has the elected role of resident representative, acting as an advocate for residents whenever necessary. She has received special commendation on her work from the accreditation auditors. Other winners of the 2010 Aged and Community Services WA Awards were: Media: Uniting Church Homes (60th anniversary celebrations acknowledging the enormous contribution from staff ). Organisation: Braemar Presbyterian Care for adopting new strategies in staff recruitment and retention, with 100 per cent conversion of new start trainees.
Industry Supporter: EPAC salary solutions, for using salary package ideas to attract and retain staff. Trainee: Sue Hummerston, Uniting Church Homes, from care assistant to pending nursing graduate specialising in age care. Employee: Margaret Hoare, Braemar Presbyterian Care, has given more than 40 years service in residential care. Aged Care Excellence: Lynn Panagopoulos, who contributes to many committees, has developed policies and manuals, and is a champion of the Strength through Diversity multicultural approach to aged care.
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