Clotilda (Tilly) Colkers

Role: Carer

Length of service: 45 years, started 1 January 1977

After 45 years – including a short-lived stint in retirement – working for Brightwater and at Onslow Gardens, Till Colkers has some great stories to tell. Brightwater has been a constant throughout the milestones in Till’s life, from her engagement and marriage to the birth of her children and now grandchildren.

What led you to work in this field?

I was on my way to apply for a job at Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital via bus. I saw the sign for Homes of Peace Subiaco. I decided to get off the bus and see if they had any jobs available. I knocked on the door and was greeted by a young handsome man and I asked him if there were any domestic jobs available. He said no but mentioned they had nursing assistant roles. He told me to apply straight away and when I went home that evening, there was a telegram waiting for me asking to come in the next day to try the uniform on. I started my role at the Homes of Peace in Subiaco (now known as Brightwater Onslow Gardens) that evening.

Could you please describe your role and responsibilities?

As a carer my roles and responsibilities include delivering quality care and support to our clients and personal care of our clients including showering and dressing. I also offer guidance and support when they need anything and keep families informed and updated about their loved ones.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy interacting with our residents and their families the most. I like to listen to their stories and to hear about their lives. I enjoy being a friendly face and caring for our residents.

What’s the most inspiring part of your job?

Being able to see the difference I make in the residents lives and how much the little things matter. I take pride in ensuring our residents are looking and feeling their best.

What lessons have your learned after working in aged care for four and a half decades?

The work we do is very important. Treat people with kindness and respect. Laughter is the best medicine! And it is important to work together.

What advice would you give Brightwater staff?

Get to know your residents and always make them the priority.

What energises you at work?

The residents and all the staff at Brightwater

Do you have any funny stories or fond memories?

There are too many to share! I have made so many friends and cared for many residents. They are all very special to me.

Where is your hometown?

Rangoon, Burma.

What’s the best holiday destination you’ve ever visited?

I love being able to travel home to Burma, see how much things have changed and to meet my friends from when I was younger.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to go out shopping. I like to spend the day with my friends. I also like to travel and to spend time with my family.

Formal uniforms, hard work and fantastic memories

Till had only been in Australia for three months with her twin sister Audrey and was looking for a job as their factory closed over the Christmas break for a few months. She was offered a job with Homes of Peace in Subiaco and started on 1 January 1977 on a three-month trial, working the 5pm to 11pm shift.

When she went in to collect her blue collared uniform, Till noticed it was very long and stiff. It was the era of short dresses and skirts and Till shortened her uniform hem a little before she started. When the Matron saw her, she asked if that was the uniform Till was issued. When Till said no, she had taken the hem up a little, Matron told her the hem better be let back down!

After the trial, Till was offered a full-time job working the morning shift which was much harder.

Till recalls how there were no hoists and it would take until midday to finish bathing residents, who were lifted in and out of the baths.

Homes of Peace at the time were old, two-storey buildings with six residents per room. Not long after Till started her permanent position, Audrey applied for a nursing assistant role and started working at Homes of Peace. The pair worked together for 40 years, doing the same shifts as they shared a car. Till was in Willow House and Audrey in Mulberry House. While Onslow Gardens was built, they worked at the Homes of Peace in Inglewood, caring for the Subiaco residents.

When Till and Audrey retired at 65 they had worked at the same place for 40 years. Till didn’t last long in retirement. She went on holiday to Burma and after returning home had a call from one of the nurses to come in to see a resident that she had cared for, for many years who was declining and wanted to see her.

After he passed, she received another call from the nurse as the family had asked if she could attend the funeral.

When Till came in for the funeral, the Manager saw her and booked her in to start working one day a week which has crept up to two to three days a week for the past five years!