Eldercare Matters Newsletter - Summer 2014-15

SUMMER 2014/15Our CommunityA Life of ServiceMildred BrocklebankMildred Brocklebank, 94, has been volunteering at Eldercare Seaford for the past five years.In October she received her Service Award at a morning tea held during National Volunteer Week.Here Mildred talks about her life and her experience of volunteering at Seaford.“Warmth and friendship growswhen into Eldercare I go….”I was born in Orange, NSW andtaken to London as a baby where Ihad my education.My ambition was to become ateacher, but instead I found myselfin theatre and dancing. I trained tobecome an acrobat ‘without fear’.Later I joined the world famousBertram Mills Circus. I met manyroyals and dignitaries from theUK and other countries – it was awonderful time in my life.I rode horses, elephants and wouldhave a go at anything. In 1939, atthe start of World War II, the circushad to close because travelling withall the beautiful horses and otheranimals would be too dangerous.I then trained for AeronauticalInspection and spent some yearsin Coventry undertaking finalinspection of every part of theLancaster bombers.I later married, but after severalyears my husband left – one monthbefore my youngest was born,leaving me with four children. Iworked hard to meet the challengeof giving them a good life. I returnedto Australia with my children in1973 and never looked back. I amproud of my country of birth, aswell as my caring, grown-up family.Being elderly and with time onmy hands I looked for ‘something’else. I thought: ‘I am only one, but Iam someone’.Because I cannot do everything Iwill not refuse to do the one thing Ican do. In my heart I know that Godled me to volunteer at EldercareSeaford.I love the happy, caring staff. Ilove the connection with theresidents I visit. Being elderly I visitone-on-one – there’s no strain, butlots of joy laced with a little sadnesssometimes.Sometimes I feel tired before myvisits, but every visit is a lease oflife. Thank you God!I am ready and willing for the lovelypeople at Seaford.God bless you all.Above centre: Mildred (left) receiving her Service Award from Davlyn Hale, Seaford Residential Site Manager, Lifestyle/Volunteer Coordinator,Zoe Kerwick and Jennifer Dunkley, Volunteer Program Manager. Above right: Mildred in costume during her days in the theatre and on board oneof the performing horses. Far right: Mildred performing in a dancing troupe16