Meet Anna Bryan, whose smile is as bright as the surfaces she cleans.

She brings a sparkle with her as she makes her way around Uniting AgeWell Latrobe Community Strathaven, showering residents with good cheer as she vacuums and dusts.

“Chatting to the residents is the best part of my day,” says Anna, who has been in the role for nearly 16 years. “We swap stories and have a bit of a laugh about something or other.”

There’s a lot to listen to and share. Anna has three children, three grandchildren, a husband and a dog and loves to learn about the residents’ life stories.
Anna is responsible for cleaning all the main shared areas – the living and dining rooms, the activities room, staff offices, public toilets and so on. She also steps in to clean residents’ bedrooms as well as with the laundry when needed.

“I get a great feeling of pride and satisfaction to see everything gleaming and shiny,” explains Anna, who has always worked as a cleaner. “It’s a feeling of accomplishment to see everything sparkle.”

Over the years she has made good friends with the staff, who she regards as her wider family. This was especially so during COVID-19 when Anna found her role took on even greater importance as a pivotal strategy in keeping residents well. “I had to wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) and do really deep cleaning,” she recalls. “It was hard work, but we all pulled together as a team.”

She loves the culture of Uniting AgeWell which she says reflects her values. “I’m very happy doing what I do,” Anna says.

For Aged Care Employee Day we’re celebrating all the different ways our team care.