Joe and Robert volunteer at Hazeldean Transition Care in Williamstown. 87606 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By ALESHA CAPONE
EVERY Wednesday volunteer barbecue chef Joe cooks up some cheer alongside the snags at Hazeldean Transition Care in Williamstown.
Since 2008, the Altona North resident has been a volunteer with the Hazeldean Transition Care program and Williamstown Hospital.
In addition to helping with Hazeldean’s weekly barbecue for up to 20 elderly residents, Joe is a patient transport volunteer.
This involves picking up patients and driving them to medical appointments.
Joe said he began volunteering after he “went crazy being at home all day” following his retirement.
“I’ve always come to barbecue since I came to Australia,” the Maltese-born Joe said.
Cooking is a talent which runs in Joe’s family – in Malta, his chef brother hosts the country’s version of the television show ‘Ready, Steady, Cook’,
“When I see how much patients look forward to the barbecue on Wednesday, I just love it,” Joe said.
“They call me ‘Barbecue Joe’.
“I go around and talk to them and speak to quite a lot of them in Maltese.
“You do get a lot of characters. I wish sometimes I had a tape recorder.
“I think you have to have a passion in life. My passion is cooking and seeing people enjoy my cooking.”
Joe has even recruited his former work colleague and friend Robert Carabott to help out with the weekly barbecue.
Western Health is seeking volunteers for Hazeldean Transition Care to fill a range of roles including reading to patients, helping write letters, playing cards or calling bingo, helping out with the weekly barbecue, gardening, driving the bus, anyone with musical talents and more.
Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of two hours a week. Full training is provided. Anyone interested can contact Jo Spence on 0401 020 132.
