Joan LeRoy enjoys volunteering at Western Hospital so much that she’d do it every day if she could. 69472 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Kara Irving
JOAN LeRoy loves to help others. So much so, she’s been volunteering at Western Hospital for the past 14 years.
Working in the hospital’s auxiliary department as a volunteer, Joan said she enjoys volunteering more than fulltime work.
“My last fulltime job was in 1956, I’d never give this up for the world,” the 79-year old said.
Manning the ground outpatient desk every Wednesday, Joan’s responsible for helping patients during the last leg of their stay at hospital.
“I make tea and coffee, arrange for taxis to pick patients up, answer phones and help them into their wheelchairs,” she said.
“But I think the most important role is making patients feel comfortable.”
It’s fair to say Joan has always been interested in the wellbeing of others given her record of previously working at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and her husband working with Ambulance Victoria.
“I love working with people. You couldn’t do my job if you didn’t.”
Joan said she has never encountered any problems in her line of work, except for the stray patient or two.
“But I usually take care of that quickly as possible,” she added.
As for the future, Joan’s just looking forward to volunteering next Wednesday.
“I’m already excited for next week”.
