Lara’s Joy Leggo, 67, has been awarded national recognition for her volunteer and professional contributions within the aged care field.
Mrs Leggo received a medal of the Order of Australia this week for her service towards the community and said she was surprised to receive the award.
“It’s very humbling,” she said.
“When you think someone or some people have taken the time to nominate you, and to recognise the work that you’ve done, when I’ve done that work because I wanted to do that work.”
Mrs Leggo said she initially found the aged care industry very daunting when she started her career.
“In one role I had to go and do a census in a nursing home. I was I was fairly junior, and I got so distressed,” she said.
“They looked so sad and lonely, and I came out of doing that and thought I could never work in aged care because it’s too distressing.
“But when I got my first senior manager role, there was a nursing home attached to that, and a director of nursing showed me what good nursing home care could be like.
“How you could bring happiness, life and joy to people living in aged care and I think that’s what drew me to it, because you can make a difference.”
Mrs Leggo said she currently works at Cultura (formerly known as Diverstat and Multicultural Aged Care Services) and has been volunteering since she was 15.
She has also worked for Aged and Community Services Australia, Sirovilla Retirement Village in Belmont and has been a member of the Colac and Geelong Rotaract Service Clubs for 10 years.
“It is about making a difference to people who need our support,” Mrs Leggo said.
“There’s no doubt life gives everybody challenges at times, but I have been fortunate, and I have been able to give back.”
