For many, aged care is about delivering comfort, compassion, and support. But in remote Australian communities, aged care takes on an additional, deeply enriching dimension. It provides an opportunity to connect with land, culture, and tradition, blending vital healthcare with respect for Indigenous practices.
Healthcare professionals like Jodi, a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) with Healthcare Australia (HCA), are at the heart of these stories. With over five years of experience travelling to remote placements, Jodi’s passion for aged care shines through cultural connection, creative initiatives, and meaningful relationships. This is her story about how she bridges worlds and helps foster cross-generational bonds through the art of community and culture.
Learning Tradition Through Basket Weaving
Jodi’s remote aged care career took a cultural turn when she first learned the traditional craft of basket weaving in Kintore, Northern Territory. Years later, during an HCA placement in Wadeye, NT, she expanded her skill set further. Under the guidance of aged care clients in the community, she discovered how to strip sand palm, prepare and dye it, and transform raw materials into intricate woven baskets.
The process was fascinating to her. Using natural resources like tree roots to create vibrant yellow dyes or grass for red tones, the activity offered a chance to connect with the land and its people. Mixing these dyes to alter colours and enhance each piece reflected the spirit of resourcefulness and creativity intrinsic to community life.
“It’s more than just crafting,” Jodi shares. “It’s storytelling through art, and I love seeing how clients light up while passing down these traditions.”
Healing Through Connection
For many in remote communities, cultural activities like basket weaving provide a sense of connection and empowerment. Jodi recalls encouraging clients, staff, and other community members to participate in weaving workshops.
“It became more than an activity,” she says. “For clients, especially those in aged care, it was like therapy. It gave them purpose and pride, and it was incredible to see how engaged everyone became.”
One wheelchair-bound client expressed her gratitude, stating, “This gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning.” Experiences like these resonate deeply, showing the power of tradition to enhance emotional well-being.
Weaving Opportunity and Sustainability
The popularity of basket weaving grew within the Wadeye community, sparking interest from visitors eager to purchase the handmade creations. Responding to this demand, Jodi helped showcase locally woven baskets on the Buy, Swap, and Sell website, enabling locals to sell their art to a broader audience.
Every sale came full circle. Proceeds went toward purchasing additional materials for future crafts, ensuring the activity continued to flourish while also funding resources for the aged care clinic.
“The baskets were more than just objects,” Jodi reflects. “They carried stories of the land, the ancestors, and the talents of this resilient community.”
Stories from Thursday Island
Jodi’s time with HCA has taken her to some of Australia’s most remote and beautiful locations, including Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. While on placement, she met a long-time resident who shared tales of island life. Originally arriving for construction work decades ago, the man reflected on how the land had transformed in his time there.
When he asked if Jodi was happy in her work, she didn’t hesitate to answer “yes.” Through her work with HCA, she explained, she was not only delivering care but helping others rekindle their connections to culture and country.
“That’s when I knew this work was where I was meant to be,” Jodi recalls.
Moments That Make It Worthwhile
For Jodi, one of the most memorable moments came during a placement at ARRCS Old Timers in Alice Springs. Tasked with weaving a baby basket for an Indigenous dementia client, Jodi poured her heart into the project.
“When I gave her the basket, she immediately placed her doll inside and held it tightly,” Jodi says. “It brought tears to my eyes. Seeing her reaction made every challenge worthwhile.”
It’s moments like these that reinforce why empowering communities by blending healthcare and cultural sensitivity is so vital.
The Role of Healthcare Australia
HCA supports professionals like Jodi in finding meaningful placements where they can make a difference. From offering flexible contracts and travel opportunities to fostering personal and cultural growth, HCA ensures that their workforce is equipped to deliver exceptional care in even the most remote corners of Australia.
For Jodi and countless others, it’s more than just work; it’s a chance to contribute to something bigger, celebrating the resilience and beauty of the communities they serve.
Bringing Purpose to Aged Care
Remote aged care, as demonstrated by Jodi’s story, transcends the act of caregiving. It blends tradition and healthcare, offering clients a deeper connection to their heritage and helping them share their stories with the wider world.
These placements don’t just enrich the lives of those in the communities. They enrich the lives of the caregivers, too, instilling a sense of purpose, fulfilment, and joy.
If you’re considering a role in remote aged care, opportunities abound with Healthcare Australia. You’ll find yourself immersed in a world of cultural connection and community impact, where every day is a chance to learn, grow, and make a difference.
Inspired by Jodi’s story? Join Healthcare Australia’s team and discover how you can make a difference in remote aged care. Contact us today.
