Grahame's devoted to volunteering

Bolton Clarke Inverpine retirement village resident Grahame Wiseman has devoted his life to helping others for more than 20 years.

After a three-decade career in the Royal Australian Air Force, he became a Chaplain and Baptist Minister – a decision he felt was only natural.

Many, like Mr Wiseman, will be saluted on International Volunteer Day tomorrow which raises awareness on the important role volunteers play in communities.

“I had a good idea of how to talk to people, not instruct or order but talk with them and ask what they think, which as a Warrant Officer wasn’t common,” he said.

“When I got out, I went up to see my mum and there was a lady up there who had been visited by Chaplains. She had known me for a while and just knew it would suit me.

“From there for about 25 years I was at the Prince Charles Hospital and later I started coming out to visit residents at the Inverpine residential aged care community.

'Fulfilling role'

“I have always found it to be a very fulfilling role because you get to know people.

“People might not be telling you what’s happening with them but sometimes they are so worried that they really can’t explain what’s going on in their mind.”

After filling in for the local Minister who attended ANZAC and Remembrance Day services at the Murrumba Downs village, Mr Wiseman knew Inverpine residential aged care was where he wanted to help more.

“I usually head down to the aged care every Wednesday and have been working here for over 20 years,” he said.

“We have lived here for about three years now, I knew there were a few places available because I was out here often and it made it easier for me working in the aged care community.

“Here I have the opportunity to go and see people regularly – especially if they’re not well, you can always pop down and they know you, you know them.”