Martha Newsome

Resident Services

What do you love about your role?

The best part of my day is yarning with the residents and listening to their interesting life experiences. Some of these experiences are truly inspiring, especially those stories told from the Stolen Generation.

I love that each day is completely different to the next and love learning about the Aboriginal culture that my husband is part of.

Who inspires you?

My father was recruited from the USA by the NSW Department of Education back in the early 1970’s as they were in desperate need for Special Education teachers. My father ended his career being a Principal of a Special Education school in Sydney.

I follow his principles: “If you can make even the smallest positive difference in a life, that might just be enough to give someone strength to fight through their difficulties for a better future.”

What prompted you to get into this industry?

I’ve always worked in people related roles because that is what I enjoy doing.

For most of the beginning of my career I followed my father into education, doing learning material production for Distance Education. Aged Care was a natural progression in my career and I’ve worked in aged care for a several years now.

When I saw that there was a Resident Service Officer role advertised for Jimbelunga Nursing Centre, I jumped on it and was blessed to be accepted for the role. I find it wonderful that I can contribute to the custodial people of my adopted country.

Share a moment when you made a difference to a resident’s day?

I find it very important to create a genuine bond with the residents, as this enriches their lives in their home, making them feel at home and a safe place.

Understanding their interests and taking time to listen to what they have to say is vital to this role, as sometimes even a slightest behavioural change can indicate something wrong with them, where I will need to alert our nursing team.

Often, I’m silly around the residents, but I think they appreciate that. Everyone can do with a bit of daily humor and if I can do one funny or silly thing to make them smile, even just a little bit, it’s very satisfying to me and makes me feel I’m doing a good job.

What are your hobbies outside of work? 

I have an interest in fine arts and was accepted into Julian Ashton School of Art at 13 and still love creating.

My current creative interests have led me into aqua scaping and terrarium scaping.

To me it’s like creating tiny living worlds.