Aged care resident celebrated for contribution to the industry

Eileen Elliott has been at the Benetas Dowell Court aged care facility for almost 40 years.

For the better half of that period, Eileen was in charge of the home. She cooked the breakfast, organised craft and knitting groups and lived in a small room upstairs.

Once retired, the Ivanhoe local stayed on as a volunteer, making her famous raspberry, apricot and strawberry jams to the delight of the residents.

“It was very different back then,” she laughs.

“The craft room used to be where the office is now. Quite a lot of work went on there.”

Eileen came to Australia from County Durham in northern England in 1960. Not long after, she applied for the job at Dowell Court.

When not working or volunteering at Dowell Court, Eileen was heavily involved in the associated Anglican parish, St George’s.

It was there she helped organised the Sunday Lunch Club, a monthly hot meal put on by the church for local community members, which still exists today.

“Everybody was happy back then, they all enjoyed themselves,” Eileen says.

When the facility celebrated 45 years last month, Eileen was regrettably absent. The 85-year-old had been transferred to hospital briefly due to health complications.

Eileen has now been a resident at Dowell Court for three years. She has her own private room with a window looking onto the garden.

Her remarkable loyalty has awarded Eileen with a picturesque courtyard bearing her namesake. Elliott Court is a haven for residents in the warmer months, complete with a barbeque, flower bed and water bath.

Dowell Court lifestyle coordinator Janine Rogerson sings Eileen’s praises with the rest of them.

“Everyone knows Eileen. She’s just a lovely, humble lady,” Janine says.

“They used to call her Sister Elliot back in the day.”

Forever modest, Eileen brushes off the praise, but hastens to admit:

“I have been around a while.”

Image: Dowell Court lifestyle coordinator Janine Rogerson with Eileen at the home. CREDIT: Alice B.