Our most remote care worker
Going the distance
They’re hardy folk who live in Longreach.
Known as “the heart of the outback”, Longreach is 13 hours by car from Brisbane, on the traditional lands of the Iningai people. The kind of place where emus take a leisurely stroll down the main street, Longreach is the quintessential Queensland country town surrounded by endless vistas of red dust and blue skies. It’s the nearest town for many of central Queensland’s most remote stations and properties.
It’s also one of many remote locations that Anglicare Southern Queensland services.
Meet Andrea
For our most remote care worker Andrea, Longreach isn’t just home, it’s her community.
“I came out here for two weeks and stayed out,” she says. That was five years ago. Now, as part of our team of aged care workers, supporting her clients often means going the distance in more ways than one. As a home care worker, it’s not uncommon for Andrea to travel more than 300 kilometres in a day, visiting clients on remote properties so they can safely and comfortably remain in their own homes.
Caring country to coast to cattle station
Across the state’s drought-ravaged expanse are people with different stories and different needs, who all have one thing in common: they all need a helping hand from time to time. Our staff, like Jill in Roma, Pam in Chinchilla, Yvonne in Winton and Jo in Childers, never let distance become a barrier to providing the care a client needs to stay supported at home.
Our team is committed to delivering trusted, quality aged care services across our great state to support Queenslanders who need us, both in their homes and in the community.
Independent in the outback at 85
Audrey and her dog Pedro live an hour outside of Longreach on a former sheep property. She’s been accessing cleaning services for 10 years now, and is always keen for a cuppa and a chat when Andrea or her colleagues visit. Audrey grew up on the neighbouring property, then married the boy next door, so it means a lot to her to maintain her independence and stay in the region where she’s spent most of her 85 years.
Audrey's story
Day in the life of a carer
7am: On Mondays, Jasbir heads northwest from Longreach to Christine’s property near Winton, a two-hour drive away.
10am: Daphne heads out to a property near St George, where she helps keep her client’s house spick and span.
12 noon: Andrea takes Shirley and Fred for milkshakes in Ilfracombe, as part of her social support visit.
1pm: At Cecil Plains, Susan supports a client with his medication. It needs to be taken with food so she’s there in time for lunch.
5pm: In Kilcoy, Ann starts the meal prep for her client’s dinner, making sure it’s part of a balanced diet.
24/7 at Anglicare
“It’s more than just a job,” Andrea says.
International Year of Health and Care Workers
2021 has been designated International Year of Health and Care Workers as an acknowledgement of the critical role they have played through the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re proud of the role our health and care staff have played in keeping their communities safe, supported and empowered for more than 150 years.
150 years of caring