A career of compassion: Julie’s story

Julie Gilroy recently retired from Community Based Support after dedicating over 20 years to a career providing domestic services. During this time, she witnessed big changes within the industry and the world.

Driven by a desire for greater flexibility as her children grew, Julie made a change from the banking sector and started a career in support work. Reflecting on this shift, she recalls, “As the kids were getting older, I wanted to have more flexibility.” This decision led her to explore opportunities in support work, a move she made after connecting with other parents who were working in similar roles.

Julie quickly discovered that her previous experience provided her with valuable skills, but it was her empathetic nature that truly helped her in her new position. “You’ve got to have compassion, and you have to be able to listen,” she emphasises, highlighting the key qualities necessary for effective support work.

Over the course of her career, Julie saw major changes in the industry, especially with technology usage “When I first started, we were just given a phone number and an address, and that was it,” she reminisces. “You arranged all your hours with the clients directly and had to hand your paperwork into the office.” Today, support workers at CBS utilise tools which seamlessly deliver all the necessary details to their phone screens, marking a clear difference from the days of handwritten notes and paper records.

Despite the efficiencies brought about by technology, Julie remained connected to her clients. She cherishes these relationships, considering several former clients as close friends whom she now enjoys meeting for lunch in her retirement. “I’ve known my clients for many years,” she shares warmly. “I recall when I had a heart attack, and the gestures of support from my clients, like leaving flowers at the hospital, were incredibly touching.”

While acknowledging the benefits of improved systems, Julie maintains that the human touch is irreplaceable. “The basics are always going to be there, and the human touch has got to be there.” On the potential of emerging tech, she says with a laugh, “I don’t think a robot is going to be washing a toilet any time soon.”

Julie also recounts unexpected moments with clients, showing how communities in Tasmania are connected. One such story involved a client sharing a photo of her grandson, only for Julie to recognise her own daughter, Amanda, in the picture. It turned out they were dance partners at school.

As she settles into retirement, Julie eagerly anticipates pursuing various interests that were perhaps sidelined during her career. “I’ve got a class coming up at Bunnings with a girlfriend, making pots out of tiles, which should be fun,” she shares. Julie expresses her passion for sewing and knitting, mentioning her joy in creating clothes for her grandchildren. Additionally, she plans to contribute to charitable causes, such as knitting beanies for premature babies at the Royal hospital.

We’d like to acknowledge Julie’s ongoing commitment to giving back and express our gratitude for her service to the community. Everyone at CBS wishes her well in her retirement and thanks her for her dedication and compassion towards CBS clients over the years.