For the past 24 years, local Sidonie Davies has been looking after and improving the lives of Macleay senior residents.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Ms Davies has been working at Bupa aged care in Kempsey since 1995 and has recently graduated from The University of New England as a Registered Nurse.
She began her career in the kitchen and laundry of the aged care facility before moving into admin during the 90's.
"I always wanted to work with the elderly, it has been a passion of mine since I was young," she said.
"I worked in the kitchen and laundry before moving into admin for quite a few years and then I did a course to become an enrolled nurse in 2013 which allowed me to continue working in admin and also become an assistant nurse."
Being a Kempsey local has meant Ms Davies has seen a number of family friends become residents and she also looked after her grandfather who lived at the aged care facility for a couple of years.
"I never thought that all those years ago when I started here that I would go to university and get a degree. I'm very proud of my achievements
- Sidonie Davies
"I have always had the passion to work in aged care, but also being a local has helped me form connections with residents and also caring for people that I know has been a wonderful experience. I have looked after generations of Macleay families."
For the last six years Sidonie has been working in an enrolled nurse and admin role before she took the last step to reaching her goal of becoming a Registered Nurse.
"I have always wanted to progress through aged care and become a Registered Nurse," Ms Davies said.
Following her recent graduation, Ms Davies has now stepped into the Clinical Care Coordinator role at Bupa Aged Care.
"Being able to progress over the time that I've been here has been an amazing opportunity and being able to have a stronger input into the care that we provide is really great," she said.
"Bupa have supported me throughout the time I was studying which really helped me."
Ms Davies continued working for the three years she was studying part time to become a Registered Nurse.
"I never thought that all those years ago when I started here that I would go to university and get a degree. I'm very proud of my achievements. It was a lot of hard work throughout the years to get to where I am now," she said.
"Having supportive managers that have helped me get to this point has been amazing, I'm very lucky.
"I love working with the elderly and listening to their stories and making them smile, it's very rewarding. I have never wanted to work anywhere else."
Stay ahead with local news by signing up for the Macleay Argus newsletter here.
