Mercy Health is celebrating the volunteer work of Sister Silvia Campo and wants the community to know just how rewarding giving time can be for all involved.
For the past six years, Sr Campo has volunteered with elderly residents at Mercy Place Wyndham in Werribee, including running music programs and one-on-one sessions.
Starting life in Sicily, Sr Campo immigrated to Melbourne with her parents in the aftermath of World War II.
A science teacher by profession, Sr Campo has always been a volunteer of sorts.
“I’ve always done things voluntarily, I don’t wait to be paid, asked or rewarded for what I do,” she said.
“I absolutely believe that volunteering is such a rewarding thing to do and I would say I get more out of it than what I possibly give.”
For some elderly residents, time with volunteers might be one of the only social interactions they have during their week.
“It connects people with each other and in some cases it gives them a reason to live,” Sr Campo said.
Having spent plenty of time away from home during her postings in country Victoria, she said she was grateful when someone would help her own family.
“I was really always grateful if someone did something for them that I couldn’t when I wasn’t living at home.”
It might also be a good way to facilitate face-to-face meetings and connection.
“It gives a person the reason to go into somebody else’s home and these days, we don’t tend to.”
