The caring cook from the Blue Mountains
Glenbrook local Sue Oakey has been faithfully travelling the forty two kilometre journey from the Blue Mountains to Parramatta nearly every week for the past three years, as the volunteer cook and caterer for ANGLICARE’s Carramar Early Interventions Program.
Carramar is a part of ANGLICARE’s Child, Youth and Family Services. It provides a unique service of support to pregnant and parenting women up to 25 years of age with children up to 5 years of age.
As the mother of five, Sue brings skills that were honed cooking at many a youth camp as well as her genuine love for the young women who are starting out in their role as parents.
“I don’t mind travelling,” says Sue. “Knowing I am helping young mums who are learning how to positively relate to their children is really great.”
Every Thursday Sue makes lunch for about twenty five people including mums, kids and staff. However, according to Sue it is not just about the food.
“I prepare inexpensive, nourishing and simple meals. I also give the girls the recipes, with the hope they will use them at home.”
“We set our tables properly and sit and eat as a family. It is nice to have this type of social setting where we can encourage and build up the confidence and social skills of the young mums.”
A long time member of St Peter's Anglican Church in Glenbrook, Sue says she is motivated by her Christian faith and her desire to help others.
“The results are amazing. To see some of the mums grow through the Carramar program, learn to relate to their children and their needs and to see the little ones responding too, makes it all worthwhile.”
ANGLICARE’s coordinator of Carramar Early Interventions, Louisa Fallon says the Carramar program could not continue to exist without people like Sue.
“We really value her long-term commitment to the program, as well as her compassion and empathy in being alongside our young families.”
“Without our volunteers Carramar Early Interventions would not be the program that it is today” she says.
Currently 34% (5.4 million) of the Australian population are involved in some type of voluntary work and with the 2008 National Volunteer Week theme being ‘Volunteers Change Our World’, ANGLICARE is keen to see volunteer numbers continue to grow.
Alison Keene, ANGLICARE Sydney’s Volunteer Support Manager says, “Although volunteer numbers have been steadily increasing, the time people can spare to volunteer and their willingness to volunteer for certain jobs, such as caring for people with dementia is decreasing. So we still need more people to come on board.”
Volunteering is an occupation Sue classifies as more satisfying then any kind of paid work.
For those who are interested in becoming a volunteer Sue says, “Have a go! You will be amazed at what you receive in return. You just need to be caring, energetic, open and not judgemental.”
For more information on how to become a volunteer in one of ANGLICARE’s many community programs please contact Alison Keene on (02) 9895 8049
For more information contact Bridgette Godden, Media Officer, on 02 9895 8138 or 0411 779 337
