Farewell after 47 years of service
BELLARINE COMMUNITY HEALTH SAYS FAREWELL TO A LOVED STAFF MEMBER AFTER 47 YEARS OF WORK
Bellarine Community Health (BCH) is farewelling one of its longest-serving and most respected staff members, with Angela Pigdon retiring after an extraordinary 47 years with the organisation.
Angela, who is about to turn 70, began working part time at the BCH Portarlington site when she was just 23 years old, helping out with medical records and on the reception desk. But it wasn’t long before she knew exactly where she wanted to be.
“They started a day centre over at Portarlington, and I used to look in there and think, that was the job I wanted to do,” Angela said.
When the program expanded, Angela finally got her chance, stepping into a permanent role in the Social Support team, a role she would go on to hold for decades.
Remarkably, Angela says she never once considered a different path.
“It was what I always wanted to do from school, but nobody knew that was what it was,” she said. “When I was a kid in Girl Guides, our guide leader used to take us to nursing homes, and we would sing and entertain and give afternoon tea, and I loved it. It’s actually right back to there that this seed was planted.”
Over her 47 years, Angela has gathered treasured memories, from the much-loved Carols by Candlelight concerts and garden parties complete with staff dressed as King and Queen, to intergenerational sessions with students from local primary schools, and the simple, everyday joy of connecting with clients.
Angela has also witnessed the program evolve significantly over the decades, shifting from a strictly centre-based model to one that now includes a wide range of activities and outings for clients.
Looking back on her nearly five decades at BCH, Angela reflects with deep contentment.
“I’m content with what I’ve done, what I wanted to do, that I’ve enjoyed every day coming to work and got satisfaction, yes, satisfaction with what I’ve done,” she said.
BCH Chief Executive Officer Kathy Russell said Angela’s contribution to the organisation and the community was immeasurable.
“Forty-seven years of showing up with warmth, dedication and genuine love for the people she works with is an extraordinary legacy, and it’s one that has touched generations of clients, families and colleagues across our community. Angela has been the heart of our Social Support program for as long as many of us can remember, and while we are overjoyed for her to start this exciting new chapter, she will be deeply, deeply missed by all of us at BCH,” Ms Russell said.
In retirement, Angela is looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, helping out in the canteen at her husband’s sporting club, and simply enjoying being at home.
BCH thanks Angela for her remarkable 47 years of service and wishes her a happy, healthy and well-deserved retirement.
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