Meet Rosie – Volunteer, Friend, and Knitting Club Host at Harbourside Port Stephens
Rosie has been part of the Harbourside family for over 14 years. She began by running activities at our Fingal Bay facility, and when that site closed, she—along with many of the residents she’d grown close to—moved to Shoal Bay. At this time Rosie decided to take the plunge and go into retirement.
After taking a year-long trip around Australia, Rosie came to what was an important realisation.
“That time away made me realise—this is where I want to be. Volunteering means I can still take holidays when I like, but when I return, I can just pick up where I left off. It’s casual, free, and easy. I find it even more rewarding than working, because there’s no stress. You can really enjoy your day.”
“Everyone was very welcoming when I came back,” Rosie shares. “And it was so special to see that many of the residents I knew from Fingal Bay were here too. It felt like coming home.”
Even now, Rosie continues to bring joy and connection to those around her. Though she feels fully capable of doing everything she used to, she keeps her focus on the heart of volunteering.
“I remind myself—I’m here as a volunteer. I’m here to enjoy my time with the residents and build meaningful connections.”
Recently, Rosie started a knitting club that meets every Wednesday afternoon, bringing together eight residents to share stories, laughter, and a love of yarn.
Rosie’s years working in dementia care have shaped her compassionate and insightful approach. She understands that sometimes, connection comes from the smallest details—and often through the family.
“Sometimes you form a special bond with a resident through their family. You learn about their history, their likes and dislikes. Once, a resident kept calling me ‘Heather.’ I rang the family to ask, ‘Who is Heather’, and they told me all about Heather, a close friend of the family. By learning Heather’s Story, it helped me understand the resident’s world—and connect with her in it.”
These are the moments that make volunteering so special for Rosie.
“Come along—just try it for one day and you’ll love it. Have a cuppa, listen to their life stories. They just want someone to talk to. Before you know it, you’ve made a wonderful connection—a friend.”
At the knitting club, Rosie describes how “one little word triggers a story and suddenly you’ve connected in a way that’s so special. Everyone has a story—every single one unique. These stories are an opening into their lives.”
Want to make a difference like Rosie?
Join our team of volunteers at Harbourside Port Stephens. Whether you knit, chat, play music, or just love a good cup of tea—we’d love to have you. Just one afternoon a week can brighten a resident’s day… and maybe yours too.
CONTACT US TODAY and come meet our residents—you never know what story you might hear.