A friendly face is easy to find at QEII Hospital thanks to the dedication of volunteers like George Claydon, who has gladly donated his time to helping patients navigate the hospital for seven years and counting.
Known throughout QEII for his warm and friendly approach, George says volunteering at the hospital was an easy choice for him.
“I worked for over fifty years and all I wanted to do was give back to the community,” he said.
Splitting his time between the Allied Health and Pathology units, George goes out of his way to put patients at ease whether they are lost or anxiously awaiting blood test results.
“When people come here, they’ve got a reason to be here. Some are good and some are bad. I love helping people, so if I can make their life a bit easier or help them get to where they need to be, that’s a good feeling,” he said.
Throughout his seven-plus years at the hospital, George says it’s the people around him that have made QEII feel like a community.
“The volunteers are almost like our own little family. We have a really good team leader in Amanda Spann, and we all work really well together,” he said.
“I’ve made a lot of good friendships here, and it feels like a big country hospital. Everybody knows everybody, and if you're stuck there's always somebody there to help you or have a chat to. We also have some really great nurses and doctors, and everybody is really friendly.”
After leaving behind a fifty-year career in telecommunications, George says the fulfilment he gains from volunteering at the hospital is worth more than a pay cheque.
“Volunteering gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning and come to work instead of sitting at home watching the grass grow. I do this because I want to help, not because I expect anything,” he said.
“When you see people who have come in with a problem and they go through treatment and physiotherapy and come out the other side, it’s quite rewarding to see them feeling a lot better and going home again.”
George’s welcoming nature and commitment to ensuring patients have a positive journey at QEII have earned him the 2023 Metro South Health Volunteer Award.
The award, which celebrates a volunteer’s dedication and invaluable contribution to Metro South Health, cited George’s above-and-beyond attitude and his infectious positivity that resonates with both patients and staff.
“George is warm-hearted and very caring, friendly and pleasant to be around. With his positive attitude and approach, he has the ability to diffuse difficult situations with patients in a respectful and compassionate way. It is very easy to converse with George and have a laugh with him almost at any time of the day. Nothing is ever too difficult for George, and he does it with a big grin. A day when George is not in attendance is in stark contrast to a day when he is present and we thank him sincerely for making our jobs easier,” said nominator and Pathology Supervising Scientist, Annie Van Wessem.
Congratulations George, and thank you for your continued commitment to supporting the QEII community.