Brett goes the extra mile at Drayon Villas

When Brett Halley joined the team at Drayton Villas Retirement Village, he never expected to still be working there seven years later. Brett had come from the building industry and owned his own business, when things were a little bit quiet, he took the role of maintenance person at the village as a part-time job.

“Everyone said it wouldn’t last, but I’m still here,” says Brett.  “I just love the place.”

The residents at Drayton Villas just love Brett too. For Brett, working in the village is more than just a job, the residents have become like family to him, and he enjoys going the extra mile to help them out.

Memorable moments

While Brett’s official title is Maintenance Person, his role often involves a lot more than making sure the village is maintained. While he can often be found doing repairs, working in the garden, or even assisting with the residents’ IT, it’s the more unusual tasks that Brett ends up with that are the most memorable.

“I dress up at Christmas and Easter as Santa and the Easter Bunny. You see the look on their faces, and they really appreciate it and just love it so much,” says Brett. “When the card ladies (a group who regularly catch up to play cards) have their parties, I have to be here, as I’m the only one allowed to cut the cake. It’s funny because I’m the worst person at cutting cake, but it’s got to be me, no one else is allowed to touch it.”

While the day is varied and Brett can be required to do a variety of tasks, he always feels appreciated and like he’s making a difference for residents.

“The residents are so appreciative of everything I do, and I feel very loved here,” says Brett. “I’ll be on the mower, and I have to watch out because the residents will come and stop me and give me a bikkie and a drink, just things like that. They’re just beautiful people, most of them are good country people.”

Going the extra mile

Brett always makes sure the village is kept ship-shape and works hard to ensure it’s a lovely place to live, but it’s all the thoughtful extras that makes him a special member of the team.

“If a resident has recently lost a partner, I make sure I spend extra time with them. There was a gentleman here, when he lost his wife, I used to go down to him every day as he had no family. Sadly, he passed away at the start of the year, which is a shame,” explains Brett. “He was in the Navy, and I was concerned, as he was a very proud man, and he had his medals in his home. The person who took over wasn’t interested in them, so I asked if it was alright if I took the medals into the RSL. I also gave the RSL a picture of him in his uniform, so they are going to mount them and display them in the club, so he’s not forgotten.”

Lasagne for the ladies

Along with the Village Manager Michael McMullen, Brett started up a men’s shed, for the men who don’t get out much to have an activity they can take part in and enjoy. The pair also organised a regular outing to the pub or BBQ in the park so the men can socialise with each other. With the residents always at the forefront of him mind, Brett didn’t want the ladies to feel like they missed out.

“I didn’t feel like it was right for the women not to do something,” Brett explains. “So, the other day I had a lasagne lunch for them and nearly every woman here put their name down for it! I had to make lasagne for 55 people, and I tell you what that was an eye opener! I think next time I’ll order pizza!”

Its own reward

The old saying ‘do something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life’ seems to ring true for Brett. A diverse role and spending his days with loving and appreciative residents appears to be the perfect recipe for a fulfilling work life for Brett.

“As I said, I do a bit of everything! That’s why I enjoy getting up and going to work, I don’t think I’ve had many days when I haven’t wanted to come to work, so that’s a good thing about it. We have a great team here, we all feed off each other,” says Brett.

“I don’t mind going the extra yard for the residents as they really appreciate it.”