Maria Filpi’s 40-year career with Resthaven

This year, Resthaven Leabrook Housekeeping Services Assistant, Maria Filpi, celebrates a milestone 40 years of service with Resthaven. Maria’s long and dedicated career certainly wasn’t forethought, starting off with a spontaneous decision and a friendly push in the right direction.

She explains, "When my two boys were primary school age, I decided on a whim that I would go back to work. After all, the cost of living was getting too much for our single-income family."

"I mentioned this to Angela, my friend who lived three doors down from me. She worked at Resthaven Leabrook and suggested that I apply for a job."

"I came home and talked with my husband, who worked as a plasterer, and he encouraged me to go for it."

"So, I walked into Resthaven Leabrook and met the matron, who told me to fill out a form and said that she would get back to me."

"Three weeks went by, and she gave me a call! There was an opening in the laundry."

Maria was employed from July 1983 in the laundry department, working on weekends: "I wanted my weekdays free so that I could still do the school runs, and keep on top of household duties."

"The laundry service wasn’t anything like what it is now — it was all manual work. I cleaned really large blankets, which, after going through the washer, were soaked through and extremely heavy. Drying them was a real challenge!"

After two years in the role, Maria requested to move to the housekeeping department, as she wanted to work weeknights in the pantry.

She says, "I have always found the team at Resthaven Leabrook really supportive, and they were happy to accommodate my wish to try something new."

"I came in for a few nights before my first shift to watch how everything worked, and I memorised it all. This was good preparation as I started straight away, five nights a week!"

"My role involved setting up the trays, serving the meals, and then collecting plates and doing the dishes."

Eventually, Maria’s role expanded to include both laundry and housekeeping services, and she has observed how roles and responsibilities have changed over time: "There are a lot more responsibilities now — so many more things to learn and training to do! It’s good to stay up to date with it all."

Now, after notching up 40 years at Resthaven Leabrook (and still working five nights a week!), she emphasises how important it is to stay active as you age.

"If you stay at home for too long when you’re older, you get in a bit of a rut. Getting dressed and going to work is such a good feeling, especially if you work with great people."

"I always come in half an hour early, as I like to take my time preparing for my shift and enjoy catching up with my co-workers.’

‘And I have fantastic interactions with the residents — they’re amazing."

These heartfelt connections and treasured memories with residents and fellow staff are the reason for Maria’s continued dedicated service to the Resthaven Leabrook community.

"All in all, it’s been absolutely lovely to work at Resthaven Leabrook," Maria says.

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