Much Loved Volunteer, Judee Nominated for ACSA Awards

Judee has been bringing joy to the Mayflower Community for more than three decades - generously giving her time to enrich the lives of residents and helping to build a real sense of community spirit within our home.

Pictured above, from left to right: Mayflower CEO Rosa Ginevra with Judee Stevenson, receiving a certificate of appreciation for her many years of service. The certificate was awarded during a special volunteer appreciation luncheon.

Judee was introduced to Mayflower by some of her close friends, who were already active supporters of Mayflower. She was excited by the opportunity to make a real difference to lives of people living in aged care.

“I joined Mayflower for the residents,” says Judee, “to help make a difference in their lives and brighten their day,”

Later, Judee’s mum moved to Mayflower - connecting her closely to the people working and living in our community - and driving her to do even more.

Judee’s contribution has spanned everything from spending one-on-one time with residents, to making hampers, and running special events and fundraising dinners.

But that’s not all.

In the early days of Mayflower Brighton, before the significant renovations that created the home it is today, Judee looked after a small gift shop on the edge of the garden, providing gifts and essential items for residents and their families.

In 1999, Judee joined the Mayflower Millennium Miracle Appeal Committee which raised more than $1,500,000 towards a new building for Mayflower. Judee worked tirelessly as part of the Appeal Team, to source donations tapping into her personal networks in the community.

On completion of the new aged care building, Judee helped design and fit out a new gift shop for Mayflower, which continues to be a central point in many residents’ days.

Judee has given her time freely to manage the gift shop, dedicating many hours to its operations, recruiting a wonderful team of volunteers, purchasing items to add to the richness of residents’ lives, and providing them with meaningful engagement opportunities and social interaction.

“I just love the gift shop,” says Judee, “it gives such great opportunity to bring joy to the lives of residents.”

The gift shop is staffed by more than 30 volunteers and was managed by Judee from 2013 - 2020. The baton has since been passed on to Judee’s daughter, Nicole, who also does a fabulous job.

“It has everything they need, and if we don’t have it in stock, we will bring it in for them to help make sure all their needs are met,” says Judee.

Judee would take calls day and night, from volunteers who needed to change their shift, and filled in whenever a shift was vacant – as she did not want to let residents down. Her goal was to make it a special place for residents to visit, where they could browse and shop independently, and enjoy a chat with a friendly face.

Judee continues to be an active volunteer – continuing to go above and beyond assisting with the day to day running of the shop and providing social interaction for residents.