General News
26 August, 2025
Ms Clancy's 28 years of caring
Marilyn Clancy, an activities worker and coordinator at the Rural North West Health in Warracknabeal and Hopetoun facilities, has retired after almost three decades of caring in both towns.
The 73-year-old stepped away from her role after 28 years as an activities worker in June, bringing to an end a journey that began back in July 1997.
“Actually, I only applied for the job so we could send my daughter to university in Melbourne,” she said.
“Accommodation was $7,500 a year, and I didn’t know how we were going to find that, so I got a job.
“I started off doing cleaning and laundry, and then I moved into personal care.”
Over the years, Ms Clancy worked across different roles, including an activities coordinator at Yarriambiack Lodge and 10 months as an interim supervisor at the hostel.
“I loved working with the residents and sitting down to do things with them.
“I was never much good with computers, but I could always connect with people.”
She was also proud to contribute to Warracknabeal’s first accreditation process.
“A group of us from Hopetoun went down to help Warracknabeal with their first accreditation, and from there I ended up staying on,” she said.
"That was a really special achievement.”
The relationship she built with the residents is the highlight of her career.
“I just loved the residents and got to know so many families. I can walk down the street in Warracknabeal now and people remember my face," she said.
Her role came with emotional moments as well when she read eulogies of the residents during the funeral ceremonies.
“I’ve done four eulogies for people from Warracknabeal and Hopetoun I cared for, and it was really an honour to be asked by their families," she said.
"Those were sad times, but also very meaningful.”
Ms Clancy experienced some of the hardest days during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“COVID was the worst, as we worked continuously and were classed as essential, but we didn’t get any recognition,” she said.
“We went two and a half years without a case, and then when fully trained people came in, we suddenly had 16 residents with COVID. That was very hard.”
Ms Clancy’s husband is now in care at Warracknabeal and she visits him every month, while living by herself in Hopetoun.
Now in retirement, Ms Clancy has quickly filled her time with volunteering at the local school and taking out the senior community members for outings.
“I read with the kids at St Joseph’s, and sometimes when they don’t understand a word, I explain it,” she said.
“Every second week, we take a group out for coffee, and we sit, talk rubbish and tell silly jokes.
“It’s a small thing, but they really enjoy it.”
Reflecting on her years of service, she remains grateful to the community.
“I’ve always been involved in the community, and I’m busier now than I ever was, but I love it,” she said.
“You can’t stop me.”