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For 29 years, Anne-Marie Traynor has been developing and managing a highly regarded Palliative Care Volunteer Program at Calvary Hospital in Kogarah. Her volunteers work to improve the quality of life for over 500 inpatients and 260 community patients annually.

After many years of unwavering dedication to her community, volunteers, peers, and patients, Anne-Marie has announced her retirement. She expects to take her long service leave from the end of April.

Anne-Marie both started and is finishing her career journey with Calvary. Back in 1969 she was first employed by Calvary Kogarah where she worked for eighteen months before deciding she wanted to be a registered nurse and moved to Lewisham Hospital for training. After registration she took up a regional nursing position in Wagga Wagga, again with Calvary.

An new interest in midwifery saw Anne-Marie move down to Hobart to study and work there for the next eleven years. Not one to rest on her laurels she then moved to Canberra, where she spent four years nursing in a surgical ward.

Anne-Marie’s pursuit of knowledge led her to Dublin, Ireland, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in counseling. Upon her return to Australia, she landed at the Australian Catholic University, serving as a secondment student counselor.

In 1995, Anne-Marie returned to Calvary Kogarah, where she would leave an indelible mark. Initially joining the team working with community volunteers, she eventually assumed the role of Volunteer Manager, a position she has held for an impressive 29 years.

Reflecting on her career, Anne-Marie shared, “The reason I fell in love with the volunteer manager role was that it gave me the capacity to make a difference in people’s lives. I love the fact that the volunteers come with such amazing skills, and it always challenged me to think of what else they could be doing.”

Under her leadership, the volunteer service at Calvary Kogarah experienced remarkable growth. What began with eleven community volunteers has flourished into a team of fifty, alongside the establishment of a biography service and a Care for the Carers Program. Anne-Marie’s commitment to recognizing the diverse skills of volunteers has been instrumental in enhancing the support they provide to patients and their caregivers.

“Working with volunteers is just so rewarding. I love the fact that we work so closely with the staff, as I have a medical background I enjoy connecting with the patients. With the support of the volunteer services we can really make a difference to the lives of the patients and their carers. It’s about diversity and growth, and having an open mind about what can be achieved with the skills and generosity of volunteers,” Anne-Marie emphasized.

Over the years, Anne-Marie has been pivotal in the development of the NSW Network of Managers of Palliative Care Volunteers. Being the most experienced Manager, she has mentored most new Managers and generously shared her manuals, role descriptions, governance forms, and WHS resources for the benefit of the group.

“One of the most important things to me has been being part of the network, and I would always encourage new managers to engage with their colleagues because we all work in isolation. People in the group really ‘get’ volunteering, and there is a lot of generosity helping new managers to thrive and debrief. Often the people in your organisation don’t understand the role so having colleagues in the network who will support you is wonderful,” she says.

As Anne-Marie takes her leave from Calvary Kogarah, her legacy as a leader, mentor, and advocate for palliative care volunteer services will persist. The impact of her dedication will resonate for years, serving as a testament to a distinguished career.

We all wish Anne-Marie a retirement filled with joy, relaxation, and the gratitude of a community forever touched by her service.