The recently named Katherine Citizen of the Year said she “never in the world expected to win.”
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Up against an accomplished line of nominees, such as Kate and Tick Everett, announced winners of the 2019 Australia’s Local Hero award, Sue Pszkit couldn’t believe it.
“I didn’t realise how much people saw,” Mrs Pszkit said.
The coordinator of Red Cross Kalano Flexible Care was recognised for her continued efforts in the community.
Not only does she host a multitude of events each year, she works tirelessly to create a homely and safe environment for the residents of Kalano Flexible Care.
Mrs Pszkit has worked at the aged care facility for about nine years and was a volunteer with Red Cross before that.
“The whole facility has changed in the last nine years since I have been here,” she said.
“It is not a facility anymore, it is a home.”
When Mrs Pszkit first arrived there was no garden for the residents to enjoy and a driveway had to be installed as well as an ambulance bay.
“I thought ‘it doesn’t have to be like this’.
“We started with small costs and built up from there,” she said.
From painting the facility, re-doing the garden and engaging quality staff, to putting in hot water regulators and air conditioning, Kalano Flexible Care slowly transformed into a welcoming and safe space for those who worked and lived there.
“We try to go above and beyond for the people who live here,” Mrs Pszkit said.
“I burn a special tree down to ash then sift it and bring it into the facility for the women to sift it into a fine powder. We issue it out to them when they want it to chew with their tobacco.
“I love making a difference and I love making people feel safe,” she said.
Mrs Pszkit’s award also celebrated the many community events she organises each year, most notably – the annual Turning on the Lights.
Each year in the lead up to Christmas, Kalano Flexible Care gears up for a festive transformation. Hundreds of Katherine residents show up to see the facility lit up in lights.
“Seven years ago I started putting up Christmas lights, and I noticed people were interested. It got bigger and bigger,” she said.
“Four years ago I opened it to the public, and as the lights come on it is like a huge show.
“A lot of people from the Katherine community come along as well as resident’s families. They just love to sit and watch.
Mrs Pszkit said she runs the aged care facility as a place she would like to live.
“I wasn’t looking for recognition, it is about enriching the lives of the people who live here and giving back to the community,” she said.
Mrs Pszkit said she would like to be even more involved in the community this year.
“I want more involvement in the Toy Run and NAIDOC week this year,” she said.
“I will also continue working with the middle year high school boys to prepare food to share with the elderly and build connections.
“And of course, I will continue with all of the events I love putting on so much.”
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