Anita - community worker, indigenous services
- Details
- Published on Friday, 05 March, 2010
Anita is an Indigenous worker in an Indigenous Service
My name is Anita Langton, I was born in 1959. I am an Aboriginal woman of Yaegl descent. My mother’s family is from Maclean, on the north coast. My mother was brought up on Ulugundhi Island in the Clarence River. My father passed away two years ago - he was from Queensland. I’m not too sure about his family history as our nan, his mum, was taken from her mum and lived in a dormitory at Woorabinda. The only thing my nan would tell me about her life was that she was out working on cattle stations at the age of eight.
I spent most of my life living in Granville. I went to Granville Primary and Auburn Girls High School. I completed 6th form as it was known then, now known as Year 12. After I finished school I tried nursing but did not complete this. I did a few years in the public service CES (Commonwealth Employment Service) and DSS (Department of Social Security). Then I worked in Child Care for 15 years which I loved. I have my CCC certificate in child care.
In 1986, a very special occasion, I was blessed with a beautiful daughter, Emma. We moved to Mount Druitt to live when Emma was 4 years old. My daughter and I both enjoyed playing netball in the Mount Druitt competition. Emma last year graduated from N.S.W. University with an Arts and Law degree. Emma is currently working at Parramatta Family Courts.
I am a union delegate at my work place. I am employed as a CACPs (Community Aged Care Packages) Coordinator our funding body is Department of Health and Ageing. I started at my place of work seven and half years ago as a CACPs fieldworker, dealing directly with clients providing services such as personal care, domestic assistance etc. in the client’s homes. I became the CACPs Assistant working in the office then CACPs Coordinator.
I coordinate care packages based on individual needs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who require complex care enabling individuals to remain living in their homes. Whilst at work I attended TAFE 2 nights a week to gain my Certificate 111 and Certificate 1V in Aged Care.
I enjoy my job as I feel I am giving something back to the community to assist elders to maintain a good quality of life.
