Stephania Bejma
National Education Coordinator
I am really enjoying my role and would just like to share my journey coming to the National Education Coordinator’s position. I have worked in some aspect of aged care for over 30 years.
While studying at university, I started work in a local nursing home one summer doing the laundry, then moving into the kitchen, assistant nursing and finding my niche in the recreational activity roles. I studied politics and law at university as there was no DT degree back then!
On completing my degree, I realised where my passion lay and over the next few years worked in a number of different facilities around Sydney and the North Coast playing guitar, encouraging people to write their lifestories and setting up the Diversional Therapy departments of the newly developing dementia specific facilities which seemed to be sprouting up everywhere. I travelled overseas for a number of years learning new languages and perfecting my busking skills until starting my family in a little town in Italy (I now have three sons). On returning to Australia, I worked in recreational activity roles in disability services and aged care facilities until moving into the coordination of daycentres for the elderly- a very different kettle of fish!
My passion for teaching and education began when I studied Yoga in 2004 and developed further when I completed a Diploma in Community Services (Lifestyle & Leisure) 2008. I have a Certificate in Life and Business Coaching and a Cert IV in Training. I am passionate about bringing the professional edge to our industry and encouraging the respect and admiration that our roles deserve. I am really hoping to tap into the heart of what you, the members, are looking for in the state workshops and would love any insight or contributions you would like to make.