There was no gold watch but plenty of fond memories for Tony Tersteeg, Project Manager at Gloucester Home Modification Project (GHMP), when he retired recently.
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Tony who was employed at GHMP from 1994 to August 2018 will be greatly missed by his fellow employees but will remain on the association’s management committee.
“The best thing about the job has been that we have been able to assist elderly and disabled people in the Gloucester and Stroud area remain in their own homes in a safe environment,” Tony said.
“Many clients have become friends and have invited me to birthdays, weddings etc.
“For example, if a client from Allworth needed a job done the message goes around the town that Tony and Damian are coming to do a job.
“And before we know, we have four jobs to do in Allworth with lunch supplied and a packet of Tim Tams for the drive home.
“The clients really appreciate a high-quality job at a reduced rate.
“Damian Rolvink, now building supervisor at GHMP, won the apprentice of the year at a conference some years ago.
“When he accepted his award he was asked what he enjoyed about the job?
“He replied that it’s like the feeling that you get when you are helping your granny.
“It’s not just a job, it’s a vocation.”
At 67 years of age, Tony said his work years were over claiming it was getting “too difficult to climb on roofs or mix cement”.
However, he said he was leaving the project in safe hands.
“Damian started as a trainee, became an apprentice and is now a fully-qualified builder and has 10 years experience working for GHMP,” said Tony.
“He now has his own apprentice, Paddy Oestmann.
“Wendy Green our office administrator/coordinator has been working with us for over 14 years.
“She has extensive local knowledge having lived in the Gloucester region all her life.
“Wendy is a dedicated and highly qualified person and I have no doubt that our clients will not lose any quality service with my retirement.”
GHMP is subsidised by the Federal Government to provide services to the elderly to assist them to remain in their own home as long as possible.
It is also a registered NDIS provider and provides services to people with disabilities.
Services provided include:
- Home modifications
- Home maintenance
- Sale and hire of mobility and disability aids - walkers, wheelchairs
- Gardening and mowing service (by subcontractors).
