13 Dec Pat’s home away from home | Respite Care

Two cappuccinos a day and a good book are part of Pat Couch’s regular rests in respite care at TDHS.

Every two months, Pat spends two weeks at TDHS. It’s a part of life the 92-year-old enjoys very much and a critical reason she is still able to live in her own home.

“My grandson lives with me in Warrnambool, but I only moved there in 2015. So, the respite care in Timboon helps me be close to my family – it’s my home away from home,” she said.

“I’m here again until after Christmas, but I’ll join my family on the farm Christmas Day so I’m looking forward to that.

“I still know a lot of people around here and they pop in and say hello when I’m here, so that’s really nice that I get to catch up with everyone here in my community.”

Pat was born in Camperdown and lived in Port Campbell until marrying and farming fat lambs in Scotts Creek.

“Two of my children were born in Camperdown, one in Cobden and our two youngest here in Timboon,” she said.

“Dr Fox was the family doctor then – he was the only doctor then. They’ve done a very good job here for a small community to have this health service. It covers a big area now.”

Pat was heavily involved in the Scotts Creek auxiliary and raised a lot of money over many decades for the Timboon health service. She was appointed a Life Governor of TDHS in 1977 by the Board for her fantastic contribution over many years.

“We used to have dances all the time at the Scotts Creek Hall and even held dances in our woolshed at the farm – it was go, go, go in those days,” she laughed.

“I remember back in the 50s there was a friendly competition between our auxiliary and the other auxiliaries in Princetown, Timboon and Port Campbell to raise the most money.”

For more information regarding TDHS respite services, please call 5558 6000.