Meet Patricia Zougaib, a client who never misses a Gellibrand event, loves her friends, and is always keen to try new things in life.
When I met Patricia, or ‘Trish’ as everyone knows her, at her shared house in Williamstown, she had just come back from another busy day at Meaningful Activities in Partnership (MAP). She was tired but still excited about her interview, so she put on her slippers and settled in a comfy chair.
Trish takes a while to feel at ease around new people, but when she does she quickly becomes a loyal friend. Trish is much loved by her housemates, including Kate and Rachel, who were home with her that day.
“Katy helps me and she’s a really good friend,” Trish said after Kate had wandered past on her way to her room, smiling and giving Trish a quick rub on the shoulder. Trish has been a Gellibrand client for 17 years and she’s unequivocal when asked what has been the best part.
“The staff,” she said, which included team member Ruth who was with Trish supporting her with her interview. “What about your friends?” Rachel called from the kitchen and Trish smiled and said that her friends made Gellibrand great too.
Trish said another thing she loved about Gellibrand was attending the events with clients and team members. She rarely misses one and is always thrilled if an event includes getting to ride on one of the bigger buses. Trish recently visited Booln Booln Indigenous Cultural Centre, the RAAF Museum at Point Cook and Gellibrand’s Biggest Morning Tea event at the new Mary Burbidge Centre in Ravenhall. That day she loved having her face painted as a tiger, winning raffle prizes, and dancing – one of Trish’s favourite activities in life. I asked her what music gets her on the dancefloor.
“Abba!” she laughed, noting that ‘Mamma Mia’ is her favourite ABBA song and that she loves the movie of the same name. In fact, going to the movies is another big winner on Trish’s social calendar, especially if the movie includes music and a big tub of popcorn.
“I love Frozen,” she said, adding that she sings along with all the songs.
Trish is known as someone who likes to try new things. She goes to MAP five days a week, hates to miss it, and enjoys activities like baking and creating key chains to sell at local markets. I asked her if she made any of the many rings she wears, but she smiled and said they were ones she’d bought.
“Remington does my nails,” she said when I told her how good they looked. Trish likes fashion and trying on – and buying when she can – new clothes on her weekend shopping trips.
“And I have sushi for lunch,” she smiled, adding that she also grabs her other food favourites: a Coke and a Kinder Surprise.
While she definitely gets some exercise when she’s dancing, Trish’s main way to stay active is swimming. Even in winter?
“It’s nice and warm,” she laughed, while team member Ruth reminded Trish to tell me about the best part of swimming.
“Racing Patrick!” she laughed again, adding that she always won. There’s no doubt Trish loves being active, and that includes heading into the garden to plant some food crops. I told Trish I have a lime and lemon tree and that reminded her of another activity she enjoys.
“I make my own lemonade,” she said, adding that it’s all part of the cooking that she loves to do. In fact, it wouldn’t be long before she cooked tonight for her housemates.
“Pasta,” she said when I asked her what was on the menu. “Hooray!” came the response from Rachel in the kitchen and it was time for me to leave and give Trish time to get ready for a busy night of cooking ahead.
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