Finding purpose through aged care

As a mature-aged student in Allied Health at Chisholm, Dave found true meaning. Through the support of his teachers, real-life experience in his placement, and his own desire to pay it forward, he thrived in his course and has embarked on a new journey in a field with impact.

After 36.5 years working in a customer-facing role at VicRoads, Dave felt something was missing. A health scare in early 2025 became a turning point and made him reflect deeply on what he truly wanted from life. At the same time, Dave cared for his father, who lived with vascular dementia and other serious health conditions.

Encouraged by his stepmother, Dave enrolled in the Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability and Aged Care) at our Frankston campus.

He says that when he started the course, he felt like a nervous kid on the first day of school.

Dave found his first teacher, Jay Fleming, incredibly knowledgeable, sparking his curiosity even further. Despite some early disruptions, the teaching team, including Anthony, Dino, and later Raveena Khan, kept the students engaged and supported in many ways. Raveena’s inclusive and interactive approach helped her classes bond, resulting in friendships Dave will cherish for the rest of his life.

Dave’s placement at Frankston Nursing Home was a strong highlight. He gained hands-on experience supporting residents with a range of needs and built meaningful connections. It was hard to say goodbye when the placement ended, but Dave left with a renewed sense of purpose.

Dave says he only wishes he’d started this journey 20 years ago. Helping others, building relationships, and making a real difference in people’s lives has been more rewarding than he ever imagined.