Since starting as Advocare’s Regional Outreach Advocate for the Goldfields-Esperance region in July, Almetra has been busy getting to know the community and says she’s loving the variety the role brings.
“I am loving the Advocare mission and values, which empower older people and uphold their rights,” she says. “The highlight so far has been getting to know all of my peers professionally. I’m in awe of them and their knowledge. Everyone has been so welcoming, genuine, and supportive.” Almetra adds.
For Almetra, the outreach aspect of her role, heading into the community and hearing firsthand the experiences of older people, is where the heart of her work lies.
A career built on community
Before joining Advocare, Almetra worked as a Community Development Manager for local councils in Wiluna, Menzies, and Coolgardie. Over seven years in the Goldfields, she became deeply connected with the communities she worked within, and she particularly enjoyed interacting and learning about Aboriginal culture from the large Indigenous communities.
“When the job at Advocare came up, I knew deep inside this role was right for me,” she says. “We share the same values of empowerment and upholding individual rights. I love that I still get to work directly with the community and make an impact, while learning a new field.”
When out in the community, Almetra enjoys engaging with older people and listening to their stories. Some of the most common themes relate to concerns about elder abuse raised by both families and aged care staff. This can often be a challenging conversation, but she’s happy to help.
“My role is to listen, provide information, and safeguarding strategies,” she explains. “But at the end of the day, it’s up to the older person to empower themselves to take action. If there’s ever an immediate life-threatening situation, the best step is to always call the Police and ensure everyone’s safety.”
Why cherishing older people matters
Ask Almetra why older people deserve to be cherished, and she doesn’t hesitate. “Ageing is inevitable for all of us. I hope that when I am older, I’ll still be treated with respect, compassion, care, and be heard.”
She treasures the wisdom older people share, even if it sometimes takes years for their words to make sense. “Sometimes you catch yourself randomly repeating to others their words of wisdom,” she adds with a smile.
Life in the Goldfields
Although Almetra moved to Kalgoorlie by chance seven years ago, she’s found deep roots in the community. During her time at the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, she has contributed to policy changes like extended retail trading hours and migration pathways that boosted local jobs.
But what she values most is the sense of connection. “I found that living and working in a smaller community allows me to make a difference and feel the impact firsthand,” she says. Almetra has also embraced the cultural diversity of the region, from learning about Indigenous traditions to reconnecting with her own Indonesian heritage through the Goldfields Indonesian Community Association.
It’s clear Almetra’s passion for people, culture, and connection is a common thread that runs through everything she does. Whether it’s standing alongside older people as they navigate aged care or helping communities celebrate their strengths, her focus remains steady: listening, empowering, and making a difference.
