Mirachael ‘Mira’ Saludares’ name derives from the word ‘miracle’, but her journey to where she is today was anything but.
While she currently works as a personal care assistant at Tongala and District Memorial Aged Care Service, starting as a cleaner at the facility first, it was Mrs Saludares’ work ethic that saw her rise through the ranks.
On Wednesday, August 7, Australia celebrated Aged Care Employee Day, recognising hard workers in the aged care sector such as Mrs Saludares, who take extra care to ensure the wellbeing of our relatives and loved ones.
Mrs Saludares’ journey started in 2022 when she moved from the Philippines to Tongala, where her husband had already worked as a dairy farmer.
Mrs Saludares said that when she enrolled her son in Tongala Primary School, she saw the Tongala and District Memorial Aged Care Service across the road and walked in to express her interest in working there.
“They asked if I had any certificates for PCA or a certificate in the kitchen. I said I don’t have any,” she said.
“They said I could be a cleaner.”
The next day, she came in with her CV, ready to interview for the job, but with no references for work in Australia, she was not successful.
“I didn’t give up though — I decided to look for another job … and look for character references,” she said.
After getting some experience working in a restaurant, she returned to Tongala Memorial, handed in her CV with references and landed a spot on the cleaning team while working two other jobs.
“It was my third job, but I felt that this place — I’m meant to be in this place,” Mrs Saludares said.
“So I gave up my two other jobs and chose this one.”
After one year of working as a cleaner, Mrs Saludares set her sights on a new goal, having achieved her first, and decided to pursue a career in aged care.
In 2024, after completing her studies, she became fully qualified and began working with residents as a personal care assistant.
She said her favourite part of working as a carer was helping people every day.
“I’ve always been interested in work that involves helping others and making a positive impact to their lives — that’s what makes me happy: making them smile and making them happy,” Mrs Saludares said.
“It’s difficult when you are already attached to someone and then you lose them — but the staff are very supportive.”
Tongala Memorial Aged Care has served the local community for over 90 years.
The centre opened in 1925 as the Tongala and District Bush Nursing Memorial Hospital as a memorial to local men and women who served and died in World War I.
In the 1980s, the need for more residential aged care in the area increased, so the hospital made a switch and became the Tongala and District Memorial Aged Care Service.
Today, the aged care service houses over 50 residents, and Mrs Saludares said each of the residents had made an impact on her.
“One of the residents is a mother, and she told me to always love your children — always make time for your children, and that when you grow old, they will love you back and visit you,” she said.
Mrs Saludares said that working in aged care had inspired her to keep learning, and she was currently seeking to begin studying to become a registered nurse.
“When I first came here, I set a goal — I said I want to be a cleaner — and I got it,” she said.
“Then second [I wanted] to become a PCA, and I got it — so now I’m looking towards my next because I keep wanting to learn more.”
Tongala and District Memorial Aged Care Service celebrated Aged Care Employee Day on Wednesday, August 7, with a morning tea and games throughout the day.