Ron shares his story for National Volunteer Week.

His career has taken him across the country and around the world. 

Now, at 80 years of age, Ron Rosalky is one of the first people that many patients see when they come through the doors at RPA Hospital. 

Ron volunteers several days a week at RPA as a concierge; greeting patients, visitors and staff and helping them to find their way. 

“I love it here – being on the concierge desk, you meet all kinds of people,” he said. 

“You see people happy they got a new grandchild, you see people worried, you see older people like me going for an appointment. 

“Sometimes they come in and take your arm and all they need is a bit of comfort.” 

Ron first started volunteering at RPA in 2012.  

He is one of the many volunteers Sydney Local Health District is celebrating this National Volunteer Week (15 to 21 May). 

The week is Australia's largest annual celebration of volunteering; recognising the vital support volunteers provide to communities and encouraging others to donate their time as a volunteer. 

Ron developed a knack for making connections with people over a decades-long career as an executive in the aviation industry; working for Qantas and other airlines in Europe, North America, Asia, the Pacific and around Australia. 

He also worked as a lecturer at the University of New South Wales School of Aviation and still does some consulting in the industry. 

On top of the hours he puts in at the hospital, he sits on a number of consumer committees and volunteers for a homelessness charity and as a simulated patient for medical students. 

He also enjoys spending time with his wife of 55 years Jenny, their daughter, two sons and their seven grandchildren. 

Having previously beaten stage-four cancer, he says finding energy isn’t a problem.  

“You’ve only got one life and you’ve got to use it,” he said. 

“Retirement is a word that doesn’t exist in my dictionary.” 

Ron returned to his post at RPA earlier this year, after volunteer services were wound down in the hospital during the pandemic. 

He says he’s happy to be back helping people and that he’s always learning.  

“Quite a lot of the people we see don’t have English as a first language so I learned to say hello in a number of languages. 

“If you greet them in their language and show some interest, they visibly relax.” 

 Helen Kelly, Volunteer Services Manager at RPA, says this type of approach has made Ron a brilliant volunteer. 

“He has great empathy for visitors who arrive at the hospital and are distressed,” she said. 

“His life experience and love of people equip him well for volunteering at RPA.” 

Helen says volunteers make a large difference to the experience of patients, visitors and staff. 

“Our dedicated team of volunteers give generously of their time and skills in assisting people throughout various areas of the hospital,” said Helen. 

“It is an opportunity to form valuable friendships while providing a worthwhile service.” 

Being a volunteer at RPA has been a satisfying experience, Ron added. 

“When you’ve got time and you can help the community, you should.” 

If you would like to learn more about becoming a volunteer at RPA, please visit https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/rpa/volunteer.html or contact Volunteer Services on 02 9515 8284.