Maria Bunn
 It was a rewarding time talking to Maria between her appointments in Albany, Bunbury and Waroona to conduct workshops for aged care providers and consultations. Despite Maria’s heavy schedule she found the time to be interviewed for this Online Multicultural Newsletter.
It is a privilege and humbling experience to talk to a gracious lady whose life is so full of understanding and compassion for older people whose needs for aged care services increase every calendar year. Maria’s commitment to assisting the aged from Culturally and Linguistically diverse background (CALDB) is total and dedicated.
MARIA BUNN
Maria Bunn migrated to Perth in 1960 with her family from Vasto, a town in the Abruzzo Region of Italy.
Following completion of her secondary studies at Sacred Heart College, Highgate, Maria began her working career with the National Bank where she was employed in the “Overseas Department”. She later moved on to the Bank’s Travel Department where her organisational and accounting skills enabled her to undertake the financial management of the Department. In addition to these roles her working career encompassed the following fields: aged care, health, welfare, education, mining and finance.
Maria has taught Italian language courses at Edith Cowan University, Claremont Campus and since 1988 West Coast College of TAFE. In 1990, Maria was employed as Welfare Worker for the Italian Community. Her migration experience, bilingual skills and professional training have enabled Maria to assist and advocate for people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
In 1995 as a mature age student, Maria completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Language Studies and Public Relations at Edith Cowan University.
Since 1995, Maria has worked at the Osborne Park Hospital on projects funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing under the Ethnic Aged Care Framework. Locally these projects have been auspiced by the North Metropolitan Health Service. Initially, she was employed as the Project Officer of the Clustering Project and later as Coordinator and Manager of the Multicultural Aged Care Service WA. In these roles she has developed resources, partnerships, services and a good understanding of aged care and the issues that concern CALDB consumers, aged care industry, health professionals and Governments.
During her working career Maria has held positions on Local, State and Commonwealth Governments’ Advisory Committees to represent ethnic communities and CALDB older people. Maria was recently appointed to the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, Aged Care Planning Advisory Committee (WA) and the National Cross Cultural Dementia Task Force, initiated by Alzheimer’s Australia.
Maria is also currently serving on the Town of Vincent, Seniors Advisory Group, Department of Community Development, Seniors Interests, CALDB Working Group, Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency WA Liaison Group, Ethnic Communities Council (ECC) Aged Care Committee and Carers WA “Bringing a Client – Carer Focus to Discharge Planning” Training Development Project Reference Group.
Maria presented a paper at the International Federation on Ageing 6th Global Conference in Perth in October 2002. Her presentation was entitled “Clustering-A flexible residential care Model for people from diverse cultural backgrounds.”
Her paper sought to explore the “Clustering Model”, the criteria and processes for establishing “Clusters” the benefits and challenges for consumers and service providers. Maria presented an overview of residential aged care facilities with established Clusters in Western Australia and the Eastern States of Australia. Maria also discussed Residential Aged Care Standards and the role of the Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care Services established by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing nationally to support residential and community aged care providers meet the needs of CALDB older people.
The following aspects were addressed:
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Meeting the needs of CALDB older people in residential aged care facilities
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A snapshot of the number and type of clusters and aged care policy
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Requirements for the aged care industry to meet Residential Aged Care Standards set by the Commonwealth Government
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Potential challenges and benefits for facilities with Clusters
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Projections of Older Immigrants aged 65 years and over
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Possible opportunities for government, agencies and private enterprise to work collaboratively to meet future challenges.
Maria has been instrumental in establishing clusters and services for CALDB older people in Residential Aged Care Facilities and the community.
Maria is very committed to and passionate about her work and in collaboration with the Italian Community of Western Australia and Tertiary Institutions (Edith Cowan and Curtin Universities) has established the Italo Australian Foundation for Aged Care Scholarship for nurses and residential and community aged care workers. The Italian Community has elected Maria as the President of the Foundation.
Maria has developed and facilitated cultural diversity training programs for volunteers, residential and community aged care providers and health professionals. Her understanding of cultural and aged care issues has led Maria to expand existing resources by producing the MULTICUTURAL AGED CARE HANDBOOK in response to requests from aged care industry and health professionals.
Maria also finds the time to focus on Italian culture and is currently the Vice President of the Dante Alighieri Society of Western Australia, which is sponsored by the Italian Government to promote the Italian language in schools and the community and foster Italian culture.
Maria’s natural reticence to talk about her contribution to the community demonstrates sensitivity and humility which requires admiration for the energy of this committed, gregarious, and gracious social worker - a role model worthy of respect and emulation.
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