Handy girls seek women with experience

AT about seventy years of age, Barb Clark found herself out of work, but instead of retiring, she began a new career.

For the last five years, she’s worked three days a week as a cleaner with Handy Girl Australia.

“I’ve always been a fussy housekeeper, so this was no chore, to take on somebody else’s house and make it look good,” she said.

“I like working. I like the contact with the people and the clients, and we all get on well. They just appreciate having someone come and do that work.

“It keeps me going. I don’t want to quit, I want to keep working as long as I can.”

Handy Girl Australia is a Ballarat property maintenance business currently employing between 25 and 30 women, many of which are just like Ms Clark.

Manager Jenni Lascheit said she needs to hire more cleaners, and this demographic of experienced, highly skilled, often-underutilised women, are just who she is after.

“Our most reliable, punctual, hard-working, meticulous, and loyal cleaners are those over 60 years of age,” she said. “We have decided to actively pursue older cleaning job applicants.

“We’re on the search for ladies who would like to re-enter the workforce and take advantage of the government’s Work Bonus changes.

“If women are interested to come back to work and have a new purpose with flexibility, and within their capabilities, we have opportunities for them to work up to nine domestic cleans a fortnight, without that affecting their pension.”

Ms Lascheit said their hours are “mum friendly,” and many of their clients come under the NDIS, are in aged care, or are vulnerable, so experienced women with care, and an eye for detail and hygiene, would be the perfect fit.

Handy Girl Australia employee Kim Yearwood retired at nearly 60 years of age, having worked as a teacher, particularly with people living with disabilities.

“For the first eight months of my retirement it was like being on holiday, but then I suddenly realised I didn’t know what I’d do for the next 30 years,” she said.

“Handy Girl keeps me involved with different people… and is interlinked with my career and caring, as I’m doing things to help other people.

“It keeps you fit, and your mind fit. It also gives me a bit of pocket money, which is a bonus.”