Ruth Ley, the much-loved building co-ordinator of the home modifications program at Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre was given a fitting send-off late last month.
The retiring builder, who has been with the centre for 20 years, headed up a program which enabled the elderly and disabled to remain in their homes for longer.
Small things like the addition of a ramp or hand rails for ease of access to the house can make the difference between independence and relocating to a nursing home.
“The whole aim of the program is to keep people at home for longer and to assist carers. It’s about keeping the environment safe,” said centre CEO Kath Harrison.
She said Ms Ley was responsible for overseeing 240 home modifications a year.
“She’s a woman of great integrity and her depth of knowledge and care is unprecedented,” Ms Harrison said.
Wearing specially designed T-shirts bearing Ms Ley’s face and “We can ramp it!”, the Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre team farewelled their builder with an afternoon tea, music and speeches in Katoomba late last month.
Ms Ley said she had enjoyed working with the community over the past 20 years.
“The Blue Mountains community is so gracious. They always appreciate what we’re doing. They’re co-operative about what they want,” Ms Ley said.
She said there had been many memorable moments over the years, some that provided great amusement, like when she ended up locked in a bathroom with a client because they had shut the door and the door handle had fallen off.
Ms Ley said the longer a person could stay in their home, the better it was for the individual, and less of a cost to the community.
Michael Bleasdale from Home Modifications Australia said it would be great to call on Ms Ley in the future to encourage more young people into the building industry.
“She had the ability very quietly to blaze a trail,” he said.
Occupational therapist Beth Howes, who worked with the builder for five years, described her as compassionate and one of the strongest women she had met.
“She’s always willing to share knowledge and give advice. As a leader she’s supportive, nurturing and trusting,” Ms Howes said.
Ms Ley has no intention of slowing down in retirement. She volunteers with a bushcare group and enjoys playing classical music with a couple of orchestras.
The centre is looking to fill Ms Ley’s position, but hasn’t found a suitable replacement yet.
