Tom McCarthy a much-loved visitor to Nazareth House

Know an unsung hero such as this inspiring student? Despite being only 17, Tom McCarthy is a long-time visitor to Nazareth House. NOMINATE NOW

Year 12 student Tom McCarthy with lifestyle assistant Judi Link and resident Julie Duffy. Picture: Chloe Smith

When Ballarat’s Nazareth House aged care home was not allowed to have visitors during last year’s coronavirus outbreaks, 17-year-old Tom McCarthy still found a way to connect with the residents, who have become like his family.

The Year 12 student has volunteered there weekly since he was a toddler.

The pandemic forced Tom to pause this regular routine, so instead he turned up on Christmas and Anzac Day to play the Last Post on his trumpet outside every door and window, so all the residents could hear.

“The residents loved it,” said Judi Link, Nazareth House’s long-serving lifestyle assistant who has known Tom since he was one year old.

“These residents have all watched him grow up, so he is very special to them. Everybody loves Tom.”

Tom’s volunteer role at Nazareth House is unofficial – he visits regularly to chat to residents, help Judi run activities, accompany people to Mass and hand out scones at morning tea.

He does it because he wants to, and it makes him feel part of their community.

“It is a lot like having a lot of grandparents around there,” he said. “I enjoy it. I do think it is something I’d like to continue throughout my life.”

Tom is an accomplished trumpet player, and sometimes even busks to raise funds for Nazareth House.

The Ballarat aged care property is home to about 140 people, and they rely on the help of many volunteers like Tom, from drivers and excursion supervisors, to pastoral care volunteers who provide companionship.

Judi said the pandemic put a temporary halt to all volunteerism at the house, and the helpers had been slow to return.

Tom, however, is delighted to be back.

“He is a terrific kid and he means a lot to all of us. It just makes the residents happy to have young people around,” Judi said. “He has such a great rapport with them.”

Tom is a nominee in The Weekly Times Heart Volunteer Awards.

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