The Monday Q&A: Age Concern Whanganui's Michelle Malcolm

Age Concern Whanganui's Michelle Malcolm likes to spend her leisure time ... not talking! Photo / NZME

Every Monday, the Chronicle fires 10 questions at a Whanganui local. This week Ethan Griffiths has a chat with Age Concern Whanganui manager Michelle Malcolm.

How did you get to work with Age Concern?

Throughout my career, I've always worked with NGOs. I've worked with older people, people with disabilities, and when I saw this job advertised I applied. It's a fantastic job, and one of the most rewarding you could ask for.

What did you want to do growing up?

When I was growing up I did seriously think about the police, but I was too short. That was when there were tough restrictions around joining.

Growing up, did you ever think you'd be working to support older members of the community?

Growing up, I didn't really spend much time with my grandparents - on one side they lived in the UK, and on the other side my nana died when I was 5. There's always been something missing I suppose. I volunteered as a teenager in a rest home, and I think that sparked a passion.

What's the thing you're looking forward to most when you're retired yourself?

Well, I haven't got any great plan of when I'm going to retire. As long as I'm passionate about what I'm doing, I'll work for as long as I need to work. When I think of myself at that age, I just want to be able to do the things I do now. Just to enjoy life.

What's on your bucket list?

We were going over to England last year, and of course that all fell over with Covid. I want to go back. I've always wanted to go to Canada too. I really haven't got a big bucket list, as long as I'm healthy. I'd also like more grandchildren, but my daughter won't give me any.

What's your favourite pastime?

I don't talk! I know it sounds really dumb, but I've always worked in jobs where I do a lot of talking. I just want to come home, sit down and have a coffee and not talk.

What sort of books do you read?

Crime and psychological novels are always good, but I do read a bit of the true story stuff too. I don't have a favourite book but there are a few authors that I like - Karen Rose is one. I don't have one book that I keep going back to. Once I've read a book, I don't read it twice.

What's your favourite thing about Whanganui?

It's home. I'm not actually Whanganui born-and-bred - I was born in the Wairarapa, but I moved here when I was 16. My husband and I eventually moved to Wellington and it just didn't feel like home. When we came back to Whanganui in 2010, we had a real sense of "we've come home". It's a friendly place to live, it's central for travelling and a very beautiful spot.

Who is your favourite artist?

If I say some of them, I'd really be showing my age. But when I was younger I was really into Frankie Goes to Hollywood. But now, I went to a concert a couple of years ago by a guy called Rag'n'Bone Man. It was the best concert I've ever been to. If I had to have a current artist now, it would be him. For me it's the lyrics, the story he tells.

Where is the most memorable place you've travelled?

I suppose the one that sticks in mind was my 50th birthday in Disneyland. I didn't take any children, not even grandson when he asked. I also went to Hawaii and we went to Pearl Harbour. That sticks with me, because that was really something.