Most 20-year-olds spend their weekends juggling study, work and sport — but for Geelong VFLW captain Mel Staunton, that balance also includes supporting older Australians to live independently at home.
Mel joined Mercy Health Home Care after moving from the NSW South Coast to Geelong in 2024. Between football training and longboarding competitions, she works part-time as a home care assistant, helping clients with household tasks, meals and companionship.
“At first I was just looking for a job that fit my lifestyle,” Mel told the Geelong Advertiser. “Once I started meeting the clients, I just loved it. They love having someone young come into their homes — someone who brings the energy.”
One of those clients is 95-year-old June Meaney, who quickly became more than a name on Mel’s roster.
“From the first visit, we just clicked,” Mel said. “I stayed back for an extra hour and a half, chatting about her husband, who was a soldier. She’s such a good storyteller.”
The feeling is mutual. June describes Mel as “the most motivated, hardworking woman I have ever met,” adding proudly, “I want her up in the AFLW.”
Mel says her work in aged care gives her a sense of purpose beyond the football field. “I don’t even see it as work. I come home every day feeling like I’ve given back.”
Read the full Geelong Advertiser feature here: Footy captain a star off field (PDF)
Pictured: Mel and June (Photo by Alison Wynd)
About Mercy Health Home Care
Mercy Health Home Care, established in 2006, is a trusted provider of high-quality, compassionate care for older Australians in their own homes. With a mission to honour the stories of those they serve and empower individuals to live fully, the organisation delivers personalised support that promotes dignity, independence, and wellbeing.
From modest beginnings, Mercy Health Home Care has expanded to operate 15 offices across with over 6000 clients across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory. This growth reflects the organisation’s commitment to reaching more communities while remaining steadfast in its core values of respect, compassion, and excellence, helping people maintain their independence while receiving the care they need.
