Barbara bows out after 31 years
Elphin Lodge retirement village, where Mrs Brooks was once the complex manager, derives its name from an acronym inspired by her.
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It was with mixed emotions that Mrs Barbara Brooks said farewell to the Rand Aid Association in December.
Mrs Brooks has worked with the NPO for three decades.
She will, in her retirement pursue, her much-loved but neglected hobbies such as painting.
Mrs Brooks would have been employed at Rand Aid for 31 years in January.
As the personal assistant to chief executive officer, Ms Rae Brown since 2007, Mrs Brooks saw Rand Aid grow from a relatively small organisation to one that today manages four retirement villages, two frail care centres and a treatment centre for people with substance abuse problems.
Elphin Lodge retirement village, where Mrs Brooks was once the complex manager, derives its name from an acronym inspired by her.
It stands for Every Living Person Has Intrinsic Needs, which embodies the passion that Mrs Brooks has for Rand Aid.
With five young grandsons living close by, including twins who are not yet six months old, she is looking forward to spending more time with them, but will also be helping pen a book on the history of Rand Aid, which has been serving the community for 110 years.