Rand Aid’s Auriel to slow her pace at age 82

As the voice and face of Elphin Lodge and Ron Smith Care Centre Complex, Auriel projected professionalism and efficiency.

Smartly turned out and beautifully spoken, she manned her reception desk very much like a captain running a tight ship.

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Before starting with Rand Aid in 2009, Auriel was living at Elphin Lodge but working in Linbro Park.

It was during the construction of the Gautrain and the commute was tedious.

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“It took one and a half hours to drive 12 kilometres,” she said.

With her late husband then being cared for at Ron Smith Care Centre on the grounds of Elphin Lodge, getting home in time to visit him was becoming increasingly difficult. Then a snippet in the village’s weekly bulletin caught her eye. They were looking for an assistant to work in the village shop.

She applied but did not get the job. What she was offered instead was a part-time receptionist position.

A year later, the full-time receptionist retired and Auriel accepted a promotion and started working a full day.

Before the mega bash organised to bid her farewell, Auriel said she was going to miss the staff and residents. However, she will not be sitting idly at home.

“I’m doing voluntary work two afternoons a week at a gift shop in Durham Street, Sydenham, run by Yad Aharon, one of the Jewish charities. Once a week I’m going to water aerobics and I’ve already made two bookings to go to ballet performances. I also have a wish list of day tours I have always wanted to do,” said Auriel.

Then there is gardening, which she loves, cake icing and a host of books and movies she has been wanting to get through.

“I’ve also told Rand Aid that should they need me to do relief work at any time, I’ll do so with pleasure,” she said.

Elphin Lodge complex manager Helen Petrie said: “Auriel has been a true asset who has epitomised efficiency and professionalism.”