Ron, aged 66, transitioned to retirement recently after spending his last working years at Vanguard. But there was a time when he thought he might never be able to find a job again.
Entering his 60’s, Ron found himself looking for work when NBN contracts dried up after decades spent in the communications industry. One of his son’s mates would give him a job as a landscaping labourer, but Ron would be one of the very unlucky few who a rare flesh-eating bug would inhabit. Having lost a lot of skin and flesh on his left arm and almost needing to have his arm amputated, health professionals successfully tracked down the bug and removed it.
After a few months of rehabilitation, Ron was ready to work again, but COVID had struck and 2 years would pass without him being able to secure meaningful employment. Now facing the prospect of long-term unemployment, with age as an additional barrier, Ron walked through the doors of Vanguard desperately seeking work.
After 2 years at Vanguard, Ron proudly retired last week, ending on a high note. Whilst he faces ongoing health challenges alongside his wife of 42 years, Ron is grateful for the opportunity to have ended his career dignifiedly and describes having been employed at Vanguard as an honour.
