We here at the SDC send along our utmost respect to all senior citizens out there who continue to work long past their retirement age. After all, we understand that some people choose to stay in the workforce out of personal drive and desire—and, in some cases, necessity.

This is where the story of Vesela Grujoska, an 80-year-old grandmother of three, comes in. She is one such senior worker who is an inspiration, having spent the past 50 years working at Sydney’s Central Station as a cleaner since migrating to Australia from Macedonia in 1970.

Vesa (as she is affectionately known by colleagues) seemed unfazed by such a staggering work history, stating in a recent interview that working 'kept her young' and that not working would be a 'disaster'. She even vowed not to retire until she's 100!

She even worked almost every Christmas Day and has never taken a sick day.

Vesa worked at the Sydney Central Station for 50 years. Credit: Transport for NSW/Linkedin

While working at the Central Station, she raised her two children as a single mother. To make ends meet while she worked, she even paid an elderly neighbour to look after them.

These days, those children have degrees and well-paying jobs, and Vesa spends her spare time doting on three grandchildren.

Vesa's incredible story got out to the public when news source SBS News shared the piece on their social media page—but not everyone was impressed.

Some questioned why the news was praising a grandmother for working hard and not taking a day off, implying there was something wrong with taking a sick day or 'working until you drop'.

As one person put it: ‘But if you are sick, it’s also okay to take a sick day. I don’t like the hero-ship for people that never take a day off.’

‘Work is not everything in your life,’ another social media user stated.

Other commentators expressed their concern at the idea of normalising the senior workforce.

‘That’s great she’s happy, but I’m seeing more and more people of retirement age forced to stay in or go back to the workforce,’ a third person pointed out.

‘I’ve also seen a lot of media trying to normalise this lately. I hope everyone gets the chance to rest and enjoy their last years in dignity and comfort,’ someone agreed.

There were also defenders of Vesa, praising her for her life’s work and hoping she received a raise.

‘What a noble character,’ one person said while another commented, ‘Hope they gave her a pay rise too!’

As expected, there is a clear divide in opinion on this topic—and with it, a lot of emotion.

A new bill is being introduced to parliament to allow aged and veteran pensioners to earn up to $300 per fortnight before it impacts their pension payments. You can learn more about this new bill here.

Key Takeaways

• Vesela Grujoska, 80, currently works at Sydney’s Central Station as a cleaner and has done so for 50 years, drawing both praise and criticism from the public.
  
• She is committed to her job, having missed work only on three Christmas Days, and has never taken a sick day, declaring that working 'kept her young'.
  
• Critics have expressed concern, indicating that normalising extensive work years and a lack of breaks is harmful and compromises enjoying life's last years in dignity and comfort.
  
• Vesa remains dedicated to her job, planning to work until she is 100 and is commended by others for her hard work.
  

Members, this may be a controversial subject, but it's certainly one worth discussing. What are your thoughts on seniors and their place in the workforce? Should more people be encouraged to retire—or should they be allowed to continue working if they so choose?

Let us know in the comments below.

 

[Shazza13]

For some of these people the working for them is to not be lonely. To have contact with other people so they don’t get so lonely & feel they’re useless because of their older years & want to give others the choice to do what they want to do. Age is not meant to be a Barrier to say you’re not useful anymore not wanted or needed . Everyone has the choice of what age they work to or decide when they are no longer able to contribute to society it is tbeir right & choice of when they feel that they’re of an age to now retire willingly. I say good luck to them & thank you for the time you’ve given.

 

[Penny4]

For some of these people the working for them is to not be lonely. To have contact with other people so they don’t get so lonely & feel they’re useless because of their older years & want to give others the choice to do what they want to do. Age is not meant to be a Barrier to say you’re not useful anymore not wanted or needed . Everyone has the choice of what age they work to or decide when they are no longer able to contribute to society it is tbeir right & choice of when they feel that they’re of an age to now retire willingly. I say good luck to them & thank you for the time you’ve given.

I totally agree. Some occupations have an age restriction though. For instance police can't work past 65yrs.

 

[marni]

Surely as we age we become more likely to have falls, or injure our body - how does that go with workers comp.? The old adage of "soldier on" should have gone out with covid - if you are unwell stay home - do not share your malady with others. It is interesting that she enjoys the company of grandchildren - she may enjoy the company of her work mates more than stay at home. To each their own

 

[peteloo]

We here at the SDC send along our utmost respect to all senior citizens out there who continue to work long past their retirement age. After all, we understand that some people choose to stay in the workforce out of personal drive and desire—and, in some cases, necessity.

This is where the story of Vesela Grujoska, an 80-year-old grandmother of three, comes in. She is one such senior worker who is an inspiration, having spent the past 50 years working at Sydney’s Central Station as a cleaner since migrating to Australia from Macedonia in 1970.

Vesa (as she is affectionately known by colleagues) seemed unfazed by such a staggering work history, stating in a recent interview that working 'kept her young' and that not working would be a 'disaster'. She even vowed not to retire until she's 100!

She even worked almost every Christmas Day and has never taken a sick day.

View attachment 32512

Vesa worked at the Sydney Central Station for 50 years. Credit: Transport for NSW/Linkedin

While working at the Central Station, she raised her two children as a single mother. To make ends meet while she worked, she even paid an elderly neighbour to look after them.

These days, those children have degrees and well-paying jobs, and Vesa spends her spare time doting on three grandchildren.

Vesa's incredible story got out to the public when news source SBS News shared the piece on their social media page—but not everyone was impressed.

Some questioned why the news was praising a grandmother for working hard and not taking a day off, implying there was something wrong with taking a sick day or 'working until you drop'.

As one person put it: ‘But if you are sick, it’s also okay to take a sick day. I don’t like the hero-ship for people that never take a day off.’

‘Work is not everything in your life,’ another social media user stated.

Other commentators expressed their concern at the idea of normalising the senior workforce.

‘That’s great she’s happy, but I’m seeing more and more people of retirement age forced to stay in or go back to the workforce,’ a third person pointed out.

‘I’ve also seen a lot of media trying to normalise this lately. I hope everyone gets the chance to rest and enjoy their last years in dignity and comfort,’ someone agreed.

There were also defenders of Vesa, praising her for her life’s work and hoping she received a raise.

‘What a noble character,’ one person said while another commented, ‘Hope they gave her a pay rise too!’

As expected, there is a clear divide in opinion on this topic—and with it, a lot of emotion.

A new bill is being introduced to parliament to allow aged and veteran pensioners to earn up to $300 per fortnight before it impacts their pension payments. You can learn more about this new bill here.

Key Takeaways

• Vesela Grujoska, 80, currently works at Sydney’s Central Station as a cleaner and has done so for 50 years, drawing both praise and criticism from the public.
• She is committed to her job, having missed work only on three Christmas Days, and has never taken a sick day, declaring that working 'kept her young'.
• Critics have expressed concern, indicating that normalising extensive work years and a lack of breaks is harmful and compromises enjoying life's last years in dignity and comfort.
• Vesa remains dedicated to her job, planning to work until she is 100 and is commended by others for her hard work.

Members, this may be a controversial subject, but it's certainly one worth discussing. What are your thoughts on seniors and their place in the workforce? Should more people be encouraged to retire—or should they be allowed to continue working if they so choose?

Let us know in the comments below.

I would continue to work until I can’t recall how to do my work. Work keeps my mind active and focused. But I do like the opportunity to work part-time or from home and avoid the stressful drive into the city.

 

[tfours]

We here at the SDC send along our utmost respect to all senior citizens out there who continue to work long past their retirement age. After all, we understand that some people choose to stay in the workforce out of personal drive and desire—and, in some cases, necessity.

This is where the story of Vesela Grujoska, an 80-year-old grandmother of three, comes in. She is one such senior worker who is an inspiration, having spent the past 50 years working at Sydney’s Central Station as a cleaner since migrating to Australia from Macedonia in 1970.

Vesa (as she is affectionately known by colleagues) seemed unfazed by such a staggering work history, stating in a recent interview that working 'kept her young' and that not working would be a 'disaster'. She even vowed not to retire until she's 100!

She even worked almost every Christmas Day and has never taken a sick day.

View attachment 32512

Vesa worked at the Sydney Central Station for 50 years. Credit: Transport for NSW/Linkedin

While working at the Central Station, she raised her two children as a single mother. To make ends meet while she worked, she even paid an elderly neighbour to look after them.

These days, those children have degrees and well-paying jobs, and Vesa spends her spare time doting on three grandchildren.

Vesa's incredible story got out to the public when news source SBS News shared the piece on their social media page—but not everyone was impressed.

Some questioned why the news was praising a grandmother for working hard and not taking a day off, implying there was something wrong with taking a sick day or 'working until you drop'.

As one person put it: ‘But if you are sick, it’s also okay to take a sick day. I don’t like the hero-ship for people that never take a day off.’

‘Work is not everything in your life,’ another social media user stated.

Other commentators expressed their concern at the idea of normalising the senior workforce.

‘That’s great she’s happy, but I’m seeing more and more people of retirement age forced to stay in or go back to the workforce,’ a third person pointed out.

‘I’ve also seen a lot of media trying to normalise this lately. I hope everyone gets the chance to rest and enjoy their last years in dignity and comfort,’ someone agreed.

There were also defenders of Vesa, praising her for her life’s work and hoping she received a raise.

‘What a noble character,’ one person said while another commented, ‘Hope they gave her a pay rise too!’

As expected, there is a clear divide in opinion on this topic—and with it, a lot of emotion.

A new bill is being introduced to parliament to allow aged and veteran pensioners to earn up to $300 per fortnight before it impacts their pension payments. You can learn more about this new bill here.

Key Takeaways

• Vesela Grujoska, 80, currently works at Sydney’s Central Station as a cleaner and has done so for 50 years, drawing both praise and criticism from the public.
• She is committed to her job, having missed work only on three Christmas Days, and has never taken a sick day, declaring that working 'kept her young'.
• Critics have expressed concern, indicating that normalising extensive work years and a lack of breaks is harmful and compromises enjoying life's last years in dignity and comfort.
• Vesa remains dedicated to her job, planning to work until she is 100 and is commended by others for her hard work.

Members, this may be a controversial subject, but it's certainly one worth discussing. What are your thoughts on seniors and their place in the workforce? Should more people be encouraged to retire—or should they be allowed to continue working if they so choose?

Let us know in the comments below.

To Each his own. I retired ten years ago at eighty two, because I wanted to and have Free Choice.