The joy of a good story: Mario’s 20 years of volunteering

If you stop Epworth Eastern volunteer Mario for a quick question, chances are you’ll be there a while.

Not because he can’t answer it, but because Mario is a storyteller.

Now in his 80s, and after 20 years volunteering at Epworth, he has plenty of stories to share. Some of it is about the hospital in Box Hill. Some of it drifts back to Italy. All of it comes from the same place: a genuine love of people.

Mario is a familiar face to many across Epworth Eastern. On any given day, you’ll find him moving through the hospital corridors, delivering mail, helping with patient care carts, and stopping often for a chat. It’s these small interactions that quietly shape the experience for patients and their families.

When Mario decided to start volunteering 20 years ago, it wasn’t for recognition. He did it because he wanted to be useful. Two decades on, that hasn’t changed.

“I like to keep busy,” he says with a smile.

But volunteering isn’t just about the tasks for Mario. It’s about connection – a conversation in the corridor, a familiar face returning for treatment, a moment of kindness when someone needs it most.

He understands that patients may be far from home or navigating a difficult time, and those small moments can mean everything.

Over the years, Mario has seen Epworth Eastern grow and change with new buildings, new technology and new faces. But in many ways, the heart of the hospital has stayed the same.

“It’s the people,” he says. “Always the people.”

Even now, he still arrives with the same energy and curiosity. Still ready for a conversation and looking for ways to help.

Through Epworth Medical Foundation and the generosity of donors, our volunteer program has enhanced patient care and fostered a strong sense of community across Epworth for decades.

Mario says volunteering is so worthwhile – and it is not only about what you give, but what you get back. And for Mario, that’s been a lifetime of stories.