Loula Kostos is almost 80, yet she still continues to volunteer her time every week to help sick children and parents at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
What keeps her going, “as corny as it sounds” she says, is the reward she gets from making a difference in someone’s life.

Kostos, who began as a Greek interpreter 45 years ago today works one day a week in the recovery ward, escorting patients and family members into the theatre, and supporting families whilst their child is having surgery.

She was recently named the recipient of the hospital’s 45 Years of Service Award, and only last week nominated for a Minister for Health Volunteer Award.

Whilst she is appreciative that her efforts have been recognised, she admits it has not always been easy.

“I had to get used to what I saw in the early days because you see a lot of bad things,” she says.

“When I first started I remember a little Greek boy born without a top on his head and with three nostrils, and I had to go and interpret for the little boy’s family.

The father said he couldn’t take his baby home because it was so awful and told them to take him away to a special home.

But it had a good ending because a week later, the parents came in and said they wanted to keep him. He grew up doing all the things the doctors said he couldn’t do; he learnt to walk, grew to be intelligent and in the end they put a top on his head.”

As the Greek-Australian community grew and their children grew up speaking English, Loula moved away from interpreting and to helping the families in the recovery ward.

A normal day at the hospital will see her in the waiting room keeping children occupied with toys, and comforting mothers whist their children undergo surgery.

“I walk in with the mothers down that long corridor before their child is having heart surgery and it is very traumatic for them.

“They start crying and they make you cry too sometimes. But you become hardened to it and you learn how to cope, just like they all do.”

Despite suffering from and eventually beating breast cancer, Kostos continued her volunteering services and intends to continue into the future. She laughs heartily when I remind her that it is her eightieth birthday this year.

“I enjoy it- that’s the reason I keep going! You go in there on Monday and you feel on top of the world and by the end of the week you’re complaining about little things and just as you get fed up, you go in there again on Monday and think, oh my God aren’t I lucky!”