It is the satisfaction and rewards she gets from volunteering that has seen her volunteer at Scalabrini Village for 24 years and recognised for her efforts.

"It is so wonderful to help other people, you are rewarded in so many ways," Mrs Vitucci said.

She began volunteering at Scalabrini Village more than twenty years ago after her mother Nicoletta Di Maio received care from a number of volunteers in Melbourne.

"I had my mother in Melbourne for 15 years and so many beautiful people were there for her and they really helped her,” Mrs Vitucci said.

Returning the favour has been an ambition of Mrs Vitucci’s ever since.

“I said to myself I will do the same as what others did for my mum for someone else and their  mum," she said.

“That was important to me, it’s important to help and give back.”

For her volunteering efforts, a humbled Mrs Vitucci has received a bronze and gold medal for her service as well as a third medal for her contribution to the Red Cross.

“It is so nice they did that, I just go to help others because volunteering is just a wonderful thing to do.” she said.

“It was a very proud thing to receive that and I hope it shoes how good it is to volunteer.

Mrs Vitucci, who provides cosmetic services to Scalabrini residents every fortnight, said the service means more than just getting your nails painted.

"It’s not much but it is a lovely thing to do and the littlest things you do for the older people make a big difference," Mrs Vitucci said.

“It lifts their spirits, they have someone to talk to and I always tell them how beautiful they look.

“I think it means a lot to them.”

While Mrs Vitucci has no plans on giving up volunteering just yet, she does encourage others to get involved and help where they can.

"If you every get the time you should volunteer because it really is a wonderful thing to do and it means so much to the older people,”she said.

“I think we should volunteer for them because they give so much to  us and they deserve it.”