ORGANISING funerals is not usually considered a glamorous career, but for Krystyna Popczyk it is her destiny.

When the Ardeer resident discovered her true calling 15 years ago, no one could have been more surprised than herself.

While most people carve out their career paths early on in life, Ms Popczyk credits a cheeky white lie as the secret to her success.

The 62-year-old was among five women who were honoured for their outstanding contributions by Brimbank Rotary last week. Ms Popczyk was awarded an inaugural Vocational Service Award in recognition of her achievements.

Ms Popczyk was working in a hotel 15 years ago when a new manager arrived, bringing his own staff with him.

Ms Popczyk learned that she and all her workmates would be sacked to make way for the new team.

“I didn’t want to be made redundant, so I decided to leave on my own terms,” she said.

“I resigned and told everyone I had a new job.

”When people asked me what I was doing, I told them I was going to work in a funeral parlour.

“I just said it in a flippant way, with no intention of actually doing it.”

Although it began as a fib, Ms Popczyk began to seriously consider trying her luck as a funeral consultant.

She began writing letters to all the funeral parlours in Melbourne.

“Unbeknownst to be, there was actually a job going at Tobin Brothers in Sunshine,” Ms Popczyk said.

“Within two days I had an interview and the rest is history.”

She has worked for Tobin Brothers ever since, dividing her time between offices in Glenroy and St Albans.

She even travels as far afield as Dandenong to help people organise funerals for their loved ones.

Although Ms Popczyk is passionate about her work, her unusual career does not always go down well with others.

“When I tell people what I do, they often take a step backwards because they think you’re dealing with dead people.

“I’ve had a niece who said she was never going to kiss me again when she found out what I was doing.

“I’ve had people move away from where I was sitting because they didn’t want to sit next to me, but I just laugh because I know that they’re just scared.

An active member of the Polish community, Ms Popczyk works on many Polish funerals and volunteers much of her time to helping others in Brimbank.

Other recipients honoured by Brimbank Rotary included Hayley Mackie, a community liaison officer for Brimbank City Council and Elaine George, a school crossing supervisor at St Peter’s Primary.

Also honoured were Amy Hosking, a gaming supervisor at the Taylors Lakes Hotel and Debbie Thorn from Bunnings in Taylors Lakes.

Awards chair David Moss-Bennett said the inaugural awards aimed to recognise the unsung heroes whose tireless efforts had contributed to their organisations.

“It’s a very special award and one that we hope to make a regular feature,” Mr Moss-Bennett said.

Each recipient was presented with an engraved plaque and certificate at the awards ceremony last Wednesday.