News Archives

Capecare seeking two new Non-Executive Directors

/in , ,

Capecare is seeking to appoint two additional Non-Executive Directors to its Board, with priority being given to candidates with senior financial management or clinical governance experience.

Capecare is a well-established, community-based not-for-profit incorporated association and a leading provider of residential aged care, retirement living, respite care and home care services in the beautiful South West of Western Australia.

Formed 65 years ago, Capecare has campuses in Busselton and Dunsborough, comprising a total of 220 residential aged care beds and 76 retirement living villas and apartments.

With approximately $50 million in assets and a workforce of more than 350 staff, Capecare is committed to delivering high-quality clinical care and strong governance outcomes.

About the role

As a Director, you will contribute to the strategic direction, governance and oversight of Capecare, ensuring compliance with relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks, including the Aged Care Act 2024 and the Aged Care Quality Standards.

Directors are also asked to serve on at least one Board subcommittee.

Priority skills and experience

Capecare is seeking candidates with one of two priority skillsets.

Financial management, accounting or audit

Candidates for this role should have:

  • Sound senior-level experience in financial management, accounting or audit at a senior level
  • A CPA, CA or equivalent professional qualification, which will be highly regarded
  • Experience in financial oversight, investment or funding models
  • Previous experience as a company director, which will be highly regarded

Clinical governance

Candidates for this role should have:

  • Proven experience in a clinical governance environment
  • Health industry qualifications, such as those held by a doctor, nurse or retired health professional
  • Experience overseeing clinical practice, which will be highly regarded
  • Previous experience as a company director, which will be highly regarded

Additional desirable skills

Candidates may also bring experience or knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

  • Australian Institute of Company Directors qualifications
  • Aged care
  • Commercial property development
  • Information technology or digital transformation
  • Philanthropy and fundraising
  • Legal or regulatory matters
  • Not-for-profit or community organisations

Personal attributes

Capecare is seeking Directors who demonstrate:

  • Strong ethical standards and integrity
  • Strategic thinking and sound judgement
  • A collaborative approach to decision-making
  • A commitment to Capecare’s mission of supporting people as they age
  • An understanding of directors’ duties and responsibilities

Commitment

The Board and its subcommittees meet during 10 months of the year, usually in the final week of each month.

Meetings are held during business hours, with Board meetings generally lasting three hours and subcommittee meetings approximately two hours.

From time to time, Directors are also expected to attend staff functions, resident and family meetings, and community engagement activities.

Remuneration and further information

Modest sitting fees are paid to Directors.

A full information pack will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

How to apply

Please submit a current resume and brief cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience to Capecare Chief People Officer Philippa Ayre no later than Friday 14 August 2026.

email : philippa.ayre@capecare.com.au

phone: 08 9750 2000

Two older ladies smiling for the camera standing in a courtyard with their arms around eachother's backsCapecare

Together every step of the way: June and Clare’s Capecare story

/in , , , , , ,

After almost two decades as neighbours at Busselton’s Ray Village retirement units, best friends June Ridley and Clare McMulkin moved into Capecare Busselton residential care just one week apart. Their story reflects the comfort that familiar people, places and support can bring as care needs change.

June and Clare first met through lawn bowls, but their friendship truly flourished after they moved into Ray Village within a week of each other in 2008. As next-door neighbours for 19 years, they shared everyday conversations, Village activities and celebrations, while supporting one another through the changes that come with growing older.

“We all looked after one another,” June said of life and the friendships they formed at the Village.

Both women also love the beachside living Capecare provides. June visited the beach most days when living in her unit, while Clare regularly walked along the coastal path towards the yacht club.

As their needs changed, both women began receiving Capecare Community home care services in their Ray Village units, including help with cleaning, meal preparation and personal care. Having support come to them allowed June and Clare to remain living independently for much longer.

“We had plenty of help,” Clare said. “We were looked after, just the same as we are looked after here.”

Eventually, both women reached the point where residential aged care offered the reassurance and day-to-day support they needed. It was an important decision, and one they each made for themselves.

For June, who just turned 94, part of the decision was a desire to ease the responsibility on her children, who live outside Busselton. Her son had been travelling from Perth each week to support her.

“I wanted to give my children some free time,” she said. “They’ve got their lives to live. We’ve lived ours.”

At age 99, Clare also recognised that she was spending increasing amounts of time on her own and would benefit from having more support around her.

Both women reached the same conclusion themselves. “It was our decision,” Clare said. “That was important.”

Although moving into residential care is a significant adjustment, there was comfort for June and Clare in already knowing and trusting Capecare. They were familiar with the organisation through their years living at Ray Village and the home care support they had received. Clare had also volunteered in the Shop at Capecare Busselton and knew the buildings and many of the people working there.

Staff members who had previously helped with maintenance and gardening at their units recognised them when they moved into residential care. “It makes you feel good,” Clare said.

Another welcome and familiar face was Capecare Property Manager Kelley Robinson, who had previously helped manage Ray Village and had known both women for many years. Kelley continues to visit June and Clare regularly and has been available to help them navigate their new surroundings and resolve any concerns.

For June, knowing her best friend would also be moving into Capecare Busselton made an enormous difference.

“When I knew Clare was coming, I was so happy,” she said. “Someone I know, someone I love.”

June moved in first, with Clare following a week later—just as they had moved into their Ray Village units within a week of one another many years before.

The friends are honest that residential care brings change. There are new routines to become accustomed to, new surroundings to learn and moments when people naturally wonder whether they could have continued managing at home.

However, they have found kindness, companionship and plenty of support.

“The staff are really lovely,” Clare said. “They can’t do enough for you.”

June agrees that kindness matters most.

“They’re kind, and that’s the main thing,” she said.

The pair enjoy sharing meals with the other residents, describing the dining table as being like “one big family”. They take part in activities that keep them engaged and connected and particularly enjoy regular visits from local schoolchildren.

Clare continues to enjoy regular strolls around the Capecare grounds and neighbouring Ray Village. A weekly game of canasta with Village friends remains a highlight, and she regularly enjoys outings with her family. Maintaining these longstanding relationships and routines has helped her remain connected to the life she enjoyed before moving.

“I’ve always been a walker,” Clare said, recalling the bushwalks and orchid-spotting trips she enjoyed while visiting her son and daughter-in-law in Leeman.
June and Clare’s journey—from independent retirement living, through home care and into residential aged care—shows the value of having trusted support that can adapt over time.

While their surroundings and care needs have changed, the relationships they built have continued. For June and Clare, that continuity has meant entering the next stage of life together, surrounded by people who already know their stories.

And, just as they did at Ray Village, the best friends remain side by side.

7 elderly women and one man posing for a photograph outside a building. The photograph is sepia and was taken in 1969

Help Capecare uncover 65 years of local aged care history

/in ,

Capecare is calling on the local community to help uncover and share stories from our 65-year history, as we prepares to mark a special anniversary in September.

This year marks 65 years since Villa Maria Homes was registered as an association, laying the foundations for the first aged care services for Busselton and the wider community. Over the years, the organisation was also known as Ray Village, before becoming Capecare as it extended its services into community and home care.

To celebrate this milestone, Capecare is planning a small heritage exhibition and would love to hear from anyone with memories, photos, documents or mementos connected to Villa Maria Homes, Ray Village or Capecare.

Capecare’s story belongs to the whole community. Over the past 65 years, many people have been connected to Villa Maria Homes, Ray Village and Capecare in different ways – as residents, clients, families, staff, volunteers, board members, neighbours, supporters and friends.

Now, as we prepare to celebrate this milestone, community members are invited to help bring those memories together.

Capecare would love to receive stories about the people, places and moments that shaped the organisation’s history, from early fundraising and community involvement to life at Villa Maria Homes and Ray Village, special events, staff memories, resident stories and photographs from years gone by.

CEO Tim Nayton said the anniversary was an opportunity to recognise the many people who had contributed to the organisation’s story.

“For 65 years, Capecare has been part of the fabric of this community,” Mr Nayton said.

“This anniversary is about honouring the people who helped create, support and shape aged care services in our region, and celebrating the residents, clients, families, staff, volunteers and community members who have been part of that journey.”

Community members are invited to share stories, photos or mementos that may be included in Capecare’s anniversary exhibition and heritage displays.

To contribute, please email connect@capecare.com.au or call Clare Simcock on 9750 2000.

Capecare expands residential care to meet growing regional need

/in , , , ,

We’re pleased to announce that approval has been received from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission for Capecare to add a further 18 residential aged care beds to our Busselton facility.

This will bring the total number of beds in Busselton to 138 when we are fully operational in early July.

This expansion reflects Capecare’s ongoing commitment to meeting the growing need for high-quality residential aged care in our region, supporting older people to remain close to their families, community and the place they call home.

The new beds will be located in Ray Lodge, Capecare’s original facility, overlooking the beachfront. Following the re-opening of Rosa Brook wing, we have been able to move our successful Time to Think hospital transition Program from Ray Lodge into our main facility.

To enquire, please contact us at admissions@capecare.com.au.

Celebrating our volunteers who bring connection, kindness and joy

/in , , , , , , , , , , ,

This National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the wonderful people who give their time, kindness and companionship to Capecare.

On Friday, a number of our volunteers gathered for a special morning tea at Anniebrook Farm Café in Carbanup, where CEO Tim Nayton thanked them for the very real difference they make in the lives of our residents and Community clients.

Volunteers bring warmth, connection and joy to Capecare every day. Whether it is through a friendly conversation, a shared activity, a helping hand or companionship, their presence makes a difference.

The morning included delicious scones and preserves, thanks to Dawn and the team at Anniebrook, as well as award presentations recognising many hours and years of dedicated service. Awards were presented by Chair Martha Ryan and board member Mostyn Hamdorf.

Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to all of our volunteers, including those recognised for 1000 hours of service, 5 years, 10 years and 15 years of volunteering:

  • 15 years of service – Leah Jones
  • 10 years of service – Ellen Stonehouse
  • 5 years of service – Cheryl French, David McTaminey, Nola Sauzier and Malcolm Van Rensburg
  • 1000 hours of service – Jan Assan, Robyn Bowering, Sharon Doohan, Bec Marsh and Nola Sauzier.

You are all such an important part of our Capecare community.

Interested in being a Capecare volunteer? Find out more here. We’d love to talk to you. 

Building confidence and compassion in palliative care

/in , , , , , , , , , ,

Capecare nursing and care staff have taken part in specialised education and training during National Palliative Care Week, strengthening their skills and confidence in supporting residents, clients and families through end-of-life care.

Staff from our Busselton, Dunsborough and Community teams participated in the Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA), delivered by an Aged Care Nurse Educator Charlotte Coulson from QUT Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre across two dedicated two-day training programs.

Our staff were freed from their usual workloads to fully immerse themselves in the learning experience, reflecting Capecare’s commitment to quality care and professional development.

The PEPA program supports the aged care workforce to build knowledge, practical skills and confidence in providing compassionate palliative and end-of-life care.

Through interactive workshops, discussions and scenario-based learning, staff explored communication, symptom management, advance care planning and ways to support residents and families during some of life’s most challenging moments.

At Capecare, we understand that compassionate palliative care is about far more than clinical support. It is about dignity, empathy, connection and ensuring people feel safe, respected and cared for throughout every stage of their journey.

This training helps equip our teams with the confidence and understanding to have meaningful conversations, respond to individual needs and provide comfort-focused care with compassion and professionalism.

The PEPA training was funded through an Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care grant.

We thank all staff who participated for their commitment to continuous learning and for the compassionate care they provide to our residents, clients and families every day.

 

Our Nurses Our Future – The many paths of nursing at Capecare

/in , , , , , , , , , , ,

This year’s International Nurses Day theme, Our Nurses. Our Future recognises the vital role nurses play in shaping stronger healthcare systems and healthier communities for generations to come.

At Capecare, that future is reflected in the many ways our nurses care, lead, educate and connect every day.

From graduate nurses beginning their careers to internationally experienced clinicians, educators, care coordinators and clinical leaders, nursing at Capecare is as diverse as the people who choose it.

Across residential aged care, community services and clinical leadership, Capecare’s nursing team brings compassion, expertise and humanity to every stage of ageing.

Learning and Leading

“I wanted to help develop the nurses of the future.” – Lisa Roberts

Lisa Roberts, Nurse Educator

For Nurse Educator Lisa Roberts, nursing has come full circle.

Originally from England, Lisa began her working life in aged care as a teenager and now supports and mentors nurses as Capecare’s Nurse Educator.

“I always wanted to be a nurse,” Lisa said.

“I worked from a Health Care worker up to Nurse Educator and learnt so much on the way from my peers and from the amazing people I have cared for.”

Throughout her career, Lisa has worked across acute care, community nursing and cancer services, experiences she says shaped both her perspective and her passion for teaching future nurses.

“I wanted to help develop the nurses of the future – how to care for people, to walk in their shoes and ensure they show dignity and respect.”

For Lisa, aged care nursing is deeply personal. “I feel it’s a privilege looking after our elders as they have so much life experience and tales to tell.”

Clinical Manager Satinder Gill also sees nursing as a profession filled with opportunity for growth.

After relocating from New Zealand, Satinder joined Capecare seeking new opportunities and leadership development.

“I chose Capecare for the growth opportunities and the chance to further enhance my skills and experience,” she said.

“What’s special about aged care nursing is supporting elderly people when they need it most while helping maintain their dignity and quality of life.”

Nursing careers can take many different paths

“One thing nursing has never been is boring.” – Kate Moore

Kate Moore, Primary Care Coordinator

Nursing offers diversity throughout a career.

For Primary Care Coordinator Kate Moore, no two days, or career stages, are ever the same.

“The best thing about nursing is the endless variety,” Kate said. “Every role brings new experiences, new people and new opportunities.”

Kate said her own experiences supporting ageing family members sparked a growing interest in aged care and helping people navigate complex systems.

“That experience inspired me to be part of making aged care more accessible, supportive and easier to understand for others.”

Rajesh Kharel also sees nursing as a profession filled with challenge, growth and constant learning.

Rajesh relocated from Finland to Australia seeking greater career opportunities and professional development within healthcare.

“Australia offers much better, faster career growth and higher-level opportunities for nurses,” he said.

Now working at Capecare, Rajesh says the diversity of nursing is what continues to inspire him.

“The different skills, emotions, challenges and opportunities make nursing a very exciting profession and I feel it makes me a better person every day.”

While acknowledging the emotional demands of nursing, Rajesh believes those experiences are also what make aged care meaningful.

“Working in aged care is a profound emotional journey – a mix of joy, attachment and loss.”

“It involves fostering deep, personal connections with residents and sharing in their life stories.”

Community Clinical Services Lead Lee Winning agrees that nursing opens unexpected doors.

“The diversity of career options and the flexibility to work regionally and remotely has allowed me to continue to grow in my role,” Lee said.

Lee’s nursing career has evolved from mental health and community nursing in the UK through to diabetes education, care coordination and clinical leadership roles in Australia.

“From there I moved into program management and now love supporting clinical staff, maintaining safe work practices and improving service delivery.”

The relationships at the heart of aged care nursing

“Residents aren’t just patients — you really get to know them.” – Jess Lou

Jess Lou, Registered Nurse

For many nurses at Capecare, the most rewarding part of aged care nursing is the relationships built with residents and families over time.

Registered Nurse Jess Lou said those connections are what make aged care unique.

“What I love most about nursing is the connection you build with people,” Jess said.

“You support someone not only clinically, but emotionally as well, helping them feel safe, heard and cared for during vulnerable moments.”

As a graduate nurse beginning her career, Jess said aged care offered the opportunity to form meaningful relationships while continuing to learn and grow professionally.

“Residents aren’t just patients you see briefly. You really get to know them, their histories, personalities and what matters most to them.”

Registered Nurse Shauna Renwick said supporting people through difficult times can be both rewarding and emotional.

“As cliched as it sounds, I love helping people,” she said. “It is very rewarding being able to support people through a hard time and help someone get closer to their health goals.”

Shauna relocated from Queensland to the South West and said the region’s coastline and community lifestyle made it an easy decision to stay.

“Aged care is special because you develop a great friendship with elderly clients from supporting them on an ongoing basis.”

International nurses bringing global experience to local care

“I am caring for someone else’s parents here.” – Tara Devi

Capecare Registered Nurse Tara Devi

Capecare’s nursing workforce also reflects the increasingly global nature of healthcare, with nurses bringing experience and perspectives from around the world.

Float Registered Nurse Tara Devi has worked in nursing for more than 25 years across Bhutan and Australia, including completing a PhD in Palliative Care.

“What I love about nursing is that special opportunity to be in people’s lives when it is often the most difficult times,” Tara said. “I hold that honour and privilege very close.”

After returning to Australia to reunite with family, Tara joined Capecare to continue her nursing journey in aged care.

“What I found special in aged care nursing is the bond we develop with residents and their families.”

In one of the most heartfelt reflections shared by the nursing team, Tara explained how caring for older people connects deeply to her own family.

“I often say I am not able to care for my ageing parents who are in Bhutan, but I am caring for someone else’s parents here — and that gives me immense joy.”

The future of care

International Nurses Day is an opportunity to recognise not only the care nurses provide today, but also the future they are helping shape.

At Capecare, nurses continue to play a vital role across residential care, community services, education, leadership and clinical innovation, supporting older people to live with dignity, comfort and connection.

From graduate nurses beginning their journey to experienced clinicians mentoring the next generation, each nurse brings their own story, strengths and pathway to the profession.

Together, they are helping shape the future of care in the South West.

8 professional women of varying ages and nationalities grouped togehter and smiling for the camera outside a blue wall with rose bushes in the background

Capecare setting new standards in dementia care

/in , , , ,

Capecare has officially reopened its newly refurbished Rosa Brook Wing, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of dementia care at the Busselton facility and in the South West.

Rosa Brook Wing provides a dedicated, purpose-designed environment for residents living with dementia and changes in cognition. The refurbishment was designed to create a more supportive, homelike setting promoting dignity, independence and wellbeing.

Originally opened in 2000, the wing has undergone a comprehensive transformation, incorporating contemporary dementia-friendly design principles and upgraded care infrastructure, made possible through funding from the Australian Government’s Aged Care Capital Assistance Program.

Capecare Chair Martha Ryan said the reopening reflected both the organisation’s history and its commitment to the future of care.

“Rosa Brook has long been an important part of Capecare’s story, and this refurbishment represents how far dementia care has come over the past two decades,” Martha said.

“Today, we better understand the importance of designing environments that support not just safety, but also connection, familiarity and a true sense of home. This redevelopment ensures we can continue to provide care that respects each person’s dignity and individuality.”

The redesigned wing includes enhanced communal areas, improved lighting, dementia-friendly wayfinding features, and carefully selected furnishings that balance safety, comfort and a homely feel.

At the official re-opening event, Capecare CEO Tim Nayton announced the launch of the organisation’s Dementia Support and Mental Wellbeing Program, an integrated strategy designed to support cognitive, emotional and social wellbeing across residential, community and retirement living services.

He said the project was part of a broader organisational focus on dementia and mental wellbeing.

“This is more than a building upgrade. It is part of a wider commitment to supporting people living with dementia to live well,”  Tim said.

“The Rosa Brook refurbishment, alongside our Dementia Support and Mental Wellbeing Program, reflects our focus on person-centred care, supporting each individual’s wellbeing, identity and quality of life.”

Home to 20 residents, Rosa Brook has been carefully designed to offer a calm and familiar environment for people living with dementia that eases confusion, reduces distress, while encouraging independence and meaningful daily experiences.

The refurbishment was undertaken by Interite, who designed and coordinated the interior fit-out using skilled local tradespeople, complemented by furnishings from Atama Furniture and European Bedding.

Capecare continues to play a leading role in delivering high-quality aged care services in regional Western Australia, with a strong focus on innovation, compassion and community connection.

The opening event featured a speech by John Reid who was a board member at Capecare for more than 30 years and was MC at the original opening event on 28 June 2000. Current Rosa Brook resident Elizabeth McMullen was also a special guest, helping to cut a celebratory cake with Martha and John to mark the re-opening.

View a video tour.

A care support worker providing personal care to an older personCapecare

A welcome step toward clearer, fairer home care

/in , ,

Capecare welcomes today’s announcement to reclassify personal care under the Support at Home program, alongside the Australian Government’s broader investment in aged care.

It’s an important move that better reflects the essential role these services play in supporting dignity, independence and wellbeing at home, while also strengthening the system to meet growing demand. 

As a regional not-for-profit provider, we know how important clear and sustainable funding is to delivering consistent, high-quality care in our community.

We look forward to seeing how these changes are implemented and continuing to support our clients through the transition.

Read more on today’s announcement here. 

Capecare respite resident in front of room

Time to Think program at Capecare expands

/in , , ,

Capecare’s Time to Think hospital transition program has expanded to support clients with mild cognitive impairment.

Time to Think is a WA Government Department of Health program allowing older people more time to plan their next steps following a hospital stay. The program helps to free much-needed hospital beds and provides a dedicated support service for people while they plan their longer-term care arrangements.

The program commenced at Capecare in November 2025 and since that time, 41 clients have participated in Busselton.

Capecare has been working closely with WA Country Health Service and the broader Department of Health to provide older people in hospital the opportunity to continue their recovery with us and be supported to plan their next steps, whether it be to return home or residential care.

Following refurbishment of our Rosabrook Wing, we’ve been able to allocate most of the rooms in Monks Wing for Time to Think clients. This means we can now also support people living with mild cognitive impairment in the program. The remaining beds in Monks are being used for respite and permanent residential care.

Relocating Time to Think means we can expand our number of permanent beds, enabling us to provide additional care to community members in our Forest and Gracetown wings in Ray Lodge. Work has commenced, with room completion expected in May 2026.

CAPECARE
BUSSELTON

20 Ray Ave
Busselton WA 6280
Ph: 08 9750 2000
Fax: 08 9755 4696

Community Care: 08 9750 2097

CAPECARE
DUNSBOROUGH

171 Naturaliste Tce
Dunsborough WA 6281
Ph: 08 9786 5555
Fax: 08 9786 5508

Community Care: 08 9750 2097

FEEDBACK

We value your feedback

Submit Your Feedback

DONATIONS

If you’d like to make a difference to people’s lives, you can by making a donation to Capecare.

Make a Donation
Registered Charity

ABN 77 630 179 279

Capecare acknowledges the Wadandi people as the Traditional Custodians of Noongar Boodja and honour Elders past and present. We recognise their enduring connection to this land and our shared commitment to care for our community.

Accessibility Toolbar