Staff Archives - Page 2 of 3

4 older ladies sitting at a table making pom poms with an aged care facility helper

Crafting at Capecare Busselton

March 6, 2025/in Busselton, Busselton Residential, News, Residential, Staff

Capecare Busselton residents recently participated in some fun craft activities inspired by Waitangi Day, the national day of New Zealand. Maori poi balls, or pom poms, made of wool provided a colourful activity for Silvia, Rae, Uta and Norma with help from Lifestyle Coordinator Katrina Spillman. The balls will be joined together for decorations and for dancing props. As a member of the Lifestyle team, Katrina coordinates a range of daily activities for residents that might include gentle gym, crafts, beach and garden walks, music shows and concerts.

Fire fighters managing a fire in Dunsborough

Wallcliffe Volunteer Fire Brigade

Thank you to our emergency services personnel

February 17, 2025/in Community, News, Residential, Staff, Volunteers

Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the many volunteer and professional firefighters, police and emergency service personnel who kept our Dunsborough residents, staff and property safe yesterday. This photo shared by the Wallcliffe Volunteer Fire Brigade shows just how close the fire came, and also how much care was taken by the responders in making sure we were ok.

We’re grateful also for our wonderful staff who looked after Capecare residents so well throughout this emergency.

And many thanks to community members and families who were in contact throughout the afternoon and evening to check on our beautiful residents. 🙏

Merry Christmas from Capecare

January 4, 2025/in News, Residential, Staff, Volunteers

From everyone at Capecare, we hope you had a wonderful Christmas day and celebrated with with loved ones.

Throughout the month of December, our team worked hard to bring the Christmas cheer for our residents.

Our Community and Wellness teams were busy little elves decorating every nook and cranny to create a truly festive space and delight our clients bringing joy to everyone who visits. The Community Team also worked hard to collect Christmas gifts for local families in need which have been donated to the Salvation Army.

Our fantastic Volunteer Team have also held a Christmas raffle to raise funds.

In the final lead up to Christmas Day, both our Dunsborough and Busselton residents enjoyed an early Christmas lunch at each location. They were joined by staff, family and friends!

Capecare Dunsborough invites new residential care residents

September 24, 2024/in Dunsborough, Dunsborough Residential, News, Residential, Staff

Expressions of interest are now open for the 41 remaining beds at Capecare Dunsborough’s deluxe residential care facility, located just a short stroll to the beach and town centre.

Capecare Dunsborough is the town’s first and only residential aged care facility, opened in late 2021. Its residents enjoy premium accommodation, state-of-the-art facilities and high quality, personalised care.

Capecare CEO Tim Nayton said the rooms being released have not previously been used. “Capecare delayed opening the whole facility until we were confident it could be consistently, fully staffed with an exceptional care team.

“When Capecare Dunsborough opened two and a half years ago, we only released rooms in the two ground floor wings in a staged process,” he said.

“A stabilisation of staffing across both our Dunsborough and Busselton facilities has allowed us to move forward to release the remaining 40 rooms, which were designed with residents in mind.

“Much care was taken in the planning of bedrooms, bathrooms, living, dining and outdoor facilities to ensure the best quality of life for our Dunsborough residents.

“We hope to welcome new first-floor residents to this beautiful facility from November 2024 to early 2025 and look forward to operating at our full capacity.”

Capecare Dunsborough’s residential facility features plenty of natural light, fresh air and stimulating outlooks. Rooms are positioned around central courtyards, and many have bay windows.

Jon Farr, whose father was a resident of Capecare Dunsborough and Aunt Janet is a current resident, said he and his family’s experience with the facility had been nothing but positive.

“My Aunt moved into Capecare in June 2022 to be closer to Dad who lived in Busselton. After getting to know the facility my dad said he thought he might need to go into residential care, and when a room came up he also moved into Capecare in Dunsborough. About a year later another of my aunties moved in, so it was a family affair!”

“From the time we first connected with Capecare through to ongoing relationships with the whole team, the main thing is that they really make you feel welcome. And nothing ever seems to be too difficult,” he said.

“When my father passed away, we witnessed a very caring team of people who had cared for my dad, were caring for my aunties, and cared for us as a family as well.”

Capecare Dunsborough comprises a premium 82-bed residential care facility for people with high physical needs in a dementia-enabling environment, respite care, lifestyle and allied health services (occupational therapy, podiatry and physiotherapy), a cinema room, hairdresser, café and landscaped gardens with BBQ area.

The complex also features 21 independent living apartments and the new HQ for the Dunsborough Country Women’s Association (CWA).

To find out more about Capecare Dunsborough visit our Dunsborough residential page . To enquire about the rooms release and receive an information kit, contact the Capecare admissions team on 08 9750 2000 or email dunsadmissions@capecare.com.au.

Happy Capecare clients and Allied Health staff pose for a photo in the gym

Allied Health Open Day

August 1, 2024/in News, Residential, Staff

Capecare provides a wealth of allied health offerings to our community and our team of professionals hosted an Open Day on 31 July to showcase our services.

Held at our Busselton gym, the day was officially opened by our CEO Tim Nayton. Being a Physiotherapist himself, he spoke about the importance that allied health services play in the goal for many in our community to remain in their own home longer.

Our Allied Health ManagerAnthony Galati-Rando spoke about our growing allied health team and the range of professionals we have on staff. Our physiotherapists, occupational therapists, exercise physiologists and allied health assistants provide a variety of services from rehabilitation, equipment assessment or tailored programs to improve strength, mobility or cognition for the client, all depending on their individual goals.

Community Manager Lesley Cunningham explained the community home care offerings and how Capecare can support clients in a range of services through CHSP or homecare package funding.

Visitors enjoyed a group class presentation and a tour of the gym with an explanation of the equipment and their purpose.

The group enjoyed morning tea together and took the opportunity to speak to staff from both the allied health and community home care teams.

Winter warmer

July 31, 2024/in News, Staff

Capecare’s annual Winter Warmer event acknowledges and celebrates those in the team who have reached significant service milestones with the organisation in addition to celebrating our graduating Trainees who have completed their Cert lll in Individual Support to become part of our care team.

On Friday 26 July, a large number of our staff members and board gathered at the Geographe Bay Yacht Club for our award presentations.

Award Recipients:

25 Years – Tracey Huitson

15 Years – Patricia Costello

10 Years – Virginia Hart, Ive Gulans, Suzanna Morley, Martin Organ, Robyn Organ, Val Hornibrook, Lallaine Dodd

5 Years – Cathy Farmer, Rachel Lowe, Grant Hewitt, Rose Parke, Shannan Judkins, Lee-Anne Spencer, Philippa Ayre, Hazel Gordon

Graduating Trainees – Katrina Spillman, Kimberly Kinninmont, Asnita Lata, Michelle Brooks

The last award presented for the evening is our annual Capecare Way Champion. This award is presented to a staff member who consistently demonstrates the values of Capecare. This year we had so many worthy nominations we couldn’t choose just one and so awarded two! Kelly McIntyre our Lifestyle Coordinator in Dunsborough and Emma Watson one of our Community Support Workers were the worthy recipients.

We also got the chance to meet our new CEO, Tim Nayton, who started with Capecare this Monday. Tim told us a little bit about himself and how excited he was to join the Capecare family and how amazed he has been with the warm welcome he has received.

It was a fun filled evening and a great opportunity to come together as a team to celebrate.

New Capecare PALM Scheme carers Beta, Aggie, Kaeko and Tuane with Capecare Acting CEO Philippa Ayre

Capecare welcomes new intake of Pacific Island carers thanks to success with PALM Scheme

September 14, 2023/in Busselton, Dunsborough, News, Residential, Staff

Capecare welcomed four new Pacific Island carers to its team last month, thanks to its partnership with HealthX and the Federal Government’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

Tabeta Itioa (Beta), Akineti Tiotaake (Aggie), Kaekotaake Natibu (Kaeko) and Tuane Neemia (Tuane) have joined Capecare from Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas), a group of 33 small coral islands in the central Pacific.

For the first 10 weeks at Capecare they will continue to complete their Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) and then join the team as fully fledged carers.

This is Capecare’s second intake of carers under the PALM scheme. An initial group of carers from Fiji arrived in 2022, and with the latest additions brings the total to 13 carers. The initial intake were the first Pacific Island healthcare workers HealthX helped move to WA post-COVID.

Capecare Acting CEO Philippa Ayre said the program had been extremely successful and made a significant difference to Capecare’s ability to source a sustainable workforce.

“We have been so fortunate to have Beta, Aggie, Kaeko and Tuane join Capecare, they have seamlessly become part of the team and our residents already love them.”

The Pacific Island carers are placed with Capecare for four years (with annual visits home) which means the program provides a reliable and consistent workforce to supplement local workers.

“Having the Pacific Island team with us for four years means our residents interact with familiar faces each day, which allows us to provide consistent and quality care,”Philippa continued.

“We recognise that our Pacific Island staff are a long way from home, and we have worked hard to ensure that as much as possible they feel they have found a second home with us here.”

For the Pacific Island workers, benefits lie in being able to further develop their skills and knowledge in aged care and will be able to utilise and transfer these skills when they return home, providing a benefit to their communities.

HealthX is an approved employer of the PALM scheme for aged care and sources, interviews, sponsors and employs suitable Pacific Island workers to support aged care facilities across Australia.

HealthX Director of People and Welfare Naomi Dunne said the organisation was excited to be part of this wonderful initiative.

“As a people, Pacific islanders exude warmth and compassion, making them the ideal candidates for roles in aged care,” Naomi said.

“HealthX recognises that this is a life changing move, and we spend significant time preparing our employees for the change of culture and life in Australia.

Capecare staff welcomed the new team members on the first day at their Busselton aged care facility with a traditional Aussie BBQ lunch.

Capecare is the largest regional based independent aged care provider in Western Australia, existing to serve the needs of our older people in the Capes Region.

For more than 60 years Capecare has served the needs of our older people in the Capes Region and is the largest regional based independent aged care provider in Western Australia.

For more information on Capecare’s independent living, community and home care, respite, and residential care services visit www.capecare.com.au

7 people standing in a line smiling and holding award certificates

Capecare

Service milestones celebrated

July 24, 2023/in News, Staff

Capecare’s annual Winter Warmer event acknowledges and celebrates those in the team who have reached significant service milestones with the organisation. On Thursday night a large number of our staff members and board gathered at Dunsborough Country Club for some social lawn bowls and award presentations.

Some highlights:

Capecare Way Champion award recipient May Ling Yap. May consistently displays the values of Capecare. She is a dedicated and hardworking team member loved by staff and residents alike. Nothing is ever too much for May who always goes above and beyond.
Susan Erceg and Robyn Pearce marking 20 years of service to Capecare. Sue is an Enrolled Nurse in our Residential team. Sue is a much loved and respected member of the nursing team recognised as a leader and mentor who is always ready to help others. Admissions Coordinator and Resident Advocate Robyn has had an amazing and varied career with Capecare. Robyn is in most instances the first contact our clients and family members have with Capecare and we couldn’t wish for a better advocate of who we are and what we offer to support the community.
Support workers Carolyn Reeve, Sonia Williamson and Parminder Kaur marking 10 years of service. Each of these valued staff members plays an important role in caring for and helping our community clients with daily tasks, allowing them to live at home for longer. All three are dedicated and passionate carers who we are extremely fortunate to have.
Registered Nurses Claire Rice and Manoj Matthew, Home and Garden Maintenance worker Shayne Macri and Roster Coordinator Liza Hellstrom marking 5 years of service.

Thank you to Capecare board members Yvonne Robinson, Jeff Dick, Glyn Palmer and Mostyn Hamdorf for presenting the awards and Dunsborough and Districts Country Club for hosting the event.

Capecare Busselton female resident Beth Clarke and carer Travis Dean sitting and smiling at each other.

Carer Travis Dean wins an award

May 4, 2023/in News, Staff

“I’ve found my place” – those are the words of Capecare Busselton carer Travis Dean who has finally found a career he genuinely enjoys at the age of 41.

After working as a butcher for many years, followed by a decade-long stint at McDonalds, Travis is now completing his 3^rd year with the not-for-profit.

Working his way up from carer support, to trainee, and finally full-time carer – Travis has never felt more content in his line of work.

His success was encouraged in March when won the ‘South West TAFE Excellence Award for Certificate III in Individual Support’ in a competitive field of over 1000 WA applicants.

“I was shaking when I received the award, I was so nervous,” Travis said.

“I really didn’t expect it. I don’t think I said anything to anyone for a while afterwards.”

Travis said he owed the award to his compassionate spirit and “not giving up”.

“I want to treat people the way I treat my mum and dad,” he said.

“I’m not there for me. I’m there for the residents. I’m a compassionate person and I really care about these people.”

Travis described his workplace at Capecare as a positive environment and that he knew it would help him achieve his vision of becoming a palliative carer.

“It’s a very welcoming workplace and I always feel happy to go to work,” he said.

“Palliative care is an area I think would be very mentally rewarding for myself.”

He said his ability to grow in the industry was due to the staff at Capecare who had helped him every step of the way.

“Any questions I had, they answered them and always went out of their way to help me,” he said.

“I’m very grateful to them.”

If you’re interested in a career at Capecare, contact hr@capecare.com.au or call 9750 2000 to speak to the recruitment officer.

For more information, visit Capecare.com.au

Male carer Travis Dean and Male resident David Clarke sitting next to each other outside, smiling at camera.

Capecare carer Travis Dean and resident David Clarke

Meet Lallaine Dodd, Capecare Team Leader

April 28, 2022/in Busselton, News, Residential, Staff

Caring is not just a job for Busselton’s Lallaine Dodd.

Hailing from the Philippines, Lallaine joined Capecare eight years ago as a Carer after moving to Western Australia. She said she loves the work and, watching her interact with our residents, it’s clear she takes a genuine interest in their needs.

“In my culture we really look after our elderly,” she said. “I really like caring, getting to know the residents and helping them is so rewarding.”

Capecare is helping Lallaine to progress in her aged care career. She has been working as a Team Leader for the past three years and has also gained experience in the Lifestyle Team and in medication competency.

“I’m also studying at TAFE at the moment, and am planning to do enrolled nursing,” Lallaine said.

“Capecare is actually helping me a lot in being flexible in my hours to allow me to work and study.”

When asked what she loves most about Capecare, Lallaine says: “the whole environment, it’s the whole aura in there, I love it”.

When asked if she would recommend Capecare to others, she laughs and says, “I already have! I’ve recommended it to a few people already and two of them are working with me now.”

Capecare supports people like Lallaine to pursue a career in Caring or Nursing. The organisation partners with South Regional TAFE to provide a fully supported 9-month traineeship program for students studying a Certificate III Individual Support (Ageing), who will then become part of their Care team for its residential facilities in Busselton and Dunsborough, and its community home care team. Your course fees will be covered, and you’ll be paid while you study and doing your practical training at Capecare. If you’re studying to be a Registered or Enrolled Nurse, Capecare also offers practical paid experience in Caring or Support Worker roles while you complete your training.

Capecare currently has opportunities in Caring and Hospitality (cleaning) in their residential teams across both Busselton and Dunsborough locations and Support Workers and Domestic Assistants in their community team.

Contact hr@capecare.com.au call 9750 2000 and speak to our recruitment officer, or visit Capecare.com.au to find out more.