Meet Kat, Residential Care Manager at Warrigal Goulburn.

Recently, we interviewed Kat, our Residential Care Manager at Warrigal Goulburn, to discover more about her career journey. Keep reading to learn more about Kat’s work experience, and her passion for our residents and their families.

How long have you been working in the aged care/health industry and how did you join Warrigal?

I commenced my career with Warrigal Goulburn 16 years ago as a Carer, which is where my passion for aged care and supporting older people really began.

I later completed my Bachelor of Nursing and gained valuable clinical experience at Goulburn Base Hospital, working across Medical, Surgical and Emergency departments, as well as taking on the role of Clinical Nurse Educator. This experience provided me with a strong clinical foundation and further developed my passion for supporting and educating others.

After several years in the hospital environment, I was looking for a workplace that offered greater family balance while allowing me to continue making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

I successfully applied for the position of Clinical Care Manager and have been fortunate to continue developing and progressing within the organisation, moving into the role of Assistant General Manager and ultimately General Manager of Warrigal Goulburn.

My career journey has given me a unique combination of hands-on aged care experience, clinical nursing knowledge, education and leadership experience. Having started as a Carer, I understand firsthand the important role every member of our team plays in the lives of our residents.

I am incredibly proud to have returned to Warrigal four years ago and to have continued growing my career within an organisation and community that has been such an important part of my professional journey.

What is your favourite thing about working in aged care?

My favourite thing about working in aged care is having the opportunity to be part of creating a great life for the people we care for. I love getting to know our residents and their families, hearing their stories, building genuine relationships and understanding what really matters to each person.

For me, it is often the small moments that mean the most — sharing a laugh, having a conversation, celebrating a milestone or simply taking the time to make someone feel valued and heard. Knowing that something we do can make a positive difference to a resident’s day is incredibly rewarding.

I also value being part of an aged care sector that is continuing to evolve. It gives us the opportunity to challenge ourselves, listen to the voices of older people and continually improve how we provide care and services.

Ultimately, aged care is about people, relationships and creating a place where residents can continue to live the life they choose. Being able to contribute to that every day is what makes working in aged care so special.

What is your favourite thing about working at Warrigal Goulburn?

My favourite thing about working at Warrigal Goulburn is the people and the genuine sense of community we have created. There is a warmth here that you feel from the moment you walk through the doors.

I love seeing our residents enjoying life, having fun, sharing stories and forming meaningful relationships with each other and with our team. The connections between our residents, families and staff are incredibly special. Our staff genuinely care about the people they support, taking the time to know each resident as an individual — their story, their personality, what makes them laugh and what is important to them.

There is something very special about walking through the home and seeing residents and staff laughing together, sharing a conversation or simply enjoying each other’s company. Those everyday moments are what create a real sense of belonging.

I am incredibly proud of the community we have at Warrigal Goulburn. It is more than a workplace and more than an aged care home — it is a community of people who genuinely care about one another, and I feel very privileged to be part of it.

Do you have any messages to people who may be looking to move to Warrigal Goulburn?

From the minute you walk through the front doors of Warrigal Goulburn, you will feel welcomed.

Goulburn is a warm, friendly and vibrant home where residents are at the heart of everything we do. We understand that moving into residential aged care is a significant life change, not only for the person moving in, but also for their family. We are here to make that transition as welcoming, comfortable and reassuring as possible.

At Warrigal Goulburn, we want you to feel that this is your home — a place where you can continue to be yourself, make your own choices, enjoy the things that are important to you and remain connected to the people and community you love.

There is always something happening, whether it is enjoying a coffee and conversation, joining an activity or outing, spending time with friends and family, celebrating special occasions, or simply relaxing in your own space.

At Warrigal, we have a united goal which we all work towards: creating a world where older people feel known, loved, and connected. Kat is a wonderful example of our vision in action. For more stories from our community, connect with us on our Facebook page here.