For more than two decades, Theresa has built a true legacy of care at The Manor. Since joining in 2003, she has been a steady and compassionate presence, dedicating the last 15 years to the night shift and offering residents empathy, patience, and a genuine sense of purpose.
Theresa’s path into aged care was shaped by her own family. Raised by a single mum alongside two siblings, she fondly remembers her grandfather caring for them while her mother worked night shifts. Later, as her grandfather grew older, the family cared for him at home.
“I see my work as helping the older people who helped us,” Theresa explains. “I see them as my grandfather – doing for them what he always did for us.”
After completing her Certificate III, Theresa quickly found her calling at The Manor. She has since earned her Certificate IV and become an experienced and highly respected night-shift carer. Her evenings are filled with everything from resident checks and repositioning to medication assistance and preparing for the day shift. But most importantly, her time is spent with residents. “It’s the residents I love most,” she says. “When you see that they need someone and you’re able to be there for them, it makes you feel good. That’s what keeps me here.”
A pillar of compassion and support
Theresa’s impact is deeply felt by both residents and her colleagues, further cementing her legacy of care within The Manor community. According to Residence Manager Paula, Theresa’s exceptional compassion, emotional intelligence, and unwavering dedication are what set her apart. “From the moment she steps into the workplace, Theresa radiates kindness and understanding,” Paula shares. Her ability to anticipate residents’ needs before they are even spoken is a testament to her intuitive care and genuine concern. Paula notes that these small, consistent acts – like remembering a resident’s favourite food or offering a warm smile – create a ripple of positivity that touches everyone.
Theresa’s influence extends beyond the residents. Among the team, she is a pillar of support, listening without judgment and leading by example.
“Her empathetic approach has helped shape a culture of compassion within our workplace,” Paula explains, “inspiring others to slow down, listen more deeply, and care more intentionally.”
Her loyalty through three ownership transitions is a testament to her legacy of care, built on trust, respect, and unwavering dedication to residents, and she is quick to highlight Aeralife as the most supportive group so far. She recalls how Aeralife acted swiftly to address below-award wages and ensure staff had the tools they needed, like new computers. “They treated us fairly, straight away, and they’ve shown us respect and recognition. That means a lot.”
A special recognition
“It’s one of the most rewarding things you can do.”
This year, that recognition came in a very special way when Theresa received the Empathy Award at the Aeralife Staff Awards at The Manor. She admits she was surprised, but deeply proud. “It was lovely having the residents there cheering for me,” she says. “They loved it too. It was nice to be recognised.”
Her commitment runs so deep that she cut short a holiday to be back in time for the awards day. “We’d never had anything like that before, and I didn’t want to miss it. It was a really nice day for everyone.” As Paula puts it, “In every sense, Theresa embodies the spirit of empathy. Her presence uplifts, her actions heal, and her heart leads.”
For Theresa, aged care is not just a career – it’s a calling. Her advice to newcomers reflects that: “If it’s not something you want to do from the heart, don’t do it. But if it is, it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do.”
Today, Theresa continues to balance her night shifts with family life, caring for her grandson and supporting her uncle who lives with dementia. After 20 years, her warmth, dedication, and empathy continue to define her legacy of care – making her not only an award recipient but an irreplaceable part of The Manor community.
