Heart-driven success

Kelina Tokunai’s career is driven by her heart.

It was her qualities of kindness and compassion that saw the Lifestyle Coordinator at Uniting AgeWell’s Andrew Kerr Care Community receive the organisation’s highest staff award – Employee of the Year for 2023.

In her acceptance speech, Kelina paid tribute to Uniting AgeWell for being an organisation that invests in and grows its staff. She also mentioned the reason for her job satisfaction – the residents, she cares so much about.

International Women’s Day is an important opportunity for Uniting AgeWell to recognise the impact of its valued members of staff, like Kelina, and to re-affirm our commitment to providing truly inclusive career pathways and forging a better world.

One of the ways Kelina is contributing to creating the world she wants to see is through her pivotal role in working in collaboration with the intergenerational childcare centre, which is located under the same roof as the Mornington facility where she works.

The Herd Intergenerational Centre brings young and old together – not only do older residents visit the centre to spend time with the children but the little ones also go on buggy rides through the aged care facility, bringing sunshine and smiles with them.

Kelina understands that the concept “it takes a village to raise a child” works both ways – the “village” enriches the lives of older people.

Kelina appreciates the opportunities for career growth she has at Uniting AgeWell and is studying a Bachelor of Health Science and Leisure. “I want to gain more knowledge,” she says.

She says she has learned much from her late-father’s Pacific Island background. “It is ingrained in me to look after your elders and to learn from them. That’s something I am passionate about.”

Uniting AgeWell General Manager of People and Culture, Gen Toop, says with 78 per cent of the workforce identifying as female, Uniting AgeWell offers a range of career benefits including flexible work arrangements to enable staff to work around their family commitments.

There are a significant number of women in senior and leadership positions with a host of opportunities for further growth and education, including support for further education, leadership programs and scholarships for professional development. Uniting AgeWell is also a partner with WomenCan, a vocational organisation that empowers women.

“Our commitment to our workforce and our clients is enshrined in our strategic plan,” explains Gen. “We’re proudly an inclusive organisation championing diversity in all its forms. But we’re different in one sense –one of our prerequisites in hiring people is that they share our values of kindness, respect, integrity, innovation and inclusion.”