Celebrating the strength in our diversity

At The Forrest Centre, our team is as diverse as the community we serve – and we wouldn’t have it any other way. With 268 employees, ranging from 17 to 74 years of age, our staff bring an incredible breadth of experience, perspective, and cultural richness to the care we provide.

From our longest-serving team member, Kerrie Weir, who has been with us for an extraordinary 38 years, to the newest recruits just beginning their careers, each person contributes something unique. “The beauty of our team is that we have people who have grown up here in the Riverina working alongside colleagues from all over the world,” says our CEO Evan Robertson. “That mix of local knowledge and global experience enriches everything we do.”

Our workforce is proudly multicultural, with staff born in more than 30 countries. Alongside Australians, our team includes people from Bangladesh, Burundi, China, Colombia, Cote D’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal, the Netherlands, Nigeria, New Zealand, the Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The largest groups come from India, Nepal, and the Philippines – each bringing with them rich traditions, skills, and ways of connecting with others.

Diversity is more than a statistic for The Forrest Centre – it’s part of our DNA. In aged care, understanding and respecting different cultural backgrounds is essential to building trust and delivering person-centred support. “When residents see staff who share their traditions or simply appreciate their culture, it makes them feel more at home,” Evan says.

This diversity also strengthens our team culture. Staff learn from one another, share different approaches to problem-solving, and bring creative solutions to the table. Younger employees benefit from the wisdom of those with decades of experience, while our most seasoned team members are energised by the fresh perspectives of the next generation.

“At the heart of it, diversity makes us stronger,” Evan reflects. “It helps us see the world through many different lenses – and that’s exactly what we need to provide truly compassionate, inclusive care.”

The Forrest Centre is proud to celebrate the people who make our organisation what it is – a place where everyone belongs, and where diversity is a strength we embrace.