About the Halwyn Centre
The Halwyn Centre is a Residential Care facility providing quality care for clients with both intellectual and physical disabilities, and complex health needs.
Halwyn provides permanent residential care and respite care for clients from six years of age.
Halwyn Shining Star Winners (September 2023)
Geraldine Horan, Nurse Unit Manager
“As a new member of the Halwyn team and first time Nurse Unit Manager , Geraldine has demonstrated determination and resilience in learning her new role while building trusting relationships with the staff and families of the Halwyn Centre.
“Geraldine leads with compassion, kindness, fairness and through example while ensuring all her decision making aligns with all HR and Metro North policy and process.
“Under Geraldine’s leadership the Halwyn nursing team have been empowered with the capacity to make real change to enhance service provision and more closely align with the National Disability Insurance Scheme standards. “We are grateful to have Geraldine as part of the Halwyn Team!”
Meredith Davis, Physiotherapist
“Meredith is a wealth of knowledge and a fantastic colleague. She is warm and approachable and always willing to help team members. She is always compassionate and client focused.
“I appreciate how she will always speak up if something concerning resident care/management doesn’t seem right.
“She goes above and beyond as a strong advocate for the resident’s best interests and uses her high-level clinical reasoning to ensure resident’s care and best interests are priority number one.
“Her huge contribution to the wellbeing of the residents and ability to pick up tasks that need doing is rarely recognised.”
Aina Fernandez, Administration Officer
“Aina deserves recognition for her ongoing and consistent efforts as an individual who, while not a direct caregiver, significantly contributes to enhancing the quality of life for the residents and the service provided to families, her fellow staff and all other stakeholders of Halwyn.
“Aina consistently demonstrates outstanding customer service in an effort to improve the health and work environment for those she serves. Aina conducts her practice in a quiet, no fuss manner and always goes above and beyond in her efforts to provide the best quality outcomes for all.
“She is diligent, provides the best possible service provision and contributes to a positive, healthy work environment where staff members are valued and appreciated.
“Aina’s actions and work performance stands out as an exceptional reflection of Metro North’s values of Compassion, Respect, Teamwork, Integrity and High Performance.
“Halwyn is so very grateful for Aina every day and the contribution she makes to ensuring we provide those we serve with the highest quality and kindest care.”
Alison Standford, COH NDIS Business Co-Ordinator
“Alison joined the Halwyn Team as a National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) expert in November 2022 and, with a fresh-eyed approach, was quickly able to identify areas for service improvement to ensure Halwyn practices align more closely with NDIS (National Disability Insurance Standards) requirements.
“With a teamwork approach Alison was able to influence staff and transform their thinking and accelerated the transition from a health care model to a disability focused, NDIS model of care.
“Alison has also led the embedding of processes to optimise NDIA revenue for the service. We are grateful to have Alison as part of the Halwyn and wider COH Team!”
Additional Shining Star nominees for Halwyn
A big thank you to all of our Shining Star nominees who are doing such an amazing job caring for our residents. They included:
- Zoe Campbell, Registered Nurse
- Laxmi Acharya, A/Nurse Unit Manager
- Amanda Barnett, Dietician.
The majority of compliments received by the Halwyn Centre relate to the care provided and the caring nature of staff.
Spotlight: Halwyn facelift to be unveiled
There is a lot happening at the Halwyn centre with the planned facelift of the residential area on level 3 just about to start.The builders have been onsite and have commenced preparations for the decanting of residents and staff to floor 1 in early October.
The refurbishment of the open and bedroom areas are expected to be completed later in the year.Detailed consultation has already occurred and will continue with the families of the residents as a wonderful new space is created.The introduction of calming tones, subtle lighting and textured materials will create a warmth to the residential areas, and everyone can’t wait to explore this wonderful new home.It is hoped that new area will enhance the welcoming environment at Halwyn.
Spotlight: Halwyn improvements keep coming
Besides the planned facelift on level three there has been plenty of improvements for the residents and visitors recently at Halwyn including:
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beautified gardens beds at the front and around the facility;
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a fresh, inviting entranceway and reception which makes the first fifteen steps for visitors so much more inviting and open;
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the opening of the external elevator has allowed residents and staff the opportunity to take numerous outings and strolls in the park;
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Introduction of fun shirt Fridays is bring a lot of colour and a fun environment for all.
Staff Profile: Aina Fernandez, Administrative Officer
It is always good when you find your home away from home, and our administrative officer Aina Fernandez believes she has found just that at the Halwyn Centre.
“I remember when I moved from Dubia to Australia, I felt there was something missing as I didn’t have family with me.
“I was very lucky to find an administrative role at The Halwyn Centre, as it provided me with that family atmosphere which I really needed in my life.
“As I am the first person that people see when they come to Halwyn, I ask them how can I help?
“I see my role as providing customer service and support to everyone, to the whole community, the staff, residents and their families.
“If they have a question and I don’t know I will try and find out for them. It is important to show everyone the same level of kindness.”
And, her colleagues are also singing Aina’s praises as well:
“Halwyn is so very grateful to have Aina. The contribution she makes ensures we are providing those we serve with the highest quality and kindest care.
“As an individual, while not a direct caregiver, she is significantly enhancing the quality of life of the residents and the care provided to families, her fellow staff and all other stakeholders of Halwyn.”
Staff Profile – Geraldine Horan, Nurse Unit Manager
When you ask Halwyn Centre Nurse Unit Manager Geraldine Horan what is important in life or the care being provided to residents her answer is clear.
“It is about being kind to people and showing humanity to others. “For all of us at the Halwyn Centre, it is about ensuring that our residents have a good day everyday!. “Our residents here are very special, very resilient people. 
“We are grateful for the support of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which allows us to provide care that gives residents a greater opportunity to live their best life. “Our staff go out of their way to support our residents, collectively they want what is best for Halwyn and its residents.” When asked what advice she would give her younger self her motto in life is so true: “You are never stronger than when you arm yourself with your weakness.”
Congratulations to Trish!
Our Nursing Director at the Halwyn Centre Trish Turner was one of a handful of Community and Oral Health staff who graduated with a Graduate Certificate Health Science (Health Service Innovation) from the Queensland University of Technology recently.
Keep an eye out for local staff excellence award ceremonies coming to a facility close to you. Throughout October, there will be a procession of award ceremonies to highlight 26 award recipients and one very special award.
- Brighton Health Campus
- the Oral Health Centre
- Caboolture Community Health Centre
- North Lakes Health Precinct
- Caboolture Satelite Hospital
- Chermside Community Health Centre
- Queensland Children’s Hospital Oral Health Clinic
- Stafford Dental Clinic
- Cooinda House.