Taiana Fangupo

Nurse Unit Manager

Garrawarra Centre

“I have been at the Garrawarra Centre for the past 20 years. As the Nurse Unit Manager of Acacia Cottage, I have 30 male dementia-related residents in my care.

I say goodbye to my family at home about 7am and arrive at work to my extended family. I love what I’m doing, it’s my passion. I think caring has everything to do with your heart.  I look at the residents beyond their illness; I look at them for who they really are.  They’re human beings who have a desire to be respected, same as everyone else.

I come from Tonga. We were brought up in a very harmonious place and with different perspectives on how to love people. From that background it’s very easy for me to work with our residents. No matter if we have a PhD or whatever, we still listen to the older people and they are the leaders for us. Given that background I respect the residents.  I look at them as being one of my own.

I would like my colleagues to love me for whom I am.  I basically want to be an example for them. I do what I preach,” Nurse Unit Manager, Garrawarra Centre.