Nine decades of providing care from one family
“I’ve grown up within these walls,“ said Amanda Collins, whose Mum remembers being able to bring her children into Sundale Palmwoods Garden Village Care Centre in Queensland's Sunshine Coast, during the summer holidays.
Amanda, her mother Sue Kropp and grandmother Kathy Himstedt have given nine decades of service to the Not For Profit.
Kathy started her career at Nicklin Lodge, Sundale's birthplace, in the rural town of Nambour, also in the Sunshine Coast, in 1978, as an assistant supervisor and cook. She retired 24 years later as lead cook at Palmwoods Garden Village Care Centre.
Now she regularly volunteers at Palmwoods.
“Volunteering allows me to give back to an organisation that has given me so much,” Kathy said.
“The connections I’ve formed with the residents and the wisdom they’ve shared with me are invaluable. I feel privileged to still be a part of this community.
“I feel a great sense of pride in my daughter and granddaughter for choosing Sundale to further their careers.”
Her daughter Sue started work with Sundale in 1995 and has worked across a range of roles, from caregiving to administrative duties, over nearly three decades, She now works as the roster coordinator at Palmwoods.
Sue’s daughter Amanda, began at Sundale as a personal care assistant, working after school and on weekends, before being offered a scholarship to become an endorsed enrolled nurse.
Having devoted 18 years of her life to Sundale, Amanda’s dedication to Sundale extends well beyond her time caring for residents.
“Sundale residents have seen me in my debutante and Year 12 formal dresses, watched me graduate high school and complete my studies, and celebrated with me when I fell pregnant with my son,” Amanda said.
“Now, my son loves coming to visit and telling me who his favourite residents are.”
Sundale chief executive officer Cameron Taylor said the significance of having three generations of the same family working for Sundale reflected the organisation’s commitment to fostering a nurturing community for both residents and team members.
