About RSL LifeCare - Retirement Villages

About RSL LifeCare 

RSL LifeCare is a large, charitable organisation committed to providing for the needs of 

veterans and all Senior Australians. With 5,000 residents and community care clients plus 

1,500 staff, RSL LifeCare provides a wide range of aged care, community care and 

retirement living services. 

The organisation is a public company limited by guarantee. The Directors are appointed by 

RSL NSW State Branch. The strong link to the RSL ensures a continuing Veteran focus. 

The Directors bring to the table decades of experience in key areas – Veterans, RSL, Aged 

Care, Retirement Living, Finance, Construction, Business. 

RSL LifeCare is a university affiliated teaching centre for Senior Living with our Dr Tracey 

McDonald, Professor of Ageing – RSL LifeCare and ACU National. 

The Beginning: 

In 1881 the colony of New South Wales began the construction of a fort on Bare Island near 

the mouth of Botany Bay to the southeast of Sydney. It was designed to protect the city‟s 

back door from an attack by the Russian navy or another European force. The bulk of the 

fortification was completed by 1885, however a Royal Commission was conducted in 1890 

into the apparently faulty construction through the use of an inferior concrete mix. The 

commission led to the resignation of the well-known Colonial Architect, James Barnet, who 

was blamed for failing to properly supervise the work. Bare Island was manned for years, 

but by 1902 improved weapon technology meant that the artillery on it had largely become 

obsolete and it was decommissioned. 

The fort was located on a windswept island reached via a wooden bridge at the end of a 

track running down from the tram terminus for the La Perouse line, which was completed in 

1902. It was a long way from any real social contact with the rest of Sydney society. 

On 18 October 1911 at a meeting at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, a group of men and women 

formed themselves into a committee to organise a home for ageing ex-soldiers of the British 

Empire who were living in poverty. The new home would be located in an old fort on Bare 

Island, Botany Bay, and was simply to be known as “The Veterans Home”. At 3:30pm on 2 

July 1912, on the Parade Ground of the Bare Island Barracks, the Governor-General, Lord 

Denman, officially opened The Veterans‟ Home. The local press gave the event favourable 

coverage and reported that seven residents had been gradually settled into the Barracks. 

In order to gain admittance to the Home, applicants were required to have served in the 

regular naval or military forces of the British Empire before 1 January 1885 (although special 

cases might also be admitted). They also had to have been a resident of New South Wales, 

and to present evidence of their honourable discharge from the service and other references

as to their good character. They would be expected to help maintain the residence and 

contribute a weekly sum of 5 shillings (increased to 7 shillings and sixpence by the 1930s) 

from their pensions. The residents dressed in donated uniforms of a navy blue coat with 

brass buttons, navy blue pant with a red stripe and a peak cap. They spent time practising 

their marching and were often in demand as a Guard of Honour on various formal occasions 

such as ANZAC day, Empire Day and Armistice Day. In 1912 residents only possessed a 

communal organ in the dining room (owned by the Superintendent), but in the 1920s a piano 

was added to provide music for themselves as well as for visiting concert performances. 

Residents during the 1930s were a mixed group consisting of veterans from the Sudan, 

North-West India, Boer War and Great War plus some who had simply served in the old 

NSW permanent forces.

Our Focus

RESIDENTIAL CARE 

Now it’s our turn to look after you 

BYRON BAY – Patrick Bugden VC Gardens 

BALLINA – Florence Price Gardens 

HAWKS NEST – Myall Lodge 

GALSTON – Mark Donaldson VC House 

NARRABEEN – RSL ANZAC Village 

- Peter Cosgrove House, Catalina, Connie 

Fall, Kokoda, Milne Bay, Phyllis Stewart 

Tobruk, Wirraway 

NOWRA – Jonathan Rogers House 

PENRITH – Governor Phillip Manor 

PICTON – Queen Victoria Gardens 

WAGGA WAGGA – Remembrance Village 

YASS – Thomas Eccles Gardens 

R E S I D E N T S A N D C L I E N T S 

RETIREMENT LIVING 

For the no-so-retiring 

AUSTRAL, LIVERPOOL – Tobruk Village 

BALLINA – Ex-Services Village 

CHERRYBROOK – Cherrybrook Gardens 

CHERRYBROOK – The Lakes of Cherrybrook 

GALSTON – Rowland Village 

NARRABEEN – RSL ANZAC Village 

- ANZAC, Birdwood Monash, Churchill, 

Colooli, Coral Sea Court, Cutler, Darby 

and Joan, The Dardanelles, East Gardens, 

Endeavour, Friendship, Lantana, Lawrie 

Goss, Northern, Simpson of Gallipoli, 

Villers Bretonneux 

RICHMOND – Kingsford-Smith Village 

TEA GARDENS – Tea Gardens Grange 

WAGGA WAGGA – The Grange Lifestyle Village 

YASS – Linton Village 

Our Services 

COMMUNITY CARE 

LifeCare @ Home 

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY 

Canberra 

NORTH COAST 

Tweed Heads, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, 

Ballina, Lismore, Casino, Yamba, Grafton, 

Coffs Harbour 

RIVERINA 

Wagga Wagga 

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS 

Yass 

SYDNEY 

Northern Beaches, Northern Sydney, 

Hornsby, Ryde, Western Sydney, 

Blacktown

RSL ANZAC VILLAGE 


GENERAL MANAGER 

ANNE KAUFFMANN 


o Peter Cosgrove 

House 

o Catalina 

o Connie Fall 

o Kokoda 

o Milne Bay 

o Phyllis Stewart 

o Tobruk 

o Wirraway 


AND GROUP HOTEL 

SERVICES 


GEORGE MAIN 


o RSL ANZAC 

Village 

HOTEL SERVICES 

o Group Catering 

o Group 

Housekeeping 

o Bars, Coffee 

Shops and 

Bistros 

OTHER 

RSL sub-Branch 


NORTHERN REGION 

MATTHEW ASHBY 



o Ballina 

o Byron Bay 

o Tea Gardens 


o Ballina 

o Byron Bay 

o Hawks Nest 

o Lismore 


o Tweed Heads 

o Byron Bay 

o Ballina 

o Lismore 

o Casino 

o Yamba 

o Grafton 

o Coffs Harbour 

Organisation Structure – 1 of 2 

SOUTHERN REGION 


ELIZABETH JENKINS 


o Wagga Wagga 

o Yass 


o Nowra 

o Picton 

o Yass 

o Wagga Wagga 

CENTRAL REGION 


KAY RICHARDS 


o Cherrybrook 

(Lakes) 

o Cherrybrook 

(Gardens) 

o Galston 

o Austral 

o Richmond 


o Galston 

o Penrith 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER – RON THOMPSON, AND DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE – CAROLYN KWOK 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 


REGIONAL MANAGER 

PAULINE COOPER 

o LifeCare @ 

Home 

– Northern 

Sydney 

– Western 

Sydney 

– Riverina 

– Southern 

Highlands 

– Canberra 

o Therapy & 

Lifestyle Centre

FINANCE AND 

INFORMATION 

TECHNOLOGY 


MARK BROADHEAD 

FINANCE MANAGER 

o Coralie Tawa 

IT MANAGER 

o Trevor Sherwood 

BILLING MANAGER 

o Steve Carberry 

PAYROLL MANAGER 

o David Stalder 

WORKPLACE 

RELATIONS 


JANE BRADY 

LEARNING & 

DEVELOPMENT 

MANAGER 

o Renee Hissink 

ACFI AND DEMENTIA 

MANAGER 

o Kathy Hochkins 

EMPLOYMENT 

RELATIONS MANAGER 

o Michelle Smith 

WORKPLACE 

COMPLIANCE MANAGER 

o Martha 

Hutchinson 


PROPERTY 


CRAIG LONGMUIR 

MAINTENANCE MANAGER 

o Norm Stocks 

LANDSCAPING SERVICES 

MANAGER 

o Bruce Norris 

LAUNDRY MANAGER 

o John Woerde 

Organisation Structure – 2 of 2 

PROPERTY 

DEVELOPMENT 


MARK OWENS 

o Building and 

Development 

o Project 

Management 

o Construction 

OTHER 

REGIONAL MANAGER, 

NEW RESIDENTS – 


o Carolyn Broadfoot 

REGIONAL MANAGER, 

NEW RESIDENTS – 


o Helen Funnell 

MANAGER, QUALITY 

ASSURANCE 

o Debbie Hawkins 

CHAPLAINCY 

o Tony Bradford, 

Bob Durbin 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER – RON THOMPSON, AND DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE – CAROLYN KWOK 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

RESEARCH AND 

UNIVERSITY 

AFFILIATION 

PROFESSOR OF AGEING 

o Dr Tracey McDonald 

RESEARCH ASSISTANT 

o Frances Russell



BALLINA – FLORENCE PRICE HOUSE 

Executive Care Manager – Pam Osborne 

Hotel Services Manager – Anne Myers 

BYRON BAY – PATRICK BUGDEN VC GARDENS 

Village Manager – Michelle Dwyer 

HAWKS NEST – MYALL LODGE 

Regional Manager – Kay De Mestre 

Village Manager – Lorraine Steers 



For the not-so-retiring 

BALLINA – EX-SERVICES VILLAGE 

Retirement Living Manager – Anne Myers 

TEA GARDENS GRANGE, TEA GARDENS 

Regional Manager – Kay De Mestre 

Village Manager – Julie Woolard 

GENERAL MANAGER, NORTHERN REGION – MATTHEW ASHBY 

Northern Region 



LIFECARE @ HOME, NORTH COAST 

Regional Manager – Gonda Delaney 

Tweed Heads/Gold Coast – Lyndia Rennie 

Ballina and Byron Bay – Gwyneth Fuller 

Lismore – Bev Green 

Casino and Kyogle – Carmel Jillet-Innes 

Yamba – Janene Fisher 

Grafton – Pattie Iredale 

Coffs Harbour and Nambucca Heads – 

Brenda Bale



NOWRA – JONATHAN ROGERS HOUSE 

Village Manager – Barbara Commins 

PICTON – QUEEN VICTORIA GARDENS 

Village Manager – Glenda Wood 

WAGGA WAGGA – REMEMBRANCE VILLAGE 

Village Manager – TBA 

YASS – THOMAS ECCLES GARDENS 

Village Manager – Linda Daniels 




WAGGA WAGGA – THE GRANGE VILLAGE 

Village Manager – Kirstie Clark 

YASS – LINTON VILLAGE 

Village Manager – Linda Daniels 

Retirement Living Coord. – Tamara Reynolds 

GENERAL MANAGER, SOUTHERN REGION – ELIZABETH JENKINS 

Southern Region 



LIFECARE @ HOME, SOUTHERN REGION 

Canberra – Christine Hughes 

Riverina – Dorothea McCorquodale 

Yass – Linda Daniels



GALSTON – MARK DONALDSON VC HOUSE, 

GALSTON 

Executive Care Manager – Karin De Vos 

PENRITH – GOVERNOR PHILLIP MANOR, PENRITH 

Village Manager – Xolani Maloi 

Care Manager – Michelle Miller 




AUSTRAL – TOBRUK VILLAGE 

Village Manager – Jacob Squillacioti 

CHERRYBROOK – THE LAKES OF CHERRYBROOK 

Village Manager – Leesa Jones 

CHERRYBROOK – CHERRYBROOK GARDENS 

Village Manager – Leesa Jones 

GALSTON – ROWLAND VILLAGE, GALSTON 

Village Manager – Monika Thomas 

GENERAL MANAGER, CENTRAL REGION – KAY RICHARDS 

Central Region 



LIFECARE @ HOME, CENTRAL REGION 

Northern Sydney – Pauline Cooper 

Western Suburbs – Pauline Cooper



PETER COSGROVE HOUSE – Gaynor Griffiths 

MOSMAN TRUST– Carolyn Washington 

GROUND AND LOWER GROUND 

Manager – TBA 

CATALINA, MILNE BAY – Ruth Fitzgerald 

CONNIE FALL – Linda Boydle 

KOKODA – TBA 

PHYLLIS STEWART – Julie Bywater 

TOBRUK – Michele Lettoof 

WIRRAWAY – Erris Mullins 

GENERAL MANAGER, RESIDENTIAL CARE, 


– ANNE KAUFFMANN 





– Patti Page and Cecilee Georgeson 

ANZAC 

Birdwood Monash 

Churchill 

Colooli 

Coral Sea Court 

Cutler 

Darby and Joan 

The Dardanelles 

East Gardens 

Endeavour 

Friendship 

Lantana 

Lawrie Goss 

Northern 

Simpson of Gallipoli 

Villers Bretonneux 

GENERAL MANAGER, RETIREMENT LIVING, 


– GEORGE MAIN 

RSL ANZAC Village 

SUPPORT SERVICES 

CATERING AND CLEANING – Jonathan Ames 

LAUNDRY – John Woerde 

MAINTENANCE – Norm Stocks 

LANDSCAPING SERVICES – Bruce Norris 

NEW RESIDENTS 

– Kerrie Bailey, Suzie Haas, Truus Toia 

VILLAGE OFFICE – Coralie Tawa 

THERAPY & LIFESTYLE CENTRE 

AND VILLAGE NURSING 

– Sarah Totney

MAJOR ROD WHITE, (retd), AM, RFD, MAICD 

Chairman 

Rod was born in 1946 at North Sydney and is a First Fleet 

descendant. He was raised and educated in Chatswood. 

On leaving school he followed family interests into the 

building industry completing his apprenticeship as a 

carpenter and joiner. Concurrently, he enlisted in 1964 in 

the Army Reserve with the 17th infantry Battalion, later 

volunteering for the Regular Army as a National 

Serviceman serving for nearly 3 years. He was posted to 

the 9th Battalion and then with the 3rd Battalion Royal 

Australian Regiment in the Vietnam War, as an Infantry 

Corporal and a Mortar Fire Controller. 

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Directors 

After Vietnam, Rod returned to the building industry, reenlisted 

in the Army Reserve and was subsequently 

appointed a commissioned officer. His postings included, 

Second in Command - Sydney University Regiment and of 

the 17th Infantry Battalion. He was appointed a Member 

of the Order of Australia (Military Division) for his service 

to the Australian Army Reserve and awarded the Reserve Forces Decoration. Rod retired 

with the rank of Major. 

In his civil career, he held diverse appointments with a focus on building materials, at BHP 

Lysaghts, Babcock & Wilcox, Monier and CSR Ltd. He is a former Chairman of the NSW 

Construction Industry Training Advisory Board. 

Within the RSL, Rod has had extensive experience including sub-Branch President, State 

Councilor, Trustee of the Welfare & Benevolent Institution, Director of the ANZAC House 

Trust plus several other key appointments. He has been State Honorary Treasurer since 

2004 and a member of the board of RSL LifeCare since 2002, Chairman since 2004. For 

his service to the RSL and the broader Ex Service community, Rod has received the 

Australian Centenary Medal and been appointed a Life Member of the RSL of Australia. He 

is on the Board of the Army Museum of NSW Victoria Barracks Paddington and is on the 

executive of Regimental committees. 

Besides his involvement with veteran welfare, Rod maintains a keen interest in corporate 

governance, Australian military and social history and is a regular lawn bowler. At home, 

Rod enjoys the company of his wife, Judith White OAM, a retired nurse and they try to keep 

up with the adventurous exploits of their son, David.

BILL RIDDINGTON MAICD 

Deputy Chairman 

Bill has over 30 years experience in Retirement Village 

development, marketing and management. He has been 

a successful CEO/Managing Director of companies 

associated with the day-to-day management of villages 

and has been associated with the Retirement Village 

Association since its inception in 1988, going on to be 

State President as well as serving a term as National 

President, before being awarded Life Membership of the 

RVAA in 2007. 

Bill has been a member of the NSW Retirement Village 

Consultative Committee to the NSW State Government as 

well as serving on the Housing Committee of the NSW 

Council on the Ageing. He was a Special Advisor to the 

RSL LifeCare Board from 1997 until elected to the Board 

in 2001, becoming Deputy Chairman. Bill serves on 

various Board Committees, namely Strategic Planning and 

Development and the North Coast Advisory Committee. 

Bill is also a licensed Real Estate Agent and Strata Manager. 

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Directors 

Bill is a committed family man, married to Carmel with five children and (currently) three 

grandchildren. His sporting interests include walking, swimming and golf – and he enjoys 

his daily dawn walking „patrol‟ of the northern beaches. He was awarded the National Medal 

for Service in 2004 for over 15 years continuous Patrol Service at Queenscliff Surf Club.

13 

Directors 

LIEUTENANT COLONEL GRAHAM KELLS (Retd), MC, BCOM(ECON), FAII, AFAIM, 

PSC, MAICD 

Director and Treasurer 

Graham was educated at Manly Boys High School and 

after being awarded a Commonwealth scholarship, 

Graham attended University before entering and 

graduating as an infantry officer from the Royal Military 

College Duntroon in 1969. He served as a platoon 

commander with 3 rd battalion RAR in which he was 

awarded the Military Cross in Vietnam after a nine hour 

battle against a numerically superior North Vietnamese 

regular force entrenched in a heavily fortified bunker 

complex. He subsequently served as a company 

commander in 2 nd /4 th battalion RAR where he deployed 

his company group to defend the Butterworth Air Base in 

Malaysia in 1978. Graham also served in Germany and 

Oman with British forced in the 1980‟s and is a graduate 

of the Army‟s Command and Staff College. 

Graham was the Commander of the Army‟s Logistic 

support Group and the Senior Staff Operations officer of 

the Field Army prior to leaving the Army for a career in 

financial services in 1987 where he took up an 

appointment as Senior Manager Customer and 

Transaction Services with ANZ Funds Management. He was the Chief Manager, Customer, 

Transaction, Information and Human Resources services at CBA Financial Services in the 

mid-1990‟s before he became the NSW State Manager of SMA Consultants, consulting 

actuaries and superannuation specialists. Before retirement, he had his own small company 

PSP Solutions Pty Ltd, consulting in actuarial and superannuation services. 

Graham is on the Investor Committee of a major mortgage fund, has been a Trustee of the 

Mosman ANZAC Memorial Trust for 15 years, Vice-President of Mosman RSL sub-Branch 

for 20 years and has been a director of RSL LifeCare since 2001. 

Graham has spent all his adult life involved with returned servicemen and women believing 

they are the most deserving and most neglected sector of the community. He believes they 

deserve to be respected, heard and cared for in their last years for the service and sacrifice 

they have given their country. He enjoys sport playing golf, following the Wallabies rugby 

team all over the world, enjoys cricket and takes a keen interest in the maintenance of the 

family home and environs. A committed family man, happily married to Christine, he has 

two sons and a daughter with two grandsons. He believes in the philosophy that life is to be 

lived to the full without a moment wasted - “lead, follow or get out of the way”.

DON ROWE, OAM, MAICD 

Director 

Mr Don Rowe, State President of the RSL (New South 

Wales Branch) joined Armidale RSL sub-Branch in 1971 

becoming Vice President of the sub-Branch in 1975 and 

was elected the position as President in 1977. He went on 

to be New England District Council Delegate in 1975 and 

Vice President from 1981 to 1984. Don was elected New 

England State Councillor from 1984 to 1994 and State 

Vice President Northern Country from 1994 to November 

2003. He took up the position as State President of The 

Returned and Services League of Australia (New South 

Wales Branch) in November 2003 to the present day. He 

also holds the title of Deputy National President being 

elected in September 2005. Don was awarded the Medal 

of the Order of Australia in 1997 for his services to the 

veteran and local community and was granted RSL Life 

Membership in 1990 

Mr Rowe is chairman and member of many State Branch 

committees and outside committees of ex-service 

organizations including director of RSL Life Care since 

2003. 

Don resides in Armidale with his wife Sally and their five children. 

14 

Directors

MR BOB CROSTHWAITE, OAM, BE, DIP AG, DIP IT, MAICD, JP 

Director 

Bob is the fourth son of a Pioneer family within the 

cattle industry, on the far North Coast of New South 

Wales. He was educated at Murwillumbah High 

School, followed by attendance at an Agricultural 

College from which he graduated. 

It was at this time that the Commonwealth 

Government introduced National Service, therefore 

Bob commenced a period of twelve months as a 

National Serviceman, followed by a period of three 

years as a regular soldier, serving in Malaysia as 

Peacekeeping for two years, then twelve months in 

Vietnam, being discharged from the Defence Force in 

1970. 

It was upon discharge Bob took an interest in 

Engineering which he completed a BE and entered the 

Building Industry. Bob also has a Diploma in Ag 

Science. He is a JP and a Member of the Institute of 

Company Directors. In his spare time enjoyed IT for 

which he holds a Diploma. 

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Directors 

Bob joined RSL NSW in 1970 and became part of the 

Governing body in 1990. He is now Vice President. From within the RSL Bob has served 

upon many committees, which has given him added passion for others more disadvantaged 

than himself. 

In 1987, at the age of 42, his interest in Aged Care within the not-for-profit sector developed, 

again seeking to help others more disadvantaged than himself. Bob‟s knowledge developed 

over time, especially being a Board Member of Age Care facilities and, in particular, RSL 

LifeCare. He has also been in the position of Vice-Chairman and Chairman of other Age 

Care Facilities on the Far North Coast of NSW. 

Bob has been awarded an OAM, and the highest award of the RSL can bestow the 

“Meritorious Service Medal”.

MR BILL HUMPHREYS OAM MAICD 

Director 

Bill joined the Regular Army in 1965 serving in 

South Vietnam with 1RAR, in 1968/69. He spent 

altogether 9 years in the Regular Army and then 

serving another 6 years in the Army Reserve, 

retiring as a WO2. 

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Directors 

Bill joined the RSL on his return from Vietnam in 

1969, as a member of Glen Innes, then Mascot, 

Kiama and Kiama/Jamberoo, where he was Subbranch 

President for 17 years. He was awarded 

Life membership of the RSL in 1992 and the RSL 

Meritorious Service Medal in 2011. He also served 

as President, Secretary/Treasurer of the RSL 

Central Southern District Council for 10 years and he has been an RSL State Councilor from 

2002. 

Bill is a member of Kiama Rotary, holding the office of Sgt at Arms. He was awarded the 

OAM in the Australia Day honors list in 2011 for services to Veterans, and was also named 

as the 2011 ANZAC of the year. 

Bill has served on the Board of the Illawarra Diggers Aged and Community Care Ltd for ten 

years, being elected Chairman for four years where he gained experience in Aged Care. 

Bill has been happily married to Robyn for 42 years and they have lived in Kiama for 32 

years

JIM LONGLEY, BEC, MEC, FCPA, FAICD, FAIM 

Director 

Jim Longley has been in the banking industry for over 

15 years. Initially with Westpac (1980-86) in Sydney, 

London and the US, he is currently Executive Vice 

President Government Banking for the Commonwealth 

Bank of Australia where he commenced in 2000. Prior 

to this appointment, Jim was CEO of one of Australia‟s 

largest aged care organisations, Anglican Retirement 

Villages, following ten years as a Member of the NSW 

Parliament from 1986-96, including three years as a 

Cabinet Minister from 1992-95. As the first Minister on 

Ageing he was responsible for implementing the 

Seniors Card in NSW. 

Jim has been on the Board of several organisations, 

including the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation 

Agency, the Aged Services Association of NSW & 

ACT, the Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine & 

Cell Biology, and a number of government advisory 

groups including for the Aged Care Pricing Review 

and a United Nations Working Group on 

Accommodation for the Elderly. 

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Directors 

His qualifications include Bachelor of Economics (Sydney), Master of Economics 

(Macquarie), Theological Certificate (Moore), FCPA, FAICD, FAIM, (Fellow Certified 

Practicing Accountant, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and Fellow of 

the Australian Institute of Management). 

Jim lives on the northern beaches of Sydney with his wife and two children and enjoys 

swimming, tennis, and music.

Dr Susanne Macri, AM, D.Hon (ACU), FCNA, MAICD 

Director 

Susanne Macri has had many years of experience in 

senior management within the private hospital industry 

as well as being a surveyor with the Australian Council 

on Healthcare Standards for some ten years prior to 

joining the aged care industry in 1987. She has 

represented the aged care industry at a State and 

National level on many committees, reviews and 

ministerial working parties, including the Macri Panel on 

Nursing Home Documentation and Accountability Report, 

the National Review of Nursing Education and the 

National Nursing and Nursing Education Taskforce. 

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Directors 

Susanne was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the 

Australian Catholic University as well as becoming a 

Member of the Order of Australia in 2007 for her 

contribution to aged care, nursing and nursing education. 

Susanne is currently an Associate Commissioner 

working on the Productivity Commission‟s Inquiry into 

Caring for Older Australians (May 2010 to July 2011) as 

well a Director on the Board of The Royal District Nursing 

Service (Melbourne). When not working Susanne 

escapes to her home in Port Macquarie where she catches up with her granddaughter and 

family.

ANNETTE MULLINER, OAM, FCPA, BEc, GRAD DIP ACC, MAICD 

Director 

Annette has been involved with the ex-service community 

for over thirty-five years and is currently the Chief Financial 

Officer and Assistant State Secretary of The Returned and 

Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch). 

Annette has been on the Board of RSL LifeCare since 

2004. 

Annette has completed a Bachelor of Economics Degree at 

Sydney University and a Graduate Diploma of Accounting 

at Monash University. 

In 1996, Annette was awarded the League‟s highest 

honour that can be bestowed on a non-ex service person 

The Certificate of Merit and Gold Badge. In November 

2005 in recognition and appreciation of her services to the 

veteran community she was awarded Honorary 

Membership for Life of The Returned and Services League 

of Australia. 

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Directors 

In June, 2002 Annette was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the 

welfare of veterans and their families through the New South Wales Branch of The Returned 

and Services League of Australia.

RON THOMPSON, BEc, ACA, FCS, MBA 

Clinical Associate Professor, ACU National 

Chief Executive Officer, RSL LifeCare 

Ron Thompson has 20 years general management 

experience in Health Care, Aged Care and Retirement 

Living. Initially training as a Chartered Accountant, Ron 

worked at Ernst & Young for seven years before joining 

a client, Mayne Health and working with them for over 

ten years – in finance initially and then as CEO of 

private and public hospitals including a 400-bed tertiary 

public facility. In addition to completing Chartered 

Secretary qualifications, Ron has completed a Masters 

in Business Administration and was a qualified Aged 

Care Assessor. He is currently completing a PhD. 

A key point in Ron‟s career has been leading RSL 

LifeCare to many awards including two Commendable 

Accreditation results, two Minister of Aged Care Awards 

for Excellence and nine Better Practice in Aged Care 

Awards, as well as ensuring the linkage of RSL LifeCare 

with the Australian Catholic University to achieve 

university affiliation status. 

20 

Executive 

Ron has a strong focus on accreditation and quality 

standards as well as ensuring financial and strategic success of all operations he has 

managed. A key part of his goal for RSL LifeCare is that every village and community care 

centre provides great care and service, but also stands as a living and working „thank you‟ to 

those that served and came home as well as being a living and working memorial that did 

not return. 

At home, Ron is a devoted family man and committed christian, enjoying raising three 

children with his wife, Helen, as well as striving to continually refine his tennis prowess. A 

keen hiker, he enjoys multi-day bushwalking tramps and looks forward to walking the 

Kokoda Track one day with his children.

CAROLYN KWOK, RN, BHA 

Deputy Chief Executive Officer 

Carolyn has 25 years in senior management 

experience in Health Care including 20 years in Aged 

Care and Retirement Living. After gaining experience 

as a Registered Nurse and Midwife, Carolyn 

completed a Bachelor of Health Administration. She 

has managed both single facilities and groups of 

homes before joining the Australian Aged Care 

Association as Client Services Manager where she 

assisted over 25 homes prepare for and gain 

accreditation as well as acting as the appointed Nurse 

Advisor to aged care homes that had failed 

accreditation or did not meet standards. Carolyn is 

also a qualified Aged Care Assessor. 

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Executive 

Since joining RSL LifeCare in 2001 Ms Kwok has 

been pivotal in assisting the organisation to two 

commendable Accreditation results and the commissioning of Peter Cosgrove House – a 

161 bed, University Affiliated Residential Care Home. Carolyn has also overseen the 

expansion of the Community Care programs in Northern Sydney and the Southern 

Highlands. 

With a focus on the delivery quality care services while ensuring financial and strategic 

goals are met, Carolyn was awarded the Aged Care Minister‟s Award for Excellence in 

Management and Leadership. 

In her spare time Carolyn enjoys spoiling her grandchildren, travelling to new and exciting 

places with her husband, singing and gardening.

MATTHEW ASHBY, RN, BBus, GradCert HSM 

General Manager, Northern Region 

Matthew has been a registered nurse for 22 years 

and for the last 12 years has worked in aged care 

management positions in Victoria and Northern 

NSW. After graduating, Matthew worked for a 

short period in the acute sector and then 

completed a Bachelor of Business Administration 

whilst working as a registered nurse in nursing 

homes in Melbourne. Further management 

qualifications have included a Certificate IV in 

Assessment & Workplace Training and a 

Graduate Certificate in Health Service 

Management. 

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Executive 

Matthew is a passionate aged care manager who 

thoroughly enjoys working with staff to enhance 

the lives and wellbeing of all senior Australians. In 

prior roles, Matthew excelled in achieving accreditation whilst managing multiple sites and 

significantly improved the financial performance of services by reviewing and improving 

systems and maximising funding opportunities. 

Matthew has been with RSL LifeCare since 2009 and currently oversees operations in the 

northern part of the state that includes retirement living, residential and community care. He 

is a member of the North Coast Advisory Committee and RSL LifeCare‟s Senior Executive 

and Care and Service Committees. 

Matthew considers it a privilege to provide care to all our older Australians, in particular 

veterans, who sacrificed so much, so that we can enjoy the beautiful country we live in 

today. 

Outside of work, Matthew enjoys the outdoors and keeping his home and gardens in order 

with his wife Linda. Most of his spare time is spent with his three young boys and the 

families‟ recent edition of the long awaited baby girl. Matthew‟s keen interest in sport has 

rubbed off onto his children and so weekends are spent at various sporting events.

JANE BRADY 

General Manager, Workplace Relations 

Jane, as a teenager had aspirations of joining the 

Australian Defense Force Academy, however due 

to being an asthmatic was at that time unable to 

apply, therefore as she had a strong desire to 

serve the community and „make a difference‟, she 

instead went to university to become a registered 

nurse. After working at Royal North Shore Hospital 

in Sydney for a few years, Jane decided that a 

career in human resources was to be her path in 

order to make a difference on a larger scale. 

23 

Executive 

Jane believes that given her interest in military 

service during her younger years, that coming to work for RSL LifeCare was her destiny. 

With a Bachelor of Nursing degree and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource 

Management, along with numerous certificates in employment law and project management 

disciplines, Jane‟s focus these days is continuous improvement through leadership in the 

areas of workplace relations. 

Jane has over 10 years experience in various HR related roles in aged care and the acute 

hospital sector. In terms of aged care industry experience, Jane previously held an 

Employee Relations Consultant position with one of Australia‟s largest national aged care 

providers during a period of rapid business growth. She was headhunted to her previous 

role as Manager, Employment Relations with the Aged Care Association Australia-NSW, 

which involved industrial relations advocacy before state and federal tribunals, union 

negotiations; enterprise agreement bargaining; providing employment relations advice to 

employers and delivering ER education via workshops, publications and speaking at 

conferences. During this role, Jane lead the national advocacy work for the Aged Care 

Industry Employer Associations during the federal government‟s „Award Modernisation‟ 

process and she is proud that this work succeeded in persuading the Australian Industrial 

Relations Commission to recognise the important need for the inaugural national „Aged Care 

Award‟, covering approximately a quarter of a million aged care workers across Australia. 

Jane has also served as an advisory councilor to Australian Business Industrial (ABI) an 

advisory body to the NSW Business Chamber. 

At home, Jane and her husband enjoy family life, particularly the arrival of their baby boy in 

February 2011. Aside from having a passion for beachside holidays in between home 

renovations, Jane and her husband can often be found on weekends perusing Sydney‟s 

north shore garden nurseries admiring whatever is in season! A lover of the outdoors, Jane 

is also a keen tennis player and plays „night comp‟ as a member of the Northern Suburbs 

Tennis Association.

MARK BROADHEAD, CPA 

General Manager, Finance and Information Technology 

24 

Executive 

Mark is a Qualified Accountant CPA and 

joined RSL LifeCare in 2009 with 15 years 

senior management experience. His 

experience covers senior finance roles 

with investment and manufacturing 

companies as well as not-for-profit 

organisations. His most recent role with 

LFG Holdings - the Lowy Family‟s 

investment company, involved the 

management of finance, information 

systems, insurance and corporate 

administration. Included in this role were 

three charitable entities. He also has 

many years experience in Mergers and 

Acquisitions with an emphasis in his skill base being business valuation. Mr Broadhead has 

a focus of systems development combined with corporate governance with the goal of 

continual improvement for both the individual and the organisation. His most recent 

achievement is the successful implementation of an electronic rostering system across the 

organisation. 

In a previous role, Mr Broadhead was involved with the Temora Aviation Museum. The 

museum was established on the site of the 10 Elementary Flying Training school, to pay 

tribute to the Airservice men and women who served in WWII. Mr Broadhead was delighted 

when he became acquainted with Len Marjason, a RSL LifeCare resident who trained at 

Temora during WWII and was a captain at Bomber command, flying 30 missions over 

Europe. 

Having played the bagpipes since the age of 10, a highlight of his year now are the annual 

ANZAC and Remembrance Day services. Here, he can contribute with his pipes, to say 

thank you to those who served Australia during war time. Mark‟s father was a Lieutenant 

Colonel in the Army Reserve and his grandfather served in New Guinea in WWII. With this 

military heritage, Mark considers RSL LifeCare an ideal place to work and „continue in the 

ANZAC spirit‟ 

Mr Broadhead is married with three daughters and loves to go camping and bike riding with 

his family. He is a member of the Balmoral Beach Club and participates in ocean swimming 

events on Saturdays, rain, hail or shine. Mark is also the “club piper” and pipes at the 

biggest race of the year, the Jack Cox memorial trophy. Jack Cox was a club member who 

died on the Burma Railway as a P.O.W. in 1943 and this race is the oldest 1,500m 

swimming race in Australia. Mark also lectures New Testament at the evening bible college 

at his local church, where he has been involved for 15 years.

ELIZABETH JENKINS 

General Manager, Southern Region 

Elizabeth is a Registered Nurse who has held senior 

management positions in the Aged Care Sector for 

over 20 years. She has represented the industry on 

a variety of committees including the development of 

the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) and 

giving feedback to the Aged Care Association 

Australia. She was also the aged care 

representative on the SSWAHS Advanced Care 

Planning committee. With extensive experience in 

palliative care, she has been pro-active in promoting 

and the implementation of Advanced Care Planning 

in Residential Aged Care and is passionate about 

the delivery of quality care to the aged. 

Elizabeth and husband Neville, have 3 boys married 

and a daughter completing medicine. Family life is 

immensely important to them and their five 

grandchildren, give them great joy. 

Caring for an acre of garden in the Southern 

Highlands, and a great passion for reading more than fills her time outside work. 

25 

Executive

ANNE KAUFFMANN, RN 

General Manager, Residential Care 

The granddaughter of a WWII veteran, Anne 

has extensive Aged Care experience with 

over 20 years working at RSL LifeCare in 

various roles. As General Manager of 

Residential Care at RSL ANZAC Village, 

Anne leads the care and service to over 500 

residents and has overseen the 

commissioning of the service and focused on 

leadership and change management, 

ensuring significant improvements in care, 

recreation and at the same time achieving a 

strong financial turnaround. 

26 

Executive 

Anne is a Registered Nurse and has 

completed post graduate studies in Cardiology, Intensive Care, Health Management, 

Business, Assessment & Workplace Training, OH&S and Injury Management and 

Leadership. Anne has a strong quality and research focus and works closely with our 

Professor of Ageing, seeking ways to improve life for our Veterans and develop best 

practice principles for Aged Care. 

Away from RSL LifeCare, Anne is passionate about family life with husband Nic, their two 

sons and large extended family, sharing a love of travel, music and sports. Her other 

interests lie in books, photography and exploring rural Australian history.

CRAIG LONGMUIR 

General Manager – Property 

Mr Longmuir has over 25 years experience 

in the building industry. As well as being a 

qualified Tradesman, he is a Certified 

Building Foreman and Clerk of Works. His 

career has covered all aspects of the 

building industry with experience in both 

domestic and commercial construction, 

estimating and project management. 

Prior to joining RSL LifeCare in 2001, Mr 

Longmuir worked for several years with 

Baptist Aged Care & Community Services 

assisting that organisation with building 

certification compliance. In previous roles 

Mr Longmuir has coordinated property and 

projects throughout NSW and the ACT. 

27 

Executive 

Mr Longmuir‟s focus on quality is exemplified with being a trained Aged Care Assessor. He 

also provides technical expertise in building Certification and BCA compliance. 

Craig‟s special interests include designing and building interactive reminiscence displays for 

residents suffering with dementia. Mr Longmuir is a member of the RSL LifeCare Strategic, 

Planning & Property Development Committee and the Occupational Health and Safety 

Committee and has been part of the RSL LifeCare Executive team since 2002. 

Mr Longmuir is a member of the St Matthews Uniting Church and participates in various 

youth leadership roles. He is married with two teenage children.

MAJOR GEORGE MAIN (retd) 

General Manager – Retirement Living, RSL ANZAC Village 

General manager – Hotel Services 

George has over 30 years of general 

management experience within the 

hospitality industry both military and civilian. 

He joined the Australian Army in 1968 as a 

private soldier and retired in 1996 as a Major 

after having served throughout Australia and 

overseas. In 1988 George was posted to the 

prestigious Victoria Barracks Officers Mess 

at Paddington Sydney as the Secretary, 

Treasurer and Mess Manager to coordinate 

the bicentennial celebrations for the Mess. 

George‟s last military posting was Officer 

Commanding the Headquarter Company 1 st 

Logistic Support Force. 

28 

Executive 

George attained an Associate Diploma in 

Hospitality and senior management training. 

In 1990 while still serving in the Army, George commenced a contract catering company 

which won several large contracts including the catering rights for Canon Australia and three 

large sporting clubs. Sydney Business Review rated the company in the top 10 catering 

companies in Australia. George is also a Chef member of the Association of Professional 

Cooks & Chefs. For the past two years George has held the position of President of our War 

Veterans Sub–Branch and our delegate on the Returned & Services League Manly, 

Warringah & Pittwater District Council. 

George is a devoted family man and has been blessed with a gorgeous wife, three 

outstanding children and five adorable grandchildren. Having recently purchased property at 

Galston his current passion is renovating the house and garden. 

He has a strong customer service focus and is dedicated to improving the lifestyles of our 

veterans and their families.

MARK OWENS 

General Manager – Property Development 

Mark has over 30 years experience in all 

aspects of property development and project 

management specialising in residential and 

aged care developments. Mark is a 

chartered professional engineer with 

qualifications in civil engineering from the 

University of Sydney. He has also 

completed study in real estate and is a 

licensed builder. Mark worked for major 

property development companies before 

establishing his own development company 

and running that for 15 years. 

29 

Executive 

Recently, Mark worked with two major 

construction companies before taking responsibility for all RSL LifeCare property 

development and upgrade works across all villages in 2009. Mark‟s passion is on building 

and managing effective design and construction teams to deliver quality buildings for our 

worthy senior citizens. 

Mark is a committed christian and active member of Holy Spirit Parish in North Ryde where 

he serves on the Parish Council, finance committee, eucharistic minister and many 

voluntary roles. Mark and his wife of 32 years are keen paddlers and can be seen most 

Saturday mornings on their kayak on the waterways around Sydney. Mark‟s three adult sons 

and two daughter-in-laws give him great pride and his granddaughter is the apple of his eye

30 

Executive 

KAY RICHARDS RN, CIC, Cert IV Workplace Training, BHSc (Nursing), GradDipHSM, 

MHSM, FCN, AFACHSM, MRCNA, MAICD 

General Manager, Central Region 

Kay has a diverse and lengthy experience in the health 

and aged care industry in a variety of roles from 

clinician to senior manager, educator, advisor and 

policy consultant. 

Kay‟s most recent position with the Aged Care 

Association Australia - NSW provided her the 

opportunity to represent the aged care industry in a 

number of State and Federal forums and she remains 

the Aged Care Association Australia‟s representative on 

both the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) Industry 

Reference Group and the ACFI Technical Reference 

Group. 

Having only recently joined RSL LifeCare, Kay is 

passionate about nursing and nurses and representing 

their views, specifically advocating the role of the nurse 

and care staff in caring for the aged care resident. 

Kay achieves this through her position as Board Director and Vice President of the College 

of Nursing. Known for her strategic thinking, leadership and decision-making skills, Kay is 

keen to develop her role as General Manager, Central Region and to continue the 

exceptional service provided to residents across the retirement living, residential and 

community care settings of her area. 

Having published in refereed journals Kay is interested in supporting colleagues to actively 

participate in writing to improve the body of knowledge on management and care issues and 

she is a reviewer for the Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management. Kay has presented at 

national and international conferences and consulted internationally on performance and 

quality improvement. 

Between them, Kay and her husband Rod have 4 children and 3 grandchildren. As often 

found with Kay‟s generation, she knew little of her grandfather or father‟s war service but is 

now keenly involved with the service of one son who is an SAS Trooper. Knowing the 

concern her husband has for his son when serving overseas assists Kay in understanding 

the issues that have been so important to many of the residents of RSL LifeCare. Personal 

time is spent with the family and friends.

How the League Evolved 

The Returned & Services League 

The RSL evolved as a direct result of the camaraderie, concern and mateship shown by the 

"Diggers" for the welfare of their mates during and after the 1914 - 1918 War. That ethos of 

compassion and service remains today the motivating influence of the League. Some key 

historical dates in the history of the League are: 

� June 1916 – Conference of Returned Soldiers' Association recommended formation of 

The Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA) 

� September 1916 – First RSSILA Congress (delegates from QLD, SA, TAS and VIC) 

� March 1917 – NSW admitted to the League 

� March 1918 – WA admitted to the League 

� 1927 – Formation of the ACT Branch 

� November 1940 – Name changed to the Returned Sailors' Soldiers' and Airmens 

Imperial League of Australia (RSSAILA) 

� October 1965 – Name changed to Returned Services League of Australia (RSL) 

� September 1983 – Name changed to Returned Services League of Australia Limited 

(RSL) 

� September 1990 – Name changed to Returned & Services League of Australia Limited 

(RSL) 

Role and Objectives 

To serve the interests of its members, veterans, the ex-service community and members of 

the Australian Defence Force, the RSL executes its role by effectively implementing the 

following objectives which are in accord with the League's Mission Statement: 

� Welfare. 

� Advocacy and Representation. 

� Assistance to all veterans and ex-service men and women regardless of their 

membership in the League. 

� Commemoration and Remembrance. 

� Participation in employment Programs for veterans, ex-service members and their 

dependants. 

� Commitment to democratic principles and practices. 

� Provision of a means for members to enjoy camaraderie and mateship. 

� Provision of effective and efficient management of RSL assets and resources for the 

benefit of its members and serving members of the ADF. 

� Act as an effective lobby group to Government and its departments. 

� Provision of moral and active support for the ADF. 

� Provision of a respected and meaningful voice within the community and Australian 

society. 

� Promotion of loyalty and pride which the League has for the Nation, its people, the 

Crown and the Flag. 

31

Supporting the Australian Defence Force 


RSL Standing Policy states that the primary objective of Australia's Defence and foreign 

policies should be to promote Australia's national security and safeguard Australia's vital 

interests. To meet such an objective, the RSL believes that Australia should maintain: 

� regular armed forces (Navy, Army and Air Force elements); to be of a size able to 

operate without additional forces in limited roles, and with additional forces in major roles 

either at home or overseas; 

� reserve forces (Navy, Army and Air Force elements); able to augment the regular forces, 

on callout able to undertake combat operations with minimum additional training, and 

able to be mobilised in times short of war; 

� cadet forces; 

� a national service scheme; in the form of military or civilian service to provide a reserve 

of trained and disciplined manpower; 

� a Defence industry; and 

� a national Defence infrastructure. 

RSL support points of particular significance are: 

� Defence policy should be above party politics. Because of its long term nature, major 

political parties must strive for agreement on Defence policy. 

� The Defence vote should be progressively increased to be not less than 3.5% of the 

Gross National Product. 

� The special nature of service in the ADF should be recognised by the provision of 

adequate housing and financial conditions of service for members and their families. 

� The Navy, Army and Air Force Reserves must be active and essential components of the 

ADF. 

32

The NSW Branch 


The RSL NSW Branch was formed in 1917 and currently has 57,000 members in 420 sub- 

Branches throughout NSW. The State Headquarters is located at ANZAC House, 245 

Castlereagh Street, Sydney. 

Mission Statement 

To provide for the well-being, care, compensation and commemoration of serving and exserving 

Defence Force Personnel and their dependants and promote Government and 

Community awareness of the need for a stable and progressive Australia. 

Objectives 

� Provide effective and efficient management of the League‟s assets and resources for 

the benefit of its members and of the serving members of the ADF. 

� Provide Welfare and Advocacy services to serving and ex-service persons and their 

dependants. 

� Assist all serving and ex-serving men and women in need of support. 

� Provide a support base to encourage future membership of the League. 

� Support the provision of commemoration and remembrance of those who have 

served our Country. 

� Encourage fellowship and mateship for members of the League. 

� Act as an effective lobby group to Government. 

� Provide moral and active support for the ADF by:- 

o Promotion of fair pay, allowances and benefits for ADF personnel. 

o Provision of comfort parcels for ADF members serving overseas by through 

the RSL Australian Forces Overseas Fund. 

o Provision of Honorary membership of the League for the ensuing year for 

members of the ADF returning from operational or peace keeping duties. 

o Promotion of loyalty and pride for Australia, the Crown and the Australian Flag. 

� Co-operation with other ex-service organisations. 

� Support the education of the Australia‟s youth in the achievements of our Armed 

Forces. 

33

CCWA 

STATE COUNCIL 

WOMEN’S AUXILIARIES 

STATE SECRETARY 

STATE BRANCH ADMINISTRATION 

STATE CONGRESS 

SUB-BRANCHES 

YOUTH CLUBS 

34 

STATE EXECUTIVE 

STATE BRANCH COMMITTEES 

DISTRICT COUNCIL 

RSL DAY CLUBS

About RSL LifeCare - Retirement Villages

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