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Who we are

We provide support and care

Enabling residents of the Mid-North Coast to live independent lives and participate in community life.

our mission

We are committed to providing competent, personalized, holistic care to people of all ages in an environment that promotes dignity, integrity and respect for cultural and linguistic diversity and social differences

This service is dedicated to promoting quality of life by supporting clients in maintaining the optimum level of independence and lifestyle in their homes for as long as possible.

Lawn bowls

At NSW Home Support Services we understand the value of independence and living life to the fullest

Our experienced Service Planners develop an understanding of each client throughout the assessment & ongoing service provision process.

The information gathered not only accounts for their physical and general care needs, but serves to develop a story around who they are spiritually, socially and culturally. This dialogue supports our understanding of individual care required based on recipients circumstances and encourages a holistic approach centred around the person determining:

Our team

Meet the Team

Trish Plunkett

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF CARE

Trish is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in the management and administration of community care programs in both the public and private settings and heads the executive management team.

Trish and her family returned to live in Coffs Harbour in the late eighties. Since then Trish has worked in the community setting providing services to the aged care sector of the region.

The history of the Plunkett family in Coffs Harbour dates back to the early 1930’s during the pioneering days of the banana plantation industry in the Korora Basin and they contributed greatly to the development of the Coffs Harbour township.

Today Trish continues to support the local economy through a commitment to employing local people for local jobs providing employment opportunities for hundreds of people over the past 25 years.

Graham Shanahan

GM & FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

Graham is the General Manager and also heads the finance department as the Financial Controller. Graham is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), holds a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) membership status with The Tax Institute of Australia and also holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree majoring in Economics from the University College Cork, Ireland.

Since joining the organisation in early 2013 Graham has overseen significant growth in the business especially during a period of great change within the aged care sector.

On a personal level, Graham loves spending time with his family, coaching soccer to young children, the occasional game of golf and gardening.

Debbie Boon

CLINICAL/ STAFF SUPPORT/ TRAINING/ QUALITY COORDINATOR

Debbie is an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse with over 20 years’ experience in the age care sector as well as private and public hospitals. Her experience has ranged from being a hands-on Carer/Nurse, to community and facility management. Debbie has additional qualifications in Dementia Support as well as Training and Assessment.

Debbie’s philosophy is that gaining a holistic view into the individual needs is key to providing excellent care.

Her role at NSW Home Support Service is to provide to RN and Carer Support out in the community. Deb provides training and support to staff, provides holistic case management to her clients and has a role in regulatory compliance.

Debbie returned to Coffs Harbour 10 years ago after spending 30 years in Tamworth. She enjoys the coastal lifestyle, along with socialising with family and friends in her free time.

Debbie’s local restaurant recommendation is Taste in Sawtell as it has lovely meals with a great atmosphere.

Christine Crook

KEYWORKER

Christie started with NSW HSS 6 years ago as a Home Support Worker and has transitioned into a Key Worker role for the past three years.

Christie assists in Case Management, WH&S procedures, event planning and scheduling, along with some administrative duties. Christie has knowledge and understanding in the areas of Community Services, Home Support and Mental Health.

Christie is extremely passionate about assisting and working with people who are vulnerable, ageing and/ or living with a Mental Health condition.

April Austin

Care planner

April’s Aged Care Journey started as an Assistant in Nursing in a small hostel in inland NSW.

She listened to life testimonies, yarns and shenanigans of a life left behind when they moved from their family home. Community Care was the obvious next step for her career, being able to help people to stay at home for as long, as happily, and safely as possible is her passion.

With almost 20 years’ experience working with people of all ages and walks of life, her journey in Aged Care has been the most rewarding. April attained certifications in Aged Care along the way, most recently a degree whilst working within the industry.

Before joining HSS as a Case Manager, her previous positions were those of service coordination and Service delivery in Aged Care.

April enjoys photographing sunrises and landscapes of our beautiful Mid North Coast. She also has 3 beautiful Grandbabies to spoil.

Kristen Rooney

REGISTERED NURSE & CARE MANAGER

Kristen is a Registered Nurse/Care Manager caring for clients from Central Coffs to the northern suburbs and north-Eastern inland villages.

Kristen started her career in nursing 14 years ago as an Enrolled nurse moving into the community Aged care service Transitional Aged Care for several years before gaining her Registration as a Registered nurse.

Kristen has had experience in Medical, Surgical, Day surgery, ICU, Children’s wards and maternity of the hospital however ultimately felt the pull back to a role in the community where she feels she can truly make a difference in the health and well being of the lives of her clients to stay living as safely and independently as possible in their own homes for as long as possible.

Apart from the reward of enabling her clients, Kristen has a particular interest in the areas of Wound Care, Palliative care and the mental health and well-being of her clients.

Personally, Kristen enjoys time with family, her two puppies, in her garden and cooking. She also enjoys soaking up the lived experience of knowledge from her wonderful clients.

Tracy Browning

CARE MANAGER

Tracy’s Aged Care journey started over 15 years ago when she visited her local nursing home while working as a pathology collector and developed a passion for making a difference in people’s lives.

From there, Tracy became accredited by obtaining a Cert III Community & Aged Care, Medication Assistant and became an assistant in Aged Care working at her local hometown nursing home before moving to the Mid North Coast. Since then, Tracy has broadened her skills with different training, study and working in the mental health community, becoming a team leader in a disability role. Tracy is currently studying Enrolled Nursing.

Tracy’s role at NSW HSS is Care Manager, supporting local people with planning, coordinating, and improving client care services while also providing communications with support staff and families to understand clients’ needs within their homes better.

Overall, Tracy finds it rewarding to contribute care and compassion in improving someone’s life.

Jan Simpson

ADMINISTRATION

Our two friendly administration staff are here to take your calls Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm

About us

Discover more

We employ over 70 qualified and experienced staff with a broad range of skills who are committed to providing the highest standard of care. Our team love what they do and are devoted to ensuring that clients are valued, live independent lives and have the opportunity to participate fully in community life.

Founded by Trish Plunkett in 1991, NSW HSS owes its success to Trish’s dedication and desire to make a difference in the lives of others in the community we serve. Trish has always believed that better outcomes of care where possible could be achieved when people are given the choice to be cared for in the familiar surroundings and comfort of their own home.

We are pro-active regarding cultural diversity, using a holistic approach to ensure effective and relevant service delivery or support. We acknowledge that cultural diversity goes further than knowing the values, practises, beliefs and customs of a person. It also relates to one’s religious affiliation, sexual orientation, gender, age and disability status.

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About us

Discover more

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos

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About us

Discover more

We employ over 70 qualified and experienced staff with a broad range of skills who are committed to providing the highest standard of care. Our team love what they do and are devoted to ensuring that clients are valued, live independent lives and have the opportunity to participate fully in community life.

Founded by Trish Plunkett in 1991, NSW HSS owes its success to Trish’s dedication and desire to make a difference in the lives of others in the community we serve. Trish has always believed that better outcomes of care where possible could be achieved when people are given the choice to be cared for in the familiar surroundings and comfort of their own home.

We are pro-active regarding cultural diversity, using a holistic approach to ensure effective and relevant service delivery or support. We acknowledge that cultural diversity goes further than knowing the values, practises, beliefs and customs of a person. It also relates to one’s religious affiliation, sexual orientation, gender, age and disability status.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos

About us

Discover more

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos

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Get in touch

Let’s Talk!

Speak to a member of our friendly team to find out more:
Call us on 1300770118 Mon-Fri, between 8:30am-5:00pm
Or complete the online enquiry form and we’ll get back to you.

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