Full circle for Tash at Hayloft

For Juniper Hayloft Residential Manager Tash Keirnan, aged care has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember, introduced to the industry by her mother, who worked as an occupational therapist running lifestyle activities at a local aged care home.

“I was introduced to aged care at a very young age through my mum, who was an occupational therapist running lifestyle activities. I would often bake cakes and slices for the residents and join them on bus trips,” Tash said.

“After becoming a chef and starting my own family, I began working in aged care as the hours were more family friendly, cooking for up to 160 residents. Over time, I explored several other roles and gradually worked my way into facility management. Eventually, I came full circle, becoming the Residential Manager at the same facility where I had originally started as a chef.”

Before joining Juniper, Tash had held a Service Manager position with another aged care organisation, but was ready for something new when the opportunity came along.

“I moved to grow and for a new challenge,” she said, and the role at Hayloft has given her exactly that.

“Being a Residential Manager is the most rewarding and fulfilling role I’ve ever had, while also being busy and, at times, challenging, it gives me the opportunity to connect with residents, their families, and my team every day, making sure that staff feel supported and are able to deliver the highest quality care to residents.”

Tash is deliberate about making that support visible, and wherever possible she is out on the floor alongside her team

“Team morale is high on my agenda, they all work hard every day and need to be reminded that they make a difference,” she said. “We have a gratitude board to let staff know how they are appreciated, and I like to do little things like bake muffins or brownies for the staffroom, Motivation Mondays!”

When asked if there is a moment across her career in aged care that has stayed with her, one story comes straight to mind.

“I had a resident whose family told me, that his wife was end of life at another facility,” she said. “I had no idea he still had a wife. I made arrangements, and within a few days she had been transferred to my facility, he was able to spend a week sitting by her side, holding her hand, before she passed away. It was a privilege to be able to do something so beautiful.”

Working so closely alongside residents and their families has also changed the way Tash thinks about her own life.

“Working in this environment has made me appreciate every day and live life in the moment,” she said. “I just love going away in my caravan and enjoying the simpler things in life.”

At Juniper, she says, she has found an organisation that really reflects the values it talks about.

“Juniper is one of the most supportive companies I’ve worked for, they live and demonstrate their values,” she said. “My team at Hayloft is amazing, they’ve been so welcoming, and I am very proud to be leading such a caring team.”

Away from work, the thing Tash is most proud of is her family.

“I have an amazing husband, three children, two perfect granddaughters, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and a daughter-in-law to be. They are my everything.”