Faces Of Baptcare #50 | Meet Nilu Morawaka

It’s lucky for Baptcare that the world of high finance was not Nilu’s real calling. A much respected and loved member of the Baptcare community, Nilu makes a positive impact in all that she does, and it seems this has always been the case. “I have been fortunate to work with Nilu twice in my career now. Both times I have worked alongside Nilu when we were involved in some high stakes/crisis situations and she is always a measured and calm leader! I also admire her genuine drive to support her staff, our residents and their families. We are very fortunate that Nilu is part of the Baptcare team,” said Jacinta Duffy, Executive General Manager, Communications and Customer Experience.

Angela Tupaz, Operations Manager, Residential Aged Care supports this view. “Nilu is a gentle yet effective leader. She has a positive outlook and it reflects on how she leads her team. Nilu empowers her team which makes it a pleasure to work with her.”

And the praise just keeps coming, with Belinda Wood, Quality Manager at Baptcare commenting that Nilu is “thoughtful and collaborative in her approach, with a quiet sense of humour and a wonderful smile.”

You can read more about the incredible Nilu below.

In light of our recent celebrations of Aged Care Employee Day, can we start by asking what it means to you?

Aged care employees are very special. They work tirelessly to provide essential care to support our older citizens. This is a good opportunity to acknowledge their hard work, boost their morale and strengthen  relationships.

What is your current role and what does it involve day to day?

I am on secondment as the Divisional Manager for Residential Services and Operations until December 23, 2023. My day-to-day involvements are to support our leaders to ensure we deliver the best care and services to our residents, provide coaching and mentoring to Residential Aged Care (RAC) leadership teams, lots of meetings, planning and reporting, and overall, assist our teams in achieving our organisational strategic goals.

How long have you been working within your current team at Baptcare?

I joined Baptcare on the 17th of February 2022. The best decision that I ever made.

What do you like about working at Baptcare/in your area?

I feel psychologically safe at Baptcare. I feel comfortable, supported and confident in expressing myself without fear of negative impact. Baptcare is like my second family. Everyone is so kind, caring and supportive. We spend most of our time at work, and it is essential to be happy at work.

If you had a magic wand and could change one thing within the aged care space, what would it be?

Create a more compassionate and equitable society where our seniors can age with dignity and peace of mind. Then we can remove the red tape and have more fun in aged care.

Did you always want to work within the caring space, and what are some other jobs you’ve performed in your career?

I worked in one of the top banks in Sri Lanka but when I migrated to Australia in 2002, I wanted to pursue nursing.  So, I did my Bachelor of Nursing and then a Master of Health Administration.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

In Sri Lanka, it is not about what you want to be. It is what your parents want you to be. It usually is a doctor or an engineer. I did science subjects but couldn’t get into medical college. Banking is also a reputed job there, and then I became a banker.

Your career change from banking to nursing is very interesting.

What made you/inspired you to pursue a nursing career? (ed. I’m thinking that nursing and finance are polar opposites in life!)

When I came to Australia, it was a good opportunity to rethink what I wanted to do and what career would give me the most job satisfaction. After careful consideration, I decided to join the health sector and loved every bit of it and learned so much. I worked at the Austin Hospital, The Northpark Private Hospital and some afterhours supervisor roles in aged care. When I decided to work full-time in aged care, my theatre nurse friends said I was wasting my knowledge. They didn’t understand that aged care is a specialty and you need to be more skilled to be in aged care.

How many years did you practice as a nurse before going into the nursing administration side of things?

I was in clinical roles for seven years before I became a Residential Care and Services Manager.

How has your previous banking career helped you in your current job?

Having a financial background when you work in leadership is beneficial. Most nurse managers tend to focus on clinical outcomes and not financial sustainability. It is so important to have that balance.

Can you tell us 2 surprising things about yourself?

I have a 23-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter.

What is the last book or TV series you watched?

I am currently reading a book gifted to me called ‘Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond’ by Ajahn Brahm. I don’t watch TV series because I can’t keep up with the episodes. My favourite channel is the Food Channel, but my cooking skills are limited.

What does an ideal weekend involve for you? Or What do you do to relax/unwind?

I love to spend my weekend hiking, bike riding or gardening. When the weather is not ideal for these things, I like shopping.

What are some of the best hikes you’ve done?

I am not a professional hiker, but I love it! I have done a few hikes, including Yellow Gum Circuit, Blue Lake Circuit, Plenty River Loop, and others in Plenty George, Belmore Falls and Grampians National Park.

What hikes are on your ‘bucket- list’? (ed: I did the Three Capes hike in Tasmania a few years ago – just heavenly!)

I googled Three Capes hike, and it looks stunning. It is now definitely on my bucket list!

Do you have a favourite quote or motto in life?

The only way to do great work is to love what you do – Steve Jobs.

How would your friends describe you?

Funny, caring and easy-going.

Do you have a mentor or idol? OR if you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why?

I admire Michelle Obama for her inspiring leadership, resilience and determination. She is also known for her passionate advocacy, particularly in youth empowerment, healthy living and education. She is also a skilled communicator with high emotional intelligence to connect with her audience.

Do you want to be part of Baptcare’s outstanding workforce? Read more here!