Behind the Name Badge | Kylie - Finding Her Calling, One Chat at a Time

Kylie, Personal Care Assistant with Shirley

From the moment you meet Kylie, you can tell she’s someone who radiates warmth, humour, and heart. But her journey to becoming a Personal Care Assistant at Carinya wasn’t a straight path, it was one built on love, resilience, and a life full of rich experiences.

For over 20 years, Kylie worked in hospitality before stepping into a management role at Holden Customer Relations for six years. But her passion for helping others had been simmering beneath the surface since childhood. Raised by her grandparents, Kylie spent her early years caring for them through illness, an experience that deeply shaped her sense of compassion. “I always wanted to work in a hospital environment,” she says, “but I didn’t think I was smart enough. I literally went to school to socialise.”

Then COVID hit, and everything changed. With redundancy at Holden and a newfound chance for reinvention, Kylie finally gave herself permission to follow her heart. “I researched everything,” she says. “I didn’t want to do nursing or night shifts I love my sleep too much! But I studied Individual Support through Chisholm during COVID and realised there were so many options.”

A friend suggested doing a placement at Carinya, where she had helped feed her father-in-law. Kylie was hesitant at first; it felt a long way from her home in Berwick, but after one eye-opening placement at another facility, she took the leap. Two weeks at Carinya sealed the deal. “I contacted Kate and she said yes! I was so excited!”

Soon after, Kylie and her family moved to Nyora, and with zero hesitation, she joined the Carinya team and has never looked back. “Here I am, a super green tree change it was, and I will never look back. Thank you, Carinya. What a change in life, what a great life!”

A typical day for Kylie starts early, but not before a stop at the coffee shop. “It’s a necessity,” she laughs. From there, it’s straight into handover, making sure she’s up to date with all the residents. Her mornings are filled with showering, dressing, changing, cleaning, and most importantly, making residents feel seen and cared for. “They only see us for part of their day, and we have to make it special,” she says.

Despite a full and often fast-paced day, Kylie tries to make time for one-on-one chats, the kind that can lift a spirit or spark a smile. “We’re their world,” she says simply.

Her most rewarding moments often come at the end of life care, when she’s been able to support residents and their families through incredibly vulnerable times. “I lost my mum young and thought of death as horrible, but I’ve learned it’s just life. We’re all going to go through it, and I’m here to make that journey more compassionate.”

Outside of work, Kylie is known as “that Mr. Men person on Facebook” the one who always has at least one holiday booked (or four). Whether it’s Pilates, caravanning, concerts, wine festivals, or spending time with her beloved animals (cats, dogs, alpacas, cows, ducks, you name it), Kylie fills her cup with joy, laughter, and connection.

And if you’ve worked with her, you’ll know one thing for sure: she loves a chat. “Unfortunately,” she grins, “everyone knows me in and out because I can’t help myself!”

There’s one thing not many people don't know, though: how she met her husband of 30 years. “It involved a post office, a DJ, a blonde in an HR Holden, and a fake road-crossing incident,” she laughs. “He pretended to run me over. We’ve been hooked ever since. Two kids, two grandkids, and one high-maintenance me!”

That’s Kylie. A heart-led carer, a joyful storyteller, and a reminder that sometimes life’s greatest chapters begin with a little courage and a whole lot of heart.