Coffs Harbour Masonic Village GM Joane Ciesiolka ready for aged care challenges

‘You don’t solve a problem by sitting on the fence complaining’: New leader wants money invested back into residents as aged care faces challenges.

Joane Ciesiolka is the new General Manager for RFBI Coffs Harbour Masonic Village which has just completed a major redevelopment. Coffs Harbour aged care. Photo: Tim Jarrett

Ahead of the critical vaccine rollout across aged care, a Coffs Harbour facility is looking to build on the success of their new redevelopment with a change at the top.

Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution has chosen Joane Ciesiolka as general manager for their Coffs Harbour Masonic Village on Mackays Road.

In November, works on the $4 million redevelopment of the Coffs Harbour Masonic Village were completed and included a new residential unit, hairdresser, cafe and dining area.

Ms Ciesiolka found aged care almost by accident after moving to a small community and taking up an activities officer role in much smaller facility 10 years ago.

While co-ordinating activities and engaging with residents was a “lovely introduction” to aged care, it wasn’t long before Ms Ciesiolka took on the role of general manager and, using her business background, turned around the facility’s financial fortunes.

Prior to her career in aged care, Ms Ciesiolka worked in local council, Telstra, NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants, NZ Law Foundation and University of WA.

Seeking a new challenge, and one within the not-for-profit sector, Ms Ciesiolka was delighted to take the reigns at the 61-bed facility.

The newly refurbished RFBI Coffs Harbour Masonic Village.

“I’m delighted to undertake the role of General Manager at RFBI Coffs Harbour Masonic Village and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead,” she said.

“These will not be easy times in aged care, but I believe that you don’t solve a problem by sitting on the fence complaining. You can only fix an issue by stepping up and being part of the solution.”

For Ms Ciesiolka, heading up a facility backed by a not-for-profit like RFBI was a key influence in taking on the role and said while for-profit facilities could have great processes and procedures, money was still being “carved off” to return to stakeholders.

“That (money) must come away from the facility or business as a whole, so regardless of how you dress that up I don’t think that is the best model of care,” she said.

With the move to RFBI, Ms Ciesiolka hoped she could ensure money went back into the facility in the form of staff, training and education – to the benefit of the residents.

The village is also preparing to have residents receive their first jab of the long-awaited COVID-19, though it is unclear when the vaccinations will be rolled out across Coffs Coast facilities.