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Harbourside Port Stephens Board
Harbourside Port Stephens is governed by a Board of dedicated business and community leaders who volunteer their professional expertise to achieve the strategic goals, purpose, mission of the company.
Raad Richards (Chairman)
Appointed to the Board
Appointed as Chair
Special Responsibilities
Professional Journey
Max Pride
Appointed to the Board
Special Responsibilities
Professional Journey
Geoff Robinson
Appointed to the Board
Special Responsibilities
Professional Journey
Keian Barnard
Appointed to the Board
Special Responsibilities
Professional Journey
Jason Brennan
Appointed to the Board
Professional Journey
Graham Blythman
Appointed to the Board
Special Responsibilities
Professional Journey
Anne Zele
Appointed to the Board
Special Responsibilities
Professional Journey
Executive Team
Our executive team, led by the CEO, executes the company’s strategic vision and oversees operations, ensuring exceptional care and support for seniors is always our priority.
Paul Fitzpatrick
Chief Executive Officer
Key Responsibilities
Professional Journey
Tamara Honeysett
Executive Manager Residential Care
Key Responsibilities
Professional Journey
Felicity Hamilton
Executive Manager Community & Retirement Living
Key Responsibilities
Professional Journey
Cheryl Barnes
Executive Manager Quality & Clinical Improvement
Key Responsibilities
Professional Journey
Leonie Phillott
Executive Manager People & Culture
Key Responsibilities
Professional Journey
Deborah Ermer
Chief Operating Officer
Key Responsibilities
Professional Journey
Our Story
A Legacy of Care and Innovation
For over 40 years, we have been a trusted, local, community-driven organisation dedicated to providing quality, affordable aged care in Port Stephens. Our journey is one of resilience, vision, and unwavering commitment to seniors.
Our Origins
In the late 1970s, volunteers from Nelson Bay RSL’s Meals on Wheels service saw a pressing need for aged accommodation in the Tomaree Peninsula. Led by RSL President Bernie Thompson, the community united to establish Harbourside Haven in Shoal Bay—beginning with retirement villas, followed by a nursing home and a hostel. These facilities were the first of their kind, offering a safe and supportive environment for local seniors.
From the start, our local staff nurtured a strong sense of community, laying the foundation for the compassionate culture that defines us today.
For over 40 years, we have been a trusted, local, community-driven organisation dedicated to providing quality, affordable aged care in Port Stephens. Our journey is one of resilience, vision, and unwavering commitment to seniors.
Our Origins
In the late 1970s, volunteers from Nelson Bay RSL’s Meals on Wheels service saw a pressing need for aged accommodation in the Tomaree Peninsula. Led by RSL President Bernie Thompson, the community united to establish Harbourside Haven in Shoal Bay—beginning with retirement villas, followed by a nursing home and a hostel. These facilities were the first of their kind, offering a safe and supportive environment for local seniors.
From the start, our local staff nurtured a strong sense of community, laying the foundation for the compassionate culture that defines us today.
Diversity & Inclusion
At Harbourside Port Stephens we welcome people of all genders, ethnicities, sexualities, faiths, abilities and interests. We want our residents, clients, staff & volunteers to always feel safe, heard & understood.
Our culture is focused on our commitment to person-centred care and promoting a happy and enjoyable environment where our residents and clients individual choices are respected. Both our workforce and the people we provide support and services to are diverse in race, gender, age, cultural background, language, religion, sexuality, abilities, interests and choices. We respect diversity in the people we support, their families, and with our volunteers and staff. In line with our values, we know that when our people feel respected and valued, we empower them to share that within the communities we serve and to provide the very best care.
Our approach to diversity & inclusion is reflected in our policies and processes and we can respond flexibly to the needs and preferences of people who identify within the range of special needs groups
- People with disability.
- People from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
- People who live in rural and remote areas.
- People who are financially or socially disadvantaged.
- Veterans.
- People who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.
- People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex.
- People who are care leavers.
- Parents separated from their children by forced adoption or removal.
Voluntary Assisted Dying
At Harbourside Port Stephens, we are deeply committed to providing relationship-based care for our residents and clients. This means taking the time to understand what matters to them, supporting personal choice in all aspects of their life, and guiding them through their end-of-life experience.
Our role at Harbourside Port Stephens includes providing access to information and the right external support and resources if residents or clients request Voluntary Assisted Dying as an option for their end-of-life plan.
It is important to note that the Government has now legalised Voluntary Assisted Dying in NSW.
If residents or clients request information about Voluntary Assisted Dying, a confidential conversation will be arranged to provide the relevant information and external resources.
For further information, please speak with our Executive Manager Residential Care or Executive Manager Home Care & Retirement Living or access the resources below.
NSW Health:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/voluntary-assisted-dying/Factsheets/vad-community.pdf
