Fiona Burns is the Head of Seniors Services – South Coast, where she leads a diverse portfolio of residential aged care services with a strong focus on inclusion, innovation and community connection. With over 20 years of experience in health and aged care, Fiona is a passionate advocate for culturally safe care and workforce wellbeing. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving co-designed initiatives that celebrate diversity and embed cultural responsiveness into everyday practice. Fiona’s work is grounded in values-based leadership and a commitment to empowering both staff and residents to thrive. She has presented at national forums on topics including workforce engagement, inclusive leadership, and consumer-centred care. Fiona holds masters level qualifications in health and management, and is known for her collaborative approach and ability to translate vision into action. She is proud to share the story of Farmborough’s cultural transformation as a model for sector-wide change.
Care for every culture: embedding diversity and inclusion
Precis
In early 2025, a courageous conversation at Uniting Farmborough Residential Aged Care sparked a transformative cultural shift. A Nepalese team member shared their experience of being subject to racism directly from residents and family members, prompting Liam and the leadership team to reflect deeply on how to create a more inclusive and culturally safe environment for both staff and residents. What followed was a co-designed, grassroots initiative that redefined how culture is celebrated, understood and embedded in daily care.
This abstract presents a case study of the Farmborough’s Caring With Culture Committee —a continuous improvement program commissioned with the purpose of fostering belonging, celebrating diversity, and building cultural/racial literacy across the Home. The committee membership is made up of residents, staff and family members alike. Celebrations included a week-long observance of the Napelese festival, Holi (Festival of Colours) featuring High Tea, South Indian meals, collaborative art projects, Nepalese cultural learning circles, and storytelling opportunities. Since the success of observing Holi, Farmborough has continued with celebrating other cultures including a Philippines Cultural Week and Australian Cultural Week. These initiatives were not tokenistic; they were co-created with staff and residents and grounded in lived experience.
The Committee also introduced structural changes: culturally safe spaces created for staff such as cultural diversity walls and committee group email for confidential escalation. RN offices were relocated to improve visibility and support, and regular committee meetings were established to sustain momentum and gather feedback on other cultures we can celebrate. Resident and team learning circles and leadership workshops reinforced expectations around inclusive behaviour and psychological safety.
Outcomes were both tangible and intangible. Community engagement improved, staff absenteeism declined, and residents reported a stronger sense of connection, acceptance and belonging. The initiative also influenced a strengthened governance process across Uniting, with cultural diversity metrics now tracked and discussed at our regional leadership forums. Most importantly, it shifted the narrative—from compliance to compassion, and from policy to practice.
This presentation will share practical tools, lessons learned, and replicable strategies for embedding cultural inclusion in aged care. It will explore how leadership vulnerability, co-design, and celebration can drive systemic change. The work at Farmborough demonstrates that when we meet the moment with authenticity and courage, we shape a future where every culture is seen, heard and valued.