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Reflections from the 2023 Employee of the year

Last year’s Employee of the Year, Kelina Tokunai, says the prestigious award has made her even more determined and driven to be the best that she can be.

The Lifestyle Coordinator at Andrew Kerr Care Community has a framed photo of herself holding the award while standing alongside CEO Andrew Kinnersly and Board Chair Raelene Thompson at the AgeWell Awards Ceremony at Melbourne’s iconic Federation Square in November last year.

“Whenever I feel like I am struggling, which let’s face it we all do from time to time, I look at the photo and it realigns my thoughts and gives me that added boost of motivation to keep going,” says Kelina, who counts that moment on the stage as the pinnacle of her career.

“Just knowing that the organisation has pinned its faith on me with the award encourages me to continue giving 120 per cent of myself to the role. I would never betray the trust that Uniting AgeWell has in me, I would never let them down.”

Kelina, who was “totally blown away” to be honoured with the award, remains grateful that Uniting AgeWell continues to support and provide resources for the initiatives she is involved with. “It’s wonderful to have the backing of the organisation in the intergenerational program and other new lifestyle programs that I am busy with,” says Kelina. “It makes me feel appreciated and valued.”

She also wants to stress the importance of team work, and that she is able to function by being supported by others.

Kelina, who has been in aged care for over 30 years says her heart and soul is in the industry.

She is passionate about the Herd Intergenerational Program and the concept that it takes a village to raise a child – it mirrors the way she grew up. She was raised in Papua New Guinea and later moved to Frankston, where she grew up surrounded by a big family. Her own little village of love.

Her heroes remain her late grandparents. They gave me my identity,” she explains. “They enveloped my brothers and I with love, respect and kindness. They told us to overcome obstacles in life and to look for the kindness in others. They were wonderful people who saw a person’s heart – never their culture, creed or colour.”

Kelina says she has also learned much from her late Father’s Pacific Island background. “It is ingrained in me to look after your elders, and to learn from them. That’s something I am passionate about.”