a leader with vision

Claire Roach from South West Community Care in Harvey, WA is a finalist in the 2019 HESTA Aged Care Awards

Claire Roach is recognised for leading the expansion of South West Community Care’s (SWCC) services to reach more older Australians in the region.

Joining SWCC in 2006 and quickly progressing to CEO, Claire displayed remarkable leadership in growing the organisation. Her foresight and ability to grow SWCC has brought an improved quality of life to over 1,000 people and their families. Her strength, leadership and industry knowledge has shown staff that problems are just challenges, and nothing is insurmountable.

In 2015 with limited respite facilities, Claire identified a former student dormitory at the Eden Grove Community Precinct as a potential building to expand SWCC’s respite care. Securing funding to transform the building, SWCC opened to its first respite resident in January 2019.

Committed to ensuring that ageing Australians living in rural and remote areas receive the same quality of service as those in metropolitan areas, Claire is seeking seed funding to launch the “Music on the Brain” program. As a qualified psychologist, Claire has had a strong interest in the power of music to assist people suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinsons disease, she sees this as an important service for the local community.