Karen Robinson
Acting CEO
As Acting Chief Executive Officer, Karen brings a strong track record in governance, compliance, quality and leadership across complex care and education environments.
For more than a decade, Karen successfully founded and led a not-for-profit organisation, building it from the ground up and delivering sustainable impact for the community. She has also driven major transformation projects in large organisations, strengthening compliance, streamlining operations, and embedding cultures of accountability and respect.
Karen holds postgraduate qualifications in management and governance together with sector-specific training in disability, aged care and community services. This blend of leadership experience and practical qualifications in the caring sector underpins her commitment to high-quality, compassionate care.
She is passionate about supporting staff, residents and families, and is focused on listening carefully, responding transparently, and working collaboratively to guide the organisation through this important chapter.
Karen is dedicated to honouring the trust placed in the organisation by residents and their families, while ensuring staff are supported to deliver the very best care each day
Clinical Manager
Karen Farrington
Administration Manager
With over 30 years experience spanning finance, agriculture, hospitality and aged care, Karen brings a grounded, community centred perspective to her role.
After starting her career in finance, she spent 11 years running a dairy farm in regional Victoria—an experience that taught her resilience, strategic planning, and balancing competing demands. She then moved into hospitality, working 17 years at Kyneton Bushland Resort in guest services and operations.
In 2017 Karen transitioned into aged care in Ballarat, advancing from support roles to Lifestyle Coordinator and earning her Certificate IV in Ageing Support and Leisure & Health. In December 2020 she joined John Curtin Aged Care as Admin & Support Coordinator, later becoming Administration Manager.
In 2023 she commenced a traineeship in community sector management, completing her Advanced Diploma in September 2024. Today, as Operations Manager, she works alongside the CEO and Board to ensure all aspects of the organisation, from staffing and compliance to resident care, align with our values.
Deeply rooted in the regional community and drawing on her farming background, Karen is passionately committed to the wellbeing of our staff, residents, and the broader Creswick community.
Ross Waddington
Organisational Development Manager
Coming from a background of caring for aging family members in both their and his family homes, Ross was drawn to a career in health and human services sector now exceeding 50 years working throughout Australia in acute, sub-acute, mental health, community health, primary mental health, plus localised and national aged care services.
Specialist areas of interest saw Ross gain and apply knowledge and experience in health services management ranging in size from small rural through to national corporate organisations including Clinical Education program evaluation, health planning and architecture, facilities design, and project management.
Guided by a system wide perspective, Ross’ formal and ongoing education over a 40-year period provided detailed understanding of support services, business management, health economics, and healthcare quality systems culminating with a Master of Health Administration though research.
Application of Ross’ skills and experiences have included roles in operational management, industrial relations, education, corporate governance, community engagement and executive management.
Throughout his career, Ross has applied change management techniques fundamental to meeting and maintaining improved care within health, human and aged care services and readily shares with his colleagues his many experiences of aged care, but none more so than those stemming from his early childhood experiences.
Finance Manager
Mahi Christoforou
Environmental Services Manager
