Re-imagining seniors living: How Liza is building community, connection and care at Woolooware Shores  

When Liza Fox started as Village Manager of Woolooware Shores in 2022, it was on the cusp of change. Since opening its seventh stage, and on its way to the eighth and final, the waterfront seniors’ living village has continued to flourish - and so has Liza’s passion for creating a meaningful community. Read on to discover how this people-focused leader is making a real difference at Anglicare.

 
Small moments with big impact 

When you think of seniors’ living, it’s likely a certain image comes to mind: rows of small yet homey brick units, 5pm dinners and the occasional bingo night. You certainly wouldn’t picture Woolooware Shores, Anglicare’s luxurious waterfront retirement community in the heart of the Sutherland Shire.  

Countering these misconceptions was one of the key reasons why Anglicare first built Woolooware Shores in 2006. Now, coming up to 20 years, it’s clear they’ve succeeded in reimagining how retirement living looks and feels. The village boasts a bustling social calendar and state-of-the-art facilities, but the key to its success is undoubtedly its team.  

No one embodies this better than Village General Manager Liza Fox. Leading by example, Liza shows her team what’s possible when personal values, genuine care and a dedication to helping older Australians live their best lives align. 

“I have a passion for people at all stages of their life, but probably most of all, a desire to see older Australians live their very best lives,” says Liza. “Working in my local community was also really important to me, so I love that this role gives me an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the residents here.” 

Since joining us in December 2022, Liza has watched Woolooware Shores and its residents continue to flourish. She’s seen the village expand its offerings, welcoming hundreds of residents, establishing 24/7 onsite care and preparing to open Heirloom, the first-ever waterfront dining experience offered within a seniors living community. Still, what Liza values most about her role is the day-to-day interactions with residents. 

“The great thing about village life is that there are so many activities. I go to all the calendar events - baked dinner night on Tuesday, happy hour on Friday - and most days, I try to walk through the cafe and touch base with the people there. It’s just such a beautiful time to sit down and have a chat with them.” 

Service at heart  

Liza has devoted her career to serving people. She has an extensive background in human resources at big corporations and Christian ministries, and she even spent some time as a school chaplain! Though each role has been vastly different, they have all helped Liza hone her passion for nurturing human connection. 

“Whatever stage of life somebody is in, they love to know you care enough to spend time with them. That’s what makes people feel like they are known and that they matter. One of the great things about working in this environment is that our residents have more time, so there is the opportunity to sit with them and hear their stories and be part of that. That's really exciting.” 

In Liza’s view, building genuine relationships and creating a sense of belonging for both residents and her team are key in her role. Her people-focused and servant-hearted leadership ensures the team at Woolooware Shores thrives. 

"Community is the heart here. When we talk about community, we're not only referring to the residents, but also to the team. The two go together to make something special. 

“The main part of this role is to build an amazing community for them to live in, where they feel like they matter and belong. I believe that in order to deliver that, we need to have a team that also feels like they matter and belong. We’re always working towards that purpose.” 

Professional development and team culture are important to Liza. She has fostered a “one team” approach where staff support each other to better serve residents, and she actively encourages internal promotion and growth opportunities. 

“We're really big on saying, ‘If you want to go for that role, we're going to put you forward. We're going to train you and come alongside and mentor you to be able to do that.’ It's been an absolute blessing for us to see a number of positions filled by people from within the team.” 

A family feel 

Although Woolooware Shores is still an independent living community, the level of care that Anglicare’s team provides is unparalleled. Shifting to 24/7 operations in July 2024 has given residents and their families greater peace of mind. 

“We talk a lot about aging in place and what that looks like in our villages. It’s recognising that while people might come into Woolooware Shores as independent, they may not stay independent their whole time with us. By setting up an on-site, around-the-clock care team, we’re providing residents with people who they know and trust, and who can help tailor their care plan as their needs shift and change over the years.” 

This is why, for Liza, it’s important that anyone who joins the Anglicare team has an innate passion for making a difference in people’s lives and wants to be part of a close-knit community where you feel as much care as you give. 

“We work in our residents’ homes, so it makes sense that they’re naturally curious about us and want to get to know us. I would say that’s why people want to come and work here. It’s like a family. Lots of people actually recommend their family members to come and work here - we have lots of married couples on the team!” 

As the village prepares to open its final stage and new restaurant, Liza is excited about what it means for the people and team members who call Woolooware Shores home. 

“It’s really heartening to watch Woolooware Shores continue to flourish as it grows. The community here is amazing, and as we welcome more residents, our team will continue to expand to serve them. There’s a lot to look forward to.”