Belonging, inclusion and support at AnglicareSA
16 May 2025
So much compassion and a place to belong: How five AnglicareSA people have found their fit here.
There are a few things that AnglicareSA people have in common: compassion, resilience and a genuine drive to do good. Here, we’ve found that when you bring people together who really care, something special happens. But don’t just take our word for it! Hear from five of our people as they share how at AnglicareSA, they’ve built relationships that will last a lifetime and found a place where they truly belong.
Legacy in action
Upon the shelves of Clyde Rigney Jr’s office at AnglicareSA sit two precious genealogy books: one for the Sumner family and one for the Kartinyeri. These texts represent more than Clyde’s family history; they symbolise the connection between his important past and the impactful work he’s doing in the present.
“First Nations people and families have experienced a lot here in Australia,” Clyde said. “The areas that AnglicareSA works in-housing, youth services, supporting vulnerable people – there’s a familiarity there for me because I saw it a lot when I was growing up; in my immediate family, extended relatives and people we’d known for our entire lives. It helped to shape and define the type of work I wanted to be in. I found myself naturally gravitating towards it.”
Clyde’s role as Senior Strategic Cultural Advisor – First Nations at AnglicareSA gives him a unique opportunity to draw on his lived experience to create meaningful change. He said having grown up in the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal community in Murray Bridge, SA, his personal history was an important tool as he helped shape AnglicareSA’s approach to First Nations engagement.
“I draw on my own experiences all the time in my work. It’s very much the underpinning knowledge system that guides what I do, how I do it, and how I bring First Nations culture into an organisation like AnglicareSA. The more I do this work, the more I find how values-driven this organisation is. The people sitting around this table are here because they want to be. It’s not just a job – they genuinely believe in what they do for a living.”
Clyde Rigney Jr, Senior Strategic Cultural Advisor (First Nations)
Clyde’s family have profoundly shaped both his identity and his career path. Although his grandparents are no longer here to see his work, their legacy lives on in everything he does.
“I think they would be pretty proud. They never had opportunities to exist in an organisation like this, let alone sit at the table with other leaders and have their voices heard. That’s something I take very seriously.”
It takes a special kind of person to work in our sector. Someone with real compassion and care. Someone like you.
Find your opportunity at AnglicareSA.
Where family matters
Tia Tan finds deep fulfilment in her role as a Home and Community Services Care Worker with AnglicareSA. Having grown into her role through our ‘Train Our Own’ program, Tia has found countless opportunities to support others, while feeling genuinely supported herself.
Tia Tan, Home and Community Services Care Worker
“One of the many things I love about AnglicareSA is that you’re never made to feel bad for having a personal life,” Tia said. “As a mum, I really appreciate that they’re very understanding with my schedule when I need to take time out for my kids. Those sorts of things make it easier for you to do your job. They make you want to stay.”
Similarly, finding work that aligned with her family values was crucial for Jenna Falzon. As a mother of three boys, two of whom have autism, her role as Senior Manager of Autism Services at AnglicareSA perfectly combined her personal experience and professional interests.
Jenna Falzon, Senior Manager of Autism Services
“Anglicare SA has really helped me maintain that work-life balance between being a mother and being successful in my role,” Jenna said. “I have plenty of flexibility to manage my caseload, and if I need to leave early one day to pick up the kids from school and then work some more in the evenings, I’m fully supported.”
A culture of connection
Holidays are meant for gathering with family, sharing traditions and creating new memories. Yet for many people, particularly aged care residents, this time of year can feel especially isolating. While providing around-the-clock care is an expected part of aged care work, when Registered Nurse Rabina Poudel arrived for her Christmas Day shift, the warmth and care she felt were far beyond what she expected.
“Spending Christmas at AnglicareSA was just like a real family Christmas,” Rabina said. “We took the time to celebrate together with our residents and friends, so it didn’t make us feel lonely. It’s like we’re all part of a second family.”
Rabina Poudel, Registered Nurse
The feeling of belonging has become a constant in Rabina’s experience at AnglicareSA, where diversity is celebrated and every contribution is valued.
“AnglicareSA is a very inclusive organisation. They do a great job of rewarding and recognising all the hard-working people here. We all feel looked after and appreciated for the work we do. Those are the kinds of things that inspire and motivate us to work together.”
At AnglicareSA, we have seen time and time again that our peoples’ diverse backgrounds and experiences enrich our ability to serve the community. Emmanuel Vuningoma, our NDIS Team Leader, is one of many who had truly found their place within AnglicareSA’s multicultural and multidisciplinary team.
Emmanuel Vuningoma, NDIS Team Leader
“What makes any organisation great is the people within it. That’s definitely the case for AnglicareSA,” Emmanuel said.
“There are great staff to work with and beautiful people to support; you just need to come into it with a positive mindset and a willingness to learn. The company values will align with most people’s values who are meant for this industry. I’ve recommended several of my friends to work here – I’d encourage anyone to give it a go. I’ve had the best time.”