Spending her free time both bird watching and rescuing stray cats, Shanan is clearly a caregiver by nature. For the past 10 years she’s shared her compassion, dedication, and sense of humour with colleagues and participants across Anglicare’s Disability Team on the South Coast.

Surprisingly, Shanan’s career in disability support was not planned. It began when a friend—and fellow Anglicare employee—suggested her skills would be a good match.

“I wasn’t aware I had any skills except my mum-skills,” she laughs.

Before joining Anglicare in 2016, Shanan spent 11 years as a stay-at-home mum raising her two children alongside her partner of now 30 years. During that time, she seemed to master just about everything—growing food, caring for animals, sewing and creating clothing, repurposing household items, practising art and textiles, painting murals, catering for the local swimming club and even helping her builder partner work on the family home.

Looking back, the move seems like a natural fit. Shanan says caring for others has always been part of who she is.

“I have always been in a caregiver role for as long as I can remember, even as a child.”

What has kept Shanan in the role for a decade is simple: people.

“Meeting and supporting an array of people — everyone has a story,” she says.

That people-first mentality has helped make Shanan a highly valued and trusted member of the South Coast team. Her manager describes her as approachable, thoughtful and great company, someone who contributes positively to team culture while never losing sight of the people she supports.

She is particularly recognised for her strong advocacy skills, ensuring every client’s voice is heard and their needs are accurately represented. Whether navigating challenging situations, supporting families or completing detailed documentation, Shanan consistently brings care, persistence and professionalism to her work.

For her own part, Shanan says one of the things she values most is the support of her colleagues.

Reflecting on the past 10 years, she says she is most proud of “working with such diverse clients and Anglicare’s amazingly supportive staff down this direction!”

Motivated in her work to make a difference in the lives of people living with barriers, Shanan finds it rewarding when “clients and families are happy to trust you, and let you into their lives and their homes to help.”

No two days are ever the same in this work, and that’s exactly how Shanan likes it.

“I could start the day assisting someone with personal care, then be cooking for another person, and end the day taking someone out for a coffee or lunch or even bingo! None stop variety! Never boring! Love it!” she says.

And as for the biggest lesson she’s learned over the years?

“Still learning it…”.

That humility, combined with her compassion, sense of humour and genuine care for others, is exactly what makes Shanan such a treasured member of the South Coast team.

Thank you, Shanan, for 10 years of dedication, advocacy and kindness. Congratulations on this impressive milestone and for the lasting difference you make in the lives of clients, families, colleagues and the wider community every day.

To learn more about the support we provide across the region, visit our Disability Services page.