Leaders of Excellence: Melinda Anderson

“It’s seeing the smiles, the comfort and the empathy – that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

At Churches of Christ, leadership is grounded in our values of excellence, compassion, integrity and courage. For Service Manager Melinda Anderson, these aren’t just words – they shape how she leads every day.

In her role at Fair Haven Maryborough Aged Care Service, Melinda focuses on creating a proactive, supportive culture where both staff and residents can thrive. She works closely with her team to build an environment aligned with organisational values, ensuring residents feel empowered to make choices about their daily lives while fostering meaningful connections across the community.

Connection, culture, and care

Melinda is driven by the openness and honesty within her team and the wider organisation. She values the strong leadership support across all levels and the genuine engagement she sees from frontline staff through to senior leaders. This culture of transparency and respect is a key reason she feels connected to the organisation and its mission.

“Connection is a big emphasis,” she says, highlighting the importance of relationships between staff, residents and the broader environment. 

Shared experience is key

For Melinda, some of the most rewarding moments come from bringing people together. Whether it’s celebrating special events or supporting one another through difficult times, these shared experiences create a strong sense of belonging.

“It’s seeing the smiles, the comfort and the empathy – that’s what makes it all worthwhile,” she says.

Melinda describes her team as committed, flexible and deeply supportive – not just of residents, but of each other. This sense of care extends beyond the workplace, as staff rally around colleagues during challenging times.

Values-driven growth

Guided by the values, Melinda is committed to delivering high-quality care while supporting her team to grow. Her leadership style has been shaped by mentors throughout her career and strengthened through opportunities within Churches of Christ, including leadership development programs and stepping into more senior roles.

One of her proudest achievements has been supporting her team to actively shape a positive workplace culture. By encouraging open communication and collaboration, she has seen staff grow in confidence – sharing ideas, solving problems together and creating a more vibrant environment.

“When staff start communicating openly and bringing solutions, you feel the shift,” she explains. “Residents notice it too, and that makes it incredibly special.”

Deep commitment and care

Looking ahead, she is passionate about recognising potential in others and helping them grow. By setting clear goals, providing feedback and celebrating achievements, she aims to create opportunities for development and progression across the organisation.

To stay grounded, Melinda relies on simple but effective habits: taking time to reflect, staying organised, leading by example and keeping her door open.

Above all, she believes in the power of connection and in creating environments where people feel supported, valued and inspired to do their best.