Transforming St Basil’s NSW/ACT Through Visionary Leadership and Compassionate Care
On a warm summer morning in Randwick, the atmosphere at St Basil’s NSW/ACT is alive with a sense of community and care. Residents in the aquarobics class glide through the water in the facility’s indoor pool, while others gather for a festive birthday celebration, swaying to live renditions of classic hits like Roy Orbison’s ‘Pretty Woman’. At the heart of this thriving environment is a team led by Diana Horvatovic, whose transformative leadership has redefined aged care for both residents and staff.
St Basil’s is not merely an aged care provider; it is a community woven with compassion, culture, and a commitment to excellence. Its stunning chapel stands as both a physical and spiritual centrepiece, serving residents from diverse backgrounds and faiths. But the true transformation lies deeper, in the sweeping reforms spearheaded by Diana since she joined the organisation in 2021.
A Journey to Leadership
Diana’s career in aged care began 18 years ago when, as a mother of twin daughters, she felt compelled to answer a government call for individuals passionate about improving the lives of older Australians. “I’ve always had a deep respect for elders,” she reflects. “My career began with a single thought: ‘The elderly deserve the best.’”
Her journey started as a regulator, working with non-compliant homes to meet aged care standards and ensure residents receive quality care. This experience laid the foundation for her tenure at St Basil’s, an organisation she joined during a challenging period marked by compliance issues. Diana’s entry was serendipitous—she was approached by a board member who admired her reputation for turning struggling facilities into thriving communities.
“I came in as a consultant to help address compliance issues,” she recalls. “But what I saw was an organisation with immense potential and a shared sense of purpose. It felt like the perfect fit.”
Rebuilding Foundations
Upon joining, Diana found most of St Basil’s homes were not meeting aged care standards. Instead of quick fixes, she focused on a complete overhaul of governance, operations, and culture. “We rebuilt from the ground up,” she explains. “Our goal was to create a sustainable organisation that prioritised quality care above all else.”
Key to this transformation was investing in the workforce. Diana raised frontline staff salaries to align with industry standards and implemented training programmes that empowered staff to deliver exceptional care. “Without a strong and supported team, you can’t deliver quality care,” she says.
The results speak for themselves. Within three years, St Basil’s achieved full compliance across all its homes, nearly maximum occupancy, and glowing feedback from residents, families, and regulators alike. “We’ve gone from a provider of concern to a trusted name in aged care,” she adds.
A New Era: The Rebranding of St Basil’s
With the foundations secure, Diana and her team embarked on a bold rebranding initiative to reflect the organisation’s renewed vision. Under the new branding, St Basil’s now highlights its three distinct service areas: Residential Care, Community Services, and Independent Living Units (ILUs).
“We wanted our identity to represent the breadth of what we offer and the quality we deliver,” says Diana. “The rebranding is a celebration of our growth and a statement of our future ambitions.”
General Manager of Business Development and Marketing, Georgios Koromvokis, adds: “The facilities were already akin to a five-star hotel. Now, thanks to Diana’s leadership, the services we provide match that standard. Our aim is to become the most trusted aged care provider.”
Defining High-Quality Care
For Diana, high-quality care goes beyond regulatory compliance. “It’s about understanding each resident’s individual needs, goals, and preferences,” she explains. “Aged care isn’t just about meeting standards—it’s about creating a home where residents feel valued and safe.”
Under her leadership, St Basil’s has enhanced its services, offering more outings, community activities, and tailored care. The introduction of culturally and spiritually aligned programmes has been particularly impactful. The chapel, for instance, hosts both Orthodox and Catholic services, ensuring all residents feel included.
“The spiritual component is essential. When His All Holiness visited, the residents were overcome with emotion,” Diana notes, reflecting on the recent visit of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the St Basil’s facilities during his October trip to Australia. “Moments like that highlight the unique role we play in their lives.”
Leading by Example
Diana’s leadership style is as transformative as her vision. She is a visible and engaged presence in every St Basil’s home, walking the floors, speaking with residents, and addressing staff directly. “You can’t lead from an ivory tower,” she says. “Being on the ground is the best way to understand the needs of our community.”
Her hands-on approach resonates across the organisation. “If you don’t have heart, you can’t work in aged care,” she says. “It’s a challenging field, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. The stories, wisdom, and resilience of older people are truly inspiring.”
The Future of St Basil’s
St Basil’s is now poised for growth, with plans for new facilities, refurbishments, and an expansion of services in the coming years. For Diana, this progress is deeply personal.
“I’ve always believed in treating every resident as I’d want my own parents to be treated,” she says. “That empathy is at the heart of everything we do.”
Her passion extends beyond the present. “Succession planning is vital. We’re empowering younger managers and women to step into leadership roles. It’s about building a legacy that lasts.”
“The day I lose my passion is the day I leave aged care,” she says. “This work is too important—it touches all our futures.”
“At the heart of it all, every resident is someone’s parent, someone’s grandparent, and they deserve to feel safe, loved, and valued—just like I’d want for my own family.”
To learn more about St Basil's NSW/ACT, visit their website.
Read also St. Basil’s Aged Care Randwick Hosts Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew During Centennial Tour 2024
