Meet Kay: A Decade of Disability Support Leadership

Meet Kay, our newest Team Leader at Rocky Bay, with a decade of experience in the industry.  Kay has a background in physiotherapy and is passionate about bringing joy to her team and customers. Kay’s love for inclusiveness and resilience in the disability sector shines through, making her a valuable addition to our team.

Check out her full Q&A below!

What does your role involve at Rocky Bay and describe a typical day?

If I could describe in a sentence, my role is almost like being a magician. A wizard of tasks, magically turning chaos into coordinated efforts, occasionally pulling rabbits out of a hat plus working with the audiences and make sure they don’t pull out other tricks of their own! Haha!

A typical day is having a chat with the team as soon as I walk in, setting expectations and plans we have for day. A coffee with the customers before I start getting ready for the fun filled emails and deadlines plus working together with the various teams at Rocky Bay.

Tell us more about your previous experience?

I am a physiotherapist by education, arrived in Australia under a work holiday visa as a backpacker – then made the decision to stay here permanently.  I started in disability sector by being a lifeskill trainer, which is similar to support worker but more task specified. 10 years later, I am now a Team Leader.

What do you love most about your role?

First, the fact that my presence makes a difference in the lives of my team and customers. Second, the idea of being able to make someone smile with my decisions.

What do you love most about this sector?

The inclusiveness and resilience!

Breaking down barriers and making sure everyone can actively participate regardless of their abilities. Witnessing the resilience of those facing challenges often humbles me and inspires me, plus the opportunity to contribute to improving their quality of life makes it a rewarding.

What do you love to do in your free time?

Over the weekend its usually a day trip to somewhere new for a walk or something, on a normal day I enjoy cooking and listening to podcasts.

Fun fact! I am also a certified STOTT Pilates instructor so I also spend some time watching videos and practicing them.

What are three things you can’t live without and why?

The trickiest of them all!

1. The fam – my parents and siblings are back in Malaysia, without them or their support it would have been a tough road.
2. Caffeine – protects my sanity really. Haha
3. Travels – I often take this time to disconnect, reflect and set priorities for myself