Cottage Homes chief executive to depart after 19 years

After 19 years as chief executive of Narrogin’s Cottage Homes, Julie Christensen has announced she will step down once a new chief executive is appointed. Ms Christensen took leave for 12 months last year with Sharon Bryce stepping in as acting chief executive while she was away. But after returning in February, Ms Christensen has now decided to retire from the role. Offering one of the largest residential and community housing services in the southern Wheatbelt and specialising in caring for seniors, Cottage Homes has been operating in Narrogin since 1963. Today, the village includes a 36 bed ageing-in-place facility, a 14-bed secure dementia wing and 64 self-contained units. Ms Christensen said she was “incredibly proud” of the team’s achievements during her time serving as chief executive. “It has been an honour to lead Narrogin Cottage Homes over the past 19 years and to serve the Narrogin and districts communities,” she said. “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished as a team on behalf of our residents, tenants and employees as we developed and enhanced aged care services in the region, especially in the areas of dementia care.” While serving in the role, Ms Christensen oversaw substantial growth at Cottage Homes. Since 2002, resident numbers have risen from 26 to 50 while the number of staff members serving has grown from 28 to more than 70. As chief executive, she has also overseen the development of a secure dementia wing, known as the Maxwell wing. Named in honour of Robert Maxwell and his 30-plus years of service at the home, the Maxwell wing focuses on using best practices to create a safe environment for those living with dementia. Despite her departure, Ms Christensen said the centre’s future looked bright. “I believe that the future of dementia residential services glows with a positive energy for our region and that Narrogin Cottage Homes will continue to invest in dementia services through staff training and environmental modifications,” she said. “I have the utmost confidence that Narrogin Cottage Homes will continue to be one of the leading examples of quality aged care service in regional WA. “It has been my great privilege to work with an exceptionally dedicated and skilled team of staff, managers and board members who over the years have provided vision and practical interpretation to the strategic goals of the organisation. “I am exceedingly grateful for all of the long hours and hard work Narrogin Cottage Homes employees have put in to build the organisation.”