Kirstin Thompson spent her childhood in Young and only left in 2001 to pursue a nursing degree at the University of Technology in Sydney.

After graduating in 2003, Ms Thompson began working in management with Amity in Mosman and has continued her passion for working with the elderly by devoting her entire career to it.

“I started in aged care because I wanted to make a difference to the quality of life of our residents,” Ms Thompson said.

In the past, Mercy Care Center and Mt St Joseph’s Nursing Home has been under the one management, but with the appointment of Ms Thompson, the two services are now under separate administration.

In her new role, Ms Thompson will oversee the day-to-day happenings of Mt St Joseph’s home, as well as ensuring her personal goals for the complex are achieved.

“I am working towards making the home part of the community and the community part of the home.

“I want to create a home that gives residents opportunity to be part of the community and continue involvement in their personal interests.

“Since the residents are unable to travel we will work towards bringing the world to them,” Ms Thompson said.

In order to do this, Ms Thompson will find out what the various interests of the 65 residents in the home are and cater to the individual.

Ms Thompson decided to return home to give her children a country upbringing and embrace the opportunity to give back to the community that gave so much to her as a child.

Ms Thompson said she has a passion for nursing, with a desire to do whatever she can to brighten the lives of the elderly, and it is her love, devotion and enthusiasm towards her job that is an inspiration in itself.