Michael Fitzpatrick

Walter founded Palm Lake Group over 48 years ago and continues to provide vision and direction for the organisation.

Scott joined Palm Lake Group as a business partner more than 25 years ago and has continued to work to make Palm Lake one of the leaders in over 50’s Living and Aged Care across Australia.

Michael is an experienced Chartered Accountant and Company Director. He joined KPMG in 1976 and was with the firm until his retirement in 2013 including 25 years as a Partner. Michael was a registered tax agent and registered company auditor whilst at KPMG providing audit, tax and business advisory services to large private companies and large family groups.

Since his retirement from KPMG Michael has accepted a number of statutory Board, Advisory Board and general advisory roles across a number of industries including Retirement, Health and Aged Care, Construction, Transport and Manufacturing.

Daniel is an experienced figure in the Aged Care sector, boasting over 20 years of experience across not-for-profit and private organizations in Australia. Daniel’s career spans the entirety of aged care services, ranging from home care to retirement and residential aged care, across diverse geographic landscapes.

Daniel’s influence extends beyond operational roles; he was a founding board member of ACCPA (Aged and Community Care Providers Association), instrumental in the merging of ACSA and LASA to establish the sector’s new peak body. Prior to this Daniel was a board director at Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA).

Delivering strategic solutions across a multitude of business demands, Simon is a former Senior Executive at NAB and ANZ with extensive experience as a Finance and Business consultant. During a career spanning 40 years Simon has held a variety of roles in the Business, Corporate and Institutional market segments across a broad range of industries. Simon sits on a number of private client boards and undertakes finance and business consultancy assignments.

Rob is an experienced banker with over 50 years banking experience with National Australia Bank in the sectors of Business Banking, Major Client Group, Corporate Banking and Credit Control. In the various front line positions, he specialised in lending & banking services to many segments including business services, manufacturing, healthcare, mining and property development and investment as well as specialised products & services for mergers and acquisitions, leveraged lending, cash flow lending and plant and equipment financing. Rob held the position of Senior Credit Executive for Queensland responsible for credit approval and control across the business and corporate segments. Rob joined the Palm Lake Advisory Board in 2017.

Luci is an experienced Company Secretary specialising in corporate governance and legal compliance disciplines. Luci has cultivated a deep understanding of the aged care sector having worked in executive-level positions across a number of large aged-care providers in South Australia. Luci has an extensive background in governance and compliance management and has successfully guided governing bodies through complex regulatory reforms. Luci completed her Bachelor of Laws at the University of South Australia, and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Australian National University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“Hello, I’m Hayley Alagiah, and I am honoured to serve as the Customer Experience Support at Palm Lake Care. With over 17 years of dedicated experience in aged care, I have had the privilege of working in various roles, including personal carer, nursing, administration, and rostering, and now in customer experience.

I am committed to assisting clients through their journey, from the initial enquiry about care to admission and beyond. My passion lies in making a positive impact on the lives of our residents, ensuring they always feel valued and cared for.”

Trish Heke has dedicated her life to aged care, beginning her career in 1980 as a personal carer at just 15. Her journey through various roles over the years has shaped her into a compassionate and empathetic leader. For the past 17 years, Trish has held senior positions in Quality, Governance, and Operations, always advocating for the well-being of elders.

Trish’s passion for aged care and her commitment to positive change are evident in her approach. She believes in being part of the solution and works tirelessly to ensure the best outcomes for residents, their families, and our dedicated staff. With a wealth of knowledge and expertise, Trish is not afraid to have difficult conversations and challenge the status quo, always with the goal of improving care and support.

Despite the many challenges and changes in the aged care sector, Trish’s belief in the dedication and hard work of aged care staff remains steadfast. She deeply values the compassion and commitment shown by those who care for the elderly, and her leadership reflects her genuine warmth and empathy.

Hello, I’m Melissa Ostrouhoff, the Clinical Governance Manager (CGM) for Palm Lake Care. I am a Registered Nurse (RN) of 30 years’ experience. I have worked in many arenas as an RN, but have to say, that aged care is the one I have found to love the most, as it is one in which we can build true relationships and truly get to know, and help, individuals.

I have a true passion for quality, and best practice, care and services; and specialise in developing frameworks and processes to support staff knowledge and practice, which in turn will support quality of life for our residents.

As the CGM I get to work with all levels of staff and residents, listen to their feedback, and work to continuously improve on how we do things, so that they are meeting the needs and preferences of our resident and the ever-changing world.

In my personal life, I am a proud mum to three grown children, enjoy spending quiet time with my husband, crafting, and caring for our semi-rural property in the Gold Coast hinterland region.

Hello, I’m Russell Middleton, and I work at Palm Lake Care as the Hotel Services Coordinator. My career began in the bustling hotels and restaurants of London and the UK, before I moved to Australia to continue my journey. For the past 10 years, I have dedicated myself to aged care, starting as a Chef Manager, then advancing to a Group Chef role, and now serving as the Hotel Services Coordinator. In this role, I mentor and support not only the kitchens at Palm Lake Care but also the housekeeping and laundry departments.

I work closely with the heads of these departments to ensure we consistently deliver exceptional service to our residents. Through open discussions with our residents daily, as well as during our monthly food focus and residents’ meetings, we strive to meet and exceed their expectations. I am passionate about making a positive impact on the day-to-day lives of our residents, ensuring they feel heard, included in fundamental decisions such as menu planning and special events, and most importantly, truly cared for.

Outside of work, I love taking long walks along the beach and watching my children play their chosen sports.

Daniel is an experienced figure in the Aged Care sector, boasting over 20 years of experience across not-for-profit and private organizations in Australia. Daniel’s career spans the entirety of aged care services, ranging from home care to retirement and residential aged care, across diverse geographic landscapes.

Daniel’s influence extends beyond operational roles; he was a founding board member of ACCPA (Aged and Community Care Providers Association), instrumental in the merging of ACSA and LASA to establish the sector’s new peak body. Prior to this Daniel was a board director at Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA).