From Community Care to Community Research: Nicola Gearon’s Commitment to the Western Downs

Living on a family grain property with her husband and three children, Nicola says remaining in her community has been central to both her career and her studies.

“Being able to stay in Chinchilla has been the greatest enabler of my participation in university study and associated research,” she said.

 

“We need research that explores the rural context and we need local people who are embedded in rural life.”

For Nicola, supporting older people is more than a profession. Throughout her career she has worked alongside individuals, families and care teams across the region, witnessing both the strengths and challenges of aged care firsthand.

“Working in healthcare and aged care, I feel I have received as much as I’ve given,” she said.

 

“I have had the opportunity to meet so many unique individuals and be a part of their journey for a time. It is also so rewarding to work with other health professionals to achieve outcomes holistically for people that you couldn’t achieve alone.”

Her commitment to improving the lives of older Australians extends beyond her professional and research work. Nicola is also the Support Coordinator for a local Parkinson’s support group, a role that has personal significance as her father lives with Parkinson’s disease (below is a photo of the pair). Through this involvement, she supports individuals and families navigating life with the condition while gaining an even deeper understanding of the importance of relationship-centred care, community support and wellbeing.

That passion has already led to meaningful change in the local community. One achievement Nicola is particularly proud of is establishing a life story program in a local nursing home, helping residents, families and staff strengthen connections and improve care outcomes.

“I started a life story program in a local nursing home and it is now embedded in practice, no longer requiring my input,” she said.

 

“I’m most proud of this, starting something and working with staff, residents and family to achieve relationship-centred care in a way that is sustainable and owned by the people it impacts.”

Nicola’s research is driven by a desire to help ensure older Australians receive the best possible care, regardless of where they live.

“Throughout my career I have seen large disparities in the quality of care offered to older people,” she said.

 

“I’ve seen the good and I’ve seen instances where there is room for improvement. The aged care sector is an exciting space to be in. There is so much room for innovation and progress and it is a privilege to work with and learn from older people.”

While balancing study, work and family life, Nicola has found support through Country Universities Centre Western Downs. The Centre provides a dedicated place to focus on her studies and research while remaining connected to her family and community. Nicola says the ability to study locally has been essential, particularly as a regional student and parent.

Looking ahead, Nicola hopes to see more collaboration across regional communities so that successful approaches to aged care can be recognised, shared and adopted more widely.

“We have organisations and communities achieving amazing quality of care in aged care in our rural areas,” she said.

 

“We need to celebrate that and share with one another to continue to support relationship-centred care and wellbeing for our older people and those who care for them.”

As a healthcare professional, researcher, community volunteer and regional resident, Nicola is helping ensure that innovation, compassion and evidence-based practice continue to strengthen aged care in rural Australia, proving that important research can happen right where it matters most: within the communities it aims to serve.