Meet the finalists for RFBI’s 2026 Employee of the Year Award

• RFBI News

Sonia Lim 28 Aug 2026

Behind every great experience at RFBI are people who care deeply about what they do.

As part of the 2026 RFBI Showcase Awards, we’re proud to celebrate four exceptional team members named finalists for the Employee of the Year Award.

This award recognises people who consistently go above and beyond — delivering exceptional outcomes for residents, supporting their colleagues, finding better ways of doing things and helping create positive, joyful communities.

Meet this year’s remarkable finalists.

Anita Johnson – RFBI Armidale Masonic Village

Anita Johnson has been part of RFBI since 2003 and is known as someone residents, families and colleagues can rely on for support, guidance and genuine care.

As Quality Coordinator, Anita plays an important role in supporting the village and mentoring staff. Over the past year, she also stepped into the role of Acting General Manager while continuing her existing responsibilities.

Anita is recognised for her compassionate and person-centred approach, particularly in the way she supports residents and families through difficult situations. Her willingness to go above and beyond, combined with the support and confidence she provides to her colleagues, has made her a trusted and valued member of the Armidale community.

Steffy Baby – RFBI Lake Haven Masonic Village

As a Registered Nurse and Quality Officer, Steffy Baby is passionate about improving the safety and quality of care for residents at RFBI Lake Haven Masonic Village.

In 2025, Steffy identified an increase in resident falls and took the initiative to develop the Falls Watch Project. She created the program, developed resources and educated more than 60 care and nursing staff to help improve awareness and support for residents at higher risk.

The results were significant, with a 38.6% reduction in average monthly falls following the introduction of the project. Steffy’s initiative and commitment to continuous improvement have helped create safer outcomes for residents and made a lasting difference to the village.

Janine Williams – RFBI Retirement Living

Janine Williams is a valued member of RFBI’s Retirement Living team, supporting villages across the South Hub. Having previously spent 26 years with RFBI before returning in 2024, Janine brings a wealth of experience and a genuine commitment to the organisation and its communities.

Janine’s resident-first approach extends well beyond her day-to-day role. In 2025, she helped coordinate the resolution of 179 higher-priority safety items identified across RFBI’s retirement villages and continues to play an important role in improvement initiatives.

She is also a Subject Matter Expert for the rollout of Asset Operate, supporting village teams as they adopt the new maintenance management system. Janine’s can-do attitude, reliability and willingness to help make her an outstanding member of the RFBI team.

Gregory Rumbel – RFBI Kurri Kurri Masonic Village

After 25 years with RFBI Kurri Kurri Masonic Village, Gregory is highly regarded by residents, families, colleagues and management for his commitment to providing outstanding care.

Gregory takes the time to listen to residents and understand their individual wants and needs. With empathy and genuine care, he is always looking for ways to improve their daily experience and quality of life, including working closely with the Lifestyle team and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.

Known for his attention to detail, respect for others and high standard of service, Gregory has also supported and mentored many colleagues. His contribution has been recognised through the Manager’s Award for two consecutive years, along with multiple Service of the Heart Awards.

Celebrating our exceptional employees

Steffy, Anita, Gregory and Janine each demonstrate what it means to put people first.

Whether improving resident safety, supporting families through difficult moments, helping colleagues grow or finding new ways to improve daily life, they each make a meaningful difference to the people around them.

We congratulate all four finalists and thank them for the care, commitment and passion they bring to RFBI every day.

Want to see all of our amazing nominees and finalists? Visit our website to explore the full list of finalists across all categories of the 2026 RFBI Showcase Awards.