
Today, on Aged Care Employee Day, RSL LifeCare would like to thank Dolma for working in Aged Care
I am originally from Tibet and came to Australia in 2011. I left my country in 2009, escaping as a young teenager into Nepal and then India. My mum had gone ahead of me with my brother, sister and cousins but I stayed behind with my grandparents because it was too dangerous for us to escape together. Her plan was to come back to get me but it became too risky to cross back and forth, so we were separated.
Life in Tibet was very bad There was no freedom of speech and we lived in fear. I could talk to my mum on the phone occasionally and one day I said to her “I want to get out, whatever it might cost me.” She said, “It’s really dangerous, you might die on the way.” I said “It’s my choice. If I die on the way, I won’t regret it”. I felt like I had nothing to lose.
“I like to do the nails for the ladies or help them with their eyebrows because they love it; everybody likes to look pretty. I love our residents; they feel like grandparents to me.”
– Dolma
By this time mum was in Australia on a humanitarian visa. She started using her network to put a plan in place. Finally it was time. It took about six months in total but the actual escape was two nights and three days of complete terror as I was smuggled through safe houses, over mountains and across raging rivers to Nepal. Finally, I was free. I’ll never forget the moment I was able to phone my mum to tell her I had made it out.
I stayed in India for another year and a half, studying English at the Tibetan School until I was able to come to Australia. When I met mum at the airport we cried and cried because after 5 years we were finally together again.
I’ve been working at RSL LifeCare for three years as a Carer and I love my job. When I have a bit of spare time I always sit with the residents and talk about my story and their story because they love hearing about my life and I love learning about theirs. I like to do the nails for the ladies or help them with their eyebrows because they love it; everybody likes to look pretty. I love our residents; they feel like grandparents to me.
My sister is now at university studying Health Sciences to become a physiotherapist. My brother is at Sydney University studying Civil Engineering and when they have finished I would like to go to University to become a Registered Nurse in Aged Care.
– Liecuo Dolma (known as Dolma). Carer, Kokoda Care Home, ANZAC Village Narrabeen
Blog Posts

3 Mar 2023
Message from our CEO celebrating International Women’s Day
Good morning everyone, Today, on International Women’s Day, we take the opportunity to celebrate the contribution made by the...

6 Jun 2022
Vale Walter Williams OAM
RSL LifeCare staff and residents alike have been deeply saddened to learn of the passing of long – time...

5 May 2022
Giving our nurses a voice to lead
Today, on International Nurses Day (IND) we shine a light on our nursing staff and their vital work. Our nurses...
4 Apr 2022
RSL LifeCare Veteran Services – one team supporting veterans and their families
The delivery of Veteran Services has been core to RSL LifeCare since its beginnings over 100 years ago. Now,...

3 Mar 2022
How the RSL Veterans’ Employment Program helps veterans find work
Transitioning to a different career is not always easy for veterans returning to civilian life. The RSL Veterans’ Employment...
11 Nov 2021
RSL LifeCare Annual Report 2021
I am pleased to advise that the 2021 RSL LifeCare Annual Report is now available. This annual report is...
10 Oct 2021
Rapid Antigen Test kits now available to Aged Care providers.
The Department of Health is offering Rapid Antigen Test kits to aged care providers across NSW in high-risk Local...

8 Aug 2021
Aged Care Employee Day is a day to thank everyone at RSL LifeCare.
7th August is Aged Care Employee Day. This is a day for us to thank every person who works...

7 Jul 2021
World War 2 code breaker Marion Painter features in Sky News documentary
ANZAC Village, Narrabeen resident Marion Painter has featured in Sky News documentary, The Alliance, about her time as a...

6 Jun 2021
Aged care workers should be vaccinated on site.
AGED care provider, RSL LifeCare, have applauded the Australian Government for their decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for staff...

3 Mar 2016
Laughter is the best medicine
Laughter releases endorphins, giving us the ‘feel good factor’ Acts as aerobic exercise and is like ‘internal jogging’ Unleashes...

5 May 2016
A healthy diet for a healthy heart
Valentine’s Day saw people thinking of love and things of the heart and we thought it would be a...

10 Oct 2016
Pets and Positive Ageing
Animals play an important role in our lives. As Community Staff, we are blessed to see the bonds that...

More from the blog
Latest News
George Carpenter’s Inspiring Dedication to Preserving Military History
George Carpenter, an 87 year old resident of RSL ANZAC Village in Narrabeen, has been volunteering at the RSL LifeCare War Museum for three years...
Read moreFrom Stables to Retirement Living: Tim Cooke’s Life Journey
"My journey kicked off when I was just 14 years old. The year was 1963. I waved goodbye to school and hello to an apprenticeship...
Read moreJourney Through 102 Years: The Life of Helen Lea
"My name is Helen Lea, and I've been lucky enough to reach the grand age of 102. I've always felt pretty good for my age....
Read moreHonouring Malaya & Borneo Veterans: A Story of Sidney Peter Bryant
Today, on August 31, we commemorate Malaya & Borneo Veterans Day and take a moment to pay tribute to those who served in the Malayan...
Read moreFederal Government grant awarded to RSL LifeCare
RSL LifeCare has been awarded a $50,000 grant by the Australian Government to support the development of a business case to establish a Veterans’ and...
Read moreRSL LifeCare a finalist in Best Graduate Development Program – Australian HR Awards 2023
August 2023 – RSL LifeCare’s Graduate Registered Nurse Program has been announced as a finalist in the Australian HR Awards 2023, Best Graduate Development Program...
Read moreRSL LifeCare successfully moves to the second stage in becoming the provider for a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in both the Tweed-North Coast region and Queanbeyan.
RSL LifeCare has welcomed the opportunity by the Federal Government to submit a business case to deliver a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in these critical...
Read moreAppointment of Elizabeth Cosson AM CSC to RSL LifeCare Board
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth (Liz) Cosson AM CSC as a Director of the RSL LifeCare Board as of Monday...
Read moreFree laptops give veterans access to employment and education opportunities
RSL LifeCare Veteran Services, in collaboration with Optus and ASI Solutions, are providing laptops to veterans and their families to access education courses and employment...
Read moreMeet Alan Buxton – RSL LifeCare resident and World War II veteran
103-year-old RSL LifeCare resident Alan Buxton has led a life of courage and service. His father served in World War I, and Alan followed in...
Read moreMessage from our CEO celebrating International Women’s Day
Good morning everyone, Today, on International Women's Day, we take the opportunity to celebrate the contribution made by the incredible women of RSL LifeCare and...
Read moreState-of-the-art Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre now open to veterans and their families
RSL LifeCare has officially opened its purpose built, state-of-the-art facility to permanently house the Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre, providing an expanded range of health and...
Read more