One family, one home, since 1977
A nursing home that has stayed in the same family for nearly fifty years is a rare thing. The Willows opened its doors in 1977, and the Inbari family has cared for it ever since.
The garden courtyard, set for company. Fifty years in the same family’s care.
The Willows was founded in 1977 by husband and wife Sam & Rachel Inbari, a family endeavour built on compassion, respect and the unwavering belief in the rights and dignity of each individual.
Inspired by the Inbari’s vision, and guided by their heartfelt values, The Willows has grown from a family dream to a cherished place of comfort and care, welcoming each resident into an environment steeped in warmth, tradition and a deep respect for their unique journey.
Rachel and Sam envisioned The Willows as a sanctuary where every resident feels a sense of belonging and purpose. For nearly fifty years, their legacy has remained at the heart of our mission, influencing everything we do, from the way we design our spaces to the way our dedicated team provides care.
Today, we honour their vision by staying true to the values that first brought The Willows to life: compassionate care, dignity and a commitment to each person’s right to live fully and meaningfully. Generations of families have come to trust The Willows, not only as a place of care but as an extension of their own family. We are honoured to carry forward the Inbari legacy, treating each resident as part of our story and our future.
The family behind the home
These photographs belong to the Inbari family, including founders Sam and Rachel, whose care and values have shaped life at The Willows across generations.
Faces you will come to know
In a home this size, the team is not a roster of strangers. This is the leadership team who care for The Willows and the families who call it home, led by Maryann Inbari, who joined the family business in 2013.
Maryann Inbari
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Joined the family business in 2013. Maryann is a purpose-driven leader specialising in aged care operations and financial strategy. Her mission is to translate complex regulatory and financial requirements into meaningful care outcomes that prioritise the wellbeing of our residents.
Melanie McFadden
Facility Manager (FM)
With a robust business background and over eight years in senior aged care roles, Melanie is a passionate HR generalist and financial auditor. Her collaborative leadership style ensures compliance, quality and smooth day-to-day operations at The Willows.
Lisa Lisa
Care Manager (CM)
A qualified nurse specialising in general and geriatric care, Lisa manages the health and wellness needs of our residents, overseeing the registered nurses team with compassion and precision.
Hanee Sanchez
Home Services Manager (HSM)
A qualified chef with over 14 years of experience in hospitality, supported by a Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Resources and an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Hospitality Management. A dynamic leader known for integrity, compassion, precision and the ability to enrich the resident experience while building a positive, culturally inclusive team environment and strengthening staff performance.
Chiara Penaiber
Lifestyle Manager (LM)
With three years as a Personal Care Worker and Medicator, Chiara brings hands-on clinical experience and a Certificate IV in Aged Care to her new leadership role. She designs lifestyle programs that bring joy, connection and cognitive engagement to every resident.
Our culture and values
At The Willows, our culture is rooted in respect, compassion and a commitment to the dignity of every resident. We believe in treating each individual as family, honouring their unique journey, and fostering a community where they feel valued and supported. Our approach is centred on providing not just care, but also companionship, meaningful engagement, and a safe environment where each person can thrive.
Guided by the legacy of our founders, we prioritise quality, integrity and empathy in every aspect of our service. Our team works collaboratively to create a warm, inclusive space, embracing diversity and promoting independence, health and joy. At The Willows, we are a home where every resident’s wellbeing is at the heart of all we do.
The promises we keep
Our goals are the same ones we started with, to care for every resident the way we would want our own family cared for.
Quality of life
Helping each resident achieve the highest quality of life possible, with exemplary nursing care and attention to individual needs and values.
Dignity & respect
Care given with compassion and encouragement, with every consideration for a resident’s privacy, comfort and independence.
Belonging
Supporting autonomy, community connection and cultural respect, so this feels like home in every ordinary, comforting way.
We set out to give every resident a good quality of life, in a home that respects who they are.
Care here is given with compassion, love and encouragement, and with every consideration for a resident’s dignity, privacy, comfort and independence. That is the promise we make to each family who trusts us with someone they love, and it has not changed in nearly fifty years.
How we go about the day
Our goal is a simple one. We want every resident to live as full a life as they can, with exemplary nursing care and close attention to who they are and what matters to them. These are the aims that guide us.
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The highest quality of life
We help each resident reach the best quality of life they can, with skilled nursing care and real attention to their individual needs and values.
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Honesty and quality care
We run the home with integrity, and we care for residents, relatives and staff in a professional, dependable way, every day.
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Freedom of choice
We respect each resident as an individual and encourage their freedom of choice in daily life, including keeping up friendships and their place in the community.
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Faith, culture and belonging
We encourage residents to practise their religious and cultural customs, and we help them keep the social independence that makes a life feel like their own.
Where many cultures feel at home
Ashfield is one of Sydney’s most diverse and welcoming suburbs, and The Willows reflects it. Our staff are multilingual, our kitchen cooks culturally diverse meals fresh on the premises each day, and the traditions and tastes that matter to our residents are part of daily life. For families across the Inner West, that sense of belonging makes all the difference.
See life at The Willows
Accredited, and easy to check
The Willows is a registered, accredited residential aged care home. We meet the Australian Government’s Aged Care Quality Standards, the same standards every Commonwealth-funded home is measured against, and we are happy for families to see that for themselves.
You do not have to take our word for it. The Government publishes our accreditation, and our home’s Star Rating, on My Aged Care, so you can look us up and compare us alongside any other home you are considering.
News from the home, once a month
A short letter with photos from the garden, a few good things from the month just gone, and what the residents have been up to. For families near and far who like to keep in touch.
The next Whispers from the Willows will arrive in your inbox. Thank you for keeping in touch.
Come and see for yourself.
The kettle’s on.
Choosing a home for a parent is a big, often sudden decision. Leave your details and we will be in touch to arrange a visit, walk you through the government fees so they are easy to understand, and answer every question – no pressure, no rush.
Someone from our family will call you to arrange a time to visit. The kettle’s on.