HESTA Awards recognise excellence in aged care
A Victorian aged care organisation innovating to empower its predominantly female workforce, a Newcastle hostel providing aged care services to those with mental illness, and a Melbourne hostel manager staging musical events for thousands of older Australians, have received top honours at the 2015 HESTA Aged Care Awards.
2015 HESTA Aged Care Award winners Jan Horsnell from Southern Cross Care Vic (L), Paul Brophy from Brotherhood of St Laurence’s, and Kristen Grainger from Catholic Healthcare (R).
The winners were recognised for their exceptional contribution to improving the quality of life of older Australians in three categories: Outstanding Organisation, Team Innovation, and Individual Distinction.
HESTA chief executive officer (CEO), Debby Blakey, says the three winners reflected the important work of aged care professionals in meeting the challenge of providing high-quality care and support to the growing number of older people in our community.
“Our winners are making a real difference, ensuring Australians age well in a variety of residential settings,” Ms Blakey says. “We are proud to acknowledge their achievements and give them the recognition they deserve.”
Southern Cross Care (Vic) was awarded the Outstanding Organisation Award for its Employee Development and Empowerment Program that has improved the skills, health and lives of its predominantly female and culturally and linguistically diverse workforce. The program includes formal education opportunities in aged care, leadership, pastoral care and computer literacy, as well as a Women’s Health Program and a Money-Minded Program to increase financial literacy among staff.
The Team Innovation Award went to ‘A Safe Place to Call Home’ program team, from Catholic Healthcare’s Charles O’Neill Hostel in Newcastle, for its unique program providing care to older Australians suffering from mental illness. The team provides specialist care for people with mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorder and depression, who are often turned away from other aged care facilities.
Paul Brophy from the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Sambell Lodge in Victoria, was recognized with the Individual Distinction Award for staging musical events for more than 6,000 residents from 20 care homes. Many residents attending the events are from disadvantaged backgrounds with little family contact, so the events provide them with an opportunity to interact with other people and enjoy themselves.
The annual HESTA Aged Care Awards recognise outstanding aged care professionals. The 2015 winners were announced at an awards dinner in Canberra recently.
For more information about the awards or the winners visit hestaawards.com.au.
