Today is Aged Care Employee Day – a special day dedicated to recognising the hundreds of thousands of aged care workers around the nation for the amazing work they do.
Aged care providers, residents and families will voice their thanks with morning and afternoon teas, celebrations or simply a message of thanks to aged care staff, who look after our older loved ones in residential care, home and community care, retirement living and seniors housing.
“Our sector extends our heartfelt gratitude to all aged care workers for their unwavering dedication, care and commitment,” Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) CEO Tom Symondson said.
“Aged care workers often go above and beyond to ensure the people they serve receive excellent care.
“These employees are the unsung heroes of our communities. Their compassionate and tireless work ensures the wellbeing of older people, and their commitment is nothing short of extraordinary.
“We sincerely thank them for their exceptional service.”
Now in its sixth year, Aged Care Employee Day recognises the more than 370,000 aged care workers right around the nation.
“Today is also a very special day as we announce the 15 category winners of our inaugural ACCPA Excellence Awards,” Mr Symondson said.
“These amazing individuals, teams and organisations have shown excellence in key aspects of aged care including customer focus and care, innovation, leadership, teamwork, making a difference and volunteering.”
From a West Australian aged care team that responded expertly in a bush fire emergency to dedicated aged care assistants and volunteers performing music to bring joy, these winners embody selfless devotion and excellence in care.
Among the ACCPA Excellence Awards winners is the Elderbloom Community Care Centre’s Jacaranda and Wanneroo team members who worked together to quickly evacuate their aged care home during a bushfire emergency near Perth late last year.
The dedication of Curt Schmeissing (Aged Care Assistant, Country to Coast Home Care Services – VIC) is recognised for his companionship and dedication to driving an Anglesea lawns bowl champion to his dialysis appointments for three years.
The awards also recognise individuals like Fronditha Care (VIC), volunteer Nickolas Makrynakis who has used his musical talents to entertain older residents in the five years since the loss of his wife.
These winners were chosen from 48 finalists and were selected from 460 You are ACE! nominations.
ACCPA’s You are ACE! campaign is an industry recognition program that celebrates excellence as it happens across residential aged care, home and community care, retirement living and seniors housing.
You can listen to Mr Symondson’s video about ACED where he announces the 15 winners of the ACCPA Excellence Awards. They winners are listed below:
2024 ACCPA Excellence Awards
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY
• Consumer Focus & Care – Curt Schmeissing, Aged Care Assistant, Country To Coast Home Care Services, VIC
• Innovation – Julie Roppola, Lifestyle Services Coordinator, Bolton Clarke Montclaire Brighton, VIC
• Leadership – Peter Williams, CEO, OneCare Limited, TAS
• Rising Star – Melissa Taylor, Lifestyle Manager, Oryx Communities, WA
• Volunteer – Nickolas Makrynakis, Volunteer, Fronditha Care, VIC
TEAM CATEGORY
• Consumer Focus & Care – Barossa Village graduate enrolled nursing team, SA
• Innovation – KinCare team, NSW
• Making a Difference – Akooramak Aged Care lifestyle team, QLD
• Project – Burnie Brae respite team, QLD
• Teamwork – Elderbloom Community Care Centres – Jacaranda & Wanneroo team, WA
ORGANISATION CATEGORY
• Consumer Focus & Care – Gratis Home Care, SA
• Excellence – Greek Orthodox Community Home for the Aged, NSW
• Innovation – Inasmuch Community Ltd, NSW
• Making a Difference – Fronditha Care, VIC
• Rural & Remote – Care In Motion – Community Care and Transport, SA
