We are celebrating the achievements of our staff member Emily Jackson, who has received a statewide award recognising her work supporting major aged care reforms.
Emily, our Training and Development Advisor, received the Team Player Award from the Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health at its Future Ready Conference in Ballarat on 12 March.
Emily has played a key role in preparing us for the Federal Government’s Support at Home reforms, which are reshaping how aged care services are delivered and funded.
Much of her work has focused on the rollout of a new client management system required to meet the reforms and ensure older people continue receiving the support they need to remain living independently in their homes.
Emily accepted the award in front of 200 leaders in community health.
“It was genuinely a shock,” Emily said.
“I am very proud to win the award, but I’m also very grateful. To be honest it’s quite easy to be a team player, because you have an amazing team around you.”
The national rollout of Support at Home has presented significant challenges for clients and providers. We have adapted a new IT system to manage the Federal Government’s funding and reporting requirements.
Our Chief Executive Officer Anne-Maree Kaser said Emily’s work had been vital during a complex period of reform for the sector.
“Emily’s leadership, technical expertise and willingness to support others has made an enormous difference to our organisation,” Anne-Maree said.
“These reforms affect every part of how community aged care is delivered, but Emily has helped guide our teams through the change while keeping the focus on supporting our clients.”
Several of our staff and volunteers were also recognised through the awards process.
Dementia Nurse Consultants Amanda Crombie and Lisa Tyter were named finalists in the Innovator Award category for their work developing an inclusive model of dementia care. Palliative Care Support Worker Tara Crees was also a finalist in the Living the Values category.
Long-time volunteer Helen Gottschalk was nominated in the Community Health Champion category, recognising more than 50 years of dedicated support to the Meals on Wheels program in Bairnsdale.