Fresh Hope Care’s annual Excellence Awards were celebrated at Oatlands House on Friday, November 8, 2019. Guests enjoyed canapes overlooking the golf course, followed by a delicious sit-down lunch and dessert. Seven employees and three volunteers were recognised for their invaluable service in going above and beyond the expected.

This year featured a change in the award names and structure. There were three Excellence Awards and each award was named after a significant and influential person in our history. Congratulations to Maureen Muir, Volunteer from Clelland Lodge who won the May Ashwood Award, Sue Martin, Registered Nurse from Borella House who won the Wyndham Jones Award, and Donna Carter, Village Manager from Henley Brae Retirement Village who won the Charles Cole Award.

Maureen was both shocked and delighted when her name was read out as the winner. She was nominated by her line manager who said, “Maureen always arrives with a friendly smile. She never misses a day and takes on extra at short notice. She treats everybody with dignity and respect. Maureen always puts others first and is a gem of a volunteer greatly admired by others.”

Sue was just as surprised, exclaiming that she couldn’t believe it, especially as she had also won a similar award six years ago. Her site manager nominated her and said, “Sue has demonstrated a commitment and passion for her work with Borella House residents. Often going well beyond her position description to ensure that residents get to appointments, and get essential items, such as eye glasses and dental prosthetics.”

This is the first year that managers have been eligible to receive an award. After managing Henley Brae for almost 12 years, Donna became the first manager to receive an Excellence Award! She was very grateful and thanked the entire Retirement Living team. Donna was nominated by many of her residents, including one who said, “Donna is always there for you with a cheerful smile, together with her loving and caring nature. My husband was hospitalised for 8 weeks and I was totally exhausted caring 24/7 for him until Donna was informed. She stepped in to organise an emergency Carer for us, taking the pressure off me for which I am truly thankful.”

The three Excellence Award winners each took home a well-deserved $3500 travel voucher!

This year, we also asked managers to nominate their long serving employees for a recognition award. The edibility requirement was that they needed have been with the organisation for 10 or more years and possess a consistent track record of outstanding service.

Congratulations to Megan Delaney, Business Support Officer from Coffs Haven Residential Care Service who took home the Long Service Recognition Award. Her manager nominated her and she said, ‘Megan is always kind, caring and respectful to everyone. At busy times, or if the roster is stretched, she will offer her assistance throughout the home. She is respected by everyone for her generous and willing attitude.”

This year we had an impressive 61 nominations and all those nominated will be recognised and celebrated at local sites.

May Ashwood Award:
Maureen Muir, Clelland Lodge – Winner
Noelene O’Keefe, Magnolia Cottage – Finalist
Debbie O’Neill, Green Hills Residential Care Service – Finalist

Wyndham Jones Award:
Sue Martin, Borella House – Winner
Melissa Pupovac, McCauley Lodge – Finalist
Pujan Khatri, Alexander Campbell House – Finalist

Charles Cole
Donna Carter, Henley Brae Retirement Village – Winner
Joanne McAulay, The Glen Residential Care Service – Finalist
Roland Decena, Ashwood Residential Care Service – Finalist

Long Service Recognition Award:
Megan Delaney, Coffs Haven Residential Care Service – Winner

Thank you to everyone who attended the event and a special thank you to our sponsors for their support.

Over the past several months we have held a number of meetings with Maitland City Council to review and re-assess our plans and have facilitated various focus groups on-site to gain valued input from residents, staff and relevant community stakeholders.

We are now excited to share some news in our journey.

In preparation for the development of our future precinct, we have recently facilitated the acquisition of 38, 40 and 42 Stronach Avenue, East Maitland and have received subsequent approval from Maitland City Council to proceed with the clearing of these sites.

Fresh Hope Care Executive General Manager, Lynn Bailey said, “Whilst we acknowledge there is still a long road ahead, this advancement is seen as a significant milestone towards the highly anticipated redevelopment of Fresh Hope Care Green Hills. We look forward to the completion of this important stage as soon as possible to allow progression to the next phase of development.

This year marks 10 years since Fresh Hope Care’s The Glen Residential Care Service first opened its doors. Residents, families and staff celebrated the occasion on Tuesday 23^rd July with a BBQ lunch, tree planting, an afternoon party and lots of cake.  

Staff dressed up in the era they were born, and residents and families joined in on the fun by wearing an array vibrant hats, wigs and feather bowers. 

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Lemon, lime and orange trees were planted by three long serving staff members to further celebrate the milestone.  

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Manager of Residential Services, Amanda Ackerley remarked on how proud she is of the staff and everything the service has achieved over the past 10 years.  

She said, “We have so many wonderful residents, supportive families and a great reputation in the local community”. 

The Glen was built by John Wakelin in 2009 to offer a greater diversity of choice in the local area.  

In 2012, it was acquired by Fresh Hope Care, a not-for-profit organisation who has been providing aged care services for over 80 years.  

The Glen is a 92-bed modern aged care service where all the rooms are separate and feature kitchenettes and private ensuites. Many also provide beautiful outlooks to the surrounding native bushland.  

There have been many changes over the years, including a recent fresh coat of paint and the addition of a café and garden areas. Residents enjoyed seeing the changes via the ‘now and then’ photo display which was put together as part of the celebrations.  

During the afternoon party, the cake was cut by Lillian Burkinshaw who has been a proud resident of The Glen for eight years. Lillian thanked the staff for organising the event and everyone for participating in the celebrations.  

She said, “It is a privilege to be here and to cut the cake on this significant day. Happy birthday to The Glen!”. 

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Over the past few years Woodlands has faced challenges with bushfire and storm risks and, at times, an unreliable energy supply. After a comprehensive review of the facility it is clear that an extensive redevelopment of Woodlands is required to lift safety and emergency management systems to the required level, and upgrade amenities to the standards expected in residential aged care accommodation today. 

Unfortunately, recent changes to the requirements of aged care facilities in bushfire-prone areas mean that any redevelopment of Woodlands is unlikely to be approved. As we will not compromise on the safety and health of our residents, we are left with no option but to propose the closure of Woodlands Residential Care Service from 1 October 2019. 

Fresh Hope Care Executive General Manager, Lynn Bailey said, “We are working with all residents and families to identify alternative accommodation arrangements suited to their unique needs and circumstances. These may be within other Fresh Hope Care facilities or with other providers. There are a range of aged accommodation options in the Cherrybrook area and we are confident all residents will be able to be relocated.”

Meet Georgia, a Western Sydney University Health Science student and learn about her work placement experience at Fresh Hope Care’s Ashwood Residential Care Service in Pendle Hill.

Fresh Hope Care partners with Western Sydney University to give students the opportunity to learn practically. The experience is highly valuable and engaging for both students and residents.

Fresh Hope Care has decided to close our services in Home Care including Private Services. Going forward, we will focus and consolidate our aged care operations through our Retirement Villages, Residential Care Services and Day Respite sites.

We are aware that the current Australian market has stimulated many providers of Home Care services. The strong growth in this sector has prompted us to re-examine how and where Fresh Hope Care can most benefit aged care consumers and their families within communities.

We have enlisted the expertise of Bolton Clarke to support our home care consumers. They will provide options, both short or long term to our consumers, while they are considering their future care options. Bolton Clarke will also assist our home care staff with available employment options within their organisation.

Bolton Clarke is a not-for-profit provider, and one of Australia’s most respected organisations – previously known as RDNS (the Royal District Nursing Service), and Lynn Bailey, Executive General Manager of Fresh Hope Care said she is “… very confident Bolton Clarke’s experience and quality of service will meet both our consumers’ expectations and ours.

For further information please contact our Fresh Hope Care Customer Service Team on 
1800 005 484.

Fresh Hope Care’s annual Excellence in Service Awards were celebrated at Oatlands House on Friday, November 2, 2018. Guests enjoyed canapes overlooking the golf course, followed by a delicious sit-down lunch and dessert. Thirteen employees and three volunteers were recognised for their invaluable service and provision of high quality care.

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