Champions in aged care

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  • 2004

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18 February 2005
JB013/05

The Australian Government is recognising exceptional people working in aged care services whose ideas and actions are providing older Australians with innovative care and lifestyle activities, the Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop, announced today.

Opening the Baptist Community Services Aged Care Research Day in Sydney, Ms Bishop said that nominations are now open for the Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Aged Care 2005.

"The awards recognise the efforts of individuals whose enthusiasm and creativity make a difference to the lives of people living in aged care homes or who receive services in the community," Ms Bishop said.

"The dedication, hard work and skill of the people who care for our older citizens deserve to be recognised and rewarded.

"For these awards we are seeking people who have contributed to the delivery of creative lifestyle activities for residents, innovative catering, training and staff development, leadership and management and the improvement of qualifications and skills.

"I urge people in the aged care sector to nominate individuals and organisations that epitomise best practice in caring for older Australians for the 2005 Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Aged Care.

"People who work in aged care are a valuable asset to the entire community.

"With the ageing of our population, caring for older Australians can be a highly satisfying and rewarding career, with opportunities for further education, training and skills development.

"By recognising the contribution made by aged care staff and organisations through awards we hope to encourage more people to undertake a career in the sector and improve even further the quality and choice of aged care services in Australia," Ms Bishop said.

Ms Bishop said she was delighted that businesswoman, author and former media executive Ita Buttrose had agreed to head the judging panel for the awards, which cover individuals and organisations working in both residential and community-aged care.

"Ms Buttrose is well-known for her services to the community and her involvement enhances the importance of these awards," Ms Bishop said.

"High profile nutritionist and media personality Rosemary Stanton, and Rob Knowles, the Aged Care Commissioner for Complaints, will also be on the judging panel, along with a mix of people who have a strong understanding of aged cares issues."

This year’s awards have six categories and will offer total prize money of $70,000 for recipients to pursue training opportunities to enhance their skills.

Australian Government funding for aged care has more than doubled from $3 billion in
1995-96 to almost $7 billion currently, with nearly $150 million provided to assist aged care services to provide additional training and education opportunities for their staff.

Nominations close on 6 May 2005 and will be announced in a special National Day of Recognition in October. More information, including nomination forms, is available at www.health.gov.au or by phoning the Department of Health and Ageing on 1800 500 853.

Media contact: Kay McNiece 0412 132 585