2021 ACSA Aged Care Awards winners announced

Peak body Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) has announced the winners of its 2021 ACSA Aged Care Awards.

The yearly awards recognise outstanding achievements and contributions made by organisations, teams and individuals in the aged care industry over the past year.

“This year has been difficult for the aged care sector and these winners have risen to the challenge," ACSA chief executive Paul Sadler said.

"To see so many providers, their employees, and volunteers working incredibly hard to continue delivering the best aged care they can under unprecedented circumstances shows just how committed the sector is to older Australians."

The 2021 winners in each category are:

• Innovation in Service or Design - Anglicare Southern Queensland, QLD

• Employee of the Year - Queen Victoria Care, Therese Best, TAS

• Volunteer of the Year - Christian Homes Tasmania, Christine Sward, TAS

• Regional, Rural, Remote (RRR) Provider of the Year - Mt View Homes, SA

• Provider of the Year – Warrigal, NSW

“The national winners – along with all state winners and finalists – are to be commended for their exceptional efforts to support older Australians and their families throughout the year. The whole sector has worked tirelessly to maintain the safety of residents, their families and staff," said Sadler.

“I’m delighted that the exceptional work of these providers has been recognised through the awards. They are some of the many providers across the sector who can show all of us what aged care has the potential to contribute to our community."

Employee of the year, Therese Best from Queen Victoria Care in Tasmania, started her aged care journey with Queen Victoria in the year 2000. She started out as a cleaner and over the years has progressed through leisure and lifestyle roles, picking up numerous qualifications along the way, and now works as a Physio Assistant.

Aged Care Insite caught up with Therese to ask her about being recognised nationally for her good work.

ACI: How does it feel to win the award?

TB: I feel very honoured and very humbled to have won this award. I was so surprised to win the ACSA Employee of the Year award for Tasmania, and now to have won the National award is truly amazing. It not only represents a personal achievement but it also is a recognition of the effectiveness of helping residents achieve their goals and aspirations. I am fortunate to be able to use my skills, and have a wellness centre and pool to provide our residents with a first class experience.

What makes you a good aged care employee?

I am a caring and companionate person and my residents are my number one priority. This is greatly assisted by our current management team and the support I am given to flourish in my area.

How good is this award after a hard couple years with the pandemic?

It is amazing to have won this award, especially during an unprecedented time in our lives. To be able to facilitate the health and mental wellbeing of our residents during this time has been both challenging and rewarding. It is so wonderful that ACSA has given the aged care sector the recognition it deserves in these very difficult times.

You've worked across a number of roles in the sector, how has that helped you?

Working in each of the different roles that I have been trained in at QVCare has given me the knowledge, compassion, empathy and skill set to achieve many of my working goals and my goals and aspirations for the future. 

It is so important that our elderly retain their independence and mobility for as long as possible. In all my roles I have seen so many stages of life and going forward a better understanding of what our residents need.  

What is it about working in aged care that you love? 

To be working in aged care is to be enriched by those you care for with knowledge, compassion and life experiences. 

It is on the foundations of the people that we care for, that we are here today. They continue to teach us many lessons and become more than residents but family.   

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