Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institute has been named the top aged care provider in Australia.
The New South Wales-based aged care and retirement living provider RFBI was awarded the top gong by the peak body for non-profit aged care providers Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) in Melbourne on October 8.
RFBI chief executive Frank Price said he was extremely proud to accept the award on behalf of everyone at the organisation.
"To be recognised by our peak industry body as the best Aged Care Provider in Australia is a wonderful tribute to our team and the dedication they have for caring for our vulnerable older citizens," commented Frank Price.
"Everyone at RFBI has a passion for people and I am delighted to have our teams' hard work and commitment recoginised by this prestigious award."
He said the awards were a chance for the public to see the positive things happening in aged care.
"There is a lot of negativity surrounding aged care at the moment and these awards remind us that it isn't all bad - there is a lot of great things happening as well."
"Many in our communities don't get to see the wonderful work aged care staff do, or the very big and positive impact they have on their residents' and clients' lives. Everyone who works in aged care should be proud, proud of the care they provide and proud of the difference they are making.
Feros Care - Queensland was named Rural, Regional, Remote Provider of the Year for its growth from one facility to a national regional provider with 55,000 clients.
Other awards handed out were for best Innovation in Service or Design; Distinguished Service; Employee of the Year; Volunteer of the Year and Trainee of the Year.
ACSA chief executive Pat Sparrow said it had been a turbulent year for the sector, but the aged care workforce's hard work had not gone unnoticed.
"The Royal Commission has put our sector in the spotlight and is also encouraging a big national conversation about how we can better prepare for ageing," she said.
"It's extremely important to share and recognise all the good work that is being done in our sector. Especially examples of high-quality care, innovation and positive solutions being demonstrated by our award winners," Ms Sparrow said.
The full list of winners:
- Provider of the Year - Royal Freemasons' Benevolent Institution (NSW)
- Innovation in Service or Design - SwanCare's Senior Citizen Partnership Program (WA)
- Rural, Regional, Remote Providerof the Year - Feros Care (Qld)
- Distinguished Service - Carolyn Wallace (Tasmania)
- Employee of the Year - Dr Tim Henwood, Southern Cross Care SA & NT (South Australia)
- Trainee of the Year - Carol Goodger, Warrigal (NSW)
- Volunteer of the Year - Jim Richardson, RSL Care SA (South Australia)
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