Whiddon Recognise and Celebrate Diverse Care Workforce Roles This National Aged Care Employee Day, August 7th
This August 7th proudly marks Aged Care Employee Day (ACE Day), founded by award-winning care provider, Whiddon, to celebrate and recognise the diverse workforce that provides quality care to senior Australians.
2 August 2023
Founded in 2018 by award-winning care provider and not-for-profit Whiddon, Aged Care Employee (ACE) Day (August 7th) celebrates the incredible efforts of Australia’s dedicated and diverse aged care workforce. In celebration, Whiddon are lifting the lid on what it’s like to work in the sector, reflecting on the exceptional care delivered by those in direct and non-direct care roles.
The day, now championed by the Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA), represents more than 427,000 residential care, home care and retirement living staff who care for 1.5 million older Australians each day.
ACE Day was established to fill a gap of existing national days that only celebrated parts of the aged care workforce. Since its inception ACE Day has proudly recognised the role that every aged care employee plays in delivering holistic care services to Australian seniors.
Earlier this year, the aged care sector welcomed a 15 per cent pay increase for direct care workers. Despite this, those in ancillary or non-direct care roles remain excluded from the Federally funded wage increase, with no clarification from the Fair Work Commission on when they may receive a richly deserved pay rise.
Whiddon CEO, Chris Mamarelis, spoke to the ACE day celebrations and the need for ongoing support for all aged care employees:
“It’s a special day for the sector, where every single employee working in aged care is acknowledged and recognised for the work, they do to deliver quality care to our seniors. It’s an opportunity for us to step up and speak about the challenges faced by our aged care workforce. We must support them the same way they have supported us. We must stand with them to ensure their important work is valued and appreciated.”
In celebration of ACE Day, Whiddon are proudly sharing stories reflecting on the incredible work of those within the sector, who work tirelessly to deliver award-winning care that connects, inspires, and enriches lives every day.
Aaron Young, Whiddon’s Area Head Chef Central Coast & Far West, takes great pride in the positive impact his food can bring to the lives of residents. Cooks, housekeeping, cleaners, laundry assistants, maintenance roles and administration are some of the roles excluded from the recent pay rise despite the crucial role they play in delivering care.
“I feel like I’m feeding a big family, that’s the care l put into my food and, like I’m feeding my family. We don’t have any of my grandparents with us anymore, and they would be the same age as the residents at Whiddon. I see a lot of my grandparents in the residents I meet, and this is what makes it so enjoyable and rewarding to get to know our residents. Most just want to chat about their past, reminisce, and get to know you.”
Aaron proudly encourages other chefs considering a role in aged care to give it a go, saying “it’s more rewarding and fulfilling than you may first think.”
Whiddon Easton Park, Clinical Care Coordinator Romina Rios Olivares opened her eyes to what a career in aged care is really about. As a direct care worker, Ms. Oliveras received the recent 15 percent pay rise.
“Aged care is full of life and an industry with heart. To work in aged care is a privilege not a burden. The outcome of the end of one’s life cannot be changed but our impact on each individual journey is vital and that’s a big part of what we do here at Whiddon.”
In May 2023, the Government allocated a $11.3 billion commitment to the sector, a welcomed pay rise for direct care workers. However, those in ancillary including cooks, cleaners, and laundry assistants, have been excluded from the 15 per cent pay rise. Today, no clarity has been provided on the outcome of the Fair Work decision.
Mr Mamarelis explains, “At Whiddon, 26% of our workforce in non-direct care roles remain in wages limbo. The roles excluded from the 15% increase are crucial to the delivery of quality aged care and discarding them from the inclusion of the funding sends the message they are not valued for their work. A day, as important as ACE Day, should not pass without the recognition and reward needed for all aged care employees.”
“A holistic care approach is not possible without every single aged care employee. We passionately believe that every worker should be recognised and celebrated for the incredible work they do, irrespective of how ‘directly’ they are involved in care on paper,” said Mr Mamarelis.
He continued, “Thank you to everyone working in aged care, for the amazing work that you do and the thousands of lives that you positively impact, each and every day.”
About Whiddon
- Whiddon is an award-winning care provider with residential care, community care and retirement villages across metropolitan, regional, rural, and remote New South Wales and Southeast Queensland.
- Whiddon has been providing exceptional care to older Australians and people with disabilities for more than 75 years, and has grown to be an industry-leading, not-for-profit aged care organisation caring for close to 3,000 customers with over 2,500 employees.
- Whiddon is passionate about enriching lives and keeping older people connected to what matters most to them in life. The organisation aims to really understand each person through building deep relationships with them, their family, and their community.
- Whiddon proudly partners with academics and universities that are developing the latest thinking, innovation, programs, and training around quality of life and ageing.
About Aged Care Employees (ACE) Day
- Aged Care Employee Day (ACE Day) takes place on August 7 of every year and celebrates the diverse workforce providing quality care to seniors.
- The day, now championed by the Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA), represents more than 427,000 residential care, home care and retirement living staff who care for 1.5 million older Australian’s each day.
- Aged Care Employee Day was announced in 2018 by Australian not-for-profit care provider, Whiddon, as a day to celebrate all workers involved in the journey of caring for people who receive aged care services.
- From direct care workers to the extended allied workforce, Aged Care Employees Day highlights and celebrates the many different roles of those involved in the aged care journey.
- Whiddon initiated Aged Care Employee Day after observing that existing days which celebrate certain parts of the workforce, such as International Nurses Day, were not sufficient to recognise the united efforts of the aged care workforce in delivering care services.
- In 2019, Aged Care Employee Day was recognised as a national event.
