LASA awards celebrates creativity and enthusiasm of sector

Blackall Range Care Group has taken out the top award at this year’s Leading Age Services Australia’s awards.

The national association for providers of age services announced the winners of its National Excellence in Age Services Awards online last Friday.

Blackall Range Care, better known as RangeCare, is a Queensland not-for-profit organisation providing in-home community care services to aged residents and residents with a disability, won the Organisation award.   

The award recognises an organisation that has demonstrated excellence through a significant initiative or contribution that has improved the lives of older people.

During the initial Covid-19 lockdown, the team at RangeCare provided meal delivery services using local produce, an in-home hairdressing service and an iPad loan service that included free internet and tuition.

Kerri Lanchester, LASA’s General Manager for Member Relations and Innovation, announced the team’s win in an online video.

“The judges commented that the Blackall Range Care Group provided a wonderful example of how functional, practical and efficient partnerships with age care can benefit residents of a community, both socially and economically,” she said in the video.

“The integration of client needs and community business was an amazing outcome, a win-win that came out of the global pandemic.

“The initiative, compassion and pro bono efforts of all to support vulnerable people in lockdown was remarkable.”

RangeCare also took out the LASA Queensland Organisation award in August.

LASA CEO Sean Rooney said it has been a tough year for many of its members, staff and care recipients.

“Over the past 18 months, our valued LASA members and their tireless staff have faced many difficulties, but they’ve risen to the challenge every time and continued to provide unwavering support to older Australians in their care,” he said in the video.

“Age care workers have let their compassion and their professionalism and dedication shine through as they’ve delivered the best possible care.”

Team winner

The Community Connections Team at Gymea Community Aid and Information Service in NSW was announced as the winner of the Team award.

The team is responsible for delivering the Commonwealth Home Support Program and services such as individual and social support, transport and domestic assistance.

Some of their programs have included creative and interactive excursions on their site and providing free senior’s exercise and social support programs such Zumba, seniors boxing, Pilates, barre, yoga and Tai Chi.

“The judges commented that the extraordinarily dedicated Community Connections Team use advanced technology, an art therapist, care manager and chef to take clients on fully immersed interactive travel, food and art experiences,”  Ms Lanchester said.

“The experiences foster engagement and wellbeing among the clients through shared experiences and social interaction.

“They said the exercise classes were a fun way to engage older Australians providing health benefits along the way.”

Winners were also announced for the Individual, Next Gen Young Leader and Rising Star awards.

Full list of winners:

• Rising Star winner – Emily Skeen, Care Services Manager, Grasmere Terrace of Carrington Care, NSW
• Individual winner – Janelle Veale, General Manager, Roseneath Aged Care Centre, NSW
• Next Gen Young Leader winner – Joanne Wang, Operations Quality Manager Ryman Healthcare, VIC
• Organisation winner – Blackall Range Care Group, QLD
• Team winner – Community Connections Team at Gymea Community Aid and Information Service, NSW

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