Excellence in aged care

Kerry Curran

RFBI West Wyalong Masonic Village
West Wyalong, NSW

Kerry has transformed the laundry at RFBI West Wyalong Masonic Village into a space of care and excellence, addressing resident needs with compassion and innovation. 

After 30 years in school administration, she transitioned to aged care, drawn by RFBI’s values and the potential to make a difference. 

Kerry’s leadership has improved service quality and resident wellbeing, including helping a previously withdrawn resident find purpose through weekly laundry tasks and enhancing their socialisation and confidence. Her dedication extends beyond her duties, as she connects with residents over coffee and celebrates holidays with those who are alone. 

Kerry’s personalised approach demonstrates how small, meaningful initiatives have a profound impact on the emotional and physical wellbeing of people living in aged care. Her work exemplifies the heart of aged care—creating an inclusive, supportive environment where every resident feels valued, fostering a healthier and happier community.

Allison Lauder

Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care, Western Health
Bacchus Marsh, VIC

Allison is recognised for her transformative work as a Senior Dietitian at Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care Facility, where she has pioneered a "Dining Revolution."

By implementing a person-centred framework focused on governance, individualised care, and cultural change, Allison – in collaboration with the foodservices and care team – improved food quality, dining experiences, and nutritional outcomes for residents.

Her initiatives include a resident-led designed menu that increased energy and protein intake by 30%, reduced meal wastage by 12%, and improved resident satisfaction with the menu and food.

Alison’s efforts led to statistically significant improvements in residents meeting their energy and protein requirements, with 81% maintaining or gaining weight despite the challenges of aging. She fostered a team approach, engaging staff and residents to shift mealtimes into a positive, social experience while respecting dignity and choice.

Her leadership exemplifies Western Health values and sets a new standard for aged care dining excellence.

Emma Payne

The Daisie Chain
Sutherland Shire, NSW

Emma is recognised for transforming dementia care, with over 15 years dedicated to enriching the lives of people living with dementia, their families, and aged care staff. Emma’s work centres around her “Entering Their World” approach, meeting people where they are emotionally and cognitively to foster belonging and meaningful connections. 

As Founder of The Daisie Chain, she leads a passionate team delivering interactive music and movement programs that help disengaged and non-verbal residents reconnect with themselves and their surroundings. Her innovative initiatives include - Cafe on Acacia (Co-owner), a dementia-friendly café; “Moves for All” inclusive program; “Memories” communication tool for families; and “HappiHive” aged care training. 

An advocate for staff and carers, Emma highlights their vital work and challenges experienced, across various platforms including her podcast. Her contributions received recognition internationally, presenting at the International Dementia Conference 2024. Emma’s efforts continue to bring joy, dignity, and connection to dementia care worldwide.

ACH Group’s Social and Health Teams

ACH Group
Mile End, SA

ACH Group partnered with Tourism SA’s Tour Down Under to support residents to compete in a Cycle Challenge. Nine residential aged care homes participated, engaging a total of 210 residents in a meaningful and enjoyable health-focused activity.

Residents collectively cycled 546 kilometres, with the winning home logging 1,304 minutes on the bikes.

The event, supported by 50 staff members, included gym sessions, watch parties, and live race viewings, fostering community connections and promoting health and wellbeing.

Following the challenge, interest and engagement in the gym programs at residential care homes increased, with greater equipment use and discussions of adding more bikes.

The challenge embodied ACH Group’s philosophy of real experiences, reablement, and roles and helped foster positive relationships and a sense of participation and community in aged care homes.

Mark & Sylvie’s Home Care

Atticus Health
Highett, VIC

Atticus Health, through its home care division Mark & Sylvie’s Home Care, addresses fragmentation in aged care by integrating health and social care services.

Led by CEO and Founder Dr Floyd Gomes and supported by a cross-functional team, their Simple, Emotive, Aged Care Model (SEAM) has supported over 210 clients over three years, helping older Australians live independently at home.

Key features include co-located Home Care Managers within medical clinics for effective case conferencing, telehealth integration that empowers carers, and proactive prevention strategies that reduce hospital admissions.

SEAM has improved workforce satisfaction, reduced staff attrition, and fostered community palliative care. Clients report high satisfaction, with 92.3% affirming services benefit their health and wellbeing. SEAM has also had a positive impact on equity, reduced social isolation, and supported multi-generational families.

With strong stakeholder support, SEAM is rapidly growing and transforming the delivery of aged care in Victoria. 

Sarah Lindsay and Julie Ruzich

Julie Ruzich Physiotherapy and Functional Solutions OT services
Margeret River WA

Sarah, an occupational therapist, and Julie, a physiotherapist, are sole traders passionate about preventing falls among older adults.

Witnessing the devastating impact of falls, they identified a lack of accessible programs in the Margaret River community. Combining their expertise, they implemented evidence-based Otago Exercise Programs, offering free 6-8 week sessions in 2024 and 2025, funded by grants and local support.

The program improved participants' strength, balance, and confidence, with 100% showing measurable progress. Overwhelming interest led to expanded sessions, benefiting over 60 participants aged 69-88, which fostered social connections, formed friendships and raised awareness of fall prevention strategies. This allied health team continue to apply for program funding and have spent time speaking with community seniors’ groups about the importance of preventing falls. 

Their success, highlighted as a case study by Stay on Your Feet, has inspired ongoing programs and requests to expand into nearby communities, ensuring accessibility and continued impact.