Learn how a new study aims to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia on page 8.
Meet three incredible staff who recently celebrated 45 years’ service with Brightwater from page 14.
Turn to page 20 to see how we celebrated all of the wonderful people who make a difference at Brightwater every day.
We talk to the Brightwater CEO and the Chair of the Board about the new Strategic Plan.
Enjoy this selection of images celebrating our caring, authentic, progressive and courageous staff in action.
In January our inaugural Allied Health Graduate Program officially began. The program offers bespoke and diverse clinical experience with supervision, mentorship and peer networking. This includes rotations through Brightwater’s clinical areas: community aged care, residential aged care, community disability, acquired brain injury rehabilitation.
Congratulations to Linda van Zyl from The Cove who won the Excellence in Residential Care Award for 2022 at the WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards held in February 2023. Linda is pictured with Chief Operations Officer Kelly Worlock. Photo courtesy WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.
Brightwater received a Social Housing Economic Recovery Program (SHERP) grant to refurbish some of our Supported Independent Living homes owned by the Department of Communities (Brightwater Bentley, Maylands, Balcatta and Warnbro) and works began at Brightwater Bentley in February.
Refurbishments include bathroom and kitchen renovations and improved access to entry doors. The team has recently started work at Brightwater Balcatta and is expected to start at Brightwater Warnbro in late winter.
Welcome to a jam-packed edition of the Brightwater Buzz, filled with stories and photos that celebrate the thousands of ways each and every one of you demonstrates our values from day to day.
2023 is shaping up to be another busy year and I am delighted to share some more information about our Strategic Plan for 2022 to 2026.
With four clearly defined themes, the Plan identifies how we intend to address current and future opportunities and challenges. The Board Chair, Joanne Farrel, and I shared our vision for the future on page 4 and 5.
I love hearing about the accomplishments of different teams across Brightwater. On page 8, I was delighted to read about the partnership between the Brightwater Research Centre, our residential aged care staff, and Sense-Cog Age Care to support people with dementia. It is an exciting demonstration of our Mission, pursing the dignity of independence, in action!
This edition is extra special because it also features a wrap up of the inaugural Brightwater Festival, which included the annual Brightwater Spirit Awards (see pages 20 to 24). I was honoured to attend my first Spirit Awards in March and to acknowledge some of our amazing long-standing staff, three of whom shared inspirational stories in the Staff Profiles throughout this edition.
Equally, it was a pleasure to celebrate with all those people who have embraced our Brightwater Spirit. I am reminded every day of how courageous, caring, progressive and authentic our people are – in jobs that are rewarding but also very challenging – and look forward to next year’s Award ceremony.
Catherine Stoddart CEO Brightwater Care Group
However, CEO Cath Stoddart says Brightwater’s 125-year history shows the organisation is well placed to handle the latest challenges.
“We’ve had to think carefully about what the future might look like in terms of where we need to grow and where our services need to consolidate,” she said.
The past 12 months have been challenging for all care providers and Brightwater is no exception. The challenges include the Federal Government’s aged care reforms, ongoing staff shortages, a tightening economy and the rapid pace of change, including the move towards different models of care.
Board Chair Joanne Farrell says she has been impressed by the expertise and the dedication of Brightwater’s leadership team.
“We’ve got a very strong Executive Team and a very strong Board. We have our Mission and that’s really important to all of us, but we also know we’re running a business and that we’ve got to remain agile,” she said.
Brightwater’s Strategic Plan will guide the thinking and decision making of the Board and Executive Management. It identifies four key pillars as the way to address the challenges and opportunities for Brightwater, focusing on the core business of quality care, and on growing areas of the future such as home care.
The Board and Executive Teams are working to reshape the organisation so that we are here for another 125 years.
– Cath Stoddart
We consistently and sustainably meet the expectations for care of our clients, their families and staff.
We are a growing and sustainable organisation strongly positioned to deliver on our Mission.
While Brightwater’s range of operations spans Residential Aged Care, Disability Services and Retirement Living, and even as the future may bring changes, Cath says all decisions will be made in the context of a fundamental commitment to the vulnerable people in our care.
“Our focus remains on quality of care and ensuring that we stay true to our mission of ‘pursuing the dignity of independence’,” she said.
One of the growth areas for Brightwater is in the provision of at home services. Currently 1000 people over the age of 65 years are clients with Brightwater at Home and the indications are that the demand will increase rapidly.
“People want to work in
People want to have home care. So, it’s a natural synergy and that’s our focus,” Cath said.
We have a culture that is aligned to our values and strategic objectives, and attract and retain the right people to govern, lead and provide quality care to ensure Brightwater is a great place to work.
Transform
Our technology capabilities enable us to consistently and sustainably meet the expectations for care of our clients, their families and staff.
Brightwater’s two commercial services, Catering and Linen, also represent opportunities for the future of the organisation, Joanne added “Linen, for example, provides us with a source of revenue that is within our control, where we determine the price structure and we determine the level of our investment,” – Cath Stoddart.
Cath is passionate about providing people with the opportunity to have the career they want through Brightwater and this means there will be a continued focus on educational and career pathways for staff at all levels.
“So if you’re a carer and you want to grow into being an enrolled or registered nurse, a therapist assistant or an allied health practitioner, we want to create pathways for you,” she said. “That ensures we have a quality of care and it means that we have a workforce that will stay with us while they are learning, and even if they leave, they will become ambassadors for us because they’ve had the career that they wanted.”
The focus on digital capabilities, with better use of technology and data collection, is designed to provide better services for clients, families and staff. Data gained through staff surveys, for example, has been used to shape recruitment campaigns, based on feedback that staff want three things – to be close to home, to have flexibility in their hours and to have purpose in what they do.
“The sophisticated kind of data that we have the potential to collect might determine other things, like how often people need to be seen by a GP in order to keep them well or what other services we can provide that will keep people at home. That’s the kind of thing to learn in the future,” Cath added.
Both Cath and Joanne are in no doubt that Brightwater will respond to change and opportunities in the way that has served us so well for more than a century.
“It’s not just a strength but one of our values – we are progressive,” said Cath.
We are thrilled to announce our Spirit Award winners for the first quarter of this year. The quarterly award winners will form the pool of eligible employees to win a Brightwater Spirit Award, which will be presented at the annual awards event during early 2024. Congratulations to all the Q1 winners!
Lee Vinicombe
Program Coordinator, Capacity Building
Lee was recognised for authentically coaching a colleague through a complex client situation which resulted in a better outcome for the client and personal growth for the colleague she assisted. Thank you for embodying our authentic value, Lee!
Mel Rushton
Therapy Assistant, Birralee
Mel spent time building a rapport with a resident and was able to get him out of bed and his room and into a wheelchair. Her care and efforts have encouraged the rest of the team. Thank you, Mel!
John McIlraith – Team Leader SIL , Kailis House
Cathy Wigmore – Hotel Services Multi Skilled, Kailis House
Ena Jaraba Prasca – Disability Support Worker, Kailis House
Joanna Seah – Disability Support Worker, Kailis House
John, Ena, Joanna and Cathy handled a challenging situation with a client, remaining calm and working in partnership, to support the client. Thank you for listening, collaborating, and demonstrating our progressive value in action.
Linda Walsh
Multi Skilled Care Worker, Birralee
Linda was recognised for advocating for residents. She goes out of her way to provide personalised care that makes a big difference to the residents’ lives. Thank you for being courageous Linda!
Jenene Beerkens
Administration Assistant, Capacity Building
Jenene consistently ensures that administration tasks are completed while juggling her work across multiple aspects of the Capacity Building program, including the driving program. Her skill and unwavering dedication over the years has contributed to the program’s success. Well done, Jenene!
See page 22 to read about the overall Brightwater Spirit Award winners for 2023.
Welcome to Brightwater, you are speaking to Sharon, Hazel, Dorah, Naomi, Sara, Rosemary, how can I help you?
Those are the words people will hear when they first ring Brightwater on 1300 223 968.
Established in early 2019, the Contact Centre (together with the Engagement Team forming the Welcome Team) are instrumental in ensuring that Brightwater delivers a consistent and exceptional customer service experience for prospective clients from their initial touchpoint with our organisation.
The team processes over 5000 queries a month through a variety of channels including phone, email, digital platforms and face-to-face interactions. The goal is to provide superior customer service and convert enquiries into new Brightwater clients.
In addition, the Contact Centre plays a crucial role in collecting valuable data, feedback and insights about our clients’ needs, preferences and pain points.
How can all Brightwater staff support the Contact Centre?
• Keep the Contact Centre informed of any changes or updates to services, programs and key staff
• While we do like speaking to all of you, please ensure you have all relevant contact numbers on hand (for your Manager, Roster Clerk, payroll etc) rather than ringing us, so that we can service our clients
• When contacting someone externally via phone or email, please leave a voice mail or provide direct contact details to facilitate an easy return call. Often external people will see the number coming up as the Contact Centre or Head Office number (on the phone or in the email signature)
• If sending residents to hospital or specialist appointments, make sure their paperwork has a relevant contact number for ease
• Lastly, we encourage all Brightwater staff to visit us and say hello! We always appreciate meeting new and current staff and putting a face to a name.
It’s estimated that 90 per cent of people living in aged care have a hearing impairment – but only about 15 per cent use hearing aids. Half also experience vision loss.
Hearing and vision loss also commonly co-occurs with dementia but can go undetected because the symptoms are masked by the presence of dementia.
In addition, communication breakdowns may be dismissed as dementia when an individual may have an underlying hearing impairment that hasn’t been managed.
Sense-Cog Aged Care (Australia) is conducting a new study which hopes to change this. The study aims to improve hearing and vision support for people living in residential aged care, including those living with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
Research Coordinator, Dr Carly Meyer, said Sense-Cog Aged Care was pleased to be partnering with
Brightwater on Phase 1 of the study to develop and implement a sensory support intervention involving:
• training staff to assist with day-today hearing and vision device use
• regular hearing and vision screening
• improved communication practices
• adapting the sensory environment (e.g., lighting, noise reduction)
“It’s important to us that the intervention we develop meets the needs of residents and is feasible for aged care staff to carry out alongside their many other priorities,” Carly said.
During the first phase, researchers will work closely with aged care staff to understand the factors that help or hinder their ability to carry
out behaviours, as well as feasible solutions to addressing these barriers.
“We will then develop the sensory intervention in partnership with residential aged care staff from Brightwater, hearing and vision professionals, and consumer representatives,” she added.
It is anticipated that the sensory intervention will be rolled out later this year in some Brightwater care homes and the study will evaluate the intervention’s impact on the quality of life of residents. The overall wellbeing of residents and their carers will also be evaluated.
The project will be seeking volunteers to enrol in the study with information to be shared around August.
Principal Investigator Professor Piers Dawes said poor sensory function worsened quality of life and exacerbated the impact of dementia by making communication more difficult.
“It can also lead to reduced social engagement, increased dependency, disorientation and increased costs of care,” he said.
• Always gain the resident’s attention before starting a conversation
• Mute the TV when having a conversation
• Always face the resident when speaking –they need to see you to hear you
• Document the hearing and vision preferences of residents. If they own hearing or low vision devices, check that they are working and encourage the resident to use them
• If you notice a change in mood, consider if changes in hearing or vision function might be a contributing factor
“Through this project we aim to improve quality of life for people with hearing/vision difficulties by working with residents, aged care and hearing/vision professionals to enable better ways of identifying and supporting hearing/vision needs.”
Dr Meyer added that research demonstrated that a project was more likely to be successful if parties worked together to design all aspects of the research and to design the intervention together from the outset.
“But then the rest of the intervention development will happen purely with Brightwater,” she said.
“We know that context is very important. The key success drivers within Brightwater might be very different to other aged care providers. So, we are going to be developing the intervention only with Brightwater and implementing it only with Brightwater – a bespoke response for each organisation’s needs.
“And if it’s successful, which we hope it will be, it will create a model that we can follow with other aged care providers.”
Through this study we are aiming to develop effective and feasible solutions to ensure people living in aged care receive the help they need so they have the best quality of life.Look out for Naomi Rose (centre), Lead Therapist in the study and a Brightwater Speech Pathologist. Naomi enjoyed a meet and greet session with members of the Study’s Consumer Advocacy Group in late March. With a focus on being as person-centred as possible, to meet the needs of our aged care residents, the session allowed members to chat with each other and the main researchers involved in the project.
Role: Nursing Assistant at The Village Length of service: 45 years
Colleen joined Brightwater in January 1978 and recalls working for very strict Matrons in the early days. Her blue uniform was accompanied by white shoes, stockings, a red cardigan and a white cap.
It has been a family affair for Colleen, whose late husband was an Orderly for about eight years. Her daughters are also part of the Brightwater family and Colleen fondly remembers taking them to the Homes of Peace in Subiaco when they were little. Therapist Assistant, Deirdre, has spent 20 years at Brightwater. Caroline started as a Nursing Assistant about 20 years ago, taking a break to raise her family, and then moving to Brightwater at Home.
Colleen shared some wisdom and memories with us.
What led you to work in this field?
I always cared for older people and like looking after them and doing things for them. I was working in a factory called Bristile at the time, polishing wash troughs. One day my sister-in-law was on the bus and she saw a lady who asked her: “Where you work? Why don’t you come and work at Homes of Peace as there is a job available”. There were a few jobs available and after my sister-in-law joined, she told me about it, so I joined after a few days. And that’s how it started!
Could you briefly describe your role and responsibilities?
I look after residents who have been diagnosed with dementia. I help them with their daily needs like showering, getting dressed and ready for the day. I assist with their meals, help put them to bed and administer medication.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I just love looking after the residents. Although they may have aged and lost some capabilities, they still have talents and skills which they have never forgotten. For example, it is lovely to see someone play a piano beautifully, though they may struggle with other daily needs.
What’s the most inspiring part of your job and what would people never guess you do?
I am inspired when I come to work and see that the residents are happy and I get to talk to them, help them with their needs and look after them. And I like talking to the family members as well.
The thing people would never guess is that this job sometimes involved counselling family members. They love talking to us and it is important that we give them time. I enjoy giving updates and making sure they are happy with everything about the services. Then they go home with a smile, knowing that their loved one is cared for.
What lessons have your learned after working in aged care for four and a half decades?
A lot has changed… For example, when I started, we did not have the modern facilities like we have now. We also didn’t have much equipment. Now we have hoists and lots of aids to help us in our work. Everything is better. There is plenty of stock like gloves and wipes. We also get lots of training which we didn’t have as much when I first started. Plus, we understand more about the people and how to care for them.
What energises you at work?
When I can see the residents improve with a little help, and they are happy. They talk about their lives and I love hearing their stories. I especially like it when they get up to enjoy some singing and dancing.
What advice would you give other Brightwater staff?
Just to appreciate the work that we do. And take your time. Don’t rush with residents but be calm and gentle with them and the things they are facing. Some of the residents I care for have been here for a long time. This means we really get to know them and their families well and they love to see us when we are on a shift.
It also makes a difference when you have a regular staff. The residents love getting to know us. They may not know my name, but they recognise my voice which is very important.
Where is your hometown?
Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar).
If I was a superhero, my superpower would be… to have more hands so I could help more people at once.
What’s the best holiday destination you’ve ever visited?
I love England. My sister lives there and lots of family. It has been about two years since I last visited my family.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to play card games like Poker with my friends and go shopping or out to lunch with them.
Every quarter, employees who have been recognised via Brightwater Plus will be considered for a Quarterly Award for each of the values that make up the Brightwater Spirit.
The Quarterly Award winners will form the pool of eligible employees to win the annual Brightwater Spirit Award, presented in February.
Log in to Brightwater Plus to nominate a staff member who displays the Brightwater Spirit.
Those four little words are having a big effect on some of Brightwater at Home’s staff.
They’re the opening lines of a weekly email that BAH Registered Nurse Melanie Jordan has been sending to her fellow team members for the past few months.
Unlike most emails that land in our inboxes on a Friday afternoon, this one gets opened.
Well, Friday has rolled around again. God knows how? Where does all the time go? Definitely not on my housework or the washing! Hahaha. That’s all still waiting for me to get to tomorrow.
Melanie – or Mel as she prefers –joined BAH in August 2022. She had come from a hospital nursing role and said that even though she loved her new job, she missed the camaraderie that comes from working alongside her colleagues.
“There’s a special bond between nurses,” she said. “We see the best and the worst life has to throw at people and that bonds us together. In a hospital we would always talk, you know, asking ‘What’s happening
this weekend? How’s your little one going?
Mel said last November, as she drove from client to client one Friday afternoon, she was thinking about her BAH colleagues and wondering what they were up to for the weekend.
“And I thought, I’m going to send everyone on the team an email just to say: ‘wondering what you’re all up to. This is what I’m up to and the kids are driving me crackers!’ And I didn’t realise the response I was going to get. Everyone was like: ‘you have to write these every Friday’.”
Since November that’s what she has done. Mel sends chatty emails about her week, her family, plans for the weekend and her love of the job.
I love how we all collaborate and work together in order to get the job done well!
Mel says working in community nursing has been more rewarding than she could have imagined.
“You’re not just going in and doing wound care or whatever, it’s all the other things that come with it as well. I find it a real honour to be able to go into people’s homes. Home is where the heart is – that’s where all the love is.”
Mel’s weekly emails now go to around 10 people and the response is always enthusiastic. She says her colleagues tell her they can’t wait to see what she is going to write about next.
“I didn’t realise it was going to be such a special thing. It was just a way of trying to bring the team together and it’s actually had a really positive effect,” Mel said.
“My Manager loves them. I think the positive feedback and just the way it makes people feel, is a bit like Brightwater. They’re all about making sure everyone’s happy and making sure we’re providing the best service. They’re such an amazing company to work for.”
We marked an exciting milestone at our new home for people with Huntington’s disease, Brightwater Piara Waters on 4 April 2023.
It was a wonderful morning of celebration, including a smoking ceremony and official turning of the sod. With thanks to our clients, families, staff, special guests and partners for making the day so special!
This world class campus is being purpose-built to the highest standards to support people with Huntington’s disease and provide accommodation for 21 clients over seven homes.
Backed by two decades of research and knowledge from Ellison and Kailis Houses, in 2020/21, Brightwater reimagined the living environments for those with Huntington’s disease and developed new design guidelines.
The living and working environments at the Piara Waters campus will be unique. An essential aim is that we build an environment that minimises the impact of the disease on the individual, whilst maximising their potential to live the life our clients choose in close collaboration with their families.
Each home will be certified as a Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high needs. The campus will also include a sensory garden with zones for living, relaxing, engaging and socialising. We look forward to updating you about this project as construction progresses.
I didn’t realise it was going to be such a special thing. It was just a way of trying to bring the team together.
Role: Hotel Services at The Village Length of service: 45 years
Margaretta joined Brightwater on 4 July 1977 at Homes of Peace in Inglewood (now known as The Village). She has always worked in Hotel Services and is passionate about helping residents every day.
I started as a casual at first and was then offered a position from 9am to 6pm which was great. I was young and used to go out a lot, so it was a perfect time to work. My parents lived in Dianella, so it was really close to home and quite convenient for me.
I help the residents with their meals like breakfast and lunch, do their food preparation and give them their required meals according to their needs.
The residents are so gentle and I like to see how happy they are when you give them a meal or offer them a snack or a cup of coffee. Their eyes light up! I will ask: ‘did you enjoy that fruit?’ and chat with them. We do a cooked breakfast three times a week which is popular.
Satisfying the residents by helping them with their needs. And when I am talking to them, I like to ask them questions and find out what they did before they lived at The Village. I find it interesting. It is nice to hear what they used to do in their younger days.
We used to have cooks and a big kitchen on site and the smell of the food was amazing. Everything was freshly cooked, and we could buy meals. On Fridays, staff were allowed to purchase fish and chips for lunch for about a dollar. The whole dining room would be full of people. We would have a huge feed and they would give us dessert as well.
What advice would you share with other Brightwater staff?
Get along with one another. Don’t have any enemies. Just work together because we are at work most of the time. And do the best we can for our residents.
Where is your home town?
I am from Malaysia, and a small town in Malacca.
If I was a superhero, my superpower would be?
I would like to be invisible.
What’s the best holiday destination you’ve ever visited?
Australia! Last year we did an eightweek trip to Queensland, right up to we travelled right up to Cook Town and it was really interesting.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to cook and bake and make specialty cakes.
Several milestones in Brightwater’s digital transformation journey have been realised.
Newly appointed General Manager, John Phillips has been working closely with Chief Customer Officer Ali Manners and the Information Technology team towards transforming Brightwater’s digital capabilities so that we can meet the expectation for the care of our clients, their families and staff now and into the future.
To prioritise the improvement of our technology systems, a Digital Steering Committee has recently been established. The committee will regularly meet to:
• Give the go-ahead for creating plans to manage digital projects and make sure they fit within the overall plan for the organisation
• Review and approve business cases related to digital initiatives
• Ensure collaboration across all technical functional areas to provide a holistic and organisational wide approach to digital issues and priorities.
Ali said technology to support the business was now a priority, which it hadn’t always been in the past.
“Over the next five years we hope to fast track our focus on technology to ensure that we have the best solutions to support our staff and clients,” she said. “Our priority is to make day-to-day life easier for everyone.”
The aim is to improve the experience of our clients and our staff and enhance client independence through technology.
Three streams have been identified for Brightwater’s digital transformation:
• Getting the basics right to bring the IT infrastructure and existing applications to where they should be
• Upgrading and enhancing our core applications and infrastructure to enable us to support our business model
• Transforming how we work to support the Brightwater Strategic Game Plan.
Cybersecurity is a topic that we have all heard a lot about in the news recently, with hacks happening across the world.
Brightwater has recently completed a huge amount of work to manage this by putting in place measures that are designed to prevent and manage cybersecurity incidents.
Information Systems Implementation Lead Delphine de Balbine will be focused on keeping the digital projects on time and in budget.
“Most business-as-usual activities will happen in the background and should not really impact your user experience,” she said.
“If we expect an activity to impact users, we will keep you informed.”
• Support for our At Home Services staff and clients through automation
• Piara Water IT enablement: this project is about making sure we have the right IT infrastructure for the new Huntington’s disease campus in Piara Waters
• Upgrading the telephony system
• Reviewing our Helpdesk system and support
• Refreshing our Intranet, SharePoint and document management to support collaboration and communications across Brightwater
• Continuing to increase our Cybersecurity
• Migrating our mobile devices plans from Telstra to Optus.
We spoke with the Brightwater staff who received the 2022 Don Hutchinson and Peter Lane Scholarships to see how their projects were progressing.
Senior Physiotherapist Chelsea Rudd and Physiotherapist Cassie Cao are considering “the impact Tai Chi as an exercise has on clinical indicators, mobility, and quality of life in residents living in residential aged care”. Programs have started at several Brightwater sites, with Chelsea sharing the sweet photo of her assistant Mocha, and residents from The Cove, below.
Meanwhile, Occupational Therapist Michael McKenzie is considering the “effects of Animal Assisted Therapy on emotional, physical and psychological well-being of people with an acquired brain injury”. His project started at Brightwater Oats Street in April with the magnificent Claude the centre of attention. Some of you may have spotted Claude, who is owned by our CEO Cath Stoddart, at Brightwater Central too.
Michael said clients had enjoyed some intensive rehabilitation in a fun and interactive way with Claude’s help.
“Claude’s presence on site has been very much welcomed by staff and clients,” Michael added.
Role: Carer
Length of service: 45 years, started 1 January 1977
After 45 years – including a short-lived stint in retirement – working for Brightwater and at Onslow Gardens, Till Colkers has some great stories to tell. Brightwater has been a constant throughout the milestones in Till’s life, from her engagement and marriage to the birth of her children and now grandchildren.
I was on my way to apply for a job at Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital via bus. I saw the sign for Homes of Peace Subiaco. I decided to get off the bus and see if they had any jobs available. I knocked on the door and was greeted by a young handsome man and I asked him if there were any domestic jobs available. He said no but mentioned they had nursing assistant roles. He told me to apply straight away and when I went home that evening, there was a telegram waiting for me asking to come in the next day to try the uniform on. I started my role at the Homes of Peace in Subiaco (now known as Brightwater Onslow Gardens) that evening.
As a carer my roles and responsibilities include delivering quality care and support to our clients and personal care of our clients including showering and dressing. I also offer guidance and support when they need anything and keep families informed and updated about their loved ones.
I enjoy interacting with our residents and their families the most. I like to listen to their stories and to hear about their lives. I enjoy being a friendly face and caring for our residents.
What’s the most inspiring part of your job?
Being able to see the difference I make in the residents lives and how much the little things matter. I take pride in ensuring our residents are looking and feeling their best.
What lessons have your learned after working in aged care for four and a half decades?
The work we do is very important. Treat people with kindness and respect. Laughter is the best medicine! And it is important to work together.
What advice would you give Brightwater staff?
Get to know your residents and always make them the priority.
What energises you at work?
The residents and all the staff at Brightwater
Do you have any funny stories or fond memories?
There are too many to share! I have made so many friends and cared for many residents. They are all very special to me.
Where is your hometown?
Rangoon, Burma.
What’s the best holiday destination you’ve ever visited?
I love being able to travel home to Burma, see how much things have changed and to meet my friends from when I was younger.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to go out shopping. I like to spend the day with my friends. I also like to travel and to spend time with my family.
Till had only been in Australia for three months with her twin sister Audrey and was looking for a job as their factory closed over the Christmas break for a few months. She was offered a job with Homes of Peace in Subiaco and started on 1 January 1977 on a three-month trial, working the 5pm to 11pm shift.
When she went in to collect her blue collared uniform, Till noticed it was very long and stiff. It was the era of short dresses and skirts and Till shortened her uniform hem a little before she started. When the Matron saw her, she asked if that was the uniform Till was issued. When Till said no, she had taken the hem up a little, Matron told her the hem better be let back down!
After the trial, Till was offered a full-time job working the morning shift which was much harder.
Till recalls how there were no hoists and it would take until midday to finish bathing residents, who were lifted in and out of the baths.
Homes of Peace at the time were old, two-storey buildings with six residents per room. Not long after Till started her permanent position, Audrey applied for a nursing assistant role and started working at Homes of Peace. The pair worked together for 40 years, doing the same shifts as they shared a car. Till was in Willow House and Audrey in Mulberry House. While Onslow Gardens was built, they worked at the Homes of Peace in Inglewood, caring for the Subiaco residents.
When Till and Audrey retired at 65 they had worked at the same place for 40 years. Till didn’t last long in retirement. She went on holiday to Burma and after returning home had a call from one of the nurses to come in to see a resident that she had cared for, for many years who was declining and wanted to see her.
After he passed, she received another call from the nurse as the family had asked if she could attend the funeral.
When Till came in for the funeral, the Manager saw her and booked her in to start working one day a week which has crept up to two to three days a week for the past five years!
The inaugural Brightwater Festival was a celebration of our people, including our wonderful staff who make a difference every day, our clients and their families, and the communities that support us.
The week-long festival started on 27 March with pop-up treat trucks and cake deliveries to Brightwater sites and a Wellness Day at Brightwater Central. On 28 March, we welcomed staff and community members to the Brightwater Research Centre Showcase. Our annual Brightwater Spirit Awards, recognising our amazing staff, was a memorable celebration on 9 March.
Then, over the weekend of 1 and 2 April we hosted two fun community and staff events including a Movie in the Park and a fantastic Family Fun Day and Swap Meet in the car park at Brightwater Central.
With thanks to festival sponsors HESTA and Unicare Health and AccessPay, who proudly sponsored our Awards Night, and to all of the staff who assisted with each event!
Enjoy this selection of photos taken during the festival and see the following pages for a wrap up of the Brightwater Spirit Awards.
Hundreds of staff, clients, families, researchers and members of the community dropped into our first ever Brightwater Research Centre Showcase to hear about the work of our amazing team.
We finished the festival with a wonderful Family Fun Day and Swap Meet. Staff, community members and residents from Brightwater Inglewood enjoyed the entertainment and hunt for a bargain.
The winners of this year’s Brightwater Spirit Awards were announced on 28 March. These awards recognise staff members who embody the spirit of Brightwater and make a positive difference in the lives of our clients every day.
We are proud to have such dedicated and compassionate staff who go above and beyond to make our clients feel cared for and supported. We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to the winners.
Sushma Chhetri Sahani
Multi-Skilled Care Worker, South Lake
Sushma was the winner of the Quarter 2 Authentic award. Sushma was recognised by a nurse from South Lake for her authentic and enthusiastic attitude to her work.
In her time working with Brightwater, Sushma has shown that she is an authentic, enthusiastic teammate. She treats everyone with dignity and respect. She works hard, safely and is always willing to help others. Well done, Sushma!
Wendy Foote
Community Integration Coordinator, Oats Street
Wendy was the winner of the Quarter 3 Caring award. Wendy was recognised for going above and beyond to ensure a safe and smooth discharge for clients moving from Oats Street into the community. She spends time ensuring clients are set up and comfortable, staying in touch long after the discharge process. Wendy demonstrated what it means to be caring. Thank you, Wendy!
Loveleen Kaur
Multi-Skilled Care Worker, South Lake
Loveleen was the winner of the Quarter 4 Progressive award. Loveleen demonstrates a progressive spirit by arranging fun activities for residents to enjoy on weekends. From ball games to art, a nail salon to bingo, she provides residents an opportunity to participate and achieve success. Loveleen brightens up residents’ days and is a credit to Brightwater. Well done!
Lyndsay Copeland
Multi-Skilled Care Worker, The Cove
Lyndsay was the winner of the Quarter 4 Courageous award. Lyndsay was nominated by one of the nurses at The Cove for embodying the Spirit of Courage.
Lyndsay’s nomination shared how she showed great care by sitting with a resident while she waited for the RN to arrive. Lyndsay addressed the resident’s spiritual needs by singing hymns with him and put aside her own needs to ensure the best possible care. Thank you for embodying the spirit of courage Lyndsay.
Andy Heathfield Capacity Building Program, Senior Support Coordinator
Andy was the winner of the Quarter 2 Mission Award. Andy was nominated by his Manager for a milestone outcome for the Capacity Building Team.
Andy was recognised for his sustained and ongoing effort in supporting a client in the pursuit of independence, which resulted in the client moving into a place of their own, after 28 years in care. Andy truly personifies the Brightwater Mission in action.
Thank you, Andy!
We also recognised the outstanding achievements of our service award recipients who marked 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service. We are truly grateful for their many years of service and commitment, in particular:
• June Arlund
The Village – 40 years of service
• Colleen Pastina
The Village – 45 years of service
• Margaretta Lewis
The Village – 45 years of service
• Clotilda Colkers
Onslow Gardens – 45 years of service
Colleen, Margaretta and Clotilda are our longest-standing employees.
Congratulations to our service award recipients and thank you to all of our staff for the wonderful work you do every day.
