Earlier this month, the whole HammondCare community came together to express deep gratitude for our frontline teams as we celebrated Appreciation Day 2023, incorporating Aged Care Employees’ Day.

This national event is now into its third year, and CEO Mike Baird shared that he’s never been more aware of the impact our frontline teams have on the lives of the people we care for. “It’s a day when we stop and thank our teams for everything that they do. And I’m extremely grateful for their value and commitment.”

Mike also expressed what a privilege it is to work with people who’ve spent a good part of their working lives – 20, 30 and even 50 years – supporting people in need and impacting lives in such a positive way.

To show their appreciation, team members from across the country paused at midday to applaud their colleagues in health, residential, home care, and community-based roles. Teams came together and celebrated by sharing delicious picnics and holding morning and afternoon teas complete with cakes, balloons, and music. Some care team members were pleasantly surprised by spontaneous visits from their colleagues. As they opened the door at the residential cottage where they were working, they were met with cheerful applause and enthusiastic high-fives.

The Caulfield residential team’s coffee cart proved very popular on the day, as did the cupcake display at HammondCare Miranda. Teams were also invited to express their gratitude by leaving a note for a colleague on a ‘Thank You’ wall collage.

Angela Raguz General Manager Residential Care and The Dementia Centre said: “Aged Care Employees Day is a great opportunity to thank those of you on the frontline for all your hard work – Our Model of Care and Mission and passion for improving quality of life can’t happen if we don’t have passionate and committed people turning up every day. So, thank you.”