From Our CEO: Winter Message 2026

Towards our Strategic Goals

Last year, we launched our Strategic Plan 2025-30 which included some significant goals to develop services and supports, not just for the current community, but thinking ahead to the next generation and the one beyond that.

In our Plan, we set out four priorities:

Veteran Transitions,
Inclusive Living,
Growing Our Impact, and
Support at Home.

Under each of these priorities sit many goals that could easily take multiple lifetimes to achieve, but how can we be proud of what we do if we identify needs and do nothing to address them?

Envisioning a better future for older Australians, for veterans and for their families, has led to initiatives that are already in the pipeline and others that are in earlier stages.

It was a significant milestone to receive the Planning Permit to move forward with the Frankston South Integrated Living Development and at the start of May, approval was received to go ahead with advertising the planning submission for the V Satellite Geelong. Both these major projects demonstrate our dedication to supporting our community.

A year into our current Strategic Plan, it is clear how much progress has already been made, and I was reminded of this at a recent planning workshop for the Frankston South Development: the facilitator complimented us on maintaining focus on the Plan and continuing to measure ourselves against our progress, noting, somewhat sadly, that this is often not the case, even among well-run organisations.

We are very clear about what our goals are, and we are determined to achieve them for the good of everyone connected to Vasey RSL Care.

Executive Team Changes

An essential aspect of the organisation’s future success is the continued strengthening of meaningful partnerships and building new ones as we move into new business areas.

To focus on this work, a new role, Head of Strategic Partnerships − Veterans and Corporate, has been created and I’m delighted to announce that Chris Gray has been appointed to the role. Chris has already been involved in this work in his previous positions, and I know he will continue to use his knowledge and experience, understanding of the veteran community (being an 18-year ADF veteran himself) and networks to strengthen our alliances with ex-service organisations, mainstream services, corporate and industry partners.

Commemorations and Celebrations

Over the past quarter we have marked the end of summer, celebrated Easter, commemorated ANZAC Day, celebrated mothers and recognised all those who choose nursing as a profession − all important dates on the calendar, and you can read more about some of these online (and on our social media).

Staff Saluting Excellence Awards

Our annual staff awards nomination period is opening soon. I would like to encourage you to nominate a staff member who has had a positive impact on you − perhaps they have supported you at a particularly difficult time, or made a complex process easier, or simply provided you with an excellent experience. Your nomination means the world to our staff, so do watch out for nominations opening soon.

It’s Flu Season: Vaccinate, Isolate

As winter begins, it’s time to make sure you and your family are protected from this year’s strains of flu and COVID19: do get your vaccinations if you haven’t already done so.