Saluting Excellence Conference and Awards 2019
– 28 November 2019 –
This year’s Saluting Excellence Staff conference and awards took place on Wednesday 23 October at Leonda by the Yarra. The theme this year was ‘Unique You. Unique Me.’ – a chance to explore our individuality and unique contributions. On one of the scarce sunny days this spring, we enjoyed a day together, celebrating achievements, and being engaged and inspired by our guest speakers.
Chair of the Board, David Paroissien OAM FCPA AGIA, opened the conference, noting that the many care-staff in the room could take a day off from the usual demands of their work day or night. “This one day is all about you,” he said. “Celebrate it!”
CEO, Janna Voloshin, surprised us once again with her admissions and anecdotes about the things that have shaped her life. Growing up in a regime that discouraged individual thought, she explained how strongly she reacts to the idea of dictatorship and this ensures she always invites the thoughts and opinions of others. She encouraged everyone to embrace what makes them different, and to ‘become fully you’.
Making us laugh and cry alternately, Ashish, Teagan (pictured right) and Anchal from Vasey RSL Care Frankston South, presented on their progress with the Birch Pathway, creating a more person-focused environment for residents in the memory support unit.
The Vasey ‘Late Late Morning Show’ introduced us to four staff members with an up-close and personal chat-show approach. Hosted by Fran Ludgate, we found out some fascinating facts about Chris Gray, Ruwan Bogodaarachchige, Ruth Nduati and Jason Starr-Nolan and how unique they are!
After lunch, our keynote speaker, Amy Scott, showed us a new way to think about communicating, using ‘Dickson’s DOTS’ communication types. People are categorised into one or more of four types: ‘blue dots’ need to know ‘why’, red dots need to know ‘where’, yellow dots need to know ‘when’ and purple dots need to know ‘what’: a fascinating and useful presentation which resonated with the audience.
Interspersed throughout the day were the Saluting Excellence Award presentations: staff who are nominated for an award are invited to attend the conference. This year, nearly 200 nominations were received for a total of 139 individual staff (some received multiple nominations).
And the winners were:
Excellence in Service Delivery
Julie Bell Care Advisor (CO)
Kathleen Esdaile Admin Officer (Brighton & CO)
Maria Ferenc Admin Officer (Brighton East)
Rose Mitchell Lifestyle Assistant (Brighton East)
Branka Radman Laundry Assistant (Frankston South)
Pauline Ridsdale Laundry Assistant (Frankston South)
Santosh Poudel Facility Quality Coord (Brighton East)
Excellence in Innovation
Julie-Ann Carr Admin Officer (Frankston South)
Linda D’Sylva Lifestyle Coordinator (Bundoora)
Laura Dean Facility Quality Coordinator (Brighton)
Fran Ludgate Comms & Community Eng. Officer (CO)
Sanja Essa ACFI Analyst (CO)
Excellence in Coaching and Support
Nicole Keen Maintenance Coordinator (CO)
Excellence in Care
Louise Williamson Personal Care Worker (Ivanhoe)
Leanne Saville Personal Care Worker (Brighton)
Paul Weibye Personal Care Worker (Frankston South)
Madeline Bianco Personal Care Worker (Bundoora)
Elizabeth Pierzchala Personal Care Worker (Brighton E)
Ambassador Award
Chris Gray Contracts & Projects Coordinator (CO)
Excellence in Nursing
Bindu Chiramal Simon Team Leader EN (Brighton East)
Excellence in Leadership
Siew Ping Su Team Leader PCW (Frankston South)
HR Magnet Award
Vasey RSL Care Frankston South
CEO Award
Siew Ping Su Team Leader PCW (Frankston South)
Siew received 21 nominations from residents, family members and colleagues at Frankston South – a very worthy winner.
Congratulations to all nominees and winners!
2019 Conference Sponsors
The Saluting Excellence Staff Conference is made possible thanks to our valued suppliers. There are many products and services needed to ensure optimal care for our community, including food, clinical products, personal hygiene, fire safety, insurance, waste disposal, utilities, fixtures and fittings, renovations, office services, cleaning, landscape management, and so on.
Thank you to our Major Sponsors:
and to our Supporting Sponsors:
