Saluting Excellence Conference Held and Awards Presented, despite COVID-19

* 25 February 2022 *

In December, our Saluting Excellence Staff Conference and Awards Presentation went ahead, thanks once again to the generosity of our sponsors and a short window between COVID-19 waves.

Many of our staff spend much of their lives in uniform, so the annual conference is not just a day to recognise those who have been acknowledged with an award, but also a day to dress up and enjoy each other’s company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Legacy

The theme for this year’s conference was ‘Our Legacy’ and MC, Jodi Evans, Senior Human Resources Advisor, introduced Chair of the Board, Mike O’Meara OAM to open the event. Mike noted our longstanding connection to the War Widows’ Guild (VIC), our
connection to the Vasey family, and the important legacy we have.

CEO, Janna Voloshin spoke of the legacy we each receive from our own families, quoting Buddha, “The value of life is not based on how long we live, but how much we contribute to others in our society”. 

“Mrs Vasey contributed.”

Janna pointed out how Mrs Vasey had built the Guild and Vasey Housing from her own determination to make lives better for others, and Vasey RSL Care is still here with the same goals.

In honour of the work of the Guild as it moves to bring its operation to a close, Mike and Janna presented a book to the WWG committee members – a pictorial tribute to the WWG VIC and its founder, Mrs Jessie Mary Vasey.

Keynote: Dr Susan Alberti AC

Our keynote speaker, Dr Susan Aberti AC provided an eye-opening overview of the trials she has faced in life. At a young age, she was taught to stand up for what she believed in, and this has been a guiding principle throughout her life.

Tragically, Susan lost her husband in a road accident and her only child to diabetes. Since the loss of her daughter, Susan has tirelessly supported research into diabetes and the support of others with this disease.

Like Mrs Vasey, Susan overcame difficulties in her life but never gave up.

 

 

 

 

 

Award Winners

The 2021 Saluting Excellence Awards included the new Jessie Mary Vasey Award for Excellence in Traditional Values, honouring the continuation of Mrs Vasey’s goals.

Presented by WWG VIC Chair, Wendy Charlton, Linda D’Sylva (Bundoora) and Ruwan Bogodaarachchige (Frankston South) were recognised with this award (above left).

 

 

 

Awards for Excellence in Dignity went to Alanna Singleton (Home Care), Nicole Groves (Bundoora) and Emil Vanderzee (Veteran Services), all pictured from left, and Doung Veng (Frankston South).

 

 

 

 

 

Excellence in Fulfillment Awards were presented to Mishelle Ansems (Home Care), Vicki Jarrett (Brighton) and Melody Nkomo (Frankston South), all shown left, and to Julie Swanson (Home Care).

 

 

 

 

 

There were 138 nominations for the Excellence in Care Awards! Chamini Dinethra Chandradasa (Frankston South), Bindu Simon (Brighton) and Elsa Bramwell (Home Care) received awards, left, as well as Carolyn Boland, Rachel Baines and Neville Lin, all from Brighton East.

 

 

 

 

Awards for Excellence in Quality went to Santosh Poudel (Quality Coordinator) and Lisa Woodall (Finance), shown left.

 

 

 

 

 

Below left are Rayphe Collins (HR) and Melissa Hunt (Frankston South) who were awarded for Excellence in Security.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shown bottom left are the winners of Excellence in Camaraderie Awards:
Jodi Evans (HR), Nikunj Patel, Harshdeep Kaur and Sanja Essa (all Aged Care Services), Kathleen Esdaile (Property Services) and Bridget Warren (Frankston South). 

 

 

 

 

CEO Award

The recipient of the CEO Award is chosen from all the award winners. 

Congratulations to Nicole Groves, Residential Manager at Vasey RSL Care Bundoora on the 2021 CEO Award. 

“We received 232 nominations for the 2021 Saluting Excellence Awards and I would like to congratulate every one of these staff,” said Janna. “This was a second very difficult COVID year and it is not easy to choose who should receive the awards when there are so many deserving staff: nominees and winners should all be very proud.”

Congratulations to all our 2021 winners.

 

 

Sponsorship

The conference and awards would not happen without the generous support of our sponsors and it was great to be able to see many of them at the conference: thank you for the wonderful support you give us not just for this event but as valued suppliers and partners throughout the year.