RSL Care wins Employee and Volunteer of the Year at the ACSA Queensland 2016 Aged Care Awards

RSL Care has announced Clinical Manager, Tracy Foster and volunteer, John Gray, have been recognised as Organisational Employee and Volunteer of the Year at the Queensland Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) Awards presentation announced in Brisbane last week.

The awards celebrate the outstanding efforts in the delivery of care to older Queenslanders and promote sharing of good practices and effective responses to community needs.

Tracy Foster from RSL Care Darlington in Banora Point was recognised for her clinical leadership skills, mentorship of junior clinical staff and innovative practices in special care at her own site and other RSL Care sites in regional Queensland.

Clinical Manager, Tracy Foster, said, “It was only through training and mentorship I was able to advance in my nursing career. In this industry development is so important.  I enjoy being able to give younger nurses the same opportunities for growth I received when I started with RSL Care.”

RSL Care General Manager of Residential Aged Care, Vicki Eckhart said, “Tracy’s dedication to training and innovation are highly regarded by the organisation. She provides an environment where staff are given the opportunity to grow their skills which positively impacts the quality of care our residents receive.”

“Tracy has been working with residents with dementia and their families to promote greater independence and engaging environments using simple techniques and alternative sensory therapies with great success.” 

RSL Care Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Muggleton said, “Clinicians are not only primarily healers and care-givers, but also innovators, educators, researchers, leaders, creative problem-solvers and mentors. Our organisation is proud of the clinicians who deliver excellent care to our customers every day.”

Volunteer John Gray who dedicates his time at the RSL Care Inverpine site in Murrumba Downs was also acknowledged for his outstanding contribution to the community over the last three years.

“The work of our volunteers is invaluable and John’s contribution within our Inverpine community is truly inspiring,” Stephen Muggleton said.

Volunteering since 2013 when his wife moved into the residential community, Mr Gray said, “I started volunteering at Inverpine because it was my way of saying thank you to the staff for taking such good care of my wife. I felt I could never fully repay them for what they have done but I was sure going to try.”

John is one of the 400 dedicated volunteers at RSL Care who contribute thousands of hours of their time each year and make a real difference with residents, staff, family and the wider community.  

Click here to find out more about RSL Care's aged care services.