News

â��Batonâ�� change occurs at Greenway Gardens Heathmont

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:12:40 +1000

31/12/09
“Baton” change occurs at Greenway Gardens Heathmont

Having opened the first Gold Age facility in April 2005 with directors for Gold Age & Affiliate, Christine Unferdorben has decided that she would like to pursue other professional interests and has seamlessly passed the responsibility across to her Clinical Services Manager Yvonne (known as Yonni) Martin who has been the second in charge continuously at Greenway Gardens since its opening.
A ceremony was held yesterday where the inaugural Board of Directors annual awards were presented by Christine and ably assisted by Yonni. Additionally, staff and Board presentations were made to Christine .
Richard and Liz Jenkings , directors for Gold Age & Affiliate spoke of the wonderful working relationship that they had with Christine over the five years, but that there was certainty that with Yonni and her team on hand that Greenway Gardens would remain the aged care residence of choice in the local area. Yonni has an additional pivotal resource in our newly appointed General Manager – Operations, Meigan Lefebure to whom she will directly report. Meigan’s professional work history is listed in the Directors/Management section of our website.
Greenway Gardens has a 17 bed high care wing, a 30 bed low care wing and 7 independent living units.
Please call Rick or Yonni early in the New Year to inquire regarding placement of your loved one.

Liz and Richard Jenkings
Directors Gold Age & Affiliate

Please visit http://gallery.me.com/blickcreative#100310 to see images of the event.

Spectacular Christmas celebrations at McGregor Gardens Aged Care

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:41:47 +1000

Over 180 residents, their friends and families enjoyed a Christmas party at McGregor Gardens Aged Care last week. Joyful faces, rock ‘n roll dancing and wishes from dignitaries were the order of the day.

Susan Alberti AO addressed the crowd to convey the Warmest Wishes of the Season to all residents, families and staff. Susan described her own search for an aged care home for her parents and how this lead her to become involved in the aged care sector and how she holds quality of care of the utmost importance.

Entertainment was of the highest standard, with Andrew Ronay-Jenkings in full voice – both traditional Christmas carols as well as a resounding rendition of “New York, New York” – a crowd favourite – were provided for our entertainment.

The local CFA brought Santa Claus to the party on a fire engine – much to the delight of all the grandchildren present.

“McGregor Gardens has 90 residents, but today we catered a full sit-down, traditional Christmas meal for over 180 people. This is a great accomplishment by our staff – especially our catering staff led very competently by Telia Heys” said Meigan Lefebure, General Manager, Operations.

“It was tremendous to see the engagement of the residents and their guests. To see the look of animation and joy on the faces of the residents - some that are normally not as able to engage with others - was very special. It was also fun to see residents and relatives up dancing and enjoying the entertainment so much.
All our senior staff helped on the day, and I certainly noticed how much everyone enjoyed the food & entertainment”.

Gold Age has only recently taken over management of McGregor Gardens, but has already made very important changes that have improved the care and quality of life for residents.

Please visit http://gallery.me.com/blickcreative#100322 to see images of the event.

Meigan Lefebure appointed General Manager-Operations of Gold Age

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:55:02 +1000

Meigan Lefebure has been appointed as General Manager – Operations of Gold Age. With close to twenty years experience in the residential aged care sector as a prominent registered nurse and a manager, Ms Lefebure has a demonstrated record of leadership, strategic and financial management as a Facility Manager, CEO of a Peak Body, State Operations Manager and a National Manager in Compliance.

Ms Lefebure also sits on a number of Boards and Committees, namely Aged & Community Care Victoria, the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) Industry Reference Group (established by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing to advise and guide the development of aged care funding tools) and is also a panel member of the Nurse Advisor and Administrator Panel for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.

Richard Jenkings, Director of Gold Age & Affiliate has said of the appointment:

‘Meigan comes to Gold Age with a fantastic and deserved reputation for excellence. She has taken the opportunity to head up a growing organisation that espouses the values and beliefs that she holds dear, as both a registered nurse and a manager in residential aged care. Her appointment brings tremendous opportunity for responsible change, as well as an opportunity for affirmation of Gold Age’s achievements.

Ms Lefebure will formally assume the role of General Manager-Operations on Monday 16 November, 2009

Teddies join Yarra Valley brigade

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:16:11 +1000

Teddies join Yarra Valley brigades

Posted by Wendy Cormack CFA Member
Tuesday, 15 September 2009

Residents of Camberwell Gardens Aged Care facility today donated a number of hand knitted teddies to brigades of the Yarra Valley Group.

The ages of the knitting group ladies range from 90 to a spritely 98 years young.

Brigade Support Officer, Wendy Cormack, has a personal connection with the aged care facility and had spoken with their Activity Co-ordinator, Faye Stewart, how the brigades are able to emotionally support a child after a house fire or motor vehicle accident with the gift of a “Teddy”.

The idea of knitting the teddies for CFA was taken to the residents of “Camberwell Gardens” who embraced it with vigour. Faye Stewart says “These residents have been knitting all their lives, being able to knit to help others gives them such pleasure”.

“When I visit the facility, I see the ladies sitting around the tables in their element, knitting. I’m very proud to be part of this unique but amazing community. They are now reaching out to help our young local community members or visitors to the Valley in a time of distress” says Wendy Cormack.

A donation of hand knitted teddies by the ladies of “Red Cross” were received recently following the February fires and distributed to some of the Yarra Valley Brigades.

The Yarra Valley Group of Fire Brigades would like to thank the residents, facility volunteers, staff and management of Camberwell Gardens Aged Care Facility for their generous donation.

Note: “Camberwell Gardens” residents have given permission for these photographs to be used in conjunction with this article.

Copy and paste the link below to view article and images:
http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=895:&Itemid=42

Talking Heads - Peter Thompson Interviews Susan Alberti

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:30:51 +1000

his week on Talking Heads Peter Thompson’s guest is Susan Alberti, the Melbourne-based businesswoman who has overcome terrible personal tragedy to become the driving force behind finding a cure for juvenile diabetes.

Her daughter, Danielle, her only child, died in Susan’s arms on a flight from New York to Australia in 2001. They were on their way home so Danielle could have a life-saving kidney transplant.

Since then, Susan Alberti has worked tirelessly to raise millions of dollars for research into juvenile diabetes.

She’s also managed to run a successful major construction company and to play a very influential role at the Western Bulldogs Footy Club.

In fact, Susan’s been involved in AFL football for more than 50-years, and she can be a formidable opponent as Sam Newman discovered.

See the full transcript under Links on the gold Age website.

Open for Inspection Friday 8th, Sat 9th May- Greenway Gardens Aged Care ILUs

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:55:43 +1000

Aged Care Australia: Cover Story - Deloraine Aged Care Calendar Girls

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:08:10 +1000

'There won't be any nude shots in our Calendar', said Jennie Parfett, who appears on the front cover of this wonderful calendar in a very little black dress and little else.

By Mike Swinson

Deloraine 2009 Calendar

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:52:44 +1000

Where can you find a trio of Irish dancers, Dr Heart Throb, a mob of crazed footy fans and a motorbike-revving aged care director? Only within the pages of the 2009 Deloraine calendar.

Turning the idea of ‘boring’ aged care work on its head, the new calendar aims to display the terrific community surrounding the facility – from nursing staff to medical professionals and residents’ families.

Administration manager and cover girl Jennifer Parfett explains how with some team spirit and a lot of creativity, the Deloraine staff turned their wild concept into a reality: “We run a really good place – our proprietors are wonderful people, we’re like a family. Not only do our staff work hard, they have fun. So how could we show people that?”

Highlights include a whip-toting Melbourne Cup crowd, a glamorous mum swathed in silk sheets and a cheeky outdoor barbie. With such a shoot planned, once the camera started clicking even the residents’ families couldn’t keep away. “We wanted to showcase our facility as well,” notes Jennifer. “And I think the calendar captures the ambience you would also find in this building.”

The event really brought Deloraine staff together and brought about the support of local businesses, from doctors and pharmacies to the Western Bulldogs, who supplied the football jumpers. A gift with a difference, the 2009 Deloraine calendar is a great present for anyone with a sense of humour and fun, and will create a unique talking point.

The launch of the 2009 Deloraine calendar was held on Tuesday 16th December at Deloraine Aged Care

For further information or to purchase your 2009 Deloraine Calendar ($15), contact:
Jennifer Parfett
Phone: (03) 9433 3444
jparfett@goldage.com.au

Camberwell Gardens Official Opening

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:17:28 +1000

Dr Sue Alberti - Football Woman of the Year

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:20:44 +1000

See this article on the Western Bulldogs website : http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/tabid/4112/Default.aspx?newsid=68226

Dr Susan Alberti AO has been named as the 2008 Football Woman of the Year (FWOTY) at the Essendon Women’s Network Great Grand Final Comedy Debate at Crown Palladium today.

Mrs Alberti – a committed member of the Western Bulldogs for over 50 years – is an acting board member of the Bulldogs who played an instrumental role in the Save the Bulldogs campaign through fundraising and strategy initiatives.

She was the founder of the Western Bulldogs’ Forever Foundation – a fundraising vehicle for the development of Whitten Oval and sports science research undertaken to improve the Western Bulldog’s football department.

Mrs Alberti also communicates the health, social and economic benefits football brings to the community through regular speaking engagements.
As the President of JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), the Western Bulldogs elected charity she recently helped launch the Club's "Captain of the Day" program which enables children associated with JDRF to run out with the team on game day.
Western Bulldogs Chief Executive Campbell Rose said the award was a testament to Susan's integrity and her amazing generosity in offering her time and resources to projects she beleives in. Her unwaverying support for the Club was quite simply 'outstanding'.
"Susan has been an integral part of our great Club's history and will continue to play a vital role in our future. Her enthusiam and love for the Club is something everyone associated with the Bulldogs cherish every day," he said.
Captain Brad Johnson echoed Campbell's sentiments. "Sue has just been enormous for our football club. Without Sue I could nearly say our club wouldn't be here today."
The Football Woman of the Year Award is an annual event recognising women who have made a significant contribution to the game of football.

This is the 11th year the prestigious award has been presented by the Essendon Women's Network and it is open to any woman involved in football regardless of club or profession.

The award recognises women who have made a significance difference to football. There are seven criteria the recipient must demonstrate including a passion for the game, ability to make a difference and an individual having a good knowledge of football.

The independent panel of judges for the Award is Andrew Demetriou (CEO of the AFL), Caroline Wilson (journalist with The Age) and Helene Bender (a Director of the Geelong FC).

The recipient will have demonstrated:
· Commitment to the support and advancement of football
· A passion for the game
· The ability to make a difference on the football scene
· A keen knowledge of the game, including its history and its future
· Club Membership
· Willingness to advocate publicly for women as partners with men in football
· A sense of humour and fair play.
Past winners of the award include; Irene Chatfield (1998), Jill Lindsay (1999), Caroline Wilson (2000), Katrina Pressley (2001), Beverly Knight (2002 – joint winner), Bev O’Connor (2002 – joint winner), Jenny Williams (2003), Edna Daniher (2004), Jennie Loughnan (2005), Barb Cullen (2006), Terry Bracks (2007).