Justine Elliot has announced the recipients of the 2009 Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Aged Care.

The awards are designed to recognise best practice and innovation in residential and community aged care.

The minister praised the quality of  the nominations, saying Australia’s aged care facilities were first class.

“The Minister’s Awards for Excellence recognise aged care staff and providers who provide exemplarily care to older Australians,” she said.

“Nurses, personal carers and allied health workers are the backbone of Australia’s aged and community care system. It is important that their efforts are recognised and applauded.”

Awards were presented in the following categories:

- Innovation in Staff Recruitment and Retention;
- Excellence in Training and Staff Development;
- Innovation in Information Technology;
- Leadership and Achievement; and
- Achievement in Service Provision in a Regional, Rural or Remote Area.

Below is a complete list of the 2009 winners:

Innovation in Staff Recruitment and Retention
Category Winner - Community:
United Protestant Association of NSW CCP Tweed Shire NSW

Category Winner - Residential:
Hammond Care Southwood

Excellence in Training and Staff Development
Category Winner - Community:
Royal District Nursing Service
Home and Community Care Provider, St Kilda, VIC

Category Winner - Residential:
Goodwin Aged Care Services
Farrer, ACT

Innovation in Information Technology
Category Winner - Community:
Royal District Nursing Service South Australia Inc
Home and Community Care Provider, Wayville, SA

Category Winner - Residential:
Samarinda Aged Services
Samarinda Lodge, Ashburton, VIC

Leadership and Achievement
Category Winner – Community, Service Leadership:
Mrs Noreen Boehm – Manager, Boggabri HACC Multi Service Outlet, Boggabri, NSW

Category Winner – Community, Organisational Leadership:
Ms Prudence Sky – Chief Executive Officer, Northern Beaches Community Care Packages, Mona Vale, NSW

Achievement in Service Provision in a Regional, Rural or Remote Area
Category Winner – Community:
Ms Edna Snape, Anmatjere Flexible Aged Care Service, Ti Tree, NT

Category Winner – Residential:
Mrs Kim Meale, Sunhaven Hostel, Ashford, NSW