Above: RDNS Chairman Paul Montgomery with the winner of the Star Performer Award, Kylie Elder.

RDNS (Royal District Nursing Service) in Victoria has celebrated the outstanding efforts of staff at their annual Staff Achievement Awards.

Over 450 staff attended the awards evening at the Hilton in central Melbourne to recognise exceptional staff efforts in five categories: the Graduate Nurse Award, the Beyond the Call of Duty Award, the Client Care Award, the Leadership Award and the Star Performer Award.

CEO Stephen Muggleton acknowledged the hard work and dedication of all staff throughout the year.

“Each year, you are collectively responsible for major improvements to the quality of life and independence of many, many thousands of clients and their families,” Mr Muggleton said.

“These awards continue to affirm that high quality of care that you provide, the inspiring level of compassion that accompanies it and the fierce dedication with which you undertake your daily work.”

The honour roll

Bianca Nash from Essendon won the Graduate Nurse Award, which recognises the importance of RDNS’ Graduate Nurse Program and the substantial contribution graduate nurses make each year.

“Bianca’s enthusiasm for her role has seen her grasp responsibility for her personal and professional development. Throughout the year she has developed the skills and confidence to work as an autonomous and highly capable practitioner who pursues best practice. She impressed all with her ability to articulate her thoughts and communicates easily with clients, colleagues and other healthcare professionals.”

Ollie Kapranov from RDNS Berwick, Julie Martin from RDNS Caulfield Margaret Sammut from RDNS Essendon all won Client Care Awards, which are given to staff members who have demonstrated outstanding care and compassion towards RDNS clients, their carers and/or families which promotes, inspires and facilitates compassionate community care.

“Ollie Kapranov brings a ‘new set of eyes’ when dealing with clients, making changes with clients that have previously been thought to be difficult to achieve or even impossible. She is passionate, eager and an ardent practitioner of the Active Service Model, believing that a client’s dignity sits within their own sense of involvement in their situation.

“Julie Martin is described as a highly committed, professional, caring and compassionate nurse who is always striving for the best possible outcome for her clients, their families and carers. Her recent work with a complex, at risk client was an example to all, with Julie being lauded as an exceptional role model.

“Margaret Sammut is a nurse whose guiding principle is upholding the dignity of her clients. She is an astute and highly observant nurse, whose eye for detail regarding her client’s situation leads her to often subtle but highly impactful actions on their behalf.

Michelle Clancy from RDNS Rosebud took out the Beyond the Call of Duty Award.

“Michelle has been described as a nurse who constantly goes above the call of duty in providing care to palliative care clients, as well as support to their families and to RDNS staff. 

“She is regularly the key support for clients and their families as they battle the daunting and often dark reality of their situation, bringing light, humility, strength and healing to all those she has contact with. She is, as her nomination states a ‘special friend’ to so many throughout the RDNS community, whose ‘impact on team morale cannot be underestimated.’”

Above: Robynn Daley receives the Leadership Award from RDNS CEO, Stephen Muggleton.

Robynn Daley from RDNS Essendon was awarded the Leadership Award, which has an emphasis on leadership, whether that is of people, programs, projects or specialities.

“In her role as Operations Manager at Essendon and for regional Victoria, Robynn has been a consistent leader of staff as they seek to develop professionally and personally. She is a constant source of support and assistance for staff in their quest to reach their potential and is known for her active listening and considered opinions and guidance. Robynn’s nomination notes that she a ‘true leader’, bringing out the best in the people around her, a setter of high standards and an example of excellence.”

Finally, Kylie Elder from RDNS Moreland received the Star Performer Award, which is for demonstrating integrity, professionalism, ability to draw respect from colleagues and clients or customers alike, and who has shown an on-going and inspirational commitment to RDNS and the community we serve.

“From the outset, Kylie has been central to success of the Connected Wound Care Project, a major government funded initiative designed to improve the standard of wound care across Victoria via educational material for nurses and clients. Kylie played a lead role in the project, developing key partnerships with the Department of Health, regional wound care consultants and multiple contactors and service providers.

“As a result of Kylie’s skill, determination and perseverance, the project has delivered a superior suite of nine wound care guides and a Diabetes Foot Resource Kit, delivered to over 250 agencies across Victoria and now in use by RDNS nurses, regional district nursing service and regional Public Sector Residential Aged care facilities.”