ACSA appointments

New ACSA president Vaughan Harding

Striving to meet the challenges of providing quality services in a new era of aged care is at the top of the agenda for the newly appointed president of Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA). 

CEO of Juniper in WA Vaughan Harding, was elected the new leader at ACSA’s Annual General Meeting last week. 

Mr Harding, who has held the top position at Juniper, a Uniting Church community, since 2001, said he was looking forward to taking up the challenges of a new era of aged care reform.

“The current climate of reform and the move to Canberra will provide us with the opportunity to influence policy for the good of the community,” Mr Harding said in a statement.

Mr Harding is taking over the presidency from ECH chief executive Rob Hankins who held the position for a year. Mr Hankins has resigned from the board after serving since 2007. 

Mr Harding said Mr Hankins made an outstanding contribution to ACSA during a time of unprecedented change for the aged care sector.

“I would particularly like to thank Rob for his leadership contribution over the last 12 months. I wish him well in his future endeavours,” Mr Harding said.

Elsewhere in ACSA appointments, CEO of Maroba, NSW, Viv Allanson has been appointed to vice president replacing Chris Rigby.

Mercy Health CEO Stephen Cornelissen and Blue Care executive director Robyn Batten, have been appointed new directors to the ACSA Board for Victoria and Queensland respectively.

CEO James Brown Memorial Trust Dennis Chamberlain is replacing Helping Hand Aged Care chief executive Ian Hardy as director in SA.

Southern Cross Care, Tasmania, statewide director Jill Savell and Amana Living, WA, CEO Ray Glickman, remain on the board as directors.