Industry leader shares praise
The winner of ACSA’s individual award for excellence says she represents everybody who works in aged care, particularly the frontline carers.
Penny Flett (left) receiving the award from Health Super’s Carol McKelson-Timmins.
The CEO of the WA’s Brightwater Care gave a brief but impassioned speech after she was awarded the ACSA individual award for excellence at the organisation’s National Conference in Adelaide.
Dr Penny Flett assured a hall-full of delegates that this award was for all of them.
“I really feel that I represent everybody in aged care, not just myself,” she said.
“We all work very hard day in and day out to ensure that the people we provide services to are living the life they want to,” Dr Flett said.
In particular, Dr Flett paid tribute to the many people providing frontline care.
“These people are special, they are precious, they are loyal and dedicated but they are invisible and have no voice of their own,” said Dr Flett.
The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot was invited to present the award but was unable to attend and no government representative was available to take her place.
Accepting the award, Dr Flett talked about the need to market the aged care sector better.
“Our industry is seriously underestimated and undervalued by the rest of the community,” she said.
“We hear about how much money is being thrown into aged care services but I think it’s time to change the way we talk about care. The dollars are just a means to an end.
“The challenge is to take a much broader view and talk of the values of our work and the value of elders in our society.”
Dr Flett concluded: “I am a happy woman. I love what I do and I do what I love.”
