TORQUAY’S AGED CARE workers are celebrating a 15 per cent pay rise after the Fair Work Commission’s much-anticipated increase to award rates earlier this year.

The pay rise reflects the intent of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s final report to improve remuneration for staff and was funded through the Albanese Government’s 2022-23 Budget which also included more support for providers to improve nutrition for residents.

Meeting with workers and residents at VMCH Star of the Sea Torquay, Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker, was pleased to hear the government’s reforms have been embraced by local workers and businesses.

“VMCH are doing amazing work here on the Surf Coast – their workers, the residents, everyone here contributes to the vibrant atmosphere at Star of the Sea,” Ms Coker said.

“Older Australians have worked hard all their lives – they deserve the best, they deserve to be supported in their frailer years with dignity and humanity, and supporting the workforce and providers who care for them is critical to make this a reality.”

VMCH Acting CEO, David Williamson, expressed his support for the Albanese Government’s reforms, noting the pay rise is recognition of the important work of nursing and care staff.

“We are hopeful the boost will attract more workers to our organisation, given the current sector-wide workforce shortage challenges. This is especially important for Star of the Sea, which, being a regional home, faces additional challenges with limited staffing resources,” said Mr Williamson.

“VMCH staff were already paid above award rates, however we were thrilled to be able to pass on these much-deserved increases as a reflection of their hard work, dedication and compassion, particularly shown over the past few years as we’ve battled COVID.”

The Albanese Government is also funding programs to improve food and nutrition for aged care residents with a $5 million investment in the Maggie Beer Foundation to deliver the free Improving Food in Aged Care through Education and Training program.

VMCH General Manager of Hospitality, Sally Bliesner, expressed the organisation’s commitment to provide quality food for residents across their network of centres, and detailed the organisations experience with the Maggie Beer program.

“Our chef managers have completed Maggie Beer training modules in the past, which gave them a fresh insight into how they can present food.” 

"Maggie's got a very strong onus on taste, aromas, atmosphere, and all of the other parts that really go into our residents enjoying their dining experience.”

“Our chefs look forward to completing more of Maggie’s fantastic training into the future.”

Ms Bleisner added that VMCH is committed to providing high-quality, nutritious and exciting food for their aged care residents.

“We recognise mealtimes are something residents in aged care look forward to, and that many of our residents have spent their lifetimes cooking and have a keen interest in food, so we want to make the experience as interesting and diverse as possible.”