At Catholic Healthcare, celebrating and recognising the contributions, successes and milestones of our people is an important part of who we are, and we do this in a variety of personal and meaningful ways.
Our annual Gold Dove Awards are the highest accolade offered at Catholic Healthcare and recognise excellence in care, service, and contribution right across our organisation.
Today, another wonderful group of Gold Dove Award winners were celebrated in the categories of Living our Values, Innovation, People Leadership and Volunteers.
Innovation Award
Our Innovation Award goes to the Villa Maria Fortitude Valley Lifestyle Team which includes Joanne Leung, Freya Noyes and Jade Ellis. Pictured above are Freya and Joanne. The team is a great example of not only innovation, but resilience and persistence in a tough environment. This year, the team innovatively adjusted to new and sometimes challenging ways of working to ensure they could continue to deliver great care and service.
Residents at Villa Maria Fortitude Valley have been kept entertained and active, from monthly strength and work out challenges, to meditation, yoga, tai chi, gardening groups, singalongs, talent quests and numerous other celebrations. The successful opening of a new Memory Support wing also enabled residents to discover joy in new activities and even reclaim old, almost forgotten talents.
Living the Values Award
Nada Marvo, Personal Care Assistant, George Mockler House Mona Vale
Nada has been working as a Personal Care Assistant at George Mockler for almost 20 years. Described as a quiet achiever, Nada demonstrates our Values in her interactions with both residents and staff. Kind, respectful, diligent, and hardworking, she cares for our residents beautifully and is a loyal advocate for them.
Tom Hall, Pastoral Care Coordinator, Holy Spirit Croydon
Tom has been a highly valued team member of Holy Spirit Croydon for 16 years and is described by colleagues as someone who lives and breathes the Catholic Healthcare Values each and every day. Selflessly sacrificing his own time on a regular basis to offer support to residents, families, and staff in times of difficult personal circumstances and grief, he is a great asset to our organisation and a wonderful support to those around him.
Ken Phromma, Community Worker, Home & Community Services, South East Sydney
Ken receives his Award in recognition of his compassion, values, and commitment to his role. A family member of a recent client of Ken’s nominated him in recognition of his considerate and kind support of her father.
“I have no words to express the high moral standards and values that Ken has been displaying towards my now late father. My father passed away last week in the company of Ken who had been his carer for a few years. He always looked after dad extremely well and with dignity in life and death.
“Ken is truly an asset to the community and as a family member of a client I feel indebted to him for his services. I hope that the organisation recognises him for the great service he is providing for our community, above and beyond what is required as part of his job... I am extremely grateful for his services to my Dad and I am at peace knowing that my Dad was cared for by the best!”
Kirstie Casal, Recruitment Partner Human Resources
Kirstie personifies the Catholic Healthcare Values and is a regular recipient of great feedback for the services she delivers every day. Often going above and beyond for her customers, Kirstie (pictured above with David Maher, Managing Director) consistently demonstrates respect, excellence, empathy, patience, and persistence and is always open and honest in the way that she approaches her work and interactions with those around her. A customer service leader by example, she is an encouragement to those around her including those who are considering joining our organisation.
Excellence in People Leadership Award
Sue Gordon, Deputy Residential Manager, Bodington
Through wind, rain, snow, fire and COVID-19, Sue has played an indispensable leadership role at Bodington. Throughout 2020, she has made a habit of making the impossible possible, and she has helped Bodington through challenging times with her humour that continues to encourage those around her.
Louise Royden, Community Worker Support Officer, Home and Community Services North
Louise is a leader who exemplifies Catholic Healthcare's Values. Always there to help her team with problems and concerns, Louise supports her team members through encouragement and by fostering practical perspectives focused on ensuring the best possible balance between the delivery of great care, and compliance.
Jacqueline Evans, L&D Manager Human Resources
A consummate professional with a bright, friendly, and positive outlook Jac is a genuine example of a Catholic Healthcare leader. Jac’s leadership and involvement with several significant Catholic Healthcare initiatives has been outstanding – and all done without fuss or fanfare. Jac is described as a delight to work with where nothing is ever too much trouble. She is a thoroughly authentic, genuine person who listens and responds to the needs of her stakeholders.
Volunteer Award
Sue Polak, Dubbo Home Club, Home and Community Services
As a volunteer for the past 10 years, Sue consistently displays compassion and warmth towards Home Club clients, providing care and company. Sue is always there to help members of the Home and Community Services team by doing the little things such as packing up after morning tea or just putting on the washing. Her willingness to spend time with our clients over many years now \ is invaluable and she is a very deserved winner of this award. Sue (centre) is pictured with colleagues from the Dubbo Home Club.
Sr Philomena, Gertrude Abbott and The Sister Anne Court
Sr Philomena has been volunteering at Gertrude Abbott and The Sister Anne Court in Surry Hills for 14 years. Always available to staff, residents, and their families, watching her interact with people is a true joy to behold and she is an invaluable member of the team. While she was separated from residents during the lockdowns this year, she was sorely missed, with residents and staff alike constantly asking "When is Sr Philomena coming back". Everyone at the Homes are so grateful and pleased to see Sr Philomena back again.
Congratulations to all 2020 Gold Dove winners!