L-R Carol Allen BlueCross CEO, Gerard Mansour ACCV CEO, Linda Dowell Hansworth resident & ACCV Award winner, Annie Tragin

BlueCross staff member wins top State award

The annual State Awards for Excellence in Aged Care is an event held by Aged & Community Care Victoria and recognises the dedication of Victoria’s aged care industry to the care of older people. 

We are thrilled to announce that Annie Tragin from BlueCross Hansworth aged care residence in Mulgrave won the state employee award.

Carol Allen, BlueCross CEO says, “It was my absolute pleasure in June to congratulate one of our extraordinary staff members, Annie Tragin from BlueCross Hansworth, who won the ACCV State Award employee category. This award “recognises the dedication and contribution of an individual employee in the delivery of services to older people and people with a disability”.

This award pays recognition to individuals that have contributed to the quality care of our older Victorians amongst their peers. Annie will now progress to be nominated for the Aged & Community Services Australia National Awards.

“The State Awards promote and recognise excellence across all fields of the aged care industry and celebrate significant contributions to the quality of life of older people, people with disabilities and their carers,” said ACCV CEO Gerard Mansour.

Now in its third year, ACCV received an overwhelming number of outstanding nominations from around the State. All winners from the ACCV State Awards will also be nominated for the 2011 National Awards run by national peak body Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA).

Annie has worked in aged care for 30 years and has seen a tremendous shift as to how aged care is delivered over the years. Annie says, “If we give the residents opportunities to keep active with meaningful things to do and achievable goals we see a huge change in their lifestyle.  They not only maintain a greater level of independence but they care more about each other, and not just the other residents but staff as well.  Our residents want to help others and to continue participating in life.”

Carol Allen says, “Annie is one of the reasons we are seeing change occurring in the delivery of aged care. She is committed to making life worth living and creating an environment of aging positively for those who make Hansworth in Mulgrave their home.”

As you wander around Hansworth and chat with residents Annie’s presence in their lives is well evident.  “Annie’s wonderful”, “Annie is always there when I need someone to talk to”, “She is so funny and always makes me laugh”, “You should have seen her on St Patrick’s Day in the green shoes!”

Such simple statements, but through them you can see the impact Annie has on their lives, although subtle to them, they have an incredible clinical influence on their health and wellbeing.