Uniting AgeWell

23/12/2025

Can you relate to the saying "Don't wrap me in cotton wool"?

As we age, risk-taking becomes a conscious consideration. While caution often increases and those around us may encourage it, older adults still have the right to take risks.

Yet ignoring the challenges of ageing can have serious consequences. Finding the right balance is crucial, but it raises the question of who ultimately decides.

In the first episode of The Ageing Ideal, Don't wrap me in cotton wool, our host Jacinta Parsons explores the dignity of risk with gerontologist Professor Joseph Ibrahim and COTA CEO Pat Sparrow.

We also chat with elders about their approach to risk, autonomy and decision-making and why wrapping people in cotton wool is not the answer.

Listen to Episode 1 on your favourite podcast app or visit the Uniting AgeWell website: https://www.unitingagewell.org/podcast/

You can also be notified of new episodes by following The Ageing Ideal on your favourite podcast app.

22/12/2025

The gift of kindness to self - and others

For some, the festive season can be as cheerful as the baubles and the tinsel on the Christmas tree. For others it can be a confronting time.

Uniting AgeWell’s Director of Mission, Rev Clare Brockett says, “Being supported to acknowledge that Christmas can be hard is important because of community and family expectations and traditions. It is good to ask what being kind to ourselves during this season looks and feels like, while still staying connected to the people we love and will meet with."

You can explore this more in this powerful article in the latest December of CrossLight.

The December Christmas edition of Crosslight magazine is out now in print and online. This edition explores why Christmas is such a special time for some of the Uniting Church's culturally and linguistically diverse leaders, how translating 'Understanding the UCA' into Samoan is breaking down barriers, and the role art plays in helping people facing mental health challenges.
Click on the link to read December's edition:
https://issuu.com/ucavictas/docs/crosslight_december_2025

20/12/2025

On Gravy Day, in the spirit of giving, we're happy to share a special Christmas gift with you all - the secret ingredient one of our top chefs always adds to his gravy to make it a little bit extra!

Earlier this year we held an exciting MasterChef-style competition - a continuation of our Masterclass program - where teams comprising chefs and hotel services staff from across our residential sites sliced and diced it out to win the coveted trophy.

Chef Billy Maher captained the winning team which served a superb gravy with their signature lamb rack dish. The Chef Supervisor at our Box Hill Community is happy to share the secret ingredient to their gorgeous gravy.

Drumroll ... it's mustard! Yes, he added both seeded and Dijon mustard to the gravy and recommends also adding cream to lighter gravy that is served with turkey or chicken.

Share your tips for making a superb gravy in the comments below 🙂 and re-watch our Masterclass in action: https://www.unitingagewell.org/news/masterclass-2025-its-a-wrap/

19/12/2025

Merry Christmas to all

Wishing you peace and joy this Christmas and every happiness for the New Year.

Watch as Uniting AgeWell's CEO Andrew Kinnersly shares his Christmas message in this video.

19/12/2025

It's in the genes!

A three-generational trio was the overall winner of the Ladies' Triples at the Central Wendouree Bowling Club recently.

Congratulations to Anne, her daughter Lauren and granddaughter Charlotte.

Sixty women participated in the hotly contested Ladies Tournament and afterwards enjoyed the music and catching up with everyone over a delicious afternoon tea.

The terrific trio was presented with the top prize by Uniting AgeWell's Program Manager for Grampians Home Care Chris Armon and Liz Redpath, CHSP Social Connections Team Leader.

Proud to be active in our local communities, Uniting AgeWell is a sponsor of the Central Wendouree Bowling Club.

16/12/2025

Listen to season two of The Ageing Ideal podcast on your favourite podcast app today.

New episodes of The Ageing Ideal, drop each month at unitingagewell.org/podcast

You can also be notified of new episodes by hitting follow.

15/12/2025

Uniting AgeWell is shocked and saddened by the tragic events at Bondi yesterday.

Uniting AgeWell CEO Andrew Kinnersly says “On behalf of Uniting AgeWell I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the victims, their families, their communities and the broader Jewish Community”.

“I would specifically like to extend our sympathies to customers and staff who have been affected by these events.”

“Inclusion, respect and kindness are reflected in the values of Uniting AgeWell and underpin all we do and we will draw heavily upon these in the coming days and weeks as we support customers and staff impacted.”

If you are distressed or need support at this time, please reach out to:
Lifeline – for 24/7 crisis support and su***de prevention services. P. 13 11 14
Beyond Blue - Mental health support for anyone in Australia. P. 1300 224 636
13 Yarn - A free, confidential and culturally safe service managed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. P. 13 92 76.

11/12/2025

The first episode of Series Two of The Ageing Ideal podcast is out now.

The Ageing Ideal explores the perspectives and experiences of older people, their families, carers and those who live and work alongside them.

In Series Two, we bring together people from all walks of life and ask questions to ignite a new conversation about getting older and how we can break down barriers.

We challenge the perception that older people need to be wrapped in cotton wool. We explore loneliness versus solitude, love at any age and grandparenting in today’s world.

We ask the big questions around death and dying, finding meaning in later life and ask the question, what would we say to our younger self in the episode "Dear younger me".

Join radio broadcaster and author Jacinta Parsons for honest and inspiring conversations to find out what it really means to grow older well.

New episodes of The Ageing Ideal, drop each month at unitingagewell.org/podcast

You can also be notified of new episodes by hitting follow, The Ageing Ideal, in your favourite podcast app.

09/12/2025

Celebrating the achievements of 2025

Excitement and emotions ran high as almost 300 staff from across our services, Board Chair Raelene Thompson and members of the Board and representatives of the Uniting Church and business partners, gathered at The Edge in Melbourne’s iconic Federation Square on Thursday, 20 November.

This was an opportunity to reflect, through the Year in Review, on 12 months of significant growth and change underpinned by one constant: our unwavering dedication in putting our customers first and foremost in all that we do.

The annual event showcases the dedication of staff and teams across our organisation and celebrates the finalists and winners of the 2025 AgeWell Awards.

You can also watch the entire event here: https://www.unitingagewell.org/agewell-awards/agewell-awards-2025/

29/11/2025

With a career at Uniting AgeWell that spans decades, Evan Kyrkou, Application Support Team Leader was celebrated as a most worthy winner of the 2025 Excellence Award Corporate and Support Services at the recent AgeWell Awards held at The Edge, Federation Square.

Evan has made an outstanding contribution to the AlayaCare Cloud project, demonstrating exceptional dedication, resilience and leadership, supporting the business through a complex and high-impact transformation. His tireless efforts ensured seamless application support, proactive issue resolution and engagement across the organisation.

A pillar of support for the team and instrument in the success of the AlayaCare Cloud rollout, Evan exemplifies the values of excellence, commitment and service, consistently going above and beyond to maintain system stability, enable user adoption, deliver timely solutions and meet critical milestones.

Evan gave thanks to all those who have helped him, “My goal as a manager has always been to support, inspire and enable my team to be the best that they can and to provide them with the best opportunities to upskill themselves. Also to never lose sight of the clients and residents we are looking after. The last 18 months have been the most challenging for the team and myself and they have shown their resilience and skills to navigate their way through everything that has been presented to them. As a team they have always punched above their weight. This award also represents their support, effort and teamwork.”

You can find out more about Evan's impact by watching his video here:

The AgeWell Awards celebrate Uniting AgeWell staff who lead by example, who inspire others through their commitment to supporting people to live and age well and consistently demonstrate Uniting AgeWell’s values and BEST principles in their work and actions.

29/11/2025

Meet Jodie Branch, a Care Organiser in our Tasmania South Home Care Team who is the 2025 winner of Uniting AgeWell's Excellence Award - Home and Community Tasmania.

Jodie demonstrates an unwavering commitment in her role as Care Organiser. Highly respected by her colleagues, Jodie leads with integrity, expertise and compassion, providing outstanding support and going above and beyond for our customers. As a trusted problem solver and key resource within the office, Jodie exemplifies the values of Uniting AgeWell and is highly deserving of recognition for her dedication and positive impact.

Recognised by her colleagues for her advocacy for her customers, their choices and their right to live and age as they wish - you can watch Jodie's story here:

The AgeWell Awards celebrate Uniting AgeWell staff who lead by example, who inspire others through their commitment to supporting people to live and age well and consistently demonstrate Uniting AgeWell’s values and BEST principles in their work and actions.

28/11/2025

Congratulations Sussy on winning the Excellence Award – Home and Community Victoria for 2025!

With over 30 years experience, Sussy Vasquez-Lozano is the Program Manager for Uniting AgeWell's Commonwealth Home Support Program in the Melbourne South Metro Region.

This award recognises Sussy's outstanding dedication and commitment to service excellence at Uniting AgeWell, enabling our customers to live and age well.

Sussy is an inspiring leader and highly regarded mentor who consistently demonstrates Uniting AgeWell’s values and a commitment to excellence, guiding her team with clarity, expertise and unwavering support.

Sussy’s mentorship has empowered many staff members to achieve both personal and professional growth. Her compassionate approach and positive attitude, combined with a strong work ethic and deep knowledge of aged care, ensures that both clients and colleagues are supported and valued.

Sussy’s leadership not only drives high performance but also fosters an inclusive and respectful workplace culture where staff feel empowered to deliver their best.

Visibly moved when she received the award, Sussy said, “Thank you to the clients who are all an inspiration for what we do every day.” She also thanked all those who helped, worked with, mentored and inspired her, including her team who she described as family.

You can find out more about Sussy in the words of her colleagues by watching her video here:

The AgeWell Awards celebrate Uniting AgeWell staff who lead by example, who inspire others through their commitment to supporting people to live and age well and consistently demonstrate Uniting AgeWell’s values and BEST principles in their work and actions.