The winners of Australia’s peak international design awards were announced during 2021 Good Design Awards Week. The Good Design Awards are the highest honour for design and innovation in the country and reward projects across 12 design disciplines and 30 subcategories.

‘St. Basil’s – Where strategy meets execution’ received a prestigious Good Design Award Gold Accolade in the Design Strategy category in recognition for outstanding design and innovation.

The Australian Good Design Awards celebrate the best new products and services on the Australian and international market, excellence in architectural design, precinct design, engineering, fashion, digital and communication design, and reward new and emerging areas of design including design strategy, social impact design, design research and up-and-coming design talent in the Next Gen category.

The 2021 Good Design Awards attracted a record number of submissions with 933 design projects evaluated by more than 70 Australian and international Jurors, including designers, engineers, architects and thought leaders. Each entry was evaluated according to a strict set of design evaluation criteria which includes good design, design innovation and design impact. Projects recognised with an Australian Good Design Award demonstrate excellence in professional design and highlight the impact a design-led approach has on business success and social and environmental outcomes.

The Good Design Awards Jury commented: “A very good example of how design strategy can drive change in a charity based organisation. The stand-out feature was the establishment of the Strategy Execution office (SXO) which guided the business from strategy to ideas implementation. It brilliantly demonstrated how design needed to be integrated as part of the change process. Great application of design strategy to help an organisation find new direction and ignite their culture. Well done.”

 

Dr. Brandon Gien, CEO of Good Design Australia said: “Receiving an Australian Good Design Award is testament to embedding design excellence at the heart of a product, service, place or experience. Although 2021 continues to be another challenging year, it is incredibly inspiring to see designers and businesses working together to find innovative, customer-centric design solutions to local and global challenges and to see them recognised and rewarded for their efforts through these prestigious Awards.”

 

“The importance of embracing good design principles is now more important than ever as many businesses around the world have had to completely re-think their business strategies to remain competitive. The standard of design excellence represented in this year’s Awards is the best I’ve ever seen in my 25 years of running these Awards, an encouraging sign that the design sector is flourishing,” Dr. Gien went on to say.

Read St Basil’s Strategic Plan 2021-2026: Stronger than ever

Spiro Stavis, CEO (Acting) of St Basil’s said: “St Basil’s commissioned Lightbulb to lead the design of our five-year strategic plan to give our organisation a clear path and direction, and together that’s what we’ve achieved.”

“Going through a process like this has been liberating. The collaborative approach taken across a broad spectrum of roles and expertise in the organisation gives me confidence that this plan will lead us to deliver on our strategic purpose now and in the years to come.”

Read more about St Basil’s release of the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan: Stronger than ever.

 

St Basil’s NSW/ACT new Strategic Plan 2021-2026 provides a clear pathway into the future, reinforcing the values of our beloved Church and providing clarity in respect of our mission and vision.

Spiro Stavis, CEO of St Basil’s NSW/ACT explains that the organisation’s vision is a future where ageing Australians are uniquely cared for, valued, included and supported, and with more than 4.1million Australians, or almost 16% of the population currently aged over 65, this vision has never been more meaningful.

“We’ve listened to our peers, our consumers and the community, and together we have created a ‘blueprint’ of what’s to come for St Basil’s with our consumers’ needs and wants at the centre of our existence,” says Mr Stavis.

The five-year plan is designed to help St Basil’s deliver services to those in need with a clearly defined set of projects and programs that are outlined in the plan.

“Providing quality care to ageing Australians out in the community and to those in our aged care homes is underpinned by the Aged Care Quality Standards to ensure excellence and best practices in all that St Basil’s delivers.”

“Our foundations in providing care and love to so many over the last 60 years are what we pride ourselves on and will now look to build on.”

“Following the work of our namesake, Saint Basil the Great of Caesarea, we are looking to widen our reach by extending our definition of ‘care’, and ‘ageing’. Impacting more lives, for longer, to create deeper relationships is our key philosophy in this strategic plan.”

“Our Values are the core ethics which we individually and collectively abide by, no matter what. They influence and shape all that we do, how we carry ourselves day to day, and most importantly, how we serve our customers and community,” adds Mr Stavis.

St Basil’s exists to care for ageing Australians, particularly Greek Australians in need, helping them to live a life of spirituality, meaning and joy.

To read the strategic plan or to learn more about St Basil’s services, visit stbasils.org.au

 

The process of mapping the journey of St Basil’s for the next five years has been extensive, and due to this well-designed process led by Lightbulb, St Basil’s is the recipient of a Good Design Gold Award. Read more about ‘St. Basil’s – Where strategy meets execution’ Recognised in Australia’s International Good Design Awards for Design Excellence.

 

 

 

 

The Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) Aged Care Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions made by ACSA Member Organisations, teams and individuals in the aged care industry throughout the year.

This year, there are five award categories, with winners from each state and territory forming the list of nominees for ACSA’s 2021 National Aged Care Awards.

St. Basil’s Homes NSW/ACT has been named as a State Finalist in not one but two (2) categories of the 2021 ACSA Aged Care Awards.  La Stacey Baramy, Director of Care & Community has been named as an Employee of the Year finalist whilst St Basil’s Aged Care NSW/ACT Community Services is a finalist in the Provider of the Year category.

St. Basil's NSW/ ACT
La Stacey Baramy, Director of Care & Community

The Employee of the Year award recognises the dedication and contribution of an individual employee in the delivery of services to older people. The employee must have excelled in the care of older people, demonstrated initiative in their workplace, and helped to strengthen and inspire their colleagues.

The Aged Care Provider of the Year award recognises a residential, community care or retirement village provider that demonstrates outstanding leadership, management, workforce culture, innovation, communication and excellence to the sector.

Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) is the leading national peak body supporting not for profit, church and charitable providers of retirement living, community, home and residential care for more than 450,000 older Australians. ACSA exists to support an equitable and just aged care sector that Australians can trust to offer quality of life, choice and accessibility.

By celebrating successes through the ACSA awards, the ACSA continues to put a spotlight on the hard work and achievements of those who work in the aged care industry.

“It’s an honour to be recognised by Australia’s leading peak industry body, ACSA for the work we are doing,” says Spiro Stavis, Acting CEO, St. Basil’s NSW/ ACT.

“We are extremely proud of what St Basil’s has achieved to date, and excited about what the future holds for our organisation.”

St. Basil's NSW/ACT Community Services

To join the 2021 ACSA Aged Care Awards (free) online ceremony on October 26th at 12:30pm where state winners will be announced, register your attendance here https://events.acsa.asn.au/event/nsw-act-2021-acsa-aged-care-awards-online/

State and Territory winners will become national finalists with national winners to be announced in December 2021.

Find out more about St Basil’s Aged Care NSW/ ACT: https://www.stbasils.org.au

 

Original article published by Greek City Times, Saturday 8.10.21: https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/10/09/st-basils-nsw-act-named-finalist-in-the-2021-acsa-aged-care-awards/ 

Part of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia, St. Basil’s Kogarah is a nursing home located in the suburb of Kogarah with lush gardens and leafy surroundings.

Conveniently positioned in close proximity to Kogarah and St. George health precinct, St. Basil’s Kogarah cares for 31 consumers.

St. Basil’s Kogarah offers respite, permanent and dual occupancy residency throughout its 31 fully self-contained units, featuring single and double rooms.

This facility offers spacious residential suites complete with ensuites, the St. Savva of Kalymnos’ Orthodox chapel, extensive outdoor seating areas and a warm, home like environment.

St. Basil's Kogarah

Earlier this year, Jiang Chen was appointed to the position of General Manager for St. Basil’s Kogarah and since this time Jiang and his team have done an amazing job working together to keep all the residents safe whilst ensuring that they continue to live an active life.

The organisation strives to achieve this vision through a number of core values such as having the highest level of respect and dedication for those in its care as well as for each other; and striving to work together with consumers, their families, staff, the community and other organisations.

St. Basil's Kogarah

St. Basil's Kogarah

During the last month St. Basil’s Kogarah was thrilled to share some amazing testimonials that were received by Jiang and a number of the Customer Service Officers expressing appreciation for their exceptional work and the high level of dedication to those in its care.

“I just want to thank you so much for your kindness, empathy and understanding every time I speak to you,” reads one heartfelt testimonial.

“I know my father is well cared for under your management.  I appreciate everything and wish you the best.”

“I made you this gift as a token of my appreciation for your kindness and empathy towards myself and my precious father,” professes another.

“I know you are special to him as you are to me.  You are a lovely person and definitely in the right job. Thank you so much.

Also, “To all the staff at St Basil’s Kogarah, we wish to sincerely thank you for your care and love for our dear mother.  God bless and keep you all in His care.”

Testimonials such as these provide St. Basil’s Kogarah with the certainty that the organisation is indeed successfully operating and living by the core values that it holds so dear.

St. Basil's Kogarah

St. Basil's Kogarah

St. Basil's Kogarah

Find out more about our Kogarah home online now or call us on 9588 9000.

St. Basil's Kogarah

Original article published by Greek City Times, 25.09.2021

 

St Basil’s Aged Care NSW/ACT has worked together with staff to protect the older Australians in our care.  Part of this protection has been ensuring and enabling our staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Keeping our residents and those who care for them safe in the global pandemic is a top priority,” said Spiro Stavis, CEO of St Basil’s Aged Care NSW/ACT.

“We’re proud that our staff have had a COVID-19 vaccine prior to the introduction of mandatory vaccination that’s in place now.”

“We are proud to protect ourselves, our workforce, our residents/care recipients and the broader community by ensuring all staff and residents have had access to vaccines.

“Our passionate staff continue to provide a helping hand, as we work to protect each other and those in our care.”

All staff working in St Basils’ homes as well as providing in-home care who can have the vaccine are vaccinated.

“All of our staff working and 90% of our residents are vaccinated for COVID-19.”

“Our homes and community workers are celebrating vaccination success, as a way of encouraging others to get vaccinated and to improve protection of staff and residents.”

“We have also worked with our management team to support their discussions with staff, answering their questions and discussing issues related to the mandating of vaccination,” adds Mr Stavis.

St Basil’s exists to care for ageing Australians, particularly Greek Australians, in need helping them to live a life of spirituality, meaning and joy. Find out more about St Basil’s home care services now

St. Basil’s Aged Care NSW/ACT has been named as a State finalist in two (2) categories of the 2021 ACSA Aged Care Awards program; Provider of the Year and Employee of the Year.

“We are extremely proud to receive two state finalist nominations recognising the important work we do for the ageing community,” says Spiro Stavis, CEO of St. Basil’s NSW/ACT.

“To be acknowledged for our contribution to the Australian aged care industry by the leading peak body is an honour.”

St. Basil’s is awarded as a state/territory finalist in the categories of:

1. Employee of the Year; La Stacey Baramy as General Manager of St Basil’s Miranda Home (currently St Basil’s Director of Care and Community)

2.Aged Care Provider of the Year; St Basil’s Aged Care NSW/ACT Community Services

Winners will be announced at the 2021 ACSA Aged Care online awards ceremony at 12:30pm on 26th October. State and Territory winners will become national finalists with national winners to be announced in December 2021. You can show your support by registering your attendance at this free online event at https://events.acsa.asn.au/event/nsw-act-2021-acsa-aged-care-awards-online/

To learn more about St.Basil’s visit www.stbasils.org.au

St Basil’s NSW/ACT Director of Care and Community is responsible for the services delivered at six aged care homes across Sydney, independent living units as well as the services delivered to across NSW and the ACT that involve in-home care and day centres.

“I am so excited to announce the appointment of La Stacey Baramy as our new Director of Care and Community for St Basil’s NSW/ACT,” says Spiro Stavis, CEO.

“La Stacey brings over 22 years’ experience across the aged care and hospital industries to her new role.”

“Over the last seven years La Stacey has played a leading role for St Basil’s as Facility General Manager at Miranda that encompasses a facility supporting 101 nursing home residents and 20 occupants of independent living units.”

“In that role La Stacey led a tenure with a successful history including consistently achieving Accreditation standards, a high average occupancy rate at the home, and low rates of staff turnover. Her extensive background in clinical care means that she reinforces a high standard in care within her team for the wellbeing of her residents,” adds Spiro.

Prior to working in the aged care environment La Stacey achieved a career spanning over 12 years in acute clinical hospital settings in management, research and nurse consultant roles, and at South West Private Hospital including Director of Nursing and Quality and Risk Manager. With a Master of Nursing and Master of Business Administration, her other career achievements also include having health research projects published in the Journal of the Royal College of Nursing Australia.

“Many of you already know La Stacey, so you know that she will continue to work closely and collaboratively with the St Basil’s staff, residents and their representatives with continued dedication, compassion and skill to make improvements in our delivery of care where needed.”

To learn more about St Basil’s NSW/ACT Executive Management team, please click here

With the global pandemic raising continuous challenges St Basil’s NSW/ACT looks for ways to support its residents and staff in ways that go above and beyond government requirements.

 

Spiro Stavis, CEO of St Basil’s says “In recent weeks, as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure our residents and staff are safe, we engaged 4Cyte Pathology to administer dedicated COVID-19 testing clinics for St Basil’s staff.”

 

“We want to avoid our staff spending time in long busy queues so we have provided two dedicated testing clinic locations, where our staff can be surveillance tested every three days, in accordance with the directive from the NSW Government.”

 

“This is already a difficult time for everyone, we want to ease the burden on our staff and hopefully this will assist them.”

 

“We have engaged 4Cyte Pathology to manage these clinics, saving valuable time for our staff and easing the burden on the public testing facilities in the area.” adds Stavis.

 

St Basil’s continues to maintain stringent protocols in relation to infection control and resident and staff safety.

 

To learn more visit https://stbasils.org.au/covid19

The St. Basil’s Homes Men’s Group initiative has become the perfect outlet for male residents of the Miranda Aged Care Home who have now formed a socially connected network of very committed men.

Spiro Stavis, CEO of St. Basil’s Homes NSW/ACT says “On average, one in eight men will experience depression and one in five men will experience anxiety at some stage of their lives1.”

“At St. Basil’s Miranda, our male residents expressed a need to socialise with other men. Our lifestyle team set out to find new ways to encourage male to male contact between residents in a meaningful way. That’s how this monthly male-only social initiative arose.”

“By providing our male residents with a regular outlet to connect with others in a social setting we are in fact encouraging good mental health habits for our residents,” adds Stavis.

Ryan Szeto, St. Basil’s Accredited Physiotherapist and Men’s Group advocate explains that the staff at St. Basil’s know how to create a great environment to allow the men to open up sometimes reliving old memories, joking around with one another and creating new memorable moments.

“Our male residents often shy away from some of our other activities however they are quick to agree to attend the Men’s Group!”

“It’s a great opportunity for the men to get together each month and not have the expectation to engage in anything too strenuous, just chatting and enjoying the food and company.”

“Being a man myself, it was easier to gather some interest to participate in a men’s breakfast, and with the expertise of our lifestyle team, we were able to enjoy the company of a few men and discuss things like their work experiences and the struggles they faced in their lives.

“At our monthly men’s gatherings, we sometimes let the conversations flow and grow naturally, and at other times we discuss matters such as work, funny experiences with food, shocking stories from their youth and any other hot topics of the day.”

“During one session, the men discussed their experiences fishing and going out to sea on their boats, and one gentleman shared a story about how he found a rat’s tail in his sausage roll!” explains Szeto.

The small group of a few men quickly turned into our ’12 Happy Men’. These men are regular attendees, are fully engaged and look forward to the monthly gathering – they wouldn’t miss it for anything.

The Men’s Groups initiative will soon form part of the lifestyle and wellness program at St Basil’s other facilities across Sydney starting with St. Basil’s Randwick Home.

To find out about more of our initiatives such as St Basil’s Day Centres program and our In-Home Care services please follow St Basil’s NSW/ACT on Facebook, call us on 9784 3200 or visit stbasils.org.au

  1. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/media/statistics

Photos

International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on the 12th of May every year because it’s the anniversary of the birthday of one of history’s famous nurses, Florence Nightingale.

So today, my colleagues and I take this opportunity to celebrate and recognise the work that our nursing staff do every day, and the incredibly important role that they play in our Homes. They are special team members who go over and above to care for our consumers, and we thank them for it.

Recent times have definitely highlighted the important role nurses and care workers play in keeping our consumers healthy.

On behalf of St Basil’s Homes NSW/ACT I’d like to express our appreciation for our nurses’ compassion, optimism and kindness, and reaffirm that their daily actions do not go unnoticed.

To our nurses – thank you, thank you, thank you!

Spiro Stavis,

CEO