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Workplace Relations Webinar

Workplace Relations Webinar: Psychosocial hazards and the right to disconnect

Who should attend: CEOs / Principals, Executives, GMs, Human Resource / People & Culture.  

Since the COVID-19 lockdown, there has been an increased focus on the importance of work/life balance, and the need for employees to be able to switch off at a certain point. In response, the Federal Government has now introduced a new “right to disconnect” into the Fair Work Act 2009.

Event Details

Date
Tuesday 26 March 2024

Time
9.30 am – 10.30 am 

Location
Online via Zoom using your PC or mobile

For more information please contact our events team.

In our webinar, we will discuss how the employee’s right to disconnect and the employer’s obligation to manage psychosocial hazards intersect, and help you understand how to comply with your new obligations.

Your presenters for the session will be Anthony Massaro (Principal) and Kelly Ralph (Senior Associate). Our broader team of Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety lawyers will also assist with Q&A throughout the session.

Event website page here with more information.Please click on the button below to RSVP for the webinar

Opportunity to submit your questions – Q&A

You have the opportunity to submit questions before the webinar. Please submit any questions to events@rk.com.au

Anthony Massaro
Principal

03 9609 1501
amassaro@rk.com.au

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Kelly Ralph
Senior Associate

03 9609 1510
kralph@rk.com.au

Connect with me on LinkedIn

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Five on Friday with 1,000 Club Members

Introducing Bec Mitchell (pictured above), Village Manager at Bethanie Warwick and Joondanna, northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia, and part of DCM Institute’s exclusive 1,000 Club.

Did you have other jobs/a different career before becoming a Village Manager?

I undertook TAFE studies in my younger years and become a Careworker.  I have always had a passion for helping others.  Acquiring a background in aged care proved invaluable, offering insights into the challenges associated with ageing and the available support systems.

 I transitioned from a Careworker role to administration in aged care, successfully completing valuable administrative courses, and subsequently advancing into Village management. 

Additionally, my involvement in the recruitment and management of volunteers has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the resources accessible within the community.

What do you enjoy most about your role and the one thing that has surprised you about it?

I find great happiness in bringing smiles to my residents. 

It’s especially meaningful when you realise that for some, you might be the sole person they interact with that day, particularly those who have limited social connections or family. One surprising aspect of my role has been the wealth of knowledge I’ve gained about Perth and its history through interactions with our residents.  I love having a cuppa with residents and hearing about their life stories.

Bec Mitchell (centre) joins fellow Western Australia’s 1,000 Club members in recieving their awards from DCM Institute Executive Director James Wiltshire (far right) and DCM Institute Operations Manager Tiffany Folbigg (far left).

What have you gained from the DCM Institute’s Professional Development Program?

I have acquired valuable insights into managing Village affairs, including skills in conflict resolution and navigating challenging discussions.

How do you manage your time to ensure you can balance responsibilities to residents and your operator, with your own learning and development?

I keep a running to-do list and prioritise my workload. I schedule specific blocks of time during my work week especially for my learning and development.  This helps me stay organised and manage my time effectively.

The one thing you would tell anyone thinking of being a Village Manger.   

You will always be learning new things, no one day is the same.

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Five on Friday with Rachel Crosby

Introducing Rachel Crosby (pictured left), Village Manager at NovaCare Busselton in Western Australia, and part of DCM Institute’s exclusive 1,000 Club.

Describe your role as a Village Manager

“My role is a very interactive with the residents. I have an open door policy where at any time throughout the day I can be approached about any concerns they may, and assisting with an outcome, or sitting in a finance, social or committee meeting discussing and making decisions that will have the best outcome for the village.

“We are very lucky at NovaCare to have such an active committee along with a small but cheerful team whop are willing to assist at any moment.”

How did you become a Village Manager?

I was working in aged care achieving a Certificate 4 before I became joined NoveCare as Village Manager in Busselton in May 2011.

Describe how you are as a Village Manager

“It is the most fulfilling job one could ever have. No two days are ever the same and this can sometimes be a challenge, but the support I receive in my role from the board of NovaCare to the residents is very fulfilling and I look forward to what lies ahead. I have lived in the southwest of the state for most of my life and there is nowhere I would rather be.”

How has being part of the DCM Institute helped your career? 

“Being part of the DCMI has been crucial to my development as a manager. Being in the south west of Western Australia and being a standalone village is a tough gig but with the online learning portal I can keep up to date with what is happening within the industry from the comfort of my office, without having to drive for three hours to attend a meeting.

Any advice to anyone thinking of being a Village Manager?

“If you are passionate about older people and ensuring that their life is to be enjoyed then get on board and develop skills which will assist in gaining employment in the field, as it is not going away anytime soon.”

about the 1,000 club

The acheivement of Professional Development Points demonstrates an individuals commitment to learning and their own professional development with DCM Institute.

Every monthly topic released to the DCM Institute’s Knowledge Centre accumulates points for thos participants who complete them. Points are also acheived through working through the vast array of topics in the Knowledge Centre, as well as attending webinars, Professional Development Days and Village Summit Events.

For more information contact the DCM Institute.

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24-years strong: From Cleaner to Village Administrator

Karen Pohl started her journey at what is now Keyton’s Abervale retirement village in Grovedale, a southern suburb of Geelong, Victoria, as a cleaner. 

She quickly progressed into the role of Village Administrator. 

“They needed someone I guess,” she laughs. “I actually didn’t apply for the job. I filled in for the role a couple of times, and I already knew a lot of the residents as well. Also back then, I was probably a bit more computer savvy than some other people. But I’ve gotten old now.” 

Karen’s mum moved into the village after Karen began working there. 

“It was good having her here. I got to see her and catch up a fair bit,’ Karen said.  

After her mum sadly passed away, Karen found comfort in her work as the receptionist, and interacting with residents and their families on a daily basis. When asked what the best part of her job is, she has a very quick answer. 

“It’s interaction with the residents. And milestone events. There were some really special times. 100th birthday celebrations, the village anniversary, and we even had a wedding here not long ago. This is fantastic. This is when we can make the residents happy.” 

The living embodiment of the Keyton values

A self declared introvert who doesn’t like to talk about herself, Karen feels at home at Abervale. 

“I am very, very introverted. But you put me behind that desk, and I can have a chat to residents and talk about things they want to talk about.’ 

Village manager Andrew Scholten, who has worked alongside Karen for many years, said Karen is the backbone of the village. 

“She holds all the history, knows every resident and their families, she is loved dearly by every resident and every member of staff,” he said during the village’s 40 year anniversary. 

“She is smart, witty, full of fun and vitality and is the living embodiment of the Keyton values. You are such an important person for everyone in the village and we have to let you know that. You are a remarkable person.” 

Will Karen see 30 years at Abervale? 

“I’m going on a holiday shortly, to Canada and Alaska. I will be overseas for three and a half weeks. But other than that, I’ve got nowhere else to go at the moment, so I keep turning up for work,” she said.  

“You’ve gotta be a little bit crazy to be in any job for that long.” 

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Raising Awareness: The Risks with Lithium-ion Battery Failure

It was heartbreaking to read about the fire in an Adelaide retirement village last week where an 83-year old man was found dead and a woman, 81, taken to hospital.

Late, reports indicated the likely cause of the fire was a mobility scooter battery left charging overnight.

Mobility scooters are a part of retirement villages all over the country. Many of them are plugged in right now, charging, so that they are ready to assist their owner move about the community.

A common feature of these mobility scooters is their light-weight lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used since they can store a large amount of energy in a relatively small area. They are also susceptible to causing events like the one seen in Adeliade the other week with state fire departments reporting more than 450 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in the past 18 months.

What causes lithium-ion batteries to fail?

Overheating is one of the main causes of lithium-ion battery failures, although physical damage to the battery can also lead to problems.

Excessive heat — for example from using a faulty charger and overcharging the battery, or due to a short circuit — can damage the battery cell internally and cause it to fail.

The major issue with lithium-ion batteries overheating is a phenomenon known as thermal runaway.

In this process, the excessive heat promotes the chemical reaction that makes the battery work, thus creating even more heat and ever more chemical reactions in a disastrous spiral. Physical damage to lithium-ion battery cells can allow the electrolyte inside to leak, which is another potential hazard risk.

How can people mitigate the problems with lithium-ion batteries?

Correct usage and storage of lithium-ion batteries is extremely important.

Batteries should not be exposed to high external temperatures, for example from being left in direct sunlight for long periods of time.

Overcharging is another fundamental issue as this can create excessive heat inside the battery cell.

Therefore, it is important to always use a reputable brand-name charger, rather than a cheap generic version that may be available online.

Good quality chargers, designed specifically for the battery you are using, control the amount of charge going into the cell and will cut off when it is fully charged to ensure the system does not over-heat.

Be very wary if a lithium-ion battery sustains any physical damage, such as being dropped or pierced by an object, as this can lead to leakage and potential problems.

In workplace settings, safe battery storage can be crucial so that in the event of unwanted failure, the resulting fire can be more easily contained and controlled and does not spread – which can quickly cause catastrophic consequences.

It is not advisable to purchase lithium-ion batteries second-hand, or online from unknown and potentially unregulated vendors.

What can we do?

Bring awareness. Take a commonsense approach and educate residents on the risks. There are a range of useful fact sheets and links contained in this article which can be shared easily with staff and residents.

For further information

For those interested in further reading on this subject, the ACCC released a report in October 2023 titled ‘Lithium-ion batteries and consumer product safety’.

Additional information about lithium-ion battery safety can be found by contacting your state fire department. 

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Networking: A Contact Sport

“Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” – Bill Nye

In a world where running a retirement village is like a never-ending jigsaw puzzle, we need all the support we can get. Saying this makes you start to appreciate the collegiate nature of being a Village Professional.

How then do you get the most out of networking opportunities, such as DCM Institutes upcoming Professional Development Day

Through the knowledge sharing these days present you with.

Gone are the days where successful networking was seen as how many business cards you could hand out, compared to how many you collect. (Do people even use business cards anymore?)

Networking days are primarily about relationship building, where both parties come away stronger from the connection and information sharing the event has provided them with.  An opportunity to feed off the energy of being in a room with someone, and not talking to a monitor. To learn from peers through conversations or table discussions, feeding your passion for your growth as a Village Professional.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.” African Proverb.

Networking and knowledge sharing aren’t just buzzwords; they’re the unsung heroes in our search for excellence.  It’s about building a group of industry peers who’ve got your back and challenge you to expand your mind. To open you up to perspectives and opportunities you’d never previously considered.

Knowledge sharing is another avenue in fostering growth.  Collaborating with colleagues provides a platform to exchange ideas, challenges, and solutions. By sharing successes and learning from others’ experiences, you can gain practical insights. This collective wisdom creates a supportive community that thrives on the principles of mutual growth and development. 

“Your Network is Your Net Worth”

Try not to go into networking opportunities thinking you don’t have anything to contribute. Every person has experienced a unique situation they have had to solve or a common issue they have had to look at from a different perspective. Opening a person up to you, and you up to them comes from simply asking questions.

Next time you walk into a room with peers, join a group and keep the conversation flowing. You will quickly learn that as peers, we are all in this together, and there’s no better way to learn than with friends who’ve got your back.

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Dougherty Apartments’ CEO Happy Hour brings its community together 

The Independent Living and Social Housing Residents at Dougherty Apartments Retirement Housing Project, call it a “smash hit.” Kelvin Neave unites his residents across residential aged care, memory support care, independent living and social housing. 

The CEO of Dougherty Apartments in Chatswood, 10km north of Sydney’s CBD, organises a Happy Hour quarterly.  Alcohol, soft drinks and hot and cold canapes are provided at themed events.  

“We have eight floors of apartments and the events, be it a high tea or supper carnival, tend to bring everyone out of the woodwork and we are thrilled that it does,” Kelvin said. 

“I like to think we create one community here and this has been my ultimate aim since my arrival.” 

He said it was wonderful to see the residents in the independent living units and social housing connecting. Watching this interaction, regardless of backgrounds, is magic. 

Dougherty Apartments is the brainchild of Willoughby City Council and the NSW Department of Housing. It has 80 staff who care for the 70 residential aged care residents. There are 44 independent living units and 39 social housing apartments who also supported by qualified staff in cases of need.   

Dougherty Apartment’s Happy Hours attract the local VIPs. Kelvin is pictured with Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor and Dougherty Apartments’ board chair, Virginia Howard OAM (left).   

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Introduction to the 1000 Club for 2023 

One of the most rewarding parts of the VILLAGE SUMMIT is recognising individual excellence of Village Professionals who have achieved the milestone of 1000 Professional Development points with DCM Institute.  

This remarkable achievement was recognised in Perth earlier this week where a handful of DCM Institute participants were awarded for their commitment to excellence. 

The awards in WA this year were presented to  

  • Ian Brockett (SCC WA),  
  • Rachel Crosby (NovaCare),  
  • Nikki Dhawan (Meath Care),  
  • Lyn Ferguson (Bethanie),  
  • Beverley Kukura (SCC WA),  
  • Ashlee McGlashan (Bethanie), and  
  • Bec Mitchell (Bethanie). 

These professionals contribute not only to their personal and professional growth, but also to elevating the standards of the Retirement Living industry. This is not merely an accolade; it’s a celebration of their dedication, passion, and the ongoing journey of learning and growth. 

DCM Institute is committed to the ongoing Professional Development of Village Professionals and welcomes these recipients to the ever growing 1000 Club.  

Congratulations to Ian, Rachel, Nikki, Lyn, Beverly, Ashlee and Bec. We look forward to recognising other participants in the DCM Institute’s program as we make our way around the country for VILLAGE SUMMIT 2023. 

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The difference between being a Village Manager and a Hotelier

Guy Marinucci traded a 25-year career in Hospitality for the rewards of being the first Village Manager at Europa on Alma in Melbourne’s beachside suburb, St Kilda. All of Guy’s experience as a General Manager of four and five star hotels across Australia has paid dividends for BoltonClark’s first venture into Victoria – in the form of a Judge’s Commendation in the Special Purpose Living category of the UDIA Awards for Excellence. After 22 months in the role, Guy has found one thing very different between his two careers.

“The turnaround of hotel guests is quick but at Europa I have been given the opportunity to build relationships and a rapport with residents and gained satisfaction by playing a part in enhancing their lives,” Guy said.

Guy’s resident-first focus has garnered outstanding feedback, while his open, honest management style has created a warm, inclusive environment for the team. Guys says the most important thing he and the team have learned at Europa on Alma is to never forget that they are working in someone’s home and need to respect that it is their sanctuary. 

“(We) treat each resident as an individual and understand them. Also, be curious and gain an understanding of each residents background  –  there are fascinating stories from each one. They are all individuals and have lots to contribute to the Village  from their life experiences.” Guy said. 

Innovative approaches to procedure implementation and the introduction of new ways to engage and support residents have shown that Guy knows what it takes to make a village both successful and happy – from welcoming the first residents to making the most of Europa’s modern community facilities with a busy social and wellbeing calendar. 

“The aim is to surprise and delight them, always.”, he said.  

For a man who worked in restaurants and bars before earning a Bachelor of Business (majoring in Hotel Management), providing a concierge-style lifestyle for the residents can be as simple as introducing new residents to others with similar interests or an impromptu afternoon tea during intermission for one of Europa’s regular movie sessions. 

Donating a few bottles of wine for the regular sun downers get together doesn’t hurt either, he added. 

Europa on Alma, which opened in 2021, has an awe-inspiring entrance foyer and a sky terrace with breathtaking views of St Kilda beach and Melbourne’s CBD. There are 81 one-, two- and three-bedroom independent living apartments serving as homes for the 61 current residents.   

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Set Your Team Up for Success in 2024 at VILLAGE SUMMIT

In two-week’s time, VILLAGE SUMMIT enters its fifth year of presenting a single day of celebration, motivation and leadership for village and head office managers.

Held across five capital cities during November, VILLAGE SUMMIT showcases internationally recognised speakers alongside leading industry executives and experts to review the state of the sector today and provide insights into what to expect in 2024.

In addition to expert speakers, the day provides a great networking opportunity for teams to come together and reflect on another successful year and celebrate with sector peers.

Inspiration and Leadership with Matt Church

In response to popular demand, we’re excited to announce the return of the renowned motivational speaker, Matt Church.

Matt is Australia’s most successful motivational speaker and is in high demand internationally for his captivating presentations. We’re fortunate to have secured him as a featured speaker at the VILLAGE SUMMIT in every capital city.

Be sure to check the program for each capital city HERE.

Just $995 + GST and selling fast!

Tickets are in high demand, so secure your spot by registering here.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to celebrate, learn, and grow at the 2023 VILLAGE SUMMIT. We look forward to seeing you there!