Date: 8 October 2015

Hot on the heels of last month’s Volunteer of the Year Awards, The Whiddon Group Grafton has announced that two employees have been named NSW Winners in the Oscar Hospitality Awards for 2015.

June Ellem has been recognised in the ‘Cook of the Year’ category, and Mandy Pitkin in the ‘Facility Cleaner of the Year’ category.

June Ellem – Cook of the Year

The award recognises June’s positive attitude and outstanding dedication to the quality and presentation of food produced.

June, who has been a dedicated Whiddon employee for 17 years, is known for going the extra mile to plan varied, nourishing and delicious menus for the Grafton residents.

She enjoys the challenge of tempting the residents with her meals, who can be quite particular about what they eat, and meets with them daily to plan the following days’ menu. While she incorporates news ideas, she is also respectful of residents’ preferences and always intergrates these into the menu.

Her favourite thing about working with Whiddon is being in a position to contribute to residents’ happiness. “Seeing the residents happy, and knowing that I’ve contributed to this… everyone likes to eat, and trying to make sure we please everyone is the biggest part of my role,” she said.

“I have pride in my workplace. I like to maintain good presentation of my meals as this shows people we care and are keen to make things special for them.” she said.

June regularly adapts meals to suit residents dietary needs, including deconstructing dishes or pureeing the meals in order to ensure that each resident is treated equally, and no one is excluded.

She makes an effort to speak with relatives, gaining insight into dishes that are ‘family favourites’, and makes residents feel special by preparing their special requests.

A big community supporter, June aims to source ingredients locally, ensuring the best quality. She makes the effort to purchase only what is needed to minimise wastage, and is conscientious of how this can impact the environment.

June is regularly involved in catering for entertainment and events for staff and residents, always making sure that everyone if well fed and taken care of.

She recently created a romantic dinner for some residents celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary, cooking a delicious dinner and also supplying wine and helping with decorations, to make the day extra special. The husband commented, “In the last 48 years we have never had something as special and tasty as this before!”

Mandy Pitkin – Facility Cleaner of the Year

The award recognises Mandy’s outstanding contribution to her profession, as well as her positive attitude and dedication, which has been highly praised by management and residents.

Mandy, upon hearing that she had been nominated for the award, was very surprised. “I was so stunned and grateful, I nearly cried! I enjoy what I do, and never expected to receive any special thanks, so it was nice,” she said.

Mandy, who has been with Whiddon for almost 13 years, is a very conscientious cleaner and takes great pride in keeping the West Wing of Whiddon’s Grafton home perfectly clean and tidy. Visitors to the Grafton home regularly comment on the clean and shiny floors, which Mandy dedicates much time and energy to ensure that the 35 year-old floors look brand new.

Her positive work ethic, flexibility and relationships with residents means she’s always happy to step in when colleagues are sick or on leave, with her love for her job shining through all that she does.

Mandy took the initiative to complete a Certificate III in Hospitality to increase her knowledge and comply with aged care policies and procedures, as well as a course on Dementia in order to better assist clients with special needs.

Mandy is known for her thoughtfulness; going out of her way to help decorate residents’ rooms, remembering birthdays and anniversaries, helping to coordinate morning teas and bringing in treats for everyone.

She enjoys making both residents and staff feel special, and is known to do little things to cheer them up if they’re unwell, such as helping out with their workload, bringing in flowers, taking residents for a stroll or coffee, and also puts out plenty of snacks for her colleagues to distribute amongst residents.

“Making the residents happy makes me feel good, I like seeing them laugh and learning what special things they like, and setting their rooms up like they have them at home. This helps make them feel like I know them personally.” she said.

Mandy is warm and approachable, and considered an integral part of the Whiddon Grafton home.

June and Mandy will now progress to the national finals, with the winners being announced at the Gala Dinner to be held at the Pullman Melbourne on the Park on Friday October 30, 2015.