Year: 2026

Dear Whiddon Largs families, friends and representatives,

We are advising that we currently have more confirmed positive cases of COVID‑19 at our Home. The residents are being closely monitored and supported by our care team.

To help keep everyone safe, all employees and visitors are required to wear N95 masks while on site at all times, until further notice.

As part of the monitoring, our team are reviewing the continuation of group activities, and revised wellbeing & lifestyle activities will continue.

We kindly ask everyone to continue being mindful of infection control practices, including good hand hygiene and the correct use of masks.

If you are unwell or have any flu-like symptoms, please do not visit the home.  

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support during this time. Our team remains fully committed to providing the utmost care, comfort, and support to your loved ones.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Whiddon Largs

Dear Residents, Families, and Carers,

Next week, Whiddon Temora will officially begin using the new Clinical Manager system. This is an exciting milestone that will help us deliver care in a more consistent and efficient way.

You may see staff using the system on mobile phones, tablets or computers, but please be assured that your care will continue as usual. The new system is designed to help our team look after you even better.

Thank you for your patience and support as we move to this new way of working. If you have any questions, please contact your local team.

Note – Please do not reply to this message, as the inbox is not monitored.

Dear Team,

This is the week we’ve been working towards! From Tuesday, 18th August, we will officially be going live with Telstra Health – Clinical Manager.

Whiddon team members and Telstra Health representatives will be available all week to provide assistance as you begin using the new system in daily practice.

Thank you for your dedication, training, and teamwork in preparing for this moment. We’re confident this change will support even better care for our residents.

Hi Team,

I’m pleased to share an important update on the latest Work Value Case (WVC) wage increase. This is the final increase as part of the Stage 3 decision and marks a significant milestone in achieving fairer wages for our nurses in aged care.

A quick recap. In July 2023, registered and enrolled nurses received a 15% pay increase, which we applied straight away. The Fair Work Commission then made its final decision on 20 December 2024, introducing a new pay and classification structure for nurses. These changes have been rolled out in three stages: 1 March 2025, 1 October 2025, and 1 August 2026.

The current WVC increase applies to eligible enrolled and registered nurses, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026.

Our commitment – passing it on, dollar for dollar.

Consistent with our approach at every stage, Whiddon has continued to match the increases dollar-for-dollar against the Modern Award rates to the Whiddon EA base rates of pay. While additional Government funding has been provided to support the award increases, it does not cover the full cost of maintaining our EA rates above the award, despite an earlier commitment to do so. Regardless, we have chosen to absorb that gap to ensure applicable team members receive the full increase.

We have also historically applied a discretionary 1.5% Enterprise Agreement annual increase on top of the WVC increases, keeping our EA rates above the Modern Award.

We are also progressing negotiations for a new single Enterprise Agreement to replace our three current agreements. Bargaining commenced in May 2026, and the first draft Agreement has now been released. Importantly, any wage increases delivered through the EA will be additional to the Work Value Case increases, not offset against them. Subject to Board approval, we are targeting 18 August 2026 to present our proposed wage offer.

Eligible employees will receive individual letters in the coming days confirming their new pay rates. Please note that not all employees are eligible for the WVC increases.

I also encourage you to visit the People and Culture intranet page for Enterprise Agreement updates and a copy of the proposed draft Agreement. We will continue to keep you updated and informed throughout the bargaining process.

Thank you, as always, for the incredible work you do to enrich people’s lives and make a real difference.

Chris Mamarelis
CEO

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We are pleased to inform you that the COVID-19 outbreak in Whiddon Moree has been officially declared over.

If you are feeling unwell or showing any signs of cold and flu symptoms, we ask you to please refrain from visiting the home. The health of our residents and employees is our utmost priority.

Due to cases in the community, we kindly request all visitors to wear a mask, plus complete a RAT when entering the home.

Thank you to all who assisted in the management of the outbreak and to our residents and families for their patience and understanding.

Kind Regards,

– Whiddon

Hello Team,

As you know, Whiddon temporarily increased the Home Care vehicle allowance earlier this year to assist employees with rising fuel costs. While that temporary increase concluded in July as planned, recent fuel price increases following the cessation of the Government’s fuel excise reduction have once again placed additional pressure on our Home Care workforce. In recognition of these increased costs, Whiddon will reintroduce a temporary increase to the Home Care vehicle allowance, raising the rate to $1.10 per kilometre, effective 17 August 2026.

This adjustment is intended to provide practical support to employees who rely on their own vehicles to deliver services to clients across our communities. We will continue to monitor fuel prices and broader economic conditions and will review the allowance as circumstances change.

– Alyson Jarrett

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Whiddon increasing the kilometre allowance again?

Following the cessation of the Government’s fuel excise reduction, fuel prices have increased and are creating additional cost pressures for employees who use their own vehicles for work. Whiddon has therefore decided to reintroduce a temporary increase to the Home Care vehicle allowance to help support our team.

What is the new rate and when does it start?

The kilometre allowance will increase to $1.10 per kilometre, effective from 17 August 2026.

Why is the rate different from the previous temporary increase?

The earlier temporary increase to $1.15 per kilometre ceased in July as planned. In reviewing current market conditions, Whiddon has determined that a temporary rate of $1.10 per kilometre is an appropriate level of support at this time.

Is this increase permanent?

No. This remains a temporary measure to assist employees during a period of elevated fuel costs. We will continue to monitor conditions and review the allowance periodically.

What does the kilometre allowance cover?

The allowance contributes to the overall cost of operating a vehicle, not just fuel, including:

• Fuel
• Registration
• Insurance
• Servicing and maintenance
• General wear and tear

How does Whiddon’s rate compare to the ATO benchmark?

The Australian Taxation Office benchmark is currently $0.91 per kilometre. Whiddon’s standard EA rate of $1.00 per kilometre already exceeds this benchmark, and the temporary rate of $1.10 per kilometre provides additional support during this period of increased fuel costs.

Who should I speak to if I have questions or concerns?

Employees should speak with their coordinator or manager in the first instance. We will continue to monitor fuel conditions and provide updates if there are any further changes.

Kind regards,

Alyson Jarrett

Dear Residents, Families and Team Members,

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

Please be advised that we currently have an outbreak of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Whiddon Easton Park – EPU home

To assist in controlling the outbreak, we strongly encourage you to delay your visit where possible to protect your own wellbeing and to avoid any further potential spread.

Surgical masks are to be worn by all visitors to the EPU Home.

Please note: If you are unwell or have any flu-like symptoms, we ask that you please do not visit the home.

The families of residents who have tested positive will be contacted directly by the team.

We appreciate your understanding and support. Our team is here to provide the best possible care for your loved ones and we are confident that we can manage this outbreak effectively.

– The Whiddon Team

Hi team,

We would like to let you know that the 2026 Census will take place on Tuesday 11th August 2026.

The Census is run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and helps provide a snapshot of people across Australia. The information collected helps governments, organisations and communities plan for services, including health, aged care, housing and community supports.

The Census is mandatory. Everyone in Australia on Census night needs to be included on a Census form for where they are staying, including residents living or staying in residential aged care.

Residents may receive a paper form or complete the Census online. Family members, friends or trusted people may be asked to help residents complete the form, answer questions where appropriate, or make sure the resident is included on the correct form for where they are staying on Census night.

• Residents who are able to complete their own Census form should be provided with their form. Team members will collect completed forms on Wednesday 12th August 2026.
• If a resident can answer the questions but needs support to fill in the form, a team member can support them to complete it.
• If a resident is unable to answer the questions, family members have a few options available. They can collect the resident’s form and complete it on their behalf, they can give consent for our team to complete the form on the resident’s behalf, or they can ask us to refuse on the resident’s behalf where appropriate.
• Family members who would like to complete the form on behalf of their loved one should collect the form and return it by Wednesday 12th August 2026. If they would like our team to complete the form on their loved one’s behalf, they should let us know by Friday 7th August 2026.

For more information, please visit this useful government link: https://tinyurl.com/33wssz7r

Thank you for helping residents and families find the right information.

Kind regards,

Whiddon

Dear Whiddon Largs families, friends and representatives,

We are advising that we currently have 2 confirmed positive cases for COVID‑19. The residents are being closely monitored and supported by our care team.

To help keep everyone safe, all employees and visitors are required to wear N95 masks while on site until further notice.

We kindly ask everyone to continue being mindful of infection control practices, including good hand hygiene and the correct use of PPE. If you are unwell or have any flu-like symptoms, please do not visit the home.  

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support during this time. Our team remains fully committed to providing the utmost care, comfort, and support to your loved ones.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Whiddon Largs