Author: despinao

Dear Families, Friends and Representatives,

It is with great sadness that we share the news of an incident involving one of our residents from Taylor House. Yesterday, while returning from a visit to the local shops, the resident was involved in an alleged hit-and-run accident at a nearby intersection.

We have since been informed that the resident has sadly passed away in hospital.

We are working closely with the police as they investigate this incident and seek to identify the driver involved.

The resident’s family has been contacted, and we are providing them with our full support during this incredibly difficult time.

Please be assured that all other residents are safe and well. Should there ever be any concerns regarding your loved one, we will contact you directly.

Due to the nature of the incident, there may be media coverage in the coming days. We understand this may be distressing and are here to support our residents, families, and employees as we navigate this together.

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

Sincerely,
Chris Mamarelis
CEO, Whiddon

Dear Residents and Families, 

We’re writing to update you on the Government’s decision to officially delay the implementation of the new Aged Care Act. Originally scheduled to commence on 1 July 2025, the new Act will now come into effect on 1 November 2025.  

This delay was agreed to ensure that aged care providers, like Whiddon, have the time needed to prepare systems, train staff, and implement the changes with the quality and care you deserve. 

What This Means for You 

• No Immediate Changes: Your care, fees, and daily life at Whiddon will continue as usual. There is no change to your care team or the way we support you. 

• More Time to Prepare: The delay gives us additional time to strengthen our systems, update documentation, and ensure our teams are fully trained and ready to support you through the transition. 

• Continued Focus on Quality: Our commitment to relationship and rights-based care remains unchanged. We are using this time to enhance our readiness and ensure a smooth and respectful transition to the new standards. 

What’s Next? 

We will continue to keep you informed as we move closer to the new implementation date in November. You can expect further updates from us in the coming months, including information about your rights under the new Act and any changes that may affect you. 

If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone about the reforms, please don’t hesitate to contact your local Residential Services Manager, or our Customer Relations Team on 1300 738 388 or hello@whiddon.com.au. 

Thank you for your continued trust in Whiddon and your patience with these changes.  

Warm regards,
The Whiddon Team 

Dear Residents and Families, 

We’re writing to update you on the Government’s decision to officially delay the implementation of the new Aged Care Act. Originally scheduled to commence on 1 July 2025, the new Act will now come into effect on 1 November 2025.  

This delay was agreed to ensure that aged care providers, like Whiddon, have the time needed to prepare systems, train staff, and implement the changes with the quality and care you deserve. 

What This Means for You 

• No Immediate Changes: Your care, fees, and daily life at Whiddon will continue as usual. There is no change to your care team or the way we support you. 

• More Time to Prepare: The delay gives us additional time to strengthen our systems, update documentation, and ensure our teams are fully trained and ready to support you through the transition. 

• Continued Focus on Quality: Our commitment to relationship and rights-based care remains unchanged. We are using this time to enhance our readiness and ensure a smooth and respectful transition to the new standards. 

What’s Next? 

We will continue to keep you informed as we move closer to the new implementation date in November. You can expect further updates from us in the coming months, including information about your rights under the new Act and any changes that may affect you. 

If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone about the reforms, please don’t hesitate to contact your local Residential Services Manager, or our Customer Relations Team on 1300 738 388 or hello@whiddon.com.au. 

Thank you for your continued trust in Whiddon and your patience with these changes.  

Warm regards,
The Whiddon Team 

Dear Wingham team, 

We want to start by acknowledging the recent flooding that has impacted the Wingham area. Please know that every single one of you is in our thoughts during this difficult period. Whiddon is here to support you in every way we can. We understand the challenges you might be facing, both personally and professionally, and we’re looking at several ways to help. 

Here’s an overview of the help currently available and other ways we are actively working to support you: 

• Personal Hardship Support: If the floods have caused you personal hardship, such as damage to your home, car, or loss of personal items, please don’t hesitate to have a confidential chat with Ashley Layt about your circumstances. Whiddon will review each situation individually to determine how we can best offer our support. 

• Natural Disaster Leave:  If you were willing and able to come to work but were prevented by flooding (e.g., road closures), you can apply for up to three days of natural disaster leave. Speak with Ashley to apply for this leave.  

• Your Wellbeing: Looking after your wellbeing, especially during stressful times like these, is incredibly important. Remember, support is always available through our EAP and wellbeing partner, Hapstar. You can request a confidential Expert Session by visiting Request an Expert Session | Hapstar | Whiddon. If you’d prefer to chat with someone directly, you can call them on 1800 818 728. Please reach out – they’re there to help. 

• Supporting the Wingham Community: We’re also actively looking at ways Whiddon can contribute to and support the broader recovery efforts for the local Wingham community. We’re all in this together. 

• Recognising Our Shining Stars: It’s in times like these that the incredible dedication and spirit of our team truly shine. We are looking at ways to formally recognise those among you who have gone above and beyond to support our clients and each other during this challenging period. Your commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed. 

Once again, thank you for your unwavering dedication, your resilience, and everything you do for our residents and for Whiddon.
 

We appreciate each and every one of you. 

Whiddon Management Team 

Dear Wingham team, 

We want to start by acknowledging the recent flooding that has impacted the Wingham area. Please know that every single one of you is in our thoughts during this difficult period. Whiddon is here to support you in every way we can. We understand the challenges you might be facing, both personally and professionally, and we’re looking at several ways to help. 

Here’s an overview of the help currently available and other ways we are actively working to support you: 

• Personal Hardship Support: If the floods have caused you personal hardship, such as damage to your home, car, or loss of personal items, please don’t hesitate to have a confidential chat with Veronica John about your circumstances. Whiddon will review each situation individually to determine how we can best offer our support. 

• Natural Disaster Leave: If you were willing and able to come to work but were prevented by flooding (e.g., road closures), you can apply for up to three days of natural disaster leave. Speak with Veronica to apply for this leave.  

• Your Wellbeing: Looking after your wellbeing, especially during stressful times like these, is incredibly important. Remember, support is always available through our EAP and wellbeing partner, Hapstar. You can request a confidential Expert Session by visiting Request an Expert Session | Hapstar | Whiddon. If you’d prefer to chat with someone directly, you can call them on 1800 818 728. Please reach out – they’re there to help. 

• Supporting the Wingham Community: We’re also actively looking at ways Whiddon can contribute to and support the broader recovery efforts for the local Wingham community. We’re all in this together. 

• Recognising Our Shining Stars: It’s in times like these that the incredible dedication and spirit of our team truly shine. We are looking at ways to formally recognise those among you who have gone above and beyond to support our residents and each other during this challenging period. Your commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed. 

Once again, thank you for your unwavering dedication, your resilience, and everything you do for our residents and for Whiddon.
 

We appreciate each and every one of you. 

Whiddon Management Team 

Dear Families,

An update on the flooding event occurring on the Mid-North Coast and Hunter region. 

We want to reassure you that all residents and staff at our Largs Home are safe and well. 

Despite local flooding continuing to impact the Home, all residents are well and the home remains fully operational. We are making the appropriate arrangements for staff. 

Our team is closely monitoring the situation and liaising with the SES.

If anything changes, we will update you immediately. While the phones are currently working, if you have trouble reaching the home, please call us on 1300 738 388 and we’ll pass on your message. 

Thank you for your patience and support during this time. 

 Whiddon Team

Dear Whiddon Laurieton, Redhead and Belmont Families, 

An update on the flooding event occurring on the Mid-North Coast, Hunter and Newcastle Areas. 

We hope you are keeping safe and well, as significant rainfall continues today.

All residents and staff at our Laurieton, Redhead and Belmont homes remain safe and well and are in good spirits. Our homes remain fully operational.

Our team is closely monitoring the situation across all of our Homes and taking advice from the SES. 

It’s important to continue to monitor the Hazard Watch website (link) and ABC News Radio for weather updates. For urgent situations, call the SES at 132 500 or dial 000 in an emergency.  

Take Care,
Whiddon Team

Dear team, 

An update on the flooding event occurring on the Mid-North Coast and Hunter Regions. 

The safety of our residents, clients and employees is our highest priority at this time.

We hope you are keeping safe and well, as significant rainfall continues today. Whiddon will continue with our home care services as long as it is safe for us to do so.  

We will continue to monitor the situation and will be in touch should there be any further updates.

Take Care,

Whiddon Team

Dear Clients,

An update on the flooding event occurring in the Hunter region. 

We hope you are keeping safe and well, as significant rainfall continues today.

Whiddon will continue with our home care services as long as it is safe to do so. If anything changes, we will be in touch with you.  

It’s important to continue to monitor the Hazard Watch website (link) and ABC News Radio for weather updates. For urgent situations, call the SES at 132 500 or dial 000 in an emergency.  

Take Care,

Whiddon Team 

Dear Clients, 

An update on the flooding event occurring on the Mid-North Coast. 

We hope you are keeping safe and well during the current flood situation. 

For Wingham-based Clients: It appears that water levels have receded in Wingham overnight but SES have indicated that from lunch time today, water levels will likely rise again. Due to continued local SES evacuation warnings, all non-essential services remain cancelled at this time. 

Essential services (personal care, medication and welfare checks) will continue as long as it is safe to do so; however may also be cancelled if conditions worsen. Our Scheduling Team will contact you if there are any changes to essential services.  

For Laurieton-based Clients, Whiddon will continue with our home care services as long as it is safe to do so. If anything changes, we will be in touch with you. 

We will continue to call you each day to check in and see if there is anything we can do to support you during this time.

It’s important to continue to monitor: 

• The Hazard Watch website for Wingham: link 

• The Hazard Watch website for Laurieton: link and 

• ABC News Radio for weather updates.  

For urgent situations, call the SES at 132 500 or dial 000 in an emergency.   

Take care, and we will keep you updated.  

Thank you
Whiddon Team