Author: despinao

Dear Team,

The new Women’s Shelter at Raines House, Easton Park, will hold an official opening event on the morning of Monday 15th September.

During this time, there will be an increased level of activity in and around Raines House, and there may be media present to capture the opening.

We will have a number of our Team members assisting in directing visitors to the carpark behind Raines House to minimise disruption.

We expect that parking and traffic around the site will be heavier than usual between the times of 8:30am – 11:30am. Please ensure you do not park in the carpark behind Raines House, as this is being reserved for the event parking.

We have an Open Day planned later this month which our residents and employees will be invited to attend, and we will send further information about this over the coming weeks.

We thank you in advance for your patience and please reach out to your Manager if you have any questions or concerns.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Residents, Families and Representatives

The new Women’s Shelter at Raines House, Easton Park, will hold an official opening event on the morning of Monday 15^th September.

During this time, there will be an increased level of activity in and around Raines House, and there may be media present to capture the opening.

We will have a number of our team members assisting in directing visitors to the carpark behind Raines House to minimise disruption. We expect that parking and traffic around the site will be heavier than usual between the times of 8:30am – 11:30am.

We thank you in advance for your patience and please reach out to your Residential Services Manager if you have any questions or concerns.

From 15^th September, the Women’s Shelter will be fully staffed, and we expect residents will commence moving into the accommodation from this date. We have an Open Day planned for later this month, which our residents and families will be invited to attend, and we will send further information about this over the coming weeks.

For more information, you can read our FAQs here.

Thank you,
The Whiddon Team

Dear Home Care Clients,

We wish to inform you that there are currently flood warnings in place for areas of the East Coast.

The safety and wellbeing of our clients and employees is our priority and we plan to continue services if it is safe to do so.

We’re keeping a close eye on the conditions and following all guidance from the local SES.

We have created a Flood Preparation Checklist which you can view here.

In the event that you are unable to contact your Coordinator, you can call our team on 1300 738 388 and we will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

If you need urgent support, you can call the SES on 132 500 or in an emergency call 000.

Please take care and stay safe,
The Whiddon Team

Dear Residents, Families and Team Members,

We are delighted to share that we will soon be welcoming a new resident to Whiddon Kelso, who will be accompanied by their Guide Dog, Hannah. This marks a special milestone for our home, as Hannah will be the first Guide Dog to live within our community.

While pets and animals are a familiar and much-loved part of life at Whiddon through our Chief Happiness Officers and Creature Comforts programs, Guide Dog Hannah will play a unique and vital role in supporting her owner’s independence and wellbeing.

To ensure a smooth and respectful transition for everyone, we’ve put the following arrangements in place:

• Accommodation: Hannah will live with her owner in a room that has direct veranda access, providing easy access to outdoor areas.
• Working vs Social Time: When Hannah is wearing her harness, she is working and should not be patted, fed, or interacted with. When her harness is off, she is friendly, calm, and enjoys socialising.
• Orientation and Education: Guide Dogs Australia will assist in orienting Hannah to key areas of the home, such as the dining room and grassed areas. They will also provide education for residents and staff on how to interact with a Guide Dog.
• Care and Feeding: Hannah’s feeding and grooming will be managed by her owner and family, just as they have done at home.
• Toileting: A dedicated outdoor toileting area will be set up for Hannah. Our team will ensure this space is regularly cleaned and well maintained.

We are excited to welcome Hannah into our community and are committed to ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment for all.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

The Whiddon Team

Dear Team,

You may have noticed over the last few months that construction at Raines House has been underway.

We’re excited to let you know that Whiddon is partnering with Women’s Community Shelters and Housing All Australians to open  transitional accommodation for older women in need of support – right here at our former Raines House site at Glenfield.

Thanks to a planning change and support from the NSW Government, the upper levels of Raines House (Levels 2 & 3) will soon become safe accommodation for 28 women through a ‘meanwhile use’ housing project. Renovations are already underway, with the official opening expected in October 2025.

This is a first for Whiddon and aligns strongly with our purpose and community values. It’s also part of our wider commitment to Collaborative Health initiatives, working across sectors to create long-term, sustainable impact.

Some quick facts:

• The new Women’s Accommodation Shelter will operate separately from other Whiddon services which will include secure access that will be in place to maintain safety and privacy for all
• Our Seniors Group for Home Care clients has been relocated to Level 1 of Raines House, next to our Men’s Shed.

We’re proud to contribute to something so meaningful.

More information will be shared closer to the launch, and if you have any questions, please contact your manager.

Thank you,

Whiddon Team

Dear Residents, Families and Visitors,

We’re writing to share an exciting update about our Raines House property, located on our Easton Park campus.

In partnership with Women’s Community Shelters, Housing All Australians and other partners, Whiddon is proud to be part of a new initiative to support older women in need. In the coming months, levels 2 and 3 of Raines House will become safe, transitional housing for these women.
This initiative, known as a ‘meanwhile use’ project, transforms underutilised spaces into temporary accommodation, which is a practical and compassionate response to the growing housing crisis.

Here’s what this means for you:

• No disruption to your care or services: All resident services remain unchanged.
• Security. Raines House will have secure access with Levels 2 and 3 having their own entry points, separate from residential spaces. The program will have dedicated staff supporting these women.
• Our Home Care Seniors Group has now also moved to Level 1 of Raines House with its own access point next to the existing Men’s Shed.

We’re proud that our organisation can help support women in our community by offering safe housing and a chance to rebuild. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to speak with your Residential Services Manager.

Thank you,
Whiddon Team

Hi all,

We’re pleased to share that Whiddon has partnered with Embedded Health Solutions (EHS) to further enhance the clinical care and support we provide across our care home, specifically to review medications in consultations with GP’s and our supply Pharmacy for some residents.

EHS may be in touch with families and nominated representatives shortly to request consent for your loved one’s participation in this program.

This partnership will help us continue to deliver high-quality, person-centred care for our residents by streamlining access to clinical information, ensuring timely healthcare responses and supporting our teams with additional expertise.

Please be assured this process is designed to be simple and supportive. Your privacy and the wellbeing of your loved one remain our highest priority, and no action will be taken without appropriate consent.

If you have any questions about this partnership or what it means for you or your loved one, please don’t hesitate to speak with your Residential Services Manager.

Thank you,
Whiddon Team

Dear Residents and Families,

We’re excited to share some wonderful news with you.

Whiddon is expanding and refurbishing our Bourke residential aged care home to meet growing demand in the community and further strengthen the personalised, relationship-based care that we’re proud to provide.

Thanks to a grant from the Australian Government’s Aged Care Capital Assistance Program, and with additional support from Whiddon, we’ll soon begin a project that will create up to three new resident rooms – increasing capacity by 25%

We’re also pleased to share that Whiddon has purchased a neighbouring property to provide staff accommodation. This will allow us to relocate our live-in Clinical Supervisor and begin works inside the care home without disruption to residents’ comfort or care.

Construction is expected to start in October 2025 and finish in March 2026, with the new rooms opening shortly after.

As always, we will keep you updated throughout the process and will take every step to ensure residents continue to feel safe, supported, and at home during this period.

We are proud of our long-standing commitment to Bourke and the Far West community, and this expansion is a meaningful step forward in ensuring older people in the region can continue to access high-quality care, close to home and grounded in the relationships that matter most.

If you have any questions or would like to know more, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Warm regards,
The Whiddon Team

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