Author: despinao

Dear Residents and Families,

We’d like to let you know about some important upgrade works happening at our home this week. These improvements will help ensure comfort and safety for everyone.

1. Air Conditioning Upgrade

Our air conditioning system is being fully upgraded.

• Today: Technicians from MEFP are disconnecting units and removing ductwork in the plant room.
• Wednesday 13/11: Work continues on removing old units. Builders will also install temporary roof anchors and start removing cowlings.
• Thursday 14/11: A large crane will be onsite for most of the day to remove old units and install the new system. The crane will be positioned on the McLachlan Street side of the Home, and there will be a restricted access zone for safety (see picture below).
• Friday 14 – Sunday 16/11: Technicians will complete installation and testing.

2. Nurse Call System Replacement

• We’ve engaged AceTek to replace our Nurse Call Alert system
• This upgrade will take about 4 weeks
• Technicians will run cabling through the western end of the home and access each resident room for installation and testing
• We’ll ensure we keep any disruption to a minimum

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we complete these important upgrades. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us or visit the front desk.

The Mareeba Team

Note:
The restricted zone indicated below will be managed on site for the duration of the crane lift.

Dear Families, Friends & Representatives,

We are pleased to inform you that the Influenza outbreak in Whiddon Kyogle has been officially declared over.

Please note, Surgical Masks are no longer required when visiting the home.

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.

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

Good morning everyone,

I am delighted to advise that Mr Nishan Gautam has been successful in his application for the role of Residential Services Manager – Taylor House.

Nishan joins us with significant operational and clinical experience and leadership, with senior roles with Estia Health, Australian Unity and Hammond Care. Nishan’s most recent success includes commissioning a Specialised Dementia Care Facility in Miranda for Hammond Care.

Nishan will commence with Whiddon on Monday, 8th December and will work closely with Lynda and the team to ensure a smooth transition prior to Lynda commencing her well-deserved retirement in January 2026.

Please join me in welcoming Nishan to his new role who is looking forward to reducing his commute and improving his work / life balance.

Kind regards,
Sally Renshaw – Regional General Manager Residential Care Greater Sydney & North West NSW
E: s.renshaw@whiddon.com.au
Mb: 0436 659 935.

Good morning, Everyone,

I am delighted to advise that Preeti Gautamupadhyay has been successful in her application for the role of Residential Services Manager – Arthur Webb Court.

We anticipate a seamless transition to this role for Preeti who prior to this has been the Care Services Manager for Arthur Webb Court since joining Whiddon in February 2025.

I am confident that Preeti will continue to make a difference with her leadership, skills and daily engagement with our residents, families and team.

Please join me in welcoming Preeti to her new role.

Kind regards,
Sally Renshaw
Regional General Manager Residential Care Greater Sydney & North-West NSW

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