February 2026
Dear Residents, Families, and Team Members,
We are proud to share that the recent quarterly Star Rating indicates that Garden View is currently sitting at 4 Stars. This reflects the dedication of our team and our continued commitment to delivering safe, high-quality, and person-centred care.
We are already well into February, and it has been a vibrant and eventful month at Garden View. We enjoyed celebrating Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year with themed activities, decorations, and shared moments of joy across the home. It was wonderful to see residents engaging and embracing these special occasions together.
Unfortunately, due to the recent heavy rain, our scheduled bus outings had to be cancelled to ensure everyone’s safety. We appreciate your understanding. In the meantime, we have continued with a broad range of group and individual lifestyle activities within the home. Our vegetable garden is progressing very well, and residents continue to take pride in nurturing the plants. The pool table game competition remains a popular highlight, with friendly rivalry and great participation.
There has been a slight delay in setting up the new Fitness Hub due to flooring supply issues. We are working closely with our suppliers and aim to complete the installation within the next 2–3 weeks. We look forward to offering this new space to support healthy ageing and mobility.
Monthly Resident & Relative Meeting
A reminder that our Resident and Relative Meeting is held on the third Tuesday of every month at 1:30pm. We strongly encourage your participation. Your feedback and voice are essential in shaping our service delivery and continuous improvement.
Call Bell Answering Time Survey – Key Findings
Our recent Call Bell Answering Time Survey highlighted that residents primarily use the call bell for urgent needs such as:
• Pain relief
• Toileting assistance
• Repositioning
• Assistance with getting in and out of bed
This reinforces the importance of timely responses.
Key Recommendations Moving Forward:
• Aim for call bell response times within 5–10 minutes
• Encourage staff to respond verbally (“I’ll be right back”) if immediate attendance is not possible
• Promote teamwork-based assistance to ensure prompt support
These actions are being reinforced with all staff to strengthen responsiveness and resident experience.
Staff Training & Quality Improvement
In February 2026, staff completed competency-based training covering the core elements of the Strengthened Aged Care Standards, SIRS (Serious Incident Response Scheme), person-centred and rights-based care, and emergency and disaster management. These initiatives ensure we continue to deliver safe, compliant, and high-quality care.
In summary, February has been a busy and productive month, filled with celebrations, continuous activities, staff development, and meaningful quality improvement initiatives. Thank you for your continued support and engagement in our community.
Warm regards,
Nicole Zhang
Director of Nursing
Important Update
New laws to uphold your rights in aged care
New Aged Care Act & Strengthened Standards
Meet Our Whistleblower Officer
The Taxi Service
From the Company:
13 Cabs – 📞 132 227
Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi – ☎️ (02) 8332 0200
From Individual Service:
Ray Taxi – 📱 0420 505 275
Staff Spotlight
Lifestyle Assistant: Saw Yu Nandar
This month, we proudly highlight our Lifestyle Assistant Saw Yu, who has been a valued member of our team since 2023. She brings warmth, energy, and kindness to every activity, helping residents stay engaged, supported, and connected.
She speaks both English and Burmese, which allows her to communicate comfortably with many of our residents and help them feel understood and included.
Her dedication, cultural understanding, and friendly personality make her an important part of our Garden View family. Please join us in celebrating her wonderful contribution to our residents and our home.
Ongoing Staff Training and Education
At our service, resident safety and quality care are always our top priorities. We are pleased to share some updates on recent staff training and competencies that have been completed to further strengthen the care we provide.
This training will refresh staff knowledge on emergency responses, including fire safety, evacuation processes, communication protocols, and individual resident support during emergencies. It is designed to ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, helping us maintain a safe and prepared environment for our residents, visitors, and team members.
The SIRS session will focus on recognising reportable incidents, understanding staff responsibilities, timely documentation, and appropriate reporting processes to ensure compliance and resident safety.
This session will support staff to understand the updated standards, their practical application in daily care, and how they guide us in delivering safe, respectful, and person-centred services. The training will reinforce our commitment to continuous improvement, compliance, and ensuring the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of every resident are upheld.
Lifestyle and Wellbeing
February-A Month of Love, Culture & Togetherness
February has been a truly heart-warming and joyful month at Garden View. As we moved through the final weeks of summer, our home was filled with laughter, celebration, meaningful connection, and beautiful shared moments.
Our “Love and Friendship” Theme Party brought a special glow to the month. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, residents gathered for a delightful afternoon of music, decorations, and companionship. The highlight was our Valentine’s Day photo session, where residents posed with heart-shaped props and shared smiles with friends and staff. The room was filled with warmth, laughter, and genuine affection. It was a lovely reminder that friendship and kindness are at the heart of our community.
We were also proud to celebrate Chinese New Year with vibrant cultural activities. Residents enjoyed delicious dumplings together, bringing comfort and tradition to the table. Watching the Chinese traditional dance performance added colour and excitement to the day, while our zodiac animal colouring sessions encouraged creativity and fine motor skills. Many residents shared stories of past Lunar New Year celebrations, creating moments of reminiscence and cultural appreciation.
Another wonderful highlight was our indoor BBQ in the dining room. The aroma of freshly cooked fish and sausages filled the space, creating a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. Residents enjoyed the simple pleasure of sharing a meal together, chatting, laughing, and feeling the joy of community life.
Throughout the month, it was beautiful to see residents actively participating, supporting one another, and embracing each activity with enthusiasm. February has truly been a celebration of love, culture, friendship, and connection.
We look forward to continuing this spirit of joy and togetherness in the months ahead.
Upcoming Events
Resident Rights, Complaints Process, Palliative Care & Whistleblower Protections
Whistleblower protections
What whistleblower protections do
Workers may be afraid of personal and financial risks by sharing information and disclosures with us. The new Act gives workers rights and protections when they make disclosures that qualify (meet the requirements) for whistleblower protection.
The rights under the new Act for disclosures include:
- Not being subject to retaliation or punishment
- Not being subject to consequences such as civil, criminal or administrative actions (legal actions) that may come up
- Choosing to be anonymous
- Confidentiality
- Being able to take legal action through the courts for compensation if you experience retaliation, punishment or consequences because you made a disclosure.
If something should happen as a result of you making a disclosure, such as being punished for speaking up, we recommend getting independent legal advice or contacting your union to understand how whistleblower protections may apply to you.
Statement of Rights
The new Aged Care Act includes a Statement of Rights, outlining the rights that older people have when accessing aged care services. The rights help to ensure that older people and their needs are at the centre of the new aged care system.
The rights outlined in the Act help to ensure that older people and their needs are at the centre of the new aged care system.
The Statement of Rights include the right for every individual to have:
- independence, autonomy, empowerment and freedom of choice
- equitable access
- quality and safe funded aged care services
- respect for privacy and information
- person-centred communication and the ability to raise issues without reprisal
- advocates, significant persons and social connections.
Providers have to ensure that their actions are consistent with the Statement of Rights. This includes ensuring that their aged care services are delivered by aged care workers who have appropriate qualifications, skills and experience.
Reminder of Consumer Rights and Service
• Senior rights service provides the legal advice, advocacy service and community engagement, for free and confident advice call, 02 9281 3600. Brochures and poster available near the small kitchenette.
• Free advocacy groups available to provide information. Pamphlet are distributing to consumer and available near the dining room information station for consumers and representatives. OPAN poster and contact details 1800 700 600 displayed on the notice board. The video of What Can OPAN help is played during the meeting. Brochures and poster available near the small kitchenette.
• Care plans are readily available for consumers.
• Reminder residents and family to seek consent from residents who have no cognitive impairment and from person responsible for those residents who are unable to give consent before taking photos and/or uploading photo to media.
Reminder of complaints process
• Consumers were reminded with the complaint and compliment process and encouraged consumers to voice for themselves.
• Reminded residents and relative the Open-Door policy of the DON.
• If you need an interpreter to speak with us, call the Translation and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
• If you cannot resolve your concern with the service provider or any serious concern, you can contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822. If you need an interpreter to speak with them, call the Translation and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
• Consumer and family are aware if they have any concerns and do not wish to speak to the Management team at site level, can directly email or handwrite letters, and someone can assist them in emailing the board@gardenview.org.au
• The Board holds a monthly gathering in the Central Garden to meet and greet residents and seek feedback and suggestions. It is usually held on the second Sunday of the month, starting at 9 a.m.
• Garden View provide protections for whistleblowers to allow reporting without fear of reprisal Whistleblower@gardenview.org.au
• Reminded consumers that OPAN is available for consumers and family, poster available on notice board.
• Consumer advisory body (CAB) member Ming He and John (Jack) Galbraith (Consumer), David Pearce, Craig Austin and Winne Steo (Representative) can be liaison representatives for consumers and relatives for any concerns or issues if they do not wish to speak to management directly. The photograph of the CAB resident members and contact details are displayed on the noticeboard. Garden View is always welcome resident and/or relative to involve and partner the care and/or committee.
Understanding Palliative Care in Garden View
Palliative care is a special type of care that focuses on improving the quality of life for residents living with serious or life-limiting illnesses. The goal is to ensure that every resident receives comfort, dignity, and compassionate support, rather than focusing only on medical treatment. At Garden View, our palliative care approach aims to keep residents as pain-free and comfortable as possible while supporting their emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing. Our team works closely with families to ensure that care is personalised and respectful of each resident’s wishes. We also provide family stay options for loved ones who wish to be close during this time and can arrange referrals to the GREAT Team for specialised palliative support when required. Information brochures about our palliative care services are available at reception. Please speak with our Clinical Team if you would like to know more or discuss how we can support you or your loved one.
February 2026 – Growing Together
As we step into February 2026, we continue this wonderful journey with gratitude and optimism. The first month of the year has set a positive tone, and we are thankful for the ongoing support, kindness, and commitment shown by our residents, families, and dedicated staff.
February is a time to strengthen connections and celebrate the sense of community that makes Garden View so special. We look forward to creating more meaningful experiences, promoting wellbeing, and fostering warmth and companionship throughout the month. Together, we will continue building a caring and vibrant environment for everyone in our Garden View community.