March 2026
Dear Residents, Families, and Team Members,
We are pleased to share that March has been another positive and engaging month at Garden View, with continued focus on resident wellbeing, meaningful activities, and quality care.
As we move into autumn, we are delighted to announce that our new Fitness Hub is now officially open. This dedicated space is equipped with a range of exercise equipment designed to support mobility, strength, and overall wellbeing. Residents have already started enjoying the new facilities, and it has been wonderful to see such enthusiasm and participation. We encourage all residents to get involved, with support from staff to ensure safe and appropriate use of the equipment.
Our lifestyle program continues to offer a variety of group and individual activities, promoting social connection and engagement across the home. The vegetable garden remains a favourite, with residents actively involved in planting and caring for the garden, while indoor activities continue to bring enjoyment and a sense of community.
With the flu season approaching, we will soon be offering the free influenza vaccination to all residents, staff, frequent visitors, and regular contractors. This is an important step in protecting everyone within our home, and further information regarding dates and consent will be shared shortly.
To add some seasonal fun, we are excited to introduce our Easter Chocolate Jar Guessing Competition at reception. Everyone is welcome to participate by guessing how many chocolate eggs are in the jar. The winner will be announced on 07/04/2026, so be sure to join in for a bit of fun and a chance to win!
We would also like to take this opportunity to wish all residents, families, and staff a happy and safe Easter holiday. May this special time bring joy, relaxation, and meaningful moments with loved ones.
Warm regards,
Nicole Zhang
Director of Nursing
Important Updates
My Health Record
My Health Record is a safe and secure online place where your important health information is stored. When it is kept up to date, it helps provide a clearer picture of your health for you and your healthcare providers, especially in an emergency.
You remain in control of your record. You can choose what information is included and who can access it, and you can see when your record has been viewed.
Your My Health Record may include information such as immunisation history, pathology and imaging reports, prescription information, and hospital discharge summaries.
If your My Health Record is linked to myGov, sign in now to access your information. If you don’t have My Health Record linked to myGov account, find out how to set up and access your record through myGov.
If you’re not eligible for Medicare, you can still get a My Health Record. Find out more about getting a My Health Record on the Australian Digital Health Agency website.
Schedule of fees and charges for residential care from 20 March 2026
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
Registered Nurse: Sewon Thapaliya
We are pleased to shine this month’s spotlight on Sewon, one of our dedicated Registered Nurses. Sewon joined Garden View Aged Care in December 2025, and although she is relatively new to the team, she has already made a positive impact through her caring approach and professionalism.
Sewon is known for her kind nature and commitment to providing high-quality care to our residents. We are delighted to have her as part of our Garden View community and look forward to her continued contribution.
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 month’s training focuses on Delirium in Aged Care. Delirium is a sudden change in a resident’s mental state that can cause confusion and changes in behaviour.
Early recognition is important to ensure residents receive timely care and support. Staff are encouraged to remain alert to sudden changes in residents’ cognition or behaviour.
This training focuses on the Code of Conduct in Aged Care, which outlines the expected standards of behaviour for aged care workers. It emphasises treating residents with respect, dignity, and compassion, while ensuring safe and ethical care at all times.
All staff are encouraged to understand and follow the Code to support a safe and respectful environment for residents and colleagues.
Staff are encouraged to keep refreshing their knowledge of the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. These standards guide how we provide safe, respectful, and high-quality care to residents.
Regular review helps ensure our practice remains up to date and continues to support the wellbeing, dignity, and rights of older people.
Lifestyle and Wellbeing
As autumn gently arrives, March has been a vibrant and meaningful month at our home, filled with cultural celebration, creativity, and joyful connection.
We were delighted to welcome our wonderful volunteers, whose visit brought warmth, laughter, and a strong sense of community. Their performances filled the room with music and energy, and many residents were seen smiling, clapping, and even joining in. These special moments not only entertained but also created opportunities for connection, reminding everyone that they are part of a wider, caring community.
This month, we also celebrated International Women’s Day with a beautiful cake decorating activity. Residents enjoyed expressing their creativity through colourful icing and unique designs. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and pride, as everyone shared stories and celebrated the strength and achievements of women. It was a truly heartwarming experience where residents felt valued and inspired.
A highlight of March was our Lebanese Cultural Diversity celebration, where we were honoured to invite a professional dancer to perform. Through graceful movements and storytelling, the performance reflected the rich traditions of Muslim and Mediterranean cultures. Residents were deeply engaged, enjoying not only the beauty of the dance but also the cultural journey it represented. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn, appreciate diversity, and experience something new together.
On Harmony Day, residents participated in a meaningful craft activity by creating a “Family Tree.” Using colours and their own creativity, each resident contributed to a shared artwork that symbolised unity, diversity, and belonging. This activity encouraged reflection on family, culture, and personal history, while also strengthening the sense of connection within our home.
To add to the month’s joy, residents enjoyed a lovely bus outing to the club, where they were treated to a delicious lunch buffet. The outing provided a refreshing change of environment, allowing residents to relax, socialise, and enjoy a variety of foods. Many residents expressed how much they appreciated the opportunity to go out, share a meal together, and experience the wider community.
March has truly been a month of celebration, creativity, and togetherness. Each activity brought smiles, strengthened connections, and created lasting memories. We look forward to continuing this spirit of joy and engagement in the months ahead.
💛 With warmth,
Lifestyle Team
Upcoming Events
Residents will be invited to celebrate Myanmar New Year, also known as the Thingyan Water Festival, a traditional festival that symbolises cleansing, renewal, and welcoming the new year. During the celebration, residents will have the opportunity to learn about Myanmar culture and traditions.
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.
March 2026 – Embracing Autumn Together
As we welcome March, we begin to see the gentle change into autumn—a season of reflection and calm. We are grateful for the continued support, kindness, and dedication shown by our residents, families, and staff.
This month, we focus on connection, wellbeing, and creating meaningful moments together. We look forward to sharing warm and enjoyable experiences as we continue to support our Garden View community.