the Aged Care Today magazine featured articles

Bringing together providers, sector leaders and professionals to explore the latest reforms, opportunities and innovations, the conferences provide an invaluable platform for learning and networking.

Thanks to the generous support of McGrathNicol, the four recipients each received up to $3,000 to cover registration, travel and accommodation. This allowed them to take part in their state’s premier aged care event – benefiting not only themselves, but their organisations and local communities. The following individuals were the inaugural recipients for 2025:

• Lucy Lincoln, Director and Founder, Country to Coast Home Care Services (Surf Coast, Victoria)
• Jennie Cotterill, Facility Manager, Pyramid Residential Care Centre (Gordonvale, Queensland)
• Darren Copland, Chief Executive Officer, Illaroo Co-operative Aboriginal Corporation (Nowra, NSW)
• Bruce Jeffery, Community Care Manager, Illaroo Co-operative Aboriginal Corporation (Nowra, NSW).

Partner at McGrathNicol, Selina Gerner, said they were delighted to support capacity building in the sector.

“As a firm, we’re committed to supporting the sectors and communities we work with. Backing regional and rural providers to attend the Ageing Australia conferences was a way for us to turn that commitment into something tangible,” said Selina.

“Providers outside metropolitan areas face real challenges to participating in conference conversations because of the costs associated with travelling. These providers play a critical role in their communities, and it’s important for them to connect with the industry to have their ideas heard. Through the McGrathNicol bursary, we were proud to help remove this barrier and increase representation of regional and rural leaders at the conference.”

For Lucy Lincoln, Director and Founder of Country to Coast Home Care Services, which delivers independent living support to Surf Coast seniors, the bursary offered an opportunity to take time out and find a renewed sense of inspiration.

“Having worked in aged care for local council, not-for-profit organisations, public and private hospitals, and now in my role in home care, I believe aged care leaders have a duty to lead and advocate for meaningful change. As we prepare to implement Support at Home, attending the Ageing Australia Victoria state conference reminded me of where our focus should be,” said Lucy.

“The story that stayed with me the most was one shared by a CEO about his residential aged care home, which supports homeless men. He told of a resident who had a combi van parked in a side street. Whenever staff needed to talk with him, they would go to the van, knock on the door, and sit with him. What this CEO described was genuine person-centered care. There was no judgement, only acceptance, warmth and compassion.

“This CEO was courageous enough to step away from the standard script, and it struck me that our sector would be far better – for staff and older people – if we embraced a more human approach to care. Thanks to Ageing Australia and McGrathNicol for reminding us that we have a responsibility – and an opportunity – to shape a better aged care system.