Media Centre

ACQ strives to be the media’s preferred commentator on aged care issues within the State.

While faced with the challenges of communicating the complexities of the aged care industry to the everyday person, ACQ consistently delivers a united voice in the media for its members.

The following media resources produced by the Association aim to improve the industry’s standing within the Queensland community and encourage more sensitive and thoughtful discussion of negative issues regarding aged care in the media.

The Grand Plan - send your residents a postcard & make sure your MP is listening

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Send a postcard to your residents & make sure your local MP hears the voices of your grand older people

An easy way many members have adopted to ensure their MP hears the voices of the older people in their facility is to send a postcard to each of their residents.

Not only will the local MP in your electorate receive a letter which is automatically generated when an online postcard is sent, but your residents will also receive a postcard which lets them know someone thinks they are grand.

Every postcard you send will help The Grand Plan campaign achieve our grand vision for the better care of our older Australians, so ask your staff and residents’ families and friends to send a postcard to your residents today. Every Australian can help to raise awareness of The Grand Plan by following these simple steps.

Step 1: Send an online postcard to someone you think is grand we’ll automatically send their local MP a letter: http://www.thegrandplan.com.au/become_grandfan.php\
(Visit www.whitepages.com.au to check out their postcode)

Step 2: Send an email to the Federal Health and Ageing Ministers using the template: http://www.thegrandplan.com.au/minister_mail.php

Step 3: If you’re on Facebook or Twitter, search for The Grand Plan and “Like it” or “Tweet it”
Members can also use the range of tools in the Members Toolbox at www.thegrandplan.com.au (Username: ccoa / Password: bestcare) to spread the message further.

By getting behind The Grand Plan, you will lend your voice to call for an increase in support and funding that Australians rapidly ageing population needs. Visit www.thegrandplan.com.au for more information.

Send your postcards now!

ATO: Fringe benefits tax - rates & thresholds

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The link below contains information regarding fringe benefits tax (FBT) rates and thresholds for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 FBT years. The FBT year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Certain rates and thresholds are referenced from the relevant taxation determination (TD).

Fringe Benefits Tax - Rates and Thresholds

The Grand Plan - A New Vision for Older Australians

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The Campaign for the Care of Older Australians (CCOA) is a joint effort by Australia’s leading aged care organisations representing over 95 per cent of Australia’s community and residential aged care organisations. We’re working together as one powerful voice to raise awareness for better care of our grand older people.

Our vision is that…every older Australian is able to live with dignity and independence in a place of their choosing with a choice of appropriate and affordable support and care services, as and when they need them.

By getting behind The Grand Plan you will lend your voice to the call for an increase in support and funding that Australia’s rapidly ageing population needs.

Think about someone grand in your life- you want the very best for them, don’t you? So become a Grand Fan and support The Grand Plan for the care of Australia’s grand people.

With your support we can show politicians that Australians are behind The Grand Plan. If we all speak up, the Government has to listen. Let’s let them know it’s on for young and old.

What can you do?

Everyone can be a Grand Fan. In every state, each of the Associations are asking Members to involve their staff, residents, friends, family and local community members to actively promote and support The Grand Plan.

You can become a Grand Fan with just a couple of clicks on the website:

-Ask your staff, residents, friends, family and local community members to visit The Grand Plan website and follow the steps to send an online postcard to their favourite Grand person

-At the same time, we’ll automatically send an email to their local MP to let them know your Grand person lives in their area…

-Send an email to the Federal Minister and Shadow Minister responsible for Health & Ageing to add their names to the call using the online template

-Pay tribute to your Grand person on The Grand Plan Facebook page or sign up to the Grand Plan Twitter page and get your family, friends and politicians talking about The Grand Plan

-Provide a grand story about the Grand person in your life on the website

-Include the online and print advertisements available in the Members toolkit area of the website in your newsletters or web pages

-Use the one page overview included with your copy of The Grand Plan to promote the campaign to your local politicians and other stakeholders

ACQ will also be coordinating a series of meetings with MPs, particularly in marginal seats throughout the State to reinforce the messages coming from you, your staff and your friends and family.

There many more options available to help you spread the word on The Grand Plan and ACQ will continue to communicate with you via a weekly campaign update to let you know just how. The first is included in this Newsfax.

Everything you do to spread the message for our older Australians can make The Grand Plan a grand achievement.

We hope you will help to make The Grand Plan a grand success for our older Australians.

Click here for login details.
Please note - Access is only available for ACQI members

State winners national contenders for ACSA’s excellence awards

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The dynamic individuals and organisations recognised at state level for their exceptional contribution to residential and community care will for the first time all be contenders for ACSA’s national awards for excellence.

ACSA CEO Greg Mundy said integrating the awards was a great opportunity to showcase each state’s winners at a national level.

“The awards are a means of paying tribute to the selfless people and organisations who strive every day to ensure older Australians enjoy quality care and support,” Mr Mundy said.

The national awards will be presented at ACSA’s annual conference being held this year in Hobart from September 19 – 22. The conference theme, Explore the Possibilities, will inspire delegates to explore new directions for aged care to meet the challenges of the future.

National finalists:

Employee Award:

Queensland – Alice Satterthwaite, Churches of Christ Care

NSW & ACT – Maida Chand, UnitingCare Ageing

Victoria – Mary Reid, Warramunda Village

Tasmania – Carol Pamplin, Queen Victoria Home

SA & NT – Carol Elliott, Barunga Village Inc,

WA – Margaret Hoare, Braemar Presbyterian Care

Trainee Award:

NSW & ACT - Michelle Coolwell, UPA Assoc of NSW

Victoria – Suzanne Beaston, Bupa Care Services

Tasmania – Margaret Byrne, Freemasons Homes of Southern Tasmania Inc

WA – Sue Hummerston, Uniting Church Homes

Volunteer Award:

NSW & ACT – Ian Gilbert, IRT

Victoria – Lilian Antonelli, Assisi Centre

Tasmania – Kathleen Medwin, Emmerton Park

SA & NT – Cosmo Camporeale, Associazione Nazionale Famiglie Degli Emigrati Inc (ANFE)

WA – Rita Stemmerik, Waminda, SwanCare Group

Media Award:

NSW & ACT – UnitingCare Ageing

Victoria – Benetas

SA & NT - Life Care – Churches of Christ

WA – Uniting Church Homes

Organisation Award:

Queensland – D & R Community Services Pty Ltd

NSW & ACT – IRT (Illawarra Retirement Trust)

Victoria – Warramunda Village

Tasmania – Huon Eldercare

SA & NT – Barunga Village Inc

WA – Braemar Presbyterian Care

Industry Supporter Award:

Queensland – SSS Australia

NSW & ACT – SmartCare

Victoria – Verso Consulting

SA & NT – Combined Charities Incorporated

WA – EPAC Salary Solutions

For more information on the national conference and to Explore the Possibilities visit www.agedcare.org.au

Media contact: Chris Hornsey 0419 513 432

Tickets are selling fast for ITAC’s red carpet event.

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Tickets are selling fast for ITAC’s red carpet event. Get in quickly to secure your place at the place to be seen, the 2010 Aged Care Industry IT Awards

The ITAC Awards 'red carpet' event is always exciting, entertaining and a great night out (although you might have to downplay it to your boss and colleagues as a 'serious' work-type event). The Dinner is our chance to honour the hard work, dedication and vision by Awards nominees. It is also your chance to network and socialise with your industry peers. The formalities conclude with the announcement of the ITAC Awards winners - followed by lots of dancing.

This year, we have been fortunate to secure the Regent Plaza Ballroom for the dinner. The Plaza Ballroom is a magnificent heritage listed venue situated in the very heart of Melbourne on Collins Street, at the famous Regent Theatre. Featuring extraordinary Spanish Rococo architecture, this stunning venue brings together the highest quality culinary experience with unmatched history, grandeur and ambience. If you haven't been to an ITAC Awards Dinner before - make sure you attend this year - you will not want to miss it!

  Date     Tuesday 27 July 2010
Venue   Regent Plaza Ballroom
Time      7.00pm - 11.30pm
Dress    Black tie/Evening wear
Fee       $135/person inc 3 course dinner, drinks and entertainment.

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