Thursday July 23, 2020

SwanCare has been inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 2020 Vic Park Business Awards for its contribution to the community over the decades.

This year the celebrations took place on July 16, 2020, via video due to COVID-19 restrictions, and saw several local businesses receive the coveted awards, including SwanCare who are the second ever inductee into the Hall of Fame following John Hughes Group, inducted 2019.

SwanCare has a vibrant and welcoming community offering retirement living, residential aged care, and home care services in Bentley.   

A business is inducted into the Hall of Fame when they have made a significant contribution to the Vic Park community over a long period of time, something SwanCare has achieved in the six decades it has called the Town home.  

“This tremendous accolade from the Town of Vic Park validates SwanCare’s strong community leadership as we continue to enrich the lives of our residents,” SwanCare CEO, Graham Francis said. 

“SwanCare has been a leader in aged care services and retirement living in Western Australia for almost 60 years,” Town of Victoria Park, Mayor Karen Vernon said. “Over the years, SwanCare has collaborated on many projects with the Town of Victoria Park, cementing its place as a key stakeholder and leader in our local community.  

“We are very proud to have such a trusted and innovative organisation within our Town helping seniors to live and age well. Congratulations SwanCare!” 

Wednesday July 7, 2021

While it may not seem like an integrated retirement and aged care community has much to do with architecture awards, the answer can be found less than 10km from the Perth CBD.

SwanCare Bentley Park is breaking boundaries transforming the heart of its campus with a multiple award-winning Leisure Precinct.

The area spans 8,400sqm across ground level and offers new club rooms, function centre, landscaped gardens with sound and light features, balance park, heated indoor swimming pool, wellness hub, and gymnasium.

And if you prefer a slower approach to retirement there are also quiet areas such as a reading room, community puzzle place, and computers to use.

The facilities are finished off beautifully with improved walkways, gardens, and a new outdoor bowling green.

SwanCare Chief Executive Officer, Graham Francis said the design of the Leisure Precinct was unusual for a retirement village.

“Back when we were looking at the conceptual architectural plans for this site, it was a considerable decision to give the go-ahead for such a bold and challenging development,” Graham said.

“I am so pleased we agreed to break the traditional mould and go for something different; the result is more than impressive.”

Residents have created a welcoming community with more than 40 groups to choose from, such as choir, snooker, yoga, handicrafts, and line dancing.

SwanCare resident, Judy Mackintosh said the Leisure Precinct was a huge hit with the residents.

“We are thrilled with these amazing facilities and they are right here where we live,” Judy said. “There’s no need to go overseas for a resort holiday, we live in one - thank you, SwanCare.”

SwanCare Bentley Park’s $20 million Leisure Precinct has been presented with eight accolades for architecture including:

•             WA Architecture Awards 2020 – Urban Design – Winner

•             Think Brick Australia 2020 – Robin Dods Roof Tile Excellence Award – Winner

•             Future of Ageing Awards 2020 – Property and Design – Winner

•             Master Builders 2020 – Best Public Use Building $10-$20 Million – Winner

•             WA Architecture Awards 2020 – Lighting – Commendation

•             WA Architecture Awards 2020 – Public Architecture – Commendation

•             Australian Architecture Awards 2020 – Urban Design – Finalist

•             AILA WA Landscape Architecture Awards 2021 – Health and Education Landscape – Winner

(See the full writeup from the latest win here: SwanCare Leisure Precinct | REALMstudios)

“We are so proud of the final outcome, and the continual flow of positive comments validates all of the hard-work and ingenious design that went into the project,” Graham said.

SwanCare is proudly West Australian and not-for-profit since it was established in the early 60’s as Swan Cottage Homes.

At more than 15 hectares, SwanCare Bentley Park campus is home to more than 1,000 residents in different styles of retirement living accommodation and offers a full suite of services including four aged care centres and onsite homecare services.

Wednesday July 1, 2020

SwanCare’s new $20 million Leisure Precinct has been announced winner of the Urban Design Award at the 2020 WA Architecture Awards.

The June 26 awards were live-streamed as an alternative to the yearly event that usually attracts a crowd of over 500.

In addition to the main award, the Leisure Precinct also won a commendation award for Public Architecture and a commendation award for Lighting.

The Leisure Precinct’s architects, Iredale Pedersen Hook, were on hand to accept the award alongside a slew of other awards, including the prestigious George Temple Poole Award, for their Pingelly Recreation and Cultural Centre project. 

“We are so proud of the final outcome, and the continual flow of positive comments validates all of the hard-work and ingenious design that went into the project,” SwanCare CEO Graham Francis said. “This is an outstanding result and SwanCare is honoured to be associated with this great achievement.” 

“Iredale Pedersen Hook’s recognition is well deserved; they have helped create an iconic space for our residents to enjoy.” 

Martin Dunleavy, retired architect and former Chair of SwanCare, was proud of the achievement.

“For a project to receive the Urban Design Award from the Australian Institute of Architects is a significant achievement,” Martin said. “To also receive commendations for the same project demonstrates the overall quality of the Leisure Precinct project.”

“Personally, I’m blown away by what has been achieved.”

The Leisure Precinct has transformed the heart of SwanCare Bentley Park – WA’s largest fully integrated retirement and aged care site. 

The Leisure Precinct spans approximately 8,400 square metres (across ground level) and offers new club rooms, function centre, landscaped gardens with sound & light features, exercise park, heated indoor swimming pool, wellness hub, and gymnasium. 

These facilities are surrounded by improved walkways and gardens, plus a new bowling green. 

Monday July 15, 2019

SwanCare is an innovation winner! SwanCare has been announced as a winner in the 2019 Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) awards for advancing the skills of future doctors and nurses.

A not for profit and West-Australian retirement living and aged care provider, SwanCare has won the Innovation in Service or Design category of the Awards, reflecting two programs developed by SwanCare in partnership with Curtin Medical School and The University of Notre Dame Australia. 

“At SwanCare we are committed to developing health professionals who are involved in meeting the care needs of our ageing population, now and in the future,” SwanCare General Manager of Health and Aged Care Services, Julie Atkinson said. “Nurturing the knowledge, skills and mindset of the future aged care workforce is of huge importance."

The SwanCare/Curtin Medical School partnership, called the Senior Citizen Partnership Program, works as an intergenerational program to help develop senior-savvy doctors of the future. 

SwanCare resident Sue Lewis is currently linked with seven students in total. 

“It is very important for doctors to be aware of the processes of ageing, physically and mentally, especially as people are living much longer these days,” Sue said. “As an older person I feel I have a wealth of knowledge and experience I can share with these young students. 

“I find the students delightful and I gain so much by learning about their views and different cultures.  It really is a two way relationship - I feel I’m helping them and they certainly provide me with very stimulating conversation.” 

Now in its second year, the Graduate Nurses Program is a SwanCare/Notre Dame University partnership which every year welcomes two nurses to complete post graduate studies and attain their Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing while working at SwanCare’s residential care facilities.

 “Working with our partners in the development of our future doctors and nurses will benefit both our ageing population and our communities in general, by creating better health care outcomes,” Julie Atkinson said. “It is our hope that the understanding between generations will improve the perception of the aged care sector as a career path, attracting a younger demographic with a vibrancy of attitude and innovative thinking.”

About the Awards

The 2019 ACSA Aged Care Awards celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions made by organisations, teams, and individuals in the aged care industry throughout the year. ACSA is the leading peak body supporting over 700 church, charitable, and community-based not-for-profit organisations that provide accommodation and care services to over 450,000 older Australians.

Wednesday April 24, 2019

Swancare has been awarded Silver for Employer of Choice in the category for 100-499 employees. We are also delighted that SwanCare has been recognised as a top performer in the Training and Professional Development, Access to Technology, and Health and Wellbeing categories.

About the HRD Award

The annual competition, run by Human Resources Magazine (HRD), seeks to identify employers of choice across a number of worthy categories. The winner of each category is determined based on a survey of anonymous employees across Australia. From January to February 2019, staff rated their organisation in areas such as career progression, diversity, inclusion, and recognition. Outstanding workplaces secured Gold, Silver, or Bronze in each category.

SwanCare General Manager of People and Culture, Fiona Millar said the Award has come at an important time. “For us at SwanCare, achieving Silver in the Employer of Choice Awards is a recognition of our tireless efforts - not only over the years, but particularly over recent months as the Aged Care Inquiry has cast a shadow over our industry,” Fiona said.

“This award is really significant to us because it’s based on anonymous survey responses from our employees. Our goal is to be recognised by our own people as a great place to work. Because if we get that right, we are going to be a great place to work for future employees too.”

“We are so proud of our employees as they are the reason that SwanCare is such a fantastic place to work. It’s wonderful that we are recognised not only within our immediate circle, but also nationally."

Fiona praised the Training and Development and the People and Culture teams for their hard work, which is clearly greatly appreciated by SwanCare staff - so appreciated in fact, that staff currently report a 94.6% satisfaction rate.