Celebrating the dreams
of our community
Stephanie Buckland, Chief Executive Officer, Amana Living
As we enter the Christmas season I would like to give thanks to the Amana Living community - our wonderful residents and clients and also our compassionate and dedicated staff.
Recently, we celebrated the outstanding contribution of our colleagues at our annual Amana Living Awards night. This year’s theme, Circus of Dreams, highlighted the importance of dreams and the role we play in helping to keep those dreams alive. The older people we support and care for have lived full, varied and interesting lives. They may have achieved many of their hopes and goals yet still have dreams to realise in their final years.
Our Amana Life Awards recognise individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond to help our residents and clients continue to dream and to lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.
Deborah Wingate from Moline House was celebrated for her remarkable impact on a resident who had lost interest in eating and was losing weight, after a necessary diet change. Deborah created safe, flavourful meals that revived his appetite almost immediately and lifted his mood by bringing back the taste, comfort and joy of eating food that felt like home.
Our team award recipients - Dawn Timmerman, Dani Kyrwood, Kristy Waterhouse, Priya Ragam, Natasha Wallis, and Tammy Wilford – were recognised for their diligent review of our much loved Kites and Clubs services. Their work created more places for clients, and improved accessibility and responsiveness, enabling more older West Australians to participate in activities that foster social connection, community, and inclusion.
Leading with kindness and compassion, Lee Ann Reyes from Kinross Beach House was acknowledged for creating a positive, joyful and uplifting team culture. Families have also regularly expressed heartfelt gratitude for the way Lee Ann includes and supports them throughout their loved one’s care journey.
We also honoured Emily Raynor, who has received countless words of thanks and appreciation from clients, carers and families for her genuine kindness, concern and practical help in the Short Term Restorative Care program. As one client said: ‘the reason we chose Amana Living as our Home Care Package provider is because of the amazing care Emily provided’.
Finally, Maintenance Officer Paul Duffy was recognised for his exceptional kindness and compassion toward a resident whose deteriorating health meant he could no longer see to finish his book. Noticing this, Paul took the time to read the remaining chapters aloud, offering comfort and companionship in the resident’s final days.
On the evening we also celebrated more than 90 staff members who have reached between 10 to 30 years of incredible service at Amana Living. Their dedication is at the heart of who we are and the care we provide.
Together, these moments of recognition remind us of the profound impact our team has on the lives we touch every day.
I am deeply grateful to work alongside such dedicated people, and for the lasting difference we create together in our community. On behalf of everyone at Amana Living, I also give thanks for the many people throughout the Diocese who support our work, and wish you and your loved ones a safe, healthy and joyful Christmas and New Year.
