Commemorating Community Diversity and Inclusion

At Respect, we’re all about developing communities of belonging and respect, and that’s why we’re proud of our ongoing commitment to foster diversity and inclusion across our organisation. 

We acknowledge that by embracing the various cultures and backgrounds that make up our wonderful people, we enrich our team’s collective knowledge and create a nurturing environment that benefits both our staff as well as residents and clients.  

Let’s turn the spotlight on all rich and unique cultural festivities taking place at our homes and celebrated by our staff and residents. With so many cultural days of celebration and observance taking place in recent weeks and months – including Harmony Week—here’s a special look at a couple of memorable moments uniting our communities in some important culture-sharing.

Our staff and residents at Derwent Views in Lindisfarne, Tasmania, were excited to come together for ‘Cultural Day’, which they drew on as an opportunity to honour the Nepalese festival Dashain as well as the Indian festival Diwali.  

Colour and connection were the two prevailing themes of the day. Staff dressed in bright colours, plates of delicious food were shared, and the home’s communal spaces were adorned with vibrant decorations for everyone to enjoy. Then, following an amazing dance performance, Derwent Views General Manager, Natalia Wickham was invited to lead “Tika,” a Nepalese tradition representing an auspicious blessing for health and good fortune, which was shared with all staff and residents.  

Previously we’ve shared stories about the members of our team who have joined our communities through Respect’s involvement in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. The initiative provides opportunities for people from 10 Pacific Island nations to work in regional Australia for up to four years in industries experiencing shortages.

Earlier this year, we welcomed six carers who joined our Cooinda aged care home in Lithgow, New South Wales. Not only have our new colleagues been a massive hit with our residents since their arrival, but their skills and experience continue to have a major impact on the care services we provide the local community. 

And our Fijian team members were proud to recently take centre stage as part of Cooinda’s Fijian Independence Day celebrations. The cohort prepared a delicious lunch featuring traditional Fijian cuisine to thank their Cooinda colleagues for welcoming them to their new home. And with each team member donning Fijian attire, sharing traditional music, dancing, and telling stories from their homeland, it was an extraordinary afternoon full of unique insights and camaraderie! 

A special highlight was when Cooinda General Manager Theresa Saint was crowned ‘Queen of the Ceremony’ and presented with a beautiful floral wreath. Team member Suraj Chand then delivered a heartfelt speech on the history of Fiji’s Independence Day, which was followed with celebratory cake. 

As a token of appreciation, our PALM staff also gifted custom t-shirts to their fellow team members – another lovely gesture! A big thank you to all the team members involved for not only organising this memorable celebration but for the incredible contributions you all make to enrich the lives of Cooinda residents, day in and day out!