Respect Celebrates Staff Members Recognised At 2024 Tasmanian Palliative Care Awards

At Respect, we love celebrating the wonderful achievements of our extraordinary team members across our many communities. So how fantastic to share the news that Suzette Long, one of our Personal Care Assistants at Peacehaven in Norwood, Tasmania, received a prestigious accolade at this month’s 2024 Tasmanian Palliative Care Awards.

Suzette was awarded the inaugural Ruth Andrews Memorial Award for Kindness, celebrating her dedication to compassionate care and the positive impact she has on older Tasmanians and their families on a daily basis.

A big congratulations to Suzette, who has been a much-loved member of our Peacehaven team for more than 11 years. In that time, her passion for providing the highest level of care to residents and their families has truly shone through and is evident to everyone who has had the pleasure to work with her.

When we spoke with Suzette, she said how much of a privilege it was to receive the award – itself named in memory of Ruth Andrews, a passionate advocate for palliative care in the community. 

“It was a real surprise to win, but it was wonderful feeling. I struggle a bit with recognition, but it was such a privilege to be there, let alone be recognised,” Suzette said. 

“It was a real honour to meet Ruth Andrews’ family too. To be the first recipient of the award named in her honour was very special… and to just to see how happy they were made it even more emotional.” 

Celebrated generally for the profound level of care she proudly provides others, Suzette also shared some insights into what she finds so rewarding about her role. 

“Just being a carer is amazing in itself. You get to know every resident really well and it’s a privilege to be part of their journey of life. It’s just about being there for them, providing comfort. Sometimes it’s the small things… being that familiar face for the resident as well as their loved ones. It’s important for them, and a big part of what we provide as carers.”

Congratulations also goes to our incredible team at Eliza Purton in West Ulverstone, Tasmania, who were recognised as a finalist in the award category of Outstanding team/service delivering palliative care.  

Nominated by an external palliative care nurse who works across several aged care homes in the local community, it’s an amazing acknowledgement of the team’s shared dedication to go above and beyond for residents and their families, during what can often be some of the toughest times in their lives.  

As part of the award ceremony, Acting GM Rebecca Knowles accepted a certificate of recognition at Government House on behalf of her team, and she said it was honour for Eliza Purton to be acknowledged for its collaboration and dedicated and collaborative approach to end-of-life care. 

“Just like the saying goes ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, we strongly believe it takes a village during end of life as well. So our amazing team is passionate about doing whatever we can for each resident and their family, particularly during the final stages of life,” Rebecca said. 

“Not only that, but we also strongly advocate for residents during this time. Whether that means spending a lot of time working with and involving the GP or other Allied Health professionals, whoever we need to be part of their team, we seek it out to make it all happen smoothly. Because we know that in terms of that moment, we only get one chance and one chance to do it properly.” 

On behalf of Respect, congratulations to Suzette, as well as our team at Eliza Purton, for their achievements and well-deserved public acknowledgement. You are all such special people in our communities and your steadfast dedication to residents truly embodies our organisation’s mission to care for older Australians in an environment of respect, value and belonging. 

Photo credit: Thanks to Jillian Mundy/Palliative Care Tasmania.