Stitches of kindness: Honouring aged care workers who go beyond the call
Published on 7 August 2025
A knitted blanket, lovingly crafted and handed to someone sleeping rough, may seem a small gesture — but it’s symbolic of something far greater. On Aged Care Employee Day, we honour the quiet strength of Australia’s 456,000 aged care workers, whose daily contributions are stitched with compassion, resilience and care.
From nurses and personal care assistants to lifestyle coordinators, volunteers and kitchen teams, these individuals are the heart of the aged care sector. Their work allows older Australians to live with dignity, independence and a sense of connection — and today is a national moment to recognise them.
Across Australia, aged care providers are marking the day with gratitude and celebration.
In South Australia, ACH Group is leading the way with heartfelt recognition of its 2,000-strong workforce. As part of a growing annual tradition, staff are receiving curated self-care packages, hand-delivered by senior leaders at events across Adelaide. The gifts, according to CEO Linda Feldt, are a reminder for staff to care for themselves, too.
“Our people spend so much of their time caring for others. The gift serves as a reminder to take time to care for themselves,” Ms Feldt said.
“We want every team member — whether they’re providing hands-on care or working behind the scenes — to know how valued and appreciated they are. The contributions of aged care employees are vital to supporting older South Australians to live good lives.”
ACH Group is also inviting families and loved ones to join in recognising the impact staff have on their relatives’ wellbeing — highlighting the often invisible emotional labour performed across the workforce.
As Ms Feldt notes, the importance of this work is only increasing. While just 5% of Australians were aged over 65 in 1927, that figure had tripled by 2017 — and is expected to rise to over 20% by 2057. Supporting and growing the aged care workforce is crucial to meeting this demographic shift.
At Calvary Haydon in Canberra, that same spirit of community is reflected in wool. A group of knitters — made up of residents and volunteers — has spent the past 15 years crafting thousands of warm garments for people experiencing homelessness. The initiative, a finalist in the 2025 You Are ACE! Awards, see beanies, blankets and scarves donated to St Vincent de Paul’s Night Patrol and the Vinnies store in Dickson.
Volunteer Helen Lundy, who has sewn more than 500 blankets, and resident Judith Paterson, who’s mastered double-stranded knitting, say the group is as much about community as craft. Activities Coordinator Reshmi Cox-Brogan, who learned to knit to better connect with the group, describes the sessions as a weekly highlight — complete with tea, chatter, and therapy dog visits.
In Victoria, Eh Mu Taw’s career journey shows the power of lived experience. Born in a Thai refugee camp after her family fled civil war in Burma, she now works as a Personal Care Worker at Uniting AgeWell’s Strath-Haven Community in Bendigo. Having completed her Certificate III through a tailored traineeship program, she says the opportunity gave her confidence, skills and belonging.
Further north, Warrigal is celebrating its 2,200 employees across the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and Canberra. Among them is Vernia, a long-serving residential services manager who retired recently after 37 years. Having risen through the ranks, she built a legacy grounded in respect and people-first leadership — a reminder that long careers in aged care can leave a deep impact.
Meanwhile, Goodwin Aged Care Services is recognising its 801 employees from more than 18 countries. With visa sponsorship and an Internationally Qualified Nurses initiative in place, Goodwin is helping global talent integrate into the Australian care landscape. It’s an investment in both diversity and sustainability.
For home care worker Sarah Wilson, who overcame a serious illness in her 20s, working in aged care is a way of giving back. Now part of Uniting AgeWell in Victoria, she supports clients like 100-year-old World War II veteran Linda Westwood with everyday tasks and friendship. “It’s the relationships that make this job so special,” Sarah says.
On this Aged Care Employee Day, we recognise every act of care — whether it’s making a cuppa, sharing a story, leading a team, or knitting a blanket for someone in need.
This workforce is not only holding up the present, it’s shaping the future of ageing in Australia.