04/03/2026
EXCITING NEWS!
Over the past 18 months weโve been doing a significant amount of work behind the scenes with the Aberlea Board and Executive team to think carefully about the future of aged care in Mortlake.
That work has involved looking closely at what the organisation needs for the years ahead, but also being honest about the capabilities and strengths that already exist within Aberlea. A lot of time has gone into understanding what the right leadership structure looks like, what the organisation is capable of delivering, and how we position Aberlea to remain strong and relevant for the community well into the future.
Iโm really pleased to see the appointments of Leonie Kelly and Amanda Gaudion as General Managers reporting directly to the Board. Their appointments reflect a lot of the thinking and planning that has been happening over this time. They bring the experience, capability and commitment that align strongly with the direction Aberlea is heading.
When you match strong capability with clear objectives, good things can happen.
Alongside this, the Board will continue its renewal process over the next 12 months, which will further strengthen the organisation and the work being done to prepare Aberlea for the future.
All of this matters because regional aged care is changing quickly, and small communities like ours need organisations that are resilient, well governed and able to adapt.
Looking aheadโฆ and weโve worked in this region for over 10 yeats nowโฆ one of the things Iโd really love to see across our region is stronger collaboration (nee, acceptance) between regional aged care providers. Communities like Mortlake, Cobden, Camperdown, Terang, Timboon, Warrnambool and the many neighbouring towns across our district, all face similar challenges and opportunities. By working together more closely, coming together and pooling our scarce resourcesโฆ there is real potential to build stronger, more resilient, combined services that remain open, relevant and sustainable for our communities over the long term.
There is also much opportunity lost by sitting on our hands and waitingโฆ
That conversation will continue, it must continue, and there is a lot that can be achieved over the next 5, 10 or even 20 years if regional communities support one another in the right way.
But for now, itโs simply great to see Aberlea continuing to build for the future of Mortlake and the surrounding district.
Communities like ours deserve strong, local aged care and itโs encouraging to see the work being done to ensure that continues.
Aberlea Mortlake Mortlake Community Noticeboard VIC Mortlake Dispatch Cobden 3266 Noticeboard Cobden Timboon Coast Times Terang: Small town, big heart. Terang & district community noticeboard Terang Express Carol Altmann - The Terrier Western District Newspapers Fitzmedia Productions / South West Local News ABC South West VIC Warrnambool Standard
