Commonwealth Government changes prompt Manningham to consider future of in-home aged care services

The Commonwealth Government is making significant changes to aged care services and developing a new in-home aged care program. The Government currently funds Council’s inhome aged care services under a contract arrangement.

These changes mean Manningham Council, like the majority of Victorian councils, is looking at whether it can continue delivering in-home aged care services. It will make a final decision on this issue in mid-2023.

To participate in the new Government program, Council would need to work across a large geographic region and offer a more comprehensive range of services (e.g., allied health, inhome palliative care and physiotherapy) than we currently provide.

“We understand we would not be offered a contract within this new program,” Manningham Mayor Cr Deirdre Diamante said. Over 50 councils have already decided to transition out of the aged care system, and in these cases, the Commonwealth Government has appointed other specialist providers to deliver services.

Cr Diamante said she wanted to reassure residents that if Council cannot continue to offer in-home aged care services, the Government will ensure our older clients still receive the services they need.

“The Commonwealth Government would appoint a range of new providers to deliver services in the Manningham area. Residents would have access to these other providers who would offer a broader range of services at similar cost. Council would be committed to supporting existing clients to connect to these new providers and making the transition as smooth as possible.”

“Council is considering this issue very carefully and thoughtfully. We need to look at what is best for our community in the long term. We are not looking at ‘outsourcing’ our in-home aged care services – the contract model is changing, and we have to respond to it.”

“Most importantly, there are no immediate changes to Council’s current in-home aged care services of domestic help, personal care, respite care, Meals on Wheels and social support.”

“If the final decision is to change in-home aged care services, this would happen towards the end of 2023.

”Cr Diamante said Council continues to be committed to the safety and wellbeing of its older residents.“

Even if we can no longer provide in-home aged care services, we would continue to offer other services that support healthy and positive ageing, like community transport and social connection activities.”

“Council would also continue to take an active role in ensuring our community receives high-quality aged care services and will strongly advocate for the needs of vulnerable community members.”

Cr Diamante said Council is also consulting with staff on the potential change.

“We would like to acknowledge our Aged and Disability Support Services staff and the valuable work they do with the older adults in our community.”

Donvale Bowls Club is indeed indebted and beholden to many of our beloved characters which define and distinguish it.

One such character at Donvale is Mal Shield (Pictured)

A brief insight into Malcolm’s working life, his involvement at Donvale Bowls Club, and the successful experiences it provided.

Born in Melbourne in 1953.

Completed his Primary/ Secondary and Technical school education.

Enrolled at RMIT qualifying as an engineer.

During these formative years he became active in Heidelberg Rotaract becoming treasurer for the club and the Rotaract district.

It was during this period he met Jan Allan, a Canadian exchange student with the Heidelberg Rotary a 19-year-old exchange student. The Rotarians requesting the Rotaract club to include her in their activities.

The timing was perfect, known as a man of discerning taste and as luck would have it, between girlfriends, he volunteered to accept her.

Life takes romantic twists, Jan supposably swept off her feet by this persistent and suave suitor, they later married.

His working career commenced as an engineer at Siddons Industries in Heidelberg an institution, famous for the quality Sidchrome spanners and work tools.

Promotion was swift!

Following on his role as an engineer took him to the Australian

Papermakers in Fairfield, later transferring to their Maryvale mill in Gippsland as assistant power engineer.

Next move to their Botany mill in Sydney, becoming the powerhouse and wastepaper engineer.

His ongoing journey with the company taking him back to the Fairfield Plant as South Mill Manager.

The APM had now been renamed Amcor, Mal was immediately promoted to Mill General Manager.

His final executive role Managing Director PMP print Australia. After constantly involved in large national roles, and the long hours it entailed he decided to start his own business doing management consulting work, sitting on boards, mergers, and acquisitions for medium sized companies, at one time travelling to Indonesia 13 times in a year.

In 2020 his workload and Covid, influencing him to retire. His interests are fishing, cycling, caravanning, travelling, Probus and family.

They have 3 children Kristy 39, Steven 39, and Michael 29. 4 grandchildren, 2 boys and 2 girls ranging in age from 8 to 11. The two oldest living in Melbourne, the youngest in Brisbane.

In 2014 he commenced bowling at Donvale Bowls Club initially attracted and enjoying 2 years of twilight bowls.

He is now well entrenched and extremely proud to be a member of such a welcoming and hardworking fun group of people.

Mal and Jan have made a substantial and immeasurable contribution to our club, the partnership, their readiness to contribute, volunteer, and be involved.

How fortunate we are they chose Donvale as their next chapter.