Gilgandra to Welcome 16 Filipino Workers for Aged Care & Disability
Published on 03 October 2023
Gilgandra Shire Council (Council) has been working with an international immigration organisation, Groworx, to address the workforce shortages within its aged care and disability sectors. Following months of preparations, Council is pleased to announce the arrival of 16 international care workers from the Philippines to Gilgandra in late October or early November to start their employment with Gilgandra Aged Care and Disability Services.
Director Aged Care and Disability Services, Donna Dobson, says
“We’re excited to welcome the new Filipino workers to Gilgandra and the community, they are a mix of overseas trained registered nurses and care workers whom have completed a certificate III in Aged Care with an Australian training organisation. Upon their arrival, the registered nursing staff will initiate a bridging program to facilitate their registration for practice in Australia.”
Council invites the community to come along to a public Q&A session, where we will provide an overview of the program and discuss some of the activities necessary to facilitate the integration of the workers into the Gilgandra community
When: Monday, 9 October 2023
Where: Coo-ee Heritage Centre
Time: from 5.30pm
Additionally, Council is also inviting all interested locals the opportunity to be a part of the Welcoming Committee to greet and welcome the 16 new Filipinos into the community. If you are interested in being a part of this Welcoming Committee, please reach out to Council at council@gilgandra.nsw.gov,au, or by calling 6817 8800.
Mayor, Doug Batten advised that Council is fully supportive of this venture, saying
“Council understands the need for additional staff to supplement the existing workforce and has communicated this to the residents of Cooee Lodge Hostel and their families with a very positive response. Council is expecting that the workers will be made to feel welcome into the community and is hopeful that they will become long term residents of Gilgandra.”
Adding,
“Additional staff will enable Cooee Lodge to meet the minimum staffing requirements as prescribed by the royal commission into Aged Care. More so, some flexibility in staffing within the Disability Services environment will provide required resourcing to meet the clients needs.”
Council looks forward to welcoming the Gilgandra’s newest residents to the region and engaging with businesses and the community throughout the process.
Contact: Merscia Kouroulis
Acting Activation & Communications Manager
mkouroulis@gilgandra.nsw.gov.au
6817 8800
2023-09-28-Groworx_Gilgandra-to-Welcome-16-Filipino-Workers.pdf(PDF, 307KB)