The Member for Maribyrnong and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten, today shouted a BBQ lunch for staff and clients of Wintringham Aged Care in Avondale Heights.

Wintringham Aged Care is the winner of an online competition to find “Bill’s Best Workplace”. It was nominated by employee Rose Scott, who works in administration at Wintringham.

In her entry to the competition, Ms Scott said;

“I nominate my workplace, Wintringham Specialist Aged Care. We look after older folk who are homeless or vulnerable to it.

“The company values are Options, Dignity, Rights and this seems to apply equally to clients and staff. There's a strong positive working culture where most of us are happy to be flexible about getting things done because we know we are appreciated and our employer won't rip us off. I think you'd enjoy a BBQ with our mob Bill.”

Wintringham has a number of different sites, and Mr Shorten today visited Ron Conn Nursing Home in Avondale Heights to chat with staff and try his hand at cooking.

“I always enjoy meeting employees and employers who truly value each other. A happy workplace is a productive workplace, where staff feel comfortable, respected and inspired.

“I congratulate Wintringham Aged Care for winning this Australia-wide competition, and I’m particularly pleased that it operates in Melbourne’s west.”

Ms Scott also told Mr Shorten that Wintringham has awards for staff for every five years of employment; a voluntary Staff Emergency Relief Fund providing a financial helping hand to employees facing unexpected hardship; and policies which support and encourage pregnant women and those with kids.

“I reckon a manager with a baby on her hip sends a great message,” Ms Scott said.

Bill’s Best Workplace was a competition launched in January on Facebook to find Bill’s Best Workplace. To be in the winning to have Bill host a BBQ, people had to post a message, picture or video on Bill’s Facebook page showing how their workplace is great.

ENDS

Contact: Kieran Barns-Jenkins 9326 1300 / 0421 838 878