Organisation assisting over 90 people to achieve permanent residency.

In the heart of Griffith, Scalabrini Communities, a distinguished not-for-profit aged care organisation, stands as a testament to compassion and unwavering commitment. 

Recently, a heartwarming chapter unfolded within its walls as the organisation hosted a special tea party, a vibrant celebration honouring a significant milestone for its dedicated migrant staff, their achievement of permanent residency in Australia.

This momentous occasion was made possible through Scalabrini’s steadfast dedication to the Labour Agreement programme, an initiative that has proven instrumental in sponsoring over 90 devoted aged care workers and registered nurses, empowering them to forge secure and enduring futures in their adopted homeland. 

These individuals are the backbone of Scalabrini’s mission, delivering compassionate and high-quality care to residents across their communities. 

Scalabrini’s profound commitment to this programme reflects its core values of dignity, community, and belonging, underpinned by a deep-seated belief in the strength of a diverse and skilled workforce. 

To date, 150 staff members have been employed through the Labour Agreement, with an impressive 70 already achieving permanent residency status. 

This commitment is further solidified by the organisation’s significant investment of $750,000 in the programme for the 2024/2025 financial year.

Scalabrini’s remarkable efforts have garnered well-deserved recognition, including the prestigious Best Workplace Award and the Change Champion Award. 

These accolades, bestowed by The Voice Project in affiliation with Macquarie University, underscore the strong employee and client feedback in crucial areas such as leadership, engagement, and service quality. 

Achieving scores exceeding 80 per cent on every survey question, Scalabrini has demonstrated its commitment to fostering an exceptional workplace.

The significance of this achievement resonates deeply with individuals like Manjit, a dedicated Scalabrini employee in Griffith. 

Her journey to Australia began 15 years ago, fuelled by dreams of a brighter future. 

However, her path was fraught with challenges, as she navigated complex visa conditions and transitioned between various careers, from accounting to nursing, all in pursuit of permanent residency. 

It was within the nurturing environment of Scalabrini, working as a cook, that Manjit found a role that not only met a critical need but also, with the advent of the Labour Agreement, provided a tangible pathway to apply for residency as a carer. 

Despite the hurdles, her unwavering determination, coupled with Scalabrini’s steadfast support, ultimately led to her success.

Similarly, Ramila’s story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of Scalabrini’s support. 

Arriving from Nepal to support her husband, a highly qualified accounting professional, Ramila initially planned to pursue nursing studies. 

However, unexpected circumstances arose with her pregnancy, derailing her academic aspirations and leaving her family facing uncertain prospects for remaining in Australia. 

Scalabrini extended a lifeline by offering her a sponsored position as a carer. 

This act of compassion not only provided Ramila with a fulfilling role at The Village by Scalabrini in Drummoyne, where she has worked since 2018, but also allowed her and her family to finally build their life in Australia.

The celebratory tea party was a heartwarming gathering attended by 13 staff members, their families and friends, alongside Scalabrini’s CEO, Richard De Haast, and esteemed members of the Board. 

In a touching gesture, each staff member was presented with a Belong diary, symbolizing the beginning of their new chapter as Australian citizens.

This celebratory event serves as an affirmation of Scalabrini’s mission to provide supportive and inclusive workplaces where staff can thrive both personally and professionally.

He further commended the staff, acknowledging that their stories of resilience and achievement are an inspiration to the entire Scalabrini community.

Scalabrini’s commitment extends beyond its staff to the very essence of its care model, Belong, an innovative person-centred approach designed to revolutionise aged care in Australia. 

Anchored in seven key pillars—My Journey, My Voice, My Interests, My Food, My Dignity, My Purpose, and My Beliefs—Belong ensures that every resident feels valued, heard, and truly at home.

As an organisation deeply dedicated to supporting older migrants and their families, alongside migrant workers and carers, Scalabrini Communities shines as a beacon of hope. 

The Labour Agreement programme transcends its function as a staffing solution; it embodies a shared commitment to empathy, inclusion, and the profound belief that aged care, at its most meaningful, should mirror the richness and diversity of the broader Australian community. 

The stories celebrated at the tea party are not just tales of professional achievement, but heartwarming narratives of resilience, belonging, and the transformative power of a community that truly cares.