Victorian Heart of Dovida Awards Celebrate Excellence in Home Care

The Victorian Heart of Dovida Awards concluded on Friday evening with Margaret Nummey from Frankston being named Caregiver of the Year, highlighting an evening that celebrated exceptional dedication across the state’s network.

Margaret’s recognition reflects unwavering service characterised by extraordinary client relationships and compassionate care. Clients describe her as “a beautiful, caring angel” who demonstrates an intuitive understanding of their needs, often providing support before being asked.

Her impact extends beyond routine care duties. Margaret has supported clients through significant life transitions, including accompanying one client on visits to her husband in permanent care and helping another organise mobility equipment that restored independence. The depth of these relationships is exemplified by weekly traditions such as Margaret’s Friday morning breakfast catch-ups, which one client describes as her favourite time of the week.

Leadership and Operational Excellence Recognised

Catherine Simmons-Wong from Frankston received the Leadership Award for her consistent approach to building trust, taking initiative, and supporting team wellbeing. Her nominator highlighted her ability to manage operations independently whilst maintaining transparency and creating a supportive workplace culture.

Stacey Swindon from Melbourne Eastern Suburbs was awarded Key Player of the Year after making significant impact in such a short period. Her leadership in coordinating the Support at Home rollout and her structured approach to change management positioned her team for success during organisational transitions.

Quality and Performance Recognition

Melbourne Inner North received the Excellence in Quality Award, achieving 99% ISO 9001:2015 compliance results that exceed the national average of 97%.

Melbourne Inner East, led by Josh Cakitaki, was named Office of the Year based on measurable improvements across employee engagement, client satisfaction, and financial performance metrics.

Service Milestone Acknowledgements

The ceremony recognised team members reaching significant service milestones, acknowledging those completing between 5+ of service.

Network-Wide Impact

CEO Geoff Hogg emphasised during closing remarks that whilst specific individuals received recognition, the qualities they demonstrate exist throughout the Victorian network. The ceremony brought together representatives from offices across the state, from Frankston to Geelong and Melbourne’s metropolitan regions.

The awards process evaluated nominees against Dovida’s core values, with selections based on demonstrated impact on clients, colleagues, and operational outcomes.

Friday’s ceremony reinforces the organisation’s commitment to recognising excellence in home care delivery whilst highlighting the professional standards maintained across Victorian operations.