SENIORS AWARD - 2013/2014
Peter Francis is a dedicated and tireless volunteer who uses his time and exceptional leadership skills to improve the standards of care received by Senior citizens.
Peter commenced his ‘Volunteer’ life in his late 20's when by chance a partner in his law firm invited him to join the board of Melbourne City Mission. Whilst Peter did not really know what he was volunteering for he found the experience rewarding and enjoyed being part of the good work of the organisation.
Peter left the board of Melbourne City Mission in 2002, with the view to having a break, but he was promptly asked to Chair the Board at Baptcare. Shortly before his appointment, Baptcare's aged care related work had languished: it had recently closed, then sold the Southleigh Hostel in Bentleigh; it had been sanctioned by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency for compliance failures at two of its nursing homes and had been granted reduced periods of accreditation as a result; and it had mothballed $30m of capital redevelopment works at sites in Canterbury, Morwell & Kew. Peter's encouragement and tenacity were instrumental in all three of these sites being subsequently redeveloped.
During Peter’s chairmanship Baptcare went from a mid-level provider of packaged aged care to the largest provider in Victoria and received:
- 'Better Practice in Aged Care' awards from the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.
- The 2007 Federal Minister's Award for Excellence in Aged Care.
- Won two of the only three awarded State Awards for Excellence – Organisation, by Aged and Community Care Victoria (2009 & 2011) and was a finalist in 2012.
- Aged Care Association of Australia's 'Employer of Choice' award 2009.
Peter specialises in intellectual property and continues to work as a full time Senior Partner at Maddocks law firm and is a happy husband and a proud father of five girls and grandfather of four grandchildren. He has been able to work and raise a family whilst subsequently devoting 23 years to the Melbourne City Mission followed by 10 years to Baptcare.
Peter's ongoing dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life for older Australians and his ability to inspire others with compassion, knowledge and humour make him a most worthy recipient of the Rotary Club of Melbourne 2013-2014 Seniors Award’.
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