Warrigal is thrilled to announce they were successful in winning the ‘Excellence in Large Business’ award at the 2022 IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards, held at WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday 14, 2022.

The award ceremony, now in its 28^th year, is a platform to recognise the outstanding achievements of businesses and business leaders in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, and Southern Highlands, and more than 600 people were in attendance to celebrate 14 award categories.

As a community-owned organisation, Warrigal is thrilled to be also recognised as a big business! It’s strength in business means it can give back to this diverse and large region that they operate in for over 55 years by supporting their local economies through revenue and employment. They engage various local contractors and suppliers for goods and services required; build strong local business partnerships; and provide accommodation and specialised aged care services for older people in this region.

Their outstanding business results in the past 12 months from rapid growth and partnerships has seen them win this award, and excel in the aged care and retirement living industry. The completion of a 3 year financial recovery plan saw them move from a financial deficit to a surplus, alongside the acquisition of the Illawarra’s largest and most luxurious retirement living and aged care centre, the Links Seaside, with 500 accompanying staff and residents.

Warrigal also commenced the final stage of their national award-winning village at the Shell Cove Marina, where 24 apartments have been co-designed with older people to create spaces they feel supported in. Further to this, Warrigal has 2 large sites master-planned for retirement living in Warilla and Lake Illawarra, providing an additional 170 new affordable homes for older people.

Warrigal CEO, Mark Sewell, said winning this award on the back of being named the 2021 National Provider of the Year at the ACSA awards is an honour, and something Warrigal is very excited about.

“Winning ‘Excellence in Large Business’ is an outstanding achievement for Warrigal, to be a not-for-profit recognised for our successful business model and growth. Our goal is to help as many older people in our community as we can, and we are proud to be recognised for our service growth in achieving this.”

Mark continued, “2022 has been a challenging time for aged care providers, and this award highlights the hard work of our managers and staff across the board. Our success is a result of a collective effort from every level of our organisation especially our managers who are kind and passionate as well as clever and professional, and we are looking forward to continuing to follow our strategic growth plan, called Towards 2030, to create even more inspiring communities for older people.”

From a humble beginning of 10 beds on Mt Warrigal in 1967, Warrigal has continued its ambitious goal of providing housing and care for even more older people; now with 1750 staff and 400 volunteers at 23 services across 14 different locations in two states. Warrigal continues to grow their team, and is hiring many extra positions around the Illawarra.

To view Warrigal’s current employment opportunities, go to warrigal.com.au.