ACH Group

Today marks an extraordinary milestone for Ivy Diegmann – 20 years of leadership and innovation with ACH Group. A respected and visionary leader, Ivy has been at the forefront of some of ACH Group’s most transformative initiatives. From her roles in Service Development and Quality, and as Head of Service Design and Product Innovation, through to her current position as Executive Manager Brand & Customer Engagement, Ivy has consistently brought deep insight, strategic thinking, and a genuine passion for customer and resident voice to everything she does. Over two decades, Ivy has played a key role in guiding ACH Group’s strategic direction – leading innovation in service design, driving our research and student placement initiatives, and evolving our brand to reflect who we are and where we’re headed. Ivy’s commitment to co-design and inclusive engagement has helped shape how ACH Group connects with older people and delivers on our purpose of supporting older people to live good lives.   A true trailblazer, Ivy continues to influence the aged care landscape beyond ACH Group - through her contributions as with the Australian Association of Gerontology and her role as Adjunct Associate Professor at Flinders University, where she inspires the next generation of leaders. Reflecting on her journey, Ivy shared, “What makes ACH Group truly special is its people and the shared commitment to our purpose - Good Lives for Older People. I’m especially passionate about the ACH Group difference - creating real experiences and supporting valued roles that support older people to live with meaning and connection.”   ACH Group is proud to celebrate this incredible milestone with you, Ivy – thank you for your leadership and passion.

Aged Care Today: Small home model proving a great success   We are delighted to share that the innovative achievements at Healthia, ACH Group’s newest residential aged care home, have been highlighted in Aged Care Today magazine. Healthia showcases how a pioneering approach can support both residents and staff to thrive, with a model designed to enhance independence, connection, and quality of life.   Aged Care Today is the highly regarded magazine published by Ageing Australia for the aged care sector.   Read more here: https://bit.ly/3FBMu31 ACH Group | Ageing Australia | Linda Feldt | Danielle Gordon

Last week marked another milestone for the Engagement and Individual Support Workers at ACH Group, giving them an opportunity to share insights and strategies about the impact of this newly developed role. Led by Rebecca Burns, Head of Care Workforce and Mark Bergin, Team Leader Supervisor, the meeting not only focused on ongoing improvements but also on fostering collaboration across teams. The residential social team play a crucial role, updating the team on social themes and upcoming events that will continue to enrich our learning journey together. A highlight of the day was the introduction of NeuronsVR Virtual Reality (VR) equipment (pictured), a leap in technology that promises to revolutionise how we engage with residents. "It was a privilege to present and demonstrate the real-world benefits of the VR equipment," said Taylor Digance, Senior Team Leader, Social. "This technology unlocks a library of unimaginable experiences, enabling residents to embark on virtual journeys around to world and to destinations like the beach, complete with tangible elements such as sand or seashells, to create an all-encompassing immersive experience." Rebecca Burns added, "The potential of VR to significantly improve our residents' lives is boundless. It encourages the teams to think creatively and push the boundaries of traditional care." We are excited to see where this journey takes us and how it continues to evolve our approach to residential care.

Meet Bianca, Home Care Coach at ACH Group. From an administration role to becoming a pivotal part of ACH Group's care management team, Bianca Bouwhuis has continually embraced new challenges. Encouraged by her colleagues, she stepped into the role of Home Care Coach, where she now supports and mentors new Care Managers as they join the team. "As someone who has grown within ACH Group, I can truly say that this role has allowed me to support others in a way that is both impactful and fulfilling," Bianca stated. Read more about Bianca’s career journey: https://bit.ly/4bFfbZ0 Ready to redefine your future? Join our team: https://bit.ly/3L7fCwn

Harmony Week (17 – 23 March) and Harmony Day (today, 21 March) hold special significance for our multicultural workforce at ACH Group – it is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our diversity, foster respect, and strengthen our sense of belonging, values at the heart of our workplace. With nearly 1900 employees representing 75 different nationalities, our team is a vibrant reflection of cultures from around the world.   Across ACH Group, teams have come together to mark Harmony Week, sharing morning or afternoon tea and cultural items and photos representing their heritage. Many employees have also embraced the tradition of wearing orange, a colour that symbolises inclusivity and harmony.    Enjoy taking a look at photos from our events!

Another exciting milestone in ACH Group’s 2025 Leadership Development journey!   This week, we officially launched our Leadership Lab: Learn, Apply, Connect program — a hands-on, energising space designed to grow and connect leaders across ACH Group.   The Leadership Lab isn’t your typical leadership training. It’s all about:  - Sharpening leadership skills and knowledge - Applying practical strategies that drive real impact - Fostering collaboration and strong connections across teams   Our first lab kicked off on 18 March, focusing on turning vision into action. Leaders explored how to bridge big-picture strategic thinking with the day-to-day — diving into goal setting, motivation, and driving meaningful results.   As David Webber, Culture & Capability Manager, said: “Great leadership is about bringing vision to life every day. Today, our leaders honed their strategic thinking, set clear goals, and transformed ideas into action through insightful discussions, thoughtful questioning, and real-world application. It’s inspiring to see such dedication to making strategy an integral part of daily work.”   Each month, a new lab will focus on fresh, relevant topics — from operational know-how to critical soft skills — all powered by the expertise of our talented internal subject matter experts. It’s part of our commitment to building the leaders of tomorrow for the aged care sector.   If you're passionate about leadership, growth, and making an impact in aged care, ACH Group is the place where your leadership journey thrives. Pictured (left to right): Lionel Taiwa Regional Manager Outer South, Nat Johncock Real Estate Service Manager, Mark Bergin Team Leader Supervisor, David Webber Culture & Capability Manager, Nipun Duggal Rostering Team Leader, and Katey Elding Head of Social. 

Vale Trudy Sutton ACH Group is deeply saddened by the death of former Executive member, Trudy Anne Sutton. The Board and former colleagues would like to extend our deepest condolences to Trudy’s husband Phil and their children Lauren and Heath. Trudy made an extraordinary contribution to aged care and ACH Group but, most importantly, made a profoundly positive impact on anyone who was lucky enough to know her. Vale Trudy, you were much loved and will be missed.

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NAHLN) Board to Healthia for a tour of the Northern Reablement and Intermediate Care to Return Home (NRICH) house. In partnership with NALHN, ACH Group delivers the NRICH program which focusses on helping older adults get back on their feet when they can't go home right away, following a hospital stay. The NRICH house is located at Healthia and can care for up to 12 people at a time. Older people who have experienced a short-stay at Healthia’s NRICH House have shared that they feel at home in the innovative village setting and value the genuine care and engagement shown by ACH Group’s highly skilled care team.

Senior leaders across ACH Group came together this week to align on future goals, priorities, and how we lead our teams to shape the future of aged care.   This gathering marked the launch of the Senior Leaders’ Town Hall, a new initiative in 2025 designed to foster collaboration, problem-solving, and strategic alignment across our leadership team.   These forums are just one of the many offerings within our Leadership Development Program. By investing in leadership growth, ACH Group is ensuring our teams are equipped to navigate the future with confidence.   During the session, leaders explored prioritisation, tackled real-world challenges using ACH Group’s innovative operating model, and examined leadership styles essential for driving our strategy forward.   “These town halls are about taking a step back to look at the big picture—our leadership, our organisation, and the aged care sector as a whole,” Cher Lopresti, GradCertMgmt ABS, Executive Manager People, Culture and Safety said. “Bringing our leaders together in this way is not just inspiring—it’s essential for innovation and seizing future opportunities.”   The Senior Leaders’ Town Hall will now be a regular feature, held every second month, ensuring our leadership team remains connected, future-focused, and ready to shape the future of aged care.  

On International Women’s Day, ACH Group is proud to celebrate the talented women who make up over 70% of our workforce. Two-thirds of our Executive Leadership Team are women, including Kate Dobie - Executive Manager, Customer Care. “I have worked in aged care for almost 20 years. I am so proud to work in a vital and growing sector led and driven by a workforce of intelligent and compassionate women. I think this is something to celebrate,” Kate said. And how does Kate champion women on #IWD2025? “I personally use this day to discuss with my two children – a boy and a girl – the history of women’s rights, so they can understand and appreciate the progress we have made but note there is still work to be done. I believe we do this through role models, education and discussion.” This week, we’ve encouraged our workforce to have conversations about gender equality and celebrate the achievements of women in both their professional and personal lives. Happy International Women’s Day 2025!