Message from Olivier

It has been a busy start to 2026 across Bolton Clarke and our industry!

As I visit teams across our regions, I am humbled by the exemplary level of care and support we provide to residents and clients and the key milestones achieved by our teams – despite heightened activity and external challenges.

This year has already brought challenging news stemming from world affairs to extreme weather, ranging from floods in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, to heatwaves and bushfires in southern and western states. Through all these events, operational and support teams have worked diligently together enacting business continuity plans to keep our communities safe.

Reform remains front of mind across operations, transitioning clients to the Support at Home program and residents to the Higher Everyday Living Fees (HELF), while adjusting to many new requirements and responding to recent changes to Retirement Living legislation in Victoria.

In parallel, our work to influence and shape the sector has continued, from providing testimony to the Senate Inquiry into the transition of the Commonwealth Home Support Program services to completing our involvement in the Transition to Support at Home working group.

Alongside this we are well advanced in shaping our five year strategy, with a core focus on customers and our people, and long-term sustainability. It reflects our ambition to shape a positive ageing experience in our communities and how this can be achieved through investment in our workforce, operations, systems and innovation. I will share more information about this over the next few months once the strategy is finalised with the Board.

Importantly, actions in response to your feedback from the Heart of Us employee engagement survey continue. One of the pieces of feedback you shared was that consistent, meaningful, values-based recognition plays a powerful role in strengthening our culture. In response, we have launched the 2026 Heart of Us Awards and Recognition Program – a refreshed, organisation wide approach to celebrating the incredible contributions of our people.

During my visits, I felt grateful for the contribution and selflessness of the many volunteers I met. This edition of Montage celebrates our values in action with a look at all things volunteering – shining a light on the extraordinary contributions and the myriads of people and ways volunteering occurs in homes, villages, offices and the wider community.

Volunteering has many faces and forms in Bolton Clarke, collectively creating impact and deeply reflecting our purpose and values. Whether it be residents, clients, community members or employees wearing a volunteering hat, there are many stories to tell.

Other topics to discover in this edition include learning about our five finalists in the 2026 Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards, marking a significant milestone with the official start of work on our New Farm retirement living community, an industry-first sustainability initiative in our Queensland retirement villages, and some of our digital innovations that are helping residents and clients remain safe and connected.

Enjoy the read and stay safe.

Olivier