Garden Village Named Finalist in 2025 Business Awards for Innovation, Community Service & Impact
We are proud to share that Garden Village is a finalist in three categories at the 2025 Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards. These nominations celebrate our success across Aged Care, Retirement Living and Home Care. The nominations are for:
-
Outstanding Community Organisation
-
Community & Social Services
-
Excellence in Innovation
The nominations reflect our commitment to providing compassionate, person-centred care and our dedication to enhancing the lives of older Australians to support our community to age well.
Garden Village thanks our dedicated team, volunteers, residents, and community partners – Your support and commitment make achievements like these possible.
“We’re transforming the experience of ageing — not just through care, but through innovation, inclusion, and genuine community partnerships,” said CEO Craig Wearne. “These three nominations are a reflection of the work of our dedicated team and the incredible residents, clients, and families we serve. It’s the result of the loving care, support, and commitment our team brings to Garden Village every day.”
Outstanding Community Organisation
This Award recognises a not-for-profit organisation that contributes meaningfully to social, cultural, or environmental wellbeing, delivering measurable outcomes for the community.
Why We Were Nominated:
For more than 45 years, we’ve supported the Port Macquarie-Hastings region through a continuum of care that includes Residential Aged Care, Retirement Living and Home Care. Our nomination for Outstanding Community Organisation reflects the quality of our services and the broader contribution we make to the region. At the heart of this nomination is our commitment to creating welcoming, age-friendly and inclusive communities where older people are enabled to age well — independently, safely, and with dignity, with access to care and support as their needs evolve.
With our population ageing and the number of residents over 75 expected to double by 2040, we’re planning ahead. We’re growing with purpose, to support the next generation of ageing Australians and the Garden Village Masterplan is designed to meet the needs of the community. Garden Village employs more than 260 local staff, work with over 100 regional suppliers, and play an active role in shaping the future of housing, health and ageing in our community.
Key Highlights:
- 45+ years of trusted care and service in the region.
- Continuum of care with Home Care, Retirement Living, and Aged Care.
- Extensive community and education sector partnerships
- Major economic contribution through local employment and Master Planned Community to support the future ageing demographic
- Innovative Programs addressing social connection, digital inclusion, and cultural engagement.
Community & Social Services
This Award Celebrates organisations that deliver exceptional customer service while actively supporting and giving back to their community through engagement, inclusivity, and leadership.
Why We Were Nominated:
Garden Village has built a strong reputation for exceptional customer service, across every level of its operations — from frontline care to community engagement initiatives. We prioritise compassionate, person-centred care, continually adapting to meet the evolving needs of our residents and clients.
The Community & Social Services nomination reflects Garden Village’s strong focus on customer experience which embeds person-centred care across all services. This model aligns with national standards and focuses on listening, responsiveness, and long-term trust.
One resident’s family recently wrote, “From the day we viewed his room to today, all staff members have been so supportive, respectful and encouraging, making Dad’s transition so successful.”
Key Highlights:
- Garden Village consistently achieves excellence by upholding the highest industry standards and best practice frameworks
- Commitment to listening, learning and adapting to meet individual needs.
- Impactful local partnerships and participation in community events.
- Regular community engagement and measurable satisfaction via surveys and tracking.
- Visible leadership and positive team culture underpinning service delivery.
Excellence in Innovation
This Award acknowledges innovative initiatives that solve real problems, improve outcomes, and set a benchmark for excellence across industries — with emphasis on originality and community impact.
Why We Were Nominated:
In the Excellence in Innovation category, Garden Village is recognised for its use of Virtual Reality (VR) and SMART Board technology — tools that help people reconnect, reminisce, and rediscover the world from the comfort of their armchair.
Through our partnership with SilVR Adventures and local schools, Garden Village launched Australia’s first intergenerational virtual reality program for seniors. Students and residents travel the globe together in shared immersive sessions, creating powerful connections across generations.
These technologies are now part of Garden Village’s lifestyle program. From Paris-themed VR morning teas for retirement living residents to Galápagos VR experiences for aged care residents, technology is transforming resident experiences.
The program has captured public attention, including from media personality Adam Spencer, who trialed the VR experience when he ‘skydived’ at Charles Sturt University’s Future of Technology event.
“I always dreamed of visiting Egypt but never got the chance. This experience made me feel like I’ve finally been there,” said one Retirement Living resident.
“I’m thrilled to see the thoughtful approach you’ve taken to extend last year’s campaign into a meaningful intergenerational initiative. I’m confident that an initiative like this will have a significant impact, and it aligns beautifully with SilVR Adventures’ mission to bring joy and connection to older adults and across generations. We look forward to supporting your VR Travel Adventures.” Colin SilVR Adventures Founder
Key Highlights:
- Australia’s first SilVR Adventures intergenerational VR program.
- SMART Board and SilVR Adventures enhancing cognitive health and connection.
- Strong community and education partnerships enabling program design and delivery.
- Clear evidence of uptake and impact: events, resident participation, community donations.
“We hope Garden Village Port Macquarie and our residents can continue the journey into the world of Virtual Reality. We are transforming business operations with new technology over the next 3 years as part of our strategic planning and it’s fantastic we can also bring experiences with technology to residents with dementia.” Craig Wearne CEO
Garden Village extends our best wishes to our partners, the business community and fellow community-focused organisations in the lead-up to the Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards. The winners will be announced Saturday, 17th May.
