A Brisbane leader in aged care has won international recognition for her commitment to creating happy, healthy aged care communities.

Annie Gibney, Director of Residential Aged Care Services at Wesley Mission Queensland, has been awarded the Inspired Influencer Award from The Eden Alternative – a global non-profit organisation founded in 1991.

Gibney said it was an honour to receive the award, which reflected her passion for building residential aged care based on respect, compassion and companionship.

“The Eden Alternative Philosophy of Care is about providing residents with homes that are filled with laughter, children, beautiful gardens, animals and music and, most importantly, strong and warm relationships between residents, staff, volunteers and families,” Gibney said. “It has been wonderful to bring this innovative approach to care to Wesley Mission Queensland’s aged care communities and I thank all the staff and management for their trust and support.”

CEO of Wesley Mission Queensland Geoff Batkin said Gibney, who has more than two decades of experience in the aged care sector, had been an advocate for the Eden Alternative since 2001.

“Annie is an innovative and caring leader who is passionate about providing our residents with the highest standard of care,” Batkin said. “It is because of her vision to change the way we provide aged care that people choose to live and work in our communities, and we thank her for her devotion to older Queenslanders.”

Wesley Mission Queensland was the first provider of aged care in Queensland. Today it has a vibrant integrated and inter-generational community at Chermside incorporating aged care, retirement living, childcare, Hummingbird House, a health and wellbeing centre and other community support services.