As I write this report the days are just beginning to become warmer and longer. The Olympic Games have just finished in Rio de Janeiro, and Federal Parliament has just resumed, following three months of campaigning and an indecisive outcome. This does not ‘bode well’ for the economic future of Australia in general, and for the future of aged care in particular. However, in this, my twenty-third annual report, I am again able to record how, during the past twelve months; we have continued to adjust to the many changes that have already been imposed on us by government, and also on the many positive achievements that have benefited us here at LHI.

I am pleased to be providing my first report as Chairman of LHI. It has been a full and interesting year, and one for which we can again be thankful for God’s many blessings. Richard Bartholomaeus retired as the Chairman at the end of last financial year. Richard had been Chairman for 37 years, and had given much of himself in his volunteer role on the Board. After such a long time in the role, Richard left several important legacies including the organisation’s strong focus on thoughtfulness for the people that are in the care of LHI, and ensuring there is a solid financial basis on which to continue to provide that care. His leadership has been an indelible mark on the organisation.

As I write this report our world again appears to be in turmoil. Uncertainty reigns, stock markets around the world are in decline, hundreds of thousands of refugees are moving across Europe seeking a better and safer environment in which to live, and we now have our fourth Prime Minister in just over two years. In comparison the events that have occurred at LHI over the past 12 months may appear unrelated to world and national events, and somewhat insignificant, but these are the events that have had a greater impact on our day to day lives at LHI, and upon which we should reflect and again count our many blessings.

Once again it is a pleasure to report on a successful year’s operation for LHI Retirement Services (LHI). We thank God for the wonderful way in which we are very richly blessed. In particular, many people continue to serve in a variety of ways – all for the benefit of helping to create a happy and contented life for those within our communities.

The year under review concluded with the announcement in Sydney that LHI Retirement Services had been awarded one of only two National Awards for Better Practice in South Australia. The LHI project was developed by our Food Production Team, under the leadership of John Boland, General Manager Hospitality, together with Food Production Manager, Andy Greer, who had decided that the traditional practice of providing ‘vitamised’ meals to Residents with eating disorders, living in the Residential Care Facilities, was no longer acceptable and required a more sophisticated and practical production system that would make a real difference to the appearance of the meal, as well as the dignity of the Residents. For me, this, the fifth Better Practice Award presented to LHI, sums-up the real success of our organisation. We are here to make a real difference to the lives of those entrusted to our care. We will continue, wherever possible, to demonstrate and develop better practices that will benefit not only LHI residents, but also those who live in other facilities throughout Australia.

The past year has again had its challenges, but I am happy to report that we have completed another very successful year and we thank God for the very rich blessings He again provides to our organisation, through governance, staff, volunteers, and through prayers. We are indebted to all those who have helped us to achieve our goals.

LHI Retirement Services has been awarded one of only two National Awards for Better Practice in South Australia. The 2014 award recognises the Food Production Team's 'Redesigning Texture - modified Foods' research and development programme

On Friday 15th August at the Master Builders Association SA 2014 Building Excellence Awards, Bowillia Court won the award for Medium Density development (over 5 dwellings).

LHI Retirement Services is building a new complex of state-of-the-art Independent Living Units (ILU) at Glynde, Adelaide

The increasing need to provide excellence in ILU housing and services has always been our objective at LHI. LHI’s current development at Glynde is the construction of 37 new, contemporary, Independent Living Units (ILU’s). Designed by Matthews Architects of Adelaide the new units are ‘state of the art’ homes and incorporate many advanced environmental and technological innovations that are arguably unique in retirement design. The project will see a new standard of housing for retirees that will exceed the expectations of clients today and into the future.

LHI Retirement Services has won two of five national aged care honours awarded in South Australia. The Better Practice Awards are annual awards presented by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency for projects that assist and encourage improvement to services for residents. The awards to LHI recognised the group’s palliative care program and its lifestyle program for residents with dementia.