ACRL26
Aged Care Recreation
& Lifestyle Conference
Innovation & Excellence
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
DAY 1 - Wednesday 13th May, 2026
0915 - 0930
Intro & Setting the Scene
The warmest of welcomes, introductions, a spot of housekeeping and most importantly an outline of the landscape & key themes for the 2days ahead.
Wayne Woff - Senior Consultant, AHCE & Conference Chair
Session 1: 0930 - 1010
Vibrant Living
Vibrant Living is Uniting’s organisation-wide framework for leisure, wellbeing, and social connection. It embeds meaningful engagement into daily life & demonstrates how leisure and wellness can be operationalised as a core component of quality care and compliance.
Melinda Alushaj - Leisure Wellbeing Engagement Lead, Uniting NSW/ACT and Renee England, Head of Senior Services, Uniting Sydney Central
Session 2: 1010 - 1045
The World’s Kitchen
Residents asked for more interaction with non-lifestyle staff so Bethsalem Care created a monthly cooking program, called The World's Kitchen, where staff from multicultural backgrounds share their culture, cooking and stories. Hands-on, immersive, engaging, improved relationships, waiting lists, requests … sounds like a success to me!
Rozz O’Dea - Lifestyle Coordinator, Bethsalem Care, SA
1045 - 1115
AM Tea - Trade Display & Networking
Session 3: 1115 - 1200
Stories That Bind Us
This presentation will outline a book writing, illustrating and publishing program involving residents, children & the community. Books have been launched, donations generously given and lasting memories made for all involved.
Trudy Mackenzie - Lifestyle Manager, Estia Health
Session 4: 1200 - 1245
Beyond Words - The power of Lifestory work for older Australians living in Aged Care Residences
Beyond Words is a not for profit organisation that provides a free biography service for people living in Aged Care Residences.. The program affords a sense of wellbeing in the moment as well as the opportunity for celebration of life while leaving a valuable legacy for future generations. The session will provide insights, studies and stories of joy and fulfilment, the highs and lows, from not only the older people involved but also the volunteers who undertake this important biography work.
Suzanne McDonnell - Operations Coordinator, The Biography Program - Beyond Words
1245 - 1345
Lunch - Trade Display & Networking
Session 5: 1345 - 1430
Pathways to Purpose - Living Beyond the Calendar
This session will outline a 12-month initiative seeking to transform lifestyle programs. The project empowers residents to set personal goals and take on meaningful roles in the Resident Help Team (Helping Everyone Live with Purpose), offering over 30 jobs across the facility. Since launch, more than 95% of residents have documented goals, with measurable gains in wellbeing, purpose, and social connection. Practical strategies that have been implemented for the project will be shared & discussed
Melinda de Luca - Executive Care Manager, Alino Living, NSW
Session 6: 1430 - 1515
Bucket list
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At OneCare, there is a belief that entering aged care isn’t the end of the journey - it’s the beginning of a new chapter filled with laughter, purpose, and possibility. Their Bucket List Program empowers residents to rediscover joy through meaningful experiences, proving that age is no barrier to adventure. From weddings and new hobbies to one unforgettable highlight - residents in their 90s and even 100s racing around a go-kart track. The program celebrates courage, connection, and community!
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Natalie Neilson - Chief Operating Officer, OneCare, Tas.
1515 - 1545
PM Tea - Trade Display & Networking
Session 7: 1545 - 1630
Immersive Environments that transform Mood and Connection
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This session explores how immersive, multi-sensory environments can shift behaviour, mood, and connection in aged care. Backed by University of Queensland research in partnership with Bupa, the study measured changes in resident wellbeing, social interaction, and care team/family engagement. It will share practical outcomes, evidence from the study, and implications for therapy, engagement, and aged care transformation.
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Che Turner - Co-Founder, Olive Express
0915 - 0930
Introduction to Day 2
Wayne Woff - Senior Consultant, AHCE & Conference Chair
Session 8: 0930 - 1010
One Community
Infinite Care’s One Community program takes an unique approach that combines lifestyle, staff engagement, community outreach and volunteering to create an innovative, resident focused approach. The program’s main aim is to reduce loneliness and genuinely provide an inclusive experience for all.
Leisa Barwell - Transformation & Projects Advisor, Infinite Care
Session 9: 1010 - 1045
Resident Recreation and Engagement – The Lifeview Way
Lifeview takes a unique approach to delivering an innovative, contemporary social support program. With initiatives such as the Reilly Art Prize, Re-Cycle - where male residents repair second-hand bikes for donation into the local community and Planting with a Purpose (including selling worm wee from resident-run worm farms), the momentum is building & the residents’ responses are glowing!
Annitta Macauley - Social Support, Events & Diversity Manager, Lifeview
1045 - 1115
AM Tea - Trade Display & Networking
Session 10: 1115 - 1200
Living without Limits
At Springwood, there is a belief that every resident deserves to live fully and enjoy meaningful experiences, regardless of mobility or cognitive decline. Their lifestyle programs focus on outdoor activities such as swimming, cycling, and shopping, ensuring inclusion and participation for all. If a resident wishes to be involved, they make it possible - adapting equipment, providing one-on-one support, and creating innovative solutions.
Virginia Ellis, Leisure & Wellness Coordinator, Uniting Springwood, NSW
Session 11: 1200 - 1245
The Panel - The Innovation Roadmap
A session to explore, discuss, debate & share ideas
Various Speakers
1245 - 1345
Lunch - Trade Display & Networking
Session 12: 1345 - 1430
Sound, Touch and Technology: New Pathways to Well-Being in Aged Care
This session introduces Duet Arts, a participatory arts project exploring how creativity and technology can reduce social isolation in aged care environments, particularly for people living with dementia. The project uses interactive devices such as Sound Touch, which transforms simple human connection into music. The session will share research insights, demonstrate the devices in action, and highlight how creative facilitation fosters joy, presence, and relational connection between residents, families, and staff. Participants will leave with fresh ideas for integrating creativity into aged care practice.
Glen Walton - Artistic Director, Playable Streets
Session 13: 1430 - 1515
TBC
1515 - 1530
Conference wrap & close
A final summation of the 2 days of learning, sharing & discussion ...
Wayne Woff - Senior Consultant, AHCE & Conference Chair
DAY 2 - Thursday 14th May, 2026
END OF PROGRAM
CONTACT US
All Enquiries to the AHCE Team - contact@agedandhealthcareeducation.com.au
OR
Wayne Woff Senior Consultant
0422 484 209 | wayne@agedandhealthcareeducation.com.au |
