Reflecting on a powerful two-day gathering – the South Australian Alliance Meeting

In February, aged care and retirement living leaders from across the country gathered in Adelaide for a two-day South Australian Alliance Meeting filled with strategic insights, thought-provoking discussions, and opportunities to connect with peers and partners.

Day One: Exploring Vision, Values & Sector Transformation

The meeting opened with Tim Chia, CEO of Lutheran Homes Group (LHG) and his team, who shared information behind LHG’s operating model, its core values, and future direction. Tim also provided an update on the recent acquisition of Sunnyside and Eventide, painting a picture of LHG’s evolving vision and strategic ambitions.

After a vibrant morning tea, Mark Prosser from Ageing Australia led an essential session on Retirement Living legislative updates and industry trends—keeping us ahead of the curve as the sector adapts to emerging challenges.

Over a relaxed lunch at The Golden Wattle, participants enjoyed networking and informal discussions before the afternoon’s sessions kicked off.

Daniel Gannon, Executive Director of the Retirement Living Code, delivered an insightful presentation on the Code of Conduct, exploring how it promotes excellence and transparency in the sector. His reflections on recent media attention sparked meaningful conversations on public perceptions and industry standards.

The day concluded with an in-depth session from Sara Agostinelli of Ansell Strategic, who unpacked the sweeping Aged Care reforms and their impact on Retirement Living. Sara offered valuable insights into emerging consumer preferences, legislative shifts, and service delivery models—challenging attendees to reimagine how they engage with evolving resident needs.

To celebrate the day, guests enjoyed an exclusive wine tasting and food pairing experience hosted by Kalleske Wines and LHG’s own Matt Dobey designed the menu. It was a fantastic way to connect, relax, and reflect.

Day Two: Communication, Reforms, and Strategic Collaboration

Day two opened with a spotlight on communications, with Linda Macqueen and Bethany Marsh from LCA s presentation on the new web page for Aged Care and Community Services. Attendees shared feedback and ideas on boosting visibility and engagement.

Simon Hatcher of Hughes PR followed, outlining ways strategic communications can enhance sector advocacy and public engagement—particularly timely as transparency and public trust grow in importance.

The morning continued with Jason Howie from Pride Living, who navigated the implications of Home Care Reforms and how Retirement Living providers can proactively respond to these sector-wide changes.

After lunch, Scott Ross and Sam Kukic from LLL presented on how their updated operating model is enabling more meaningful community connections and positive outcomes across Lutheran Aged Care and Retirement Living services.

A practical session on Estate Planning and Wills from Cowell Clarke’s Natalie Abella provided useful legal insights for providers dealing with the often-sensitive nature of end-of-life planning and its impact on residents and service delivery.

A Meeting That Matters

The February Alliance Meeting once again demonstrated the strength of collaboration across Lutheran Aged Care, Community Services and Retirement Living services. From legislative updates and reform impacts to leadership development and communication strategies, the event was a valuable forum for connection, knowledge-sharing, and collective vision.

Thank you to all who attended and contributed—we look forward to continuing the conversation at the May Networking Forum in Sydney! A special thank you to the team at LHG for hosting the event as the event would not have been such a success without you.