Glenview Community Services chief executive officer Lucy O’Flaherty calls time after 10 years

She’s spent the last 10 years advocating for the Tasmanian aged care sector and was instrumental in the creation of Australia’s first dementia village — now she’s moving on to the next chapter.

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THE chief of a multi-award-winning Tasmanian aged care provider and the driving force behind Australia’s first dementia village has left her role after a decade of service.

Glenview Community Services chief executive officer Lucy O’Flaherty said it was time to pass the baton on now her “crowning glory” Korongee dementia village in Glenorchy had opened and was fully accredited.

Ms O’Flaherty has been previously credited as having acquired the $19m of funding from industry superfunds, which provided her with a platform to create the first of its kind village in Australia.

Former Glenview chief executive officer Lucy O'Flaherty at the opening of Korongee Village in Glenorchy. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

The 49-year-old was the 2019 Telstra Tasmanian Business Woman of the Year for her work in the aged care sector.

Ms O’Flaherty said she was looking forward to a break.

“I’m exhausted – I haven’t had a holiday in four years and 12 months of COVID has taken its toll,” she said.

“I’ve got other irons in the fire, but I really need a break to recharge and get myself ready for the next adventure.

“There’s never going to be a good or bad time to do this so I picked my 10-year anniversary as the time to move on.”

The aged care sector had changed completely from 10 years ago and still had many challenges ahead, Ms O’Flaherty said.

Telstra Business Women's Awards winners 2019: Lucy O'Flaherty – Telstra Tasmanian Business Woman of the Year (far right). Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“I’ll always be an advocate for the sector and speaking for those who often can’t,” she said.

“I’ve got some wonderful relationships with both staff and volunteers as well as residents and families. I’ve had the honour to spend time with people in their last moments, which I’ll never forget.

“I hope and pray with all these reforms that will come into the sector, staff are valued more by government and the community is able to hold them up with the due respect they deserve. “A lot of criticism is made of aged care and everyone gets painted with the same brush but the frontline staff at Glenview are the most exceptional people I’ve ever had the privilege to work with.”

Glenview board chair Craig Andrikonis said the board “acknowledge and thank Lucy for her years of service and wish her well in her future career path.”

Lucy O'Flaherty – former Glenview Community Services CEO. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“Both parties are looking forward to the continuation of their work in advocating for the most

vulnerable people in the community, and as such will remain active supporters for future reforms within the sector,” he said.

Kirsten Robertson has been appointed as acting chief executive officer of Glenview and the board will shortly begin a recruitment process for a new CEO.