Aged care advocacy group chief resigns

The Aged Care Workforce Industry Council (ACWIC) has welcomed deputy chair Graeme Prior as its new leader after chair member Libby Lyons announced her resignation.

In a statement, Lyons said she believed the timing to be right to pass on the baton.

She took the helm of the aged care advocacy organisation in June 2021 and has since contributed to better models and policies in the industry.

"I've been inspired by the capability and approach of ACWIC and its people," Lyons said.

"I'm impressed by the organisation's capacity to deliver, despite a challenging and ever-changing operating environment.

"I have enjoyed my time with the team at ACWIC and engagement with stakeholders of the sector."

Lyons has been named 'one of Australia's most powerful advocates' for her work pushing for gender equality, including in the aged care workforce.

Until 2021, she was the director of the Commonwealth Government's Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) for five and half years.

Lyons was also listed twice as Apolitical's 100 Most Influential People Working in Gender Policy and awarded Woman of the Decade by Women Economic Forum.

In 2018, Lyons received the Status of Women in New York from the United Nations Commission.

"Libby is a formidable leader," ACWIC deputy chair, Graeme Prior, said.

"Her positive yet forthright approach quickly attracted respect across the sector." 

Prior has over 25 years of experience in the aged care sector, and his passion for improving the wellbeing of older Australians has only grown stronger.

In 1992, he founded a single family-owned aged care home, 'Hall & Prior', which has expanded to 25 facilities across Australia, delivering services to 1,600 residents.

Prior said Lyon's contribution to aged care has been 'significant.'

"Under Libby's leadership, ACWIC has been able to make tremendous improvements to the aged care workforce," Prior said.

"She helped shape meaningful reform for the system and across Australia.

"We are grateful for her commitment to ACWIC – she will be missed."

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