10 October 2025
At Southern Cross Care, our vision of growing communities where best lives are lived comes to life in many ways, but none more directly than through our Listen First sessions with our residents, clients and staff.
These sessions happen every year, however in 2025 alone, our CEO Jason Eldering, together with our Executive and Senior Leaders, visited every one of our rural and metro regions and communities across Qld, Broken Hill and Mildura, holding 46 Listen First meetings in total.
These gatherings are a chance to pause, connect, and hear directly from the people at the heart of Southern Cross Care – our residents, clients, families, and staff across our Residential Aged Care homes, our Retirement Villages, and our Home Care communities.
In these sessions, Jason and our Leadership team share updates, then open the floor to questions, feedback, and conversations. What shines through time and again is the deep appreciation for the care and compassion shown daily by our staff, and the strong sense of belonging people feel in our communities. Residents and clients often speak of the friendships, safety, and joy that define life in their villages, homes, and communities.
But these meetings aren’t just about listening. Each session helps shape priorities and decisions across our organisation. Notes and actions are captured, feeding into a broader plan that drives continuous improvement.
As Jason says, “When we listen first, we understand those we care for. That is both our responsibility and our privilege.”
These sessions also reflect our values – Service, Courage and Compassion. By listening first, we honour every person’s story and strengthen the trust that underpins all we do. As Southern Cross Care continues to grow, the Listen First approach ensures our future remains firmly rooted in what matters most: people, relationships, and communities where every person is Known & Loved.
