I’m an Accredited Practising Dietitian specialising in aged care nutrition and food services.

After many years of trying to convince myself that I enjoyed working in a hospital setting, I have now fully embraced that I love to teach dietitians, student dietitians, chefs and other aged care staff how to raise the standards of food and nutrition in aged care.

 I had no intention of working in aged care when I graduated, mainly because I felt I didn’t know enough or learnt about it at uni. It felt daunting and overwhelming, in environments that felt very unfamiliar! But when I was asked to review a menu and saw the residents being given sausage rolls from a box for dinner with some sad, grey-looking peas and packet mashed potato, I knew this was where dietitians can have a significant and positive impact.

 Over time I've realised - this was my jam! It broke my heart to see our older people given poor quality food - in my mind, if it wasn’t good enough for my grandparents then it just wasn’t good enough.

​Through experience (let's be honest, it's really trial & error!), I’ve developed clinical processes for nutrition that received a Better Practice Award in 2007 as well as improved food programs to the level of attracting and recruiting restaurant-trained chefs. This has allowed me to create specific menus for residents needs - my most valued transformation being with a menu in 2 memory support units. Simple changes significantly reduced the number of supplements needed, reduced malnutrition rates, reduced falls and hydration-related infections. The power of nutrition right?

The proof is in the pudding, we can (and should) improve quality of life by improving nutrition by spending less time in nurses’ stations and more time in the kitchen with the chef.

I knew that as a dietitian who loved working with chefs and aged care staff, we can really make a difference for people through maintaining good health and improving quality of life. We can’t underestimate the pleasure of sharing a delicious meal with friends or family.

So my journey has brought me here - teaching and supporting dietitians to be leaders in this industry, as well as being unapologetically determined in the mission to provide food that makes older people smile.

I look forward to connecting with you!

Louise Murray | Accredited Practising Dietitian | Director