FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO MARCUS STAFFORD CEO As I pen this contribution to Bulletin, MSWA has just held its Annual General Meeting, in which the Board of Directors welcomed Clients and staff to our Wilson Services Centre to hear a summary of our performance in the last financial year. In difficult times brought about by Covid-19, the year delivered record-breaking results. These included financial performance, the delivery of services, support to our Customers, our contribution to research and our increasing property footprint. As an organisation looking to the future, we strive for continuous improvement, and looking around us, we recognise that the disability sector in Australia is challenged by the demands of funding, workforce and skills shortages, together with the safe delivery of quality services whilst meeting demand. My philosophy in approaching these ongoing challenges is to be measured and thoughtful, mindful of the present, but with an eye to the future. This philosophy has never been so apt and so tested as we have manoeuvred our way through the uncertainties of 2020. The team effort was never more important and all stakeholders, including the Board, management, staff, volunteers, Members and Clients should take a bow in acknowledgement of the critical part that they played. George Pampacos, with his parents, Barbara and Michael, at the MSWA Annual General Meeting 2020. The recent Annual General Meeting was also an occasion to say au revoir to George Pampacos, who has decided to retire as President of MSWA, after six distinguished years as President and ten years on the Board. Having been brought up with a mum living with MS and driven by a desire to make a difference, the results under George’s leadership of the Board speak for themselves. At the Annual General Meeting, I talked about the sensible distinction between the role of the Board and the role of management; that separation of powers, with mutual checks and balances that is designed to protect us all. Yet, as I bid farewell to George, the President, with both my respect and appreciation for the role he has performed, it is so pleasing that I can say that I look forward to seeing George, my friend, in the years to come. Since the AGM, the Board has accepted Ros Harman’s nomination as President. Her wide-ranging contribution to MSWA makes her a worthy President to take MSWA on the next stage of its journey. 4
NEW MSWA PRESIDENT ROS HARMAN MSWA PRESIDENT It gives me great pleasure to announce that, following George Pampacos’ resignation from the position of President of the Board of MSWA, I have been endorsed as his replacement. George served on the Board for 10 years, 6 of which were as President and I would like to thank him for his service during this time. He was an excellent President and saw the organisation through a period of growth and stability. He also served MSWA very well as a representative to MS Australia and was instrumental to the reorganisation of MS Research Australia into a subsidiary of the MSA Board. I am sure you will join me in wishing George well in his future and expect he will continue to be successful in both his professional and personal life. As President, I am proud to be the first woman living with MS in this role. I have a long history of 32 years with MSWA, including 16 years on the Board. I am confident I can work with the Board as we move into the next few years. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our CEO, Marcus Stafford AM, on his honorary doctorate recently awarded by Edith Cowan University. This recognition for his service to MSWA and elsewhere is well deserved and we are very lucky to have had him at our helm for the past 17 years. I look forward to working with him into the future. Warm regards, Ros Harman MSWA President MSWA PROPERTY UPDATE MSWA MONTARIO QUARTER The development of a new High Support Accommodation Facility in Montario Quarter (Shenton Park) will begin construction in late 2021. This new 20-unit Facility will provide long-term supported accommodation options, in a homely environment, for adults living with a neurological condition, with 24-hour care provided onsite. The Facility will also accommodate the long-term Quadriplegic Centre residents who currently reside at the Quad Centre in Shenton Park. Completion of MSWA Montario Quarter is estimated for end of 2023. MSWA ALBANY MSWA has begun construction of a new multipurpose m Facility for people living with a neurological condition in Albany. The new High Support Accommodation Facility and Services Centre will replace the existing Albany Centre which has been solely providing services and supports to locals for over 20 years. The new High Support Accommodation Facility will feature 10 fully accessible units to cater for MSWA’s high support Customers with 24-hour care provided on-site. The new Services Centre will continue to provide MSWA’s regional Customers access to services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing, counselling, speech, dietetics and outreach. It is expected the new High Support Accommodation Facility and Services Centre will be completed early 2022. 5
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