Community
31 October, 2024
Cooinda celebrates a successful year
DEDICATED staff were recognised at the recent Cooinda Terang annual general meeting, which revealed a continued strong financial result and growth for one of the region’s most prominent disability service providers.
Elizabeth Clarke AM read the president’s report on behalf of the board of management.
“Some of the highlights from our past 12 months include celebrating the opening of the new accommodation at 51 Dow Street, which has been a resounding success and achievement,” she said.
“The facility has proved a purpose-built residence which has enhanced the lives of five participants.
“We’ve also opened the Container Deposit Scheme in partnership with Tomra Cleanaway, which has proven to be a most productive partnership that offers more opportunities for our participants to become involved and work alongside our community.
“In March we had an external audit against National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) standards – the organisation achieved a fantastic outcome with no areas requiring any improvement actions.
“This result demonstrates Cooinda is compliant and has the required systems in place to ensure that there is a commitment to ongoing development.”
Cooinda chief executive officer Janice Harris submitted the 2023/2024 annual report, highlighting the ongoing success of The Little Acorn Café following renovations.
“We’ve completed extensions to The Little Acorn with the support of Corangamite Shire, who committed $100,000 to the project,” she said.
“The redevelopment included a commercial kitchen, enclosed seating area, outdoor decking and an accessible toilet.
“The café was closed in November and reopened in April, and is now open seven days a week offering a full breakfast on weekends, which has proven very popular with the local community.”
The 2023/2024 financial report revealed Cooinda remained in a strong financial position in terms of balancing revenue with service delivery.
A surplus of $551,589 was recorded – around $13,000 more than the previous financial year.
The total revenue reached $14,583,227 – up from the $13.97 million recorded the previous year.
The highest expenditure for Cooinda remained staffing costs, with $12,353,962 spent on employment, in line with the commitment to provide quality care and services with a dedicated and skilled workforce.
“When you listen to the reports it feels like so much has happened over the past 12 months,” Cooinda general manager Phil Hose said.
“But even those reports don’t do justice to the work that I’ve seen our staff.”
Staff recognised for reaching milestones with Cooinda included:
10 years -Wendy Campbell and Joannah Ross;
15 years - Peter Conroy and Bernadette Place; and
20 years – Leanne Harney, Donna Hickey, Clare Neal and Caroline Smith.
Peter Conroy acknowledged he had made an “accidental entrance in to the disability sector” and never looked back.
“I loved what I was doing for many, many years before I had a career transition – or I think a mid-life crisis, something like that,” he said.
“At 45 I resigned from my job, handed back the company car and said hasta la vista to my last employer.
“He asked what I was going to do, and I said teach karate and find myself – he said I’d be begging on my knees for the job back in six months.
“Disability was dollars for hours when I first made the transition – somewhere in the last 15 years, it’s actually become the next thing.”
Donna Hickey said in her 20 years at Cooinda, it had proven to be a place which “truly embodies its name – a happy place”.
“I have had the privilege of working in various roles; as a support worker, a program coordinator and since 2018 as a support coordinator for NDIS plans,” she said.
“Each position has been fulfilling, but the greatest joy has come from working with our amazing participants.
“Their positivity and resilience inspire me each day, and it’s a privilege to support them.
“I also want to acknowledge the families who trust us with their loved ones and to my work colleagues who make coming to work a joy.
“Twenty years have passed in a blink of the eye, and I am grateful for every experience and connection made along the way.”
This year’s Darkie Lee Award recipient, which recognises the achievements and value of support workers, was Rhiannon Emeny.
“It’s a real honour to get the Darkie Lee Award,” she said.
“Thanks to Cooinda for having me.
“I enjoy coming to work every day and seeing all the staff, and all the clients.”
Read More: Terang