Social Inclusion Launch

On Wednesday, November 26th, Minister for Community Development Peter Batchelor helped us officially launch the new Social Inclusion Initiative. The Initiative includes several components and is being driven by a number of organizations from the Inner Eastern Primary Care Partnership (IEPCP). More information about the launch is available here.

The main component of the program is a leadership program which seeks to support and develop the skills of local community leaders as they launch projects to help older people at risk of becoming isolated, reconnect with the larger community. To find out more about the program, download a copy of the flyer. If you would like to find out more about the project or are interested in enrolling in the leadership program, please contact Project Officer, Jane Oldfield on (03) 9239 2500.

Bidding Farewell to Long-Serving Board Members

The individual members of the UnitingCare Community Options Board of Governance provide the organization with an incredibly valuable resource through the expertise and knowledge that they are able to share and the strategic work that they do for the organization. Many of our board members work with the organization for a number of years and it is with sadness that we farewell them when their terms end and they move on to tackle other projects.

Such is the case with Dr Helen Molnar and Dr Donavan Marney, both of whom were long-serving members up until their recent retirement from the Board. Both have contributed enormously and played a significant role in the development of the organization over the last years.

Dr Helen Molnar has a long history with UnitingCare Community Options, first joining us as a participant representative through her role caring for her mother before later rejoining in her capacity as an expert on community development and education. Over the last three years, Helen took on the role of Chairperson of the Board as well as working with the Strategy Sub-Committee. Helen’s contribution has been enormous and we wish her well in her future endeavors.

Dr Donavan Marney joined the Board as a participant representative though his expertise goes well beyond direct experience in working with support services. Donavan has significant knowledge about community and disability services as well as in research and technology, which have allowed him to contribute to the Board and to the Finance and Research Sub-Committees. Donavan too we wish well in his future undertakings.

2009 Murray to Moyne Team Announced

After a successful first attempt at the Murray to Moyne Bicycle Relay, a new team has been announced for 2009. The team is now beginning training for the April event as well as seeking new sponsors and donors to help with our goal of raising additional funds in support of the UCCO Equipment and ‘Realising Dreams’ funds. If you would like to find out more about the 2008 Murray to Moyne, please take a look at the June Issue of the Bugle.  The current issue of the Bugle also has information about some of the grants that we’ve recently made.

If you would like to find out more about this years event or how you can support the team in its efforts, please contact Philipp Herrmann on (03) 9239 2538 or at philipp.herrmann@ucco.org.au. 

Annual General Meeting

On November 12, the 2008 Annual General Meeting was held at UnitingCare Community Options. The Meeting provided a great opportunity not only to take care of the reporting for the previous financial year but also to celebrate our 21st birthday and reflect on the organization’s history. A new picture gallery provided attendees with the chance to see some of our past leaders, staff, and participants.

The meeting also included a panel of long-serving staff, participants, board members, and founding director Barbara Potter AM who shared anecdotes, impressions and experiences of the previous years.

In addition to celebrating, the Annual General Meeting was also about farewelling outgoing Chairperson Dr Helen Molnar and welcoming Dr Stephen O’Kane, as the newly elected Chairperson of the Board. Stephen has spent significant time with the Board as well as leading the Strategy Sub-Committee and his expertise and direction will be a valuable asset to the organization.

We also welcomed on board two new Board members, Gregg Nicholls and Liz Gillies. More information about both Gregg and Liz can be found in our section on the board.

History Project

As part of the celebration of our 21st birthday we are currently in the process of preparing a book that will chronicle our development over the last 21 years and include reflections by a number of our past and present staff, directors, participants, and board members. If you have any stories or experiences that you would like to share, please contact Philipp Herrmann on (03) 9239 2538 or via email at philipp.herrmann@ucco.org.au.