The journey ahead
During May, we held the final Baptcare 65th birthday celebration on one of our program sites, with an event at Baptcare Karingal Community in Devonport, Tasmania. It was an appropriate venue on which to hold the event; our 65 year journey began at our first facility, Strathalan in Macleod, and the final celebration was held at our most recently acquired facility, Karingal.
During the month, we also received a variety of news about the ongoing development of Baptcare’s program mix. The news was overwhelmingly positive. Firstly, we received written acceptance of our proposal to operate Tasmania’s Disability Gateway in the South-West and North regions of that state. Secondly, we received advice that Baptcare’s application for funding for the Family Choices – Respite for Recreational Services for Children and Youth with Disabilities was also successful in the North West/North region of Tasmania. Thirdly, although Baptcare was unsuccessful in our Youth at Risk application in South-West Tasmania, the consortium’s tender for the South West – of which Baptcare was a part – was successful and as a result, Baptcare will deliver a substantial component of the service as a key alliance partner of the relevant lead agency. Finally, we were also advised by Victoria’s Department of Human Services that Baptcare has been selected as the metropolitan provider for the Flexible Support Packages Redevelopment Demonstration Project. (Baptcare was one of only two organisations – one rural and one metropolitan – selected across the state for the demonstration projects.) However, we were also advised that funding for the Overnight Respite Program at Baptcare Orana at East Devonport was ceasing, the result of which is that the program will have to close, at least temporarily.
In addressing the gathering at the 65th birthday celebration at Karingal, I took the opportunity to reflect on these events as episodes in the ongoing story of Baptcare’s journey of change. There were some gathered at Karingal who were no doubt sad at the prospect of the closure of the Orana Overnight Respite Program. However, sadness and regret are part of the human experience of the change journey. The word ‘journey’ implies we leave one destination for another. It is a common emotion to feel regret at leaving a good place behind. Sometimes we feel a sense of anticipation and excitement at the prospect of what we will find at our next stop. However, the future can be uncertain. Sometimes the time spent between destinations can be a place of mixed emotions; of regret, uncertainty and anticipation.
Those indomitable women of the Victorian Baptist Women’s Association who championed the establishment of Strathalan in 1944 could never have imagined how the Baptcare journey would develop. We accept change and the sometimes difficult emotions that are involved. However, we look forward with anticipation to the journey ahead.
Kind regards,
Jeff Davey
Chief Executive
Hot off the press – funding for overnight respite program to continue
Since this CEO Corner column was written, we received notification that funding for Orana’s Overnight Respite Program will continue for the next two years. This was a welcome announcement meaning that this vital service will continue. Alternative funding sources for the program beyond the next two years will be explored in the coming months.
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