14/01/2026
AGM and Board, Staff and Resident day was held in October providing an opportunity for everyone to meet our elected board members.
Below is a copy of the chairpersons message.
The Chairman's speech to Staff and Residents at the Meet the Board Day.
Good afternoon and welcome to this short information session.
This afternoon I’m going to briefly touch on new Government regulations coming in soon, introduce your Board and then talk a little about the future. You have probably noticed there have been some changes happening in the organization recently these are largely as a result of new Government regulations coming in soon.
Medea Park operates within the rules and regulations of the Aged Care Act that was last updated in 1997. As of 1st November a new Act, the Aged Care Act 2024 will come in to play bringing a raft of new rules and regulations. Our funding from the Federal Government is dependent on us complying with these new regulations.
Organisationally we have had to make a number of changes to be able to comply with the new Act and no doubt there will be a few more after November.
Not only organizational changes have been required the Board membership has also had to change. In the past there hasn’t been any specified Board membership requirements. As of November the new Act requires the Board to be a skills based Board with a mix of corporate skills, clinical skills and community representation. When I introduce the Board shortly you will see that these 3 criteria are well and truly met.
The Board had its AGM earlier today and elected its office bearers for the next year. I’d like now like to introduce the Board members.
Jacqui Marden, Gail Paulsen,Chris Triebe, Julie Severon, Margaret Williams, Myself & Lindsay Harris.
Next I’d like touch on what is in the future for Medea Park – what I know of that is!
We are well into developing a Strategic Plan which will identify the direction for Medea Park this will be followed by a Master Plan which will be essential in determining how Medea Park maintains its position and grows in to the future.
We have recently received a Grant of almost $8M over 3 years to refurbish old parts of the facility and upgrade infrastructure. This will be a massive renovation project. There will, no doubt, be some inconvenience to residents and staff so I apologise in advance.
Over that last 5-6 years we have attracted almost $12M in Grants. An amasing effort for such a small facility. $11M of these Grants have been due to a huge amount of work by our current CEO. Without his efforts I don’t think any of these Grants would have come our way. The Board wishes to publicly acknowledge this achievement and thank its CEO.
Medea Park’s current financial position is sound and a good base to move into the future. This has not always been the case. 6-7 years ago Medea Park was in a challenging financial position limiting its future options. I’d like to acknowledge the work done by the CEO at the time, Margaret Williams (the Vice Chair) and the CFO Jes Kenth for turning the situation around. In the years that have followed we have been able to gradually claw our way back. However there is still a lot of work to do over the next few years as Medea Park embarks on a modernisation and growth strategy.
The Board fully supports its CEO and is confident that under his stewardship Medea Park will navigate through the next period and thrive long in to the future.
In conclusion I’d like to thank all for coming today and a special thanks to the St Helens Auxiliary for their support, it is much appreciated. To our staff for their continued dedication and service and finally, thank you to the Residents for giving us a very warm welcome to their home.
Tim Gowans (Chair)
