Bass Coast Health (BCH) applauded staff for their dedicated service, at the public health service’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday 5 December.
BCH celebrated 41 staff who had served between 10 and 35 years. Special mention was made of Maree McFarlane for serving 35 years, Glenda Edwards for 30 years and Darryl Lewis for 25 years. In total, 580 years of service was acknowledged.
Interim BCH CEO, Professor Simone Alexander, who started this week, was introduced at the meeting. She said while BCH was proud to deliver health services to the community, the team of passionate and skilled staff are the biggest asset of the health service.
“Many of our staff are caring for people who are their family, their friends and their community, and know the health service is also there for them should they need medical care. They’re proud and dedicated to providing quality care, enhancing their skills and to being there for their colleagues,” she said.
Staff to receive service awards were:
• 10 years: Gai West, Karen McBride, Lynnette Grewar, Kerry Bracken, Kate Lindsay, Annie Bailey, Konsotantinos Syrrakos, Lisa Milkins, Sonia Dunlop, Lina Sand, Kimberley Chetland, Shainy Joseph, Gary Bergman, Rebecca McFarlane, Jennifer Moon, Nanette Gale, Nadia Howard, Grace Thomas, Ramesh Bhandari, Natasha Stapleton, Anne Gleeson and Katrina Coxon
• 15 years: Deborah Guy, Karina Blackman, Catherine Methven, Susan Lambert, Kasey Beattie, Colin Wood, Jane Ori, Kathryn McGarvey, Sharyn Williams and Elizabeth Knight
• 20 years: Patricia McFee, Terrence McGlashan, Nicole Baker, Andrew Pollitt, Carmel O’Hea and Donna Dalton
• 25 years: Darryl Lewis
• 30 years: Glenda Edwards
• 35 years: Maree McFarlane.
Volunteers continue to offer many services, including transport to medical appointments, providing a concierge service to consumers, helping with administrations tasks and supporting Theatre patients.
"Our volunteers, auxiliaries and community are the heart of our health service. Their tireless and passionate fundraising efforts have raised a combined $713,000 over the year to support equipment purchasing and continued service development,” Ms Alexander said.
BCH was proud to be named the winner of the Premier’s Medium Health Service of the Year at the 2024 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards.
“We could not have achieved what we have without our valued partnerships with many organisations who are as equally committed to the Bass Coast. The contributions from our loyal partners have helped us to advance our health service for our community,” Ms Alexander said.