Great year prepares Karingal for plenty more ahead
09 December 2009
There have been a lot of changes, growth and long-term goals achieved by Karingal in 2009, and for this, as an organisation, we are very proud.
I would like to take this opportunity as we prepare for the festive season to reflect back on the past 12 months and all that has come to fruition.
Six new MatchWorks sites were opened across Melbourne and regional Victoria this year following tender announcements for the new Job Services Australia contract.
This is a fantastic achievement considering a little over a decade ago MatchWorks had just eight staff and provided services to around 1500 job seekers.
Today, MatchWorks has around 300 staff and provides services to over 14,000 job seekers annually across 19 sites. We have opened sites in Bendigo, Colac, Epping, Flemington, Melton, Preston and Warrnambool in this year alone.
We also broadened our horizons further with the acquisition of Disability Opportunities Victoria (DOV) on the Mornington Peninsula.
Karingal’s newest branch has been given a vibrant name – Konnections.
We welcome our new clients and staff and are proud to provide these services across the bay.
Recently we also officially opened Karingal’s $1.4 million accessible residential project.
McIntyre was built to provide accommodation and support for six people with disabilities. Five residents have moved in and are settling in to their new home and enjoying its innovative and stylish design.
While a lot of hard work has gone into achieving our vision and goals for the year – it hasn’t passed us by without some fun.
The very first Karnivale and KarnivArt events were held on the lawns of Kardinia House. Hundred of people enjoyed all sorts of stalls, rides and fun for the kids and local food and wine. Karnivart, which showcased the talents of artists with disabilities, was also a fantastic success.
We are pleased these events will be held again in 2010 and I hope everyone will support them again.
There have been many more successes this year, including Karingal being one of the first disability service providers in the state to receive provisional certification to the new Department of Human Services Quality Framework.
Next year will see the implementation of Karingal’s first Disability Action Plan and a Disability Advisory Group will also be formed, plus so much more.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank business stakeholders, the State and Federal governments and, of course, the communities where we provide services, for their great support throughout 2009.
I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and New Year and we look forward to collaborating with you all again in 2010.
Daryl Starkey
Chief Executive Officer