Southern Star - Summer Edition

We also named some of the Meeting best practice of the Retirement Living Council
streets within the villages (RLC) and LASA, seeks to create
after we found they were not To ensure that Southern Cross an accepted standard to help
appearing in Google Maps. Apart Care’s retirement villages operators provide a trustworthy
from adding to the community are meeting industry best and high-quality service to those
feel within the villages, the practice standards, this year we living in, and considering moving
street names will assist essential embarked on becoming fully to, a retirement community.
services such as ambulances accredited as part of the new
and after-hours doctors to Australian Retirement Village In May 2020, as part of our
locate residents and make it Accreditation Scheme Standards accreditation requirements for
easier for taxi and delivery (ARVAS). both ARVAS and the Retirement
companies. Living Code of Conduct, we
The standards are a new undertook a resident satisfaction
During the year, our residents single, unified scheme for the survey to identify our strengths,
enjoyed a packed calendar retirement living industry, which and also where there might be
of social outings, shopping were developed by the Property opportunities for improvement.
expeditions and getting out and Council of Australia and Leading Pleasingly, the survey results
about in the local community Age Services Australia (LASA) revealed that SCC was meeting
thanks to our two buses. in consultation with resident the expectations of the
Importantly, the purpose-built groups, operators and the majority of residents, with 77%
buses can meet the needs of general public. Importantly, of residents indicating their
any residents with mobility the new standards reflect the satisfaction with their village.
issues, with each bus having a different elements of a resident’s Residents surveyed also indicated
lift for wheelchair access and experience within a retirement that they were very satisfied with
fixtures for locking wheelchairs village, and the evolving service the safety and security of their
in place. offered within communities. village, companionship, company,
neighbours, friendship, and the
As part of the accreditation, SCC location of their village.
is also adopting the ‘Retirement
Living Code of Conduct’. The
Code, an initiative

51

2020 Group Annual Report

Open days John’s secret to living a full life is to pursue
We also held a number new interests
of open days to enable
potential residents to see Centenarian John Taylor, a John, who calls himself a
all that our villages have spritely 28-year resident of ‘signal-man’, spent most
to offer. To coincide with Thomas Perrott Village, is of his working life either
the open days, SCC’s Client living proof that age really is installing telecommunications
Connect team hosted a just a number – even if he is infrastructure or managing
series of well-attended health now in the triple figures. teams of technicians, retiring
and wellness events, with before computers and mobile
guest speakers talking about John, who has spent more networks became such a
a variety of popular health time retired than most have central feature of our phones.
and wellness topics. spent working, is an active
and indispensable member Rather than be left behind,
Our independent living of the Thomas Perrott Village John applied himself to
villages community. staying up to date with the
We were delighted to changing shape of the digital
continue managing three According to John, the secret world and is now, according to
independent living villages on to living a life in full is to his good friend Rosemary, in
behalf of the City of Belmont. pursue new interests and constant demand around the
We ensure that all three skills while staying engaged village for his technical skills.
villages remain compliant with others. At 79 years old, At 100 years of age, John also
with the Retirement Villages he took up a new pursuit enjoys dabbling in the stock
Act 1992 and Retirement combining his interest in market using his computer.
Villages Code 2015, and painting with a passion for
we continue to meet our history. The result was an A man of many talents, the
obligations under the Aged incredible artwork featuring prize for bowls competitions
Care Act 1997 and the local landscapes and around the village has long
Australian Aged Care Quality churches as they once were. been a plate of ‘John’s
Agency. This year, we again famous scones’, a delicious
underwent and successfully At John’s recent 100th Birthday treat that residents look
passed a number of celebrations at the community forward to.
compliance audits by the centre he was surrounded
Department of Commerce, by 50 of his friends from the
which administers the village - and that artwork was
Retirement Villages Act. proudly on display.

52

53

2020 Group Annual Report

Art and sport Mental Health
are popular
activities The SCC’s mental health team New sporting program

Mental continues its commitment In 2019/20 we partnered with
Health Award Reclink Australia, a not-for-profit
recognition to helping our mental health provider of socially inclusive
sport programs. The programs,
Positive client clients reach their potential which included basketball and
feedback swimming, were very popular.
through our community-based We were also very grateful
54 to Reclink for its generous
and residential services. donation of sporting equipment
so that clients could continue to
We specialise in supporting enjoy sporting activities, even
people who live with a during the COVID-19 pandemic.
psychosocial disability, offering
a broad range of services Review and reaccreditation
including assisting with
accommodation, household As an accredited provider of
tasks, group activities, mental health services, we
behaviour support and are subject to regular review
therapeutic support. and re-accreditation of our
services by both the State
An important part of the and Commonwealth Health
recovery journey is ensuring Departments.
clients can participate in a
broad range of enjoyable
activities. This year, many
demonstrated their artistic
talents with artwork shown
at the Mental Health Week
artshow. A number of clients
sold their work.

“Being connected to others is
important for our mental and
physical wellbeing and can be a
protective factor against anxiety
and depression.” Beyondblue.org.au

The national Mental Health Our team
Standards focus on mental
health service delivery, Our ability to make a positive
policy direction compliance, difference in the lives of our
communication and consent, clients is only made possible
and monitoring and governance because of SCC’s highly
procedures. Accreditation trained and experienced
against the Standards is mental health team. As a
currently underway, and we minimum, all of our recovery
look forward to receiving these partners have recognised
results shortly. qualifications and are
supported to complete ongoing
Our Community Options sites professional development.
are registered as Licensed We are also pleased to offer
Psychiatric Hostels by the work placement opportunities
Western Australian Department to tertiary students studying
of Health’s Licensing and mental health and social work,
Accreditation Regularity Unit helping them to gain practical,
(LARU). All of our sites are real-life experience in the
audited annually by LARU and provision of mental health care.
this year, we were pleased
to receive re-accreditation
for the coming year. SCC is a
registered provider under the
National Disability Insurance
Scheme (NDIS).

55

2020 Group Annual Report

Hearing from our clients Award recognition

During 2019/20 we again participated in the Shivani Lala, a Team Leader of Southern
‘Your Experience of Service’ (YES), Australia’s Cross Care’s Community Options Mental
National Mental Health Consumer Experience Health sites, was recognised at the 2019
of Care Survey based on the ‘principles of WA Mental Health Awards Gala, winning
recovery-oriented mental health practice’. Our the Employee Excellence Award for
regular participation gives our clients a chance outstanding contribution to mental health
to provide feedback, and to let us know where in Western Australia by an individual
we are performing well and where there are employed or volunteering within the sector.
opportunities for improvement.
Vanessa Cullen, Consumer Consultant
The results were very positive with: with the Mental Health team, was also
nominated for the Consumer Impact
+ 84% reporting that their privacy was Inspiration Award, which recognises the
outstanding contribution to mental health
respected in Western Australia by an individual who
identifies as having a lived experience.
+ 74% of clients expressed that they felt safe
Wonderful recognition for these two
using the service dedicated Team members!

+ 74% agreed that staff talked with them

about their physical and mental health
wellbeing.
Clients also had very positive comments in
response to the question ‘the best things about
this service were’:

+ everyone’s positive attitude and genuine

care for their clients' recovery

+ the support workers were very helpful,

caring and kind

+ my recovery partner was always considerate

and gave me hope for the future

+ someone to confide in, respectful, helpful in

all ways.
The most significant area for improvement is
to provide more notice if there are changes of
schedules or staffing.

56

Rediscovering a sense
of self and purpose
through creative
pursuits

It takes more courage than Experience Speaker at last “Three years ago I left hospital
year’s launch. Having had no and decided to live in residential
cure to kick-start a mental prior public speaking experience, group housing. The Community
Shannon was understandably Options staff have helped me
health recovery journey. And nervous about delivering her to believe in myself and finally,
speech but with the assistance I am preparing to leave the
no one knows that better than and encouragement of the program and live on my own in
Community Options staff, many the community. I can now turn
Shannon Dolman, a Southern of whom turned up on the my dream of living by the beach
night to support her, Shannon into a reality and with a little
Cross Care Mental Health absolutely astounded the crowd more patience and learning, I’m
with an honest account of her going to get there. It’s a very
Client, who has lived at our recovery journey to date. exciting time.”

Community Options site in “What brings me the most “I am better now and much
joy in life is family, music and of that is due to the staff at
Mount Claremont for the past art. Currently I enjoy mosaic Community Options. I have
making. The process is very continued playing music and
three years. therapeutic. Putting little broken truly, I don’t feel mentally ill any
pieces back together again more. I want to live on my own
In that time Shannon has to create something new and now. I have met so many people,
embraced the concept of mental beautiful reminds me of myself who like myself, have been sick. I
health recovery in terms of and where I am now. One of can relate to their pain and I feel
redefining and living her best the artworks I created for this for them. Now that I am better,
life, re-establishing her identity exhibition combines my love for I wish to live on my own as my
and confidence through creative the ocean and the awesomeness dream is my own house one day.”
pursuits, and developing her of mosaics. When I look at that
independent living skills, so that artwork, it gives me hope for my Deputy Premier and Minister
she can fulfil her personal vision future by reminding me of how for Health, Roger Cook, was so
of living by herself by the beach. far I have come. impressed by Shannon’s speech
that he invited her to participate
Shannon credits a strong I know how important it is to have in an interview, posted on his
network of supporters in personal courage on this journey social media platforms, in which
assisting her to work towards but for me, just as important have she further shared her vision and
and realise this vision; she been my support systems.” continued to capture people’s
also takes a lot of personal hearts and imagination whilst
inspiration from the music she talking about mental health.
writes and performs and the
artwork she creates.

Mental Health Week WA 2019
was launched on 7 October
during the Gala Opening of the
Arts and Mental Health Network’s
art exhibition ‘Hello to Here’.

Southern Cross Care Mental
Health clients and staff have
become quite renowned for their
contribution to this exhibition
over the past five years, which
demonstrates the healing and
therapeutic qualities of art
making rather than the final
execution of the art itself.

Shannon, who has contributed
paintings to this exhibition over
the past three years, was invited
to be the Lived

57

2020 Group Annual Report

Southern Cross Housing

98% satisfaction For many of our tenants, 63 tenancies under the public
with overall Southern Cross Housing Ltd. housing leasing program,
services provides more than just a and 42 properties that are
roof over their head – it also managed on behalf of the City
99% satisfaction means they have stability, of Belmont. Importantly, we are
with Property security and a support committed to maintaining a
Manager service network to help them achieve high occupancy rate across our
a better quality-of-life. property portfolio.
99% satisfaction
with how Many are living with chronic Reflecting our commitment
tenancy matters health conditions, so this year to increasing the pool of
are handled the SCH team, with the support affordable community housing
of the Southern Plus and in Western Australia, and as
58 Southern Cross Care teams, part of our agreement with the
to assist 127 of our tenants Department of Communities,
access home care services if this year planning commenced
they wanted to remain living for the construction of 24
independently, or to access two-bedroom community
residential care if their care housing properties in
needs were higher. Ridgewood. Once completed,
the properties will be managed
As a designated Growth by the SCH team. Subject to the
Provider of the Department of necessary approvals, we hope
Communities, the SCH team to commence construction
manages 359 tenancies. 254 of these properties over the
are owned assets and includes coming year.

To ensure we are meeting our tenants’ needs Klaus and his dog find a new
and to identify where there are opportunities beginning in Gosnells
for improvement, in November 2019, we
undertook our annual Satisfaction Survey. We Klaus Kreck has experienced adversity and
were delighted that: adventure in his 85 years of life, from growing
up in Germany during the war, travelling by
+ 98% of tenants were very satisfied with our boat to Australia in 1960, to finding himself
on the verge of homelessness at almost 80
overall services years old.

+ 99% of tenants also felt the service provided Having worked as a painter in Germany, Klaus
had an eye for precision and a work ethic
by their SCH Property Manager was good or that led him to work as an underground miner
excellent in a variety of different locations across WA
and South Australia. After many years doing
+ 99% of residents are happy with how labouring work, Klaus developed a skillset
which allowed him to renovate the family
tenancy matters are handled home. However, due to a broken marriage and
subsequent unemployment, Klaus was forced
+ 96% of tenants were satisfied with the to sell, leaving him with limited resources.

condition of their property, with the quality With few options available to him, Klaus
of maintenance and response time and with temporarily moved in with a friend.
the services we provide.
Two months later, as he packed his
The team is proud of these results, which we belongings into the car with nowhere to go,
believe are well earned recognition of their Klaus received a call from Olive, Southern
commitment to improving the lives of SCH Cross Housing Property Manager.
tenants.
“My phone rang, Olive told me there was a
one-bedroom unit available in Gosnells and
that I could move in the very next day. I was
almost 80 years old; I had a car filled with my
belongings and my dog in the front seat, we
finally had somewhere to go”.

Since moving into the unit five years ago,
Klaus has made drastic improvements
both structurally and in the garden. He has
built a spacious conservatory where he
enjoys meals, as well as a shed that exactly
replicates the front of his unit, complete with
hand painted gold detailing on the plant pots
that frame the door. “Klaus has the most
immaculately maintained unit in the complex.
The time, money and dedication he has spent
transforming the house into a home is special
to see” said Olive.

Reflecting on the past five years, Klaus fondly
speaks about the Southern Cross Housing
Team; “I can’t ever thank Olive and the team
enough, I love this house and the safety I feel.
This is the first time in my life that I have been
truly happy.”

59

2020 Group Annual Report

Our Board

Bradley Prentice
BCom, LLB, LLM, MAICD – Chairman
Bradley has over 35 years’ legal experience in both private and Government
legal practice. He is Chairman of Southern Cross Care Australia, Director of
Knicross Enterprises Pty Ltd. and PMRC Relationship Education Foundation.

Jeffrey Beale
MBA, BE, BCom, MIEAust, MAICD – Board Member
Jeffrey has over 30 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry,
with extensive experience at senior management level. He is Chairman
of Loving for Life WA Ltd, former Board Member of LJ Goody Bioethics
Centre, Chairman of Knights Consultor and a former Member, Joint Advisory
Committee and Board of Study at Curtin University. In addition, Jeffrey also
lectured the Business Management unit at Curtin University over a number
of years.

John Chegwidden
BBus, CA – Board Member
John is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years’ experience including
management of his chartered accounting practice, board and company
secretary roles for ASX listed public companies, provision of advice in
corporate, compliance, company secretarial, management, accounting and
taxation. John also consults for manufacturing, mining, technology, primary
production and mining contract operations.

Peter Evans
BCom MBA FCA FFin FGIA FCG MAICD – Board Member
Peter is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Secretary and former investment
banker. He is an experienced corporate finance executive, company director,
consultant and adviser with 40 years of experience gained from the provision
of corporate and strategic advice to a wide range of businesses. Peter has
worked in both the industrial and resources sectors (for ASX listed and private
companies) both domestically and internationally, as well as the not for profit
sector. Peter is currently a member of the Royal Perth Hospital Consumer
Advisory Committee, the WA Ballet Endowment Fund Investment Committee
and a member of the Audit Committee of the Town of Cambridge.

60

Mark Foley
BCom, CA, MAICD – Board Member, Treasurer

Mark is a chartered accountant with over 30 years’ experience in corporate
accounting, finance, business management and board level roles with
multinational and private sector businesses.

Tony Vis
BJuris, LLB, FAICD – Deputy Chairman
Tony has over 35 years’ experience in Board Chair, Non-Executive Director,
CEO and senior executive roles including multi-national private and public
companies, peak bodies, professional services firms and community based
organisations. His experience spans various industries including disability
services, health, aged care, insurance, property and corporate governance.
Tony is also currently Deputy Chair of Therapy Focus Ltd, Member of Carer
Advisory Council (WA) and Chair of the Independent Centre for Applied NFP
Research Inc.

Elaine Pavlos
RN, RM, MN, MBA, GAICD, Cert IV Counselling, Grad Dip Ontological Coaching –
Board Member
Elaine has extensive experience working in senior executive and academic
positions within the Western Australian healthcare sector, having recently
retired as the Dean of School of Nursing & Midwifery at The University of
Notre Dame in Fremantle. Elaine is currently an Associate Professor at the
University of Notre Dame, a sitting member at the State Administrative
Tribunal, a Member of the College of Nursing Australia and a Board Member
of Child Australia.

Paul Rossen
B Arch (Hons), LFRAIA, ALEA, MAICD – Board Member
Paul is an architect with over 30 years’ experience providing architectural
and advisory services to a broad range of public, private, institutional and
not-for-profit clients. He has extensive experience as a board member in
the areas of planning, architecture, community and education.

61

2020 Group Annual Report

Our Executive Team

Errol Turner
BBus FCPA FCSA FGIA FCG (CS, CGP) MAICD – Chief Executive Officer
Errol is responsible for overseeing SCC’s staff and the organisation’s
provision of residential care, home care, retirement villages and mental
health services to its clients and residents. Prior to joining SCC, Errol held
several senior finance and leadership roles in the private sector in Australia
and internationally.

Michael Jordon
BBus, FCPA – General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services
Michael has over 25 years’ experience in commercial and operational
leadership roles, largely in the service and manufacturing sectors. Having
worked both in Australia and internationally, Michael has been responsible
for delivering large-scale complex projects and ensuring efficient operations
to maximise business performance.

Jane O’Halloran
BSc(Psych), PGradDipPsych, MPsych(Org) – General Manager, Strategy
Jane has held executive roles in the private sector, having been responsible
for all aspects of strategy, marketing, HR and risk. Jane also has extensive
experience supporting boards, executive and senior management teams to
deliver key strategic plans.

Damian Jolly
MBA, MSc – General Manager, Residential, Respite Care and Mental Health
With more than 25 years’ experience in the health care sector, both in
Australia and the UK, Damian has held a range of senior leadership roles
responsible for both clinical and operational delivery, most recently at
Royal Perth Hospital and Western Australia Country Health Services. Having
trained and worked as a paramedic for several years, Damian brings a
unique perspective to aged care, having a strong clinical background and
understanding of the health issues experienced by many of our residents
and clients.

62

63

2020 Group Annual Report

Financial Update

In a challenging economic As a not-for-profit aged care helping them achieve a
provider, we recognise the need better quality of life. With a
environment where many aged to maintain a strong balance strong need to provide more
sheet in order to minimize the affordable, stable rental
care providers are experiencing risks of revenue uncertainty. tenancies, we continue to
At the same time, we continue plan for the development of
financial hardship, we are to streamline our operational additional affordable housing to
processes and identify meet future needs.
pleased to report that this year, opportunities for additional
revenue streams. This year we progressed key
the Southern Cross Care Group property development projects
We also recognise the in Currambine and Foley Village
maintained its strong financial importance of investing in that underpin our commitment
initiatives that will help us to investing for the future.
position. to achieve our longer-term Planning is now underway for
strategic objectives and to both sites and we hope to
With a long-standing provide an improved quality of commence construction in the
commitment to prudent life for our clients and residents. coming year. As part of our long-
financial management, we These initiatives include term strategy, we will continue to
continue to navigate through innovative technology, training, identify opportunities for further
the challenges facing the aged property developments and key aged care developments across
care sector, primarily driven by partnerships. Perth.
Government funding constraints
for residential aged care and We are pleased to report With a strong balance sheet
home care. With an ageing that Southern Cross Housing and a strategy to deliver next-
population who have complex (SCH) continues to maintain a generation-aged-in-place
health care needs, and more strong financial position and communities, the SCC Group
people choosing to access deliver on its commitments is well placed to continue
care in their home, we continue as an appointed Growth delivering the highest quality
to advocate for adequate Provider for the Department aged care, accommodation
government funding required of Communities. As a result, and services to older West
to provide essential health, SCH is well placed to continue Australians, both now and into
wellness and care services so providing affordable housing the future.
they may continue to live at to vulnerable West Australians,
home for as long as possible.

64

Consolidated Financial
Result 2019/2020

Income Expenses

Total income Total expenses
$81,732,589 $6797,6,90356,399437

Interest income $893,278 (1%) Employee expenses $51,786,724 (67%)
Investment income $3,730,269 (5%) Property expenses $9,998,010 (13%)
Rental income $3,089,449 (4%) (including depreciation)
Government subsidies & grants $54,173,320 (66%) $5,113,856 (7%)
Fee income $11,597,550 (14%) Direct care expenses $9,768,422 (12%)
Other income $8,248,723 (10%) Administration expenses
Other expenses $938,381 (1%)

Assets Liabilities

Total assets Total liabilities
$4745,764913,2,10552 $$223207,9,80201,7,95076

Property, plant & equipment $190,274,547 (40%) External borrowings $20,155,552 (9%)
(13%) (2%)
Cash $61,569,598 (34%) Provisions $5,347,189 (50%)
(3%) (31%)
Investment properties $164,770,906 (9%) Resident entry contribution $113,730,946 (8%)

Inventory properties $14,212,937 (1%) Residential accommodation deposit $69,408,575

Trade & other debtors $43,827,982 Trade & other payables $19,179,495

Other current assets $1,085,232

65

Our People

Ongoing staff Every day, our hardworking initiative provided clients
training and and residents with a unique
professional staff demonstrate their opportunity to participate in
development the interview process, while
commitment to making a also providing managers with
Creating a good an insight into how candidates
work culture difference to the lives of our interact with clients, particularly
those living with dementia
Qualified residents, clients and their or chronic mental illness. The
health care assessment centres were
professionals families and helping them to extremely well received by both
clients and candidates and we
66 enjoy the best possible quality intend to continue using them
as a key recruitment tool.
of life.
We recognise that in order
Our ability to provide quality to attract and retain talented
care and support, both now staff, we must offer competitive
and in the future, is contingent employment conditions and
upon us having a qualified and benefits. This year, we are
experienced workforce. Over pleased to have completed
the past year, we continued our Enterprise Bargaining
to implement our long-term Agreements for Registered
workforce plan of attracting Nurses, residential care, home
and retaining qualified and care, respite and mental
skilled aged care professionals health. We believe this is a
who demonstrate our values of positive outcome for all parties
respect, integrity, compassion and reflects the valuable
and excellence. contributions our employees
make to the SCC Group.
This year, we took an innovative
approach to recruitment,
introducing assessment
centres for group interviews
with candidates for residential
and mental health roles. This

With a long-standing nursing students. As part of Long serving staff
commitment to providing this partnership we are also
learning and training pleased to continue offering SCC is truly fortunate to
opportunities to our workforce, scholarships to a Notre Dame have so many employees
this year we continued to first year nursing student for who have been with us for
implement our comprehensive in- outstanding theory and clinical many years.
house learning and development work in the aged care sector.
program. The program, which Additionally, this year we also We believe it is important
is supported by our Learning offered work placements to recognise all of those
Management System, ensures across our sites to medical, who achieve long-service
we can efficiently manage our nursing, occupational therapy, milestones with the
compliance and mandatory physiotherapy and Certificate III organisation. In 2019/20,
training requirements, and students from other approved 138 staff of our staff
that staff have access to up- tertiary education providers. achieved long-service
to-date industry best practice recognition; 61 of whom
skills and knowledge. SCC has In recent years, we have worked have been with us for over
also partnered with North hard to embed a strong health 10 years.
Metropolitan TAFE to provide and safety culture across our
training to Perth-based care staff organisation, acknowledging the
in medication management, work benefits that it provides to not
health and safety, palliative care, only staff but also our clients
leadership and mentoring and and residents too. This year,
introduction to leisure and health. we are pleased to report that
our efforts have also resulted
We are proud to support in a reduction in the number of
the aged care workforce of workers compensation claims.
the future through our long- Going forward, we are as
standing partnership with committed as ever to providing
the University of Notre Dame a safe workplace for all staff.
Australia, by offering practical
work placements for their

67

2020 Group Annual Report

Our Traditionally our volunteers lockdown, all our volunteers
Volunteers have worked primarily in our were stood down temporarily,
residential aged care homes; but we encouraged them to
The SCC Group is however, we are continuing to consider ‘couch volunteering’
look at ways to expand our while they could not meet
fortunate to have volunteer programme so that face-to-face with clients. Many
even more of our clients can responded by writing letters and
220 volunteers, who benefit from their support and cards. Others recorded songs
friendship. To that end, we have to be played to the residents
generously provide their seen two volunteers assist who used to attend activities
independent living residents with them. One religious leader
time and skills to offer with computer issues. Also, wrote a devotional message
over the festive season, three each week of the lockdown for
invaluable friendship of our volunteer bus drivers his attendees to reflect on in his
made it possible for clients absence. There were Skype calls
and support for our to enjoy festive season tours, and Facetime calls, photographs
and while the full-time bus and other expressions of good
clients and residents. driver was indisposed, it was wishes during this lonely time.
our volunteers who picked up We were very proud of our
We embrace the fact the load to ensure continuity. volunteers and the wonderful
that our volunteers are a Furthermore, two mental health staff who acted as go-betweens
diverse group of people volunteers have been recruited, to facilitate the contact.
of all ages and from one to assist at our Stirling site
many different walks of and one at Mt Claremont. In November 2019, we held our
life, each bringing their Annual Volunteer Appreciation
rich life experiences, Our volunteers perform a event at the lovely Royal Perth
interests and skills to wide variety of tasks including Golf Club to acknowledge the
share with the SCC valuable assistance with existing contribution our volunteers
community. Importantly, staff-led activities, providing make to the SCC Group. The
those who volunteer with pastoral care assistance, or event is also an opportunity
SCC attest to the fact simply companionship over a to recognise our long-serving
that they too benefit from cup of tea. During the COVID-19 volunteers, so we were
being a volunteer and
being able to give back to
the community.

68

delighted to present long-service awards to Alice and Sahbee make the
John van Bockxmeer and Veronica Moylan perfect volunteer team
for 15 years of volunteer service, while Jenny
van Bockxmeer, Marie Neale, David Kemp, When Alice stopped working full-time she
Kathleen Kennelly, Yvette Lyra, Veronica knew she wanted to remain active, but was
Martin and Pamela Rathmann celebrated 10 unsure about what to do next. An avid dog
years of service. lover with a Miniature English Bull Terrier called
Sahbee, she came across an opportunity to
Pastoral Care combine her love of dogs with giving back to
the community as an SCC volunteer.
Our dedicated Pastoral Care team continued
to provide important pastoral care and “I was looking at part-time jobs when I
support services to our residents and their stumbled across the volunteer website and
families. A recent funding investment in noticed ads for pet therapy volunteers, and I
Pastoral Care by the Knights of the Southern knew my dog would be perfect. We ended up
Cross has seen hours boosted and new staff with the wonderful staff at SCC’s Jeremiah
recruited to expand our service. For the first Donovan House and Sahbee and I have been
time, we have the services of a Community visiting every fortnight since 2014.”
Pastoral Carer whose attention will be
directed to the villages, home care and Alice said the SCC staff are extremely
mental health care. We also have a pastoral supportive and most of the residents love
carer based at our site in Kalgoorlie and we Sahbee and look forward to her visits.
are searching for a suitable candidate for our
Broome site. “Sahbee loves people and is very intuitive
to their needs. Over the past six years, she
The team has been active throughout the has made a lot of very special friends and
COVID-19 lockdown, doing a marvellous job in brought many smiles to the residents’ faces.
trying to fill the gap created by the necessary I remember one lady who when she saw
restriction of visitors. This is a stable team of Sahbee coming would yell out excitedly to
men and women who count it a privilege to everyone ‘Here comes the dog!’
come alongside to listen and encourage our
clients during the unique challenges of their Being a volunteer with SCC has been very
stage of life. rewarding for Alice, especially the joy she gets
from seeing the residents’ smiling faces when
she visits.

“It really warms my heart to see people’s
faces light up when Sahbee walks in the room.
It is great to see so many people interacting
with her, smiling, patting and chatting away,”
Alice said.

69

2020 Group Annual Report

Our Locations

Residential care homes Southern Plus in-home services

+ Frank Prendergast House - Success + Head Office - Rivervale
+ Germanus Kent House - Broome + South West - Bunbury/Busselton
+ Jeremiah Donovan House - Forrestfield + Kimberley - Broome
+ Joseph Cooke House - Shelley
+ Margaret Hubery House - Rossmoyne T: 1300 000 161
+ Victoria Park Nursing Home & Hostel - Email: [email protected]
Web: www.southernplus.org.au
Kalgoorlie
Southern Plus East Fremantle
+ Villa Pelletier - West Leederville
+ Luxury residential aged care
Managed residential care homes + Short term respite
+ Health and wellness centre
+ Bert England Lodge - Cooloongup
15 Wolsely Rd, East Fremantle WA 6158
Retirement villages Email: [email protected]

+ Success Village - Success Southern Plus health and wellness centres
+ Margaret Hubery Village - Rossmoyne
+ Thomas Perrott Village - Shelley + East Fremantle
+ Donovan Village - Forrestfield + Success Village
+ Foley Village - Hilton
+ BF Prindiville Village - North Perth Southern Plus respite centres

Managed retirement villages + Donovan Respite Centre - Forrestfield
+ Tony Quinlan Respite Centre - Hilton
+ Faulkner Park Retirement Estate - + Bran Nue Dae – Broome

Cloverdale Central Office

+ Ascot Close Village - Redcliffe 15 Rowe Avenue, Rivervale WA 6103
+ Wahroonga Village - Rivervale PO Box 76, Burswood WA 6100
T: 1300 669 189 | F: 08 9282 9999
Southern Cross Housing Ltd Email: [email protected]

15 Rowe Avenue, Rivervale WA 6103 Client Connect
PO Box 76, Burswood WA 6100
T: 1300 669 189 | F: 08 9282 9999 15 Rowe Avenue, Rivervale WA 6103
Email: [email protected] PO Box 76, Burswood WA 6100
T: 1300 669 189 | F: 08 9282 9999
70 Email: [email protected]

71

15 Rowe Avenue, Rivervale WA 6103
PO Box 76, Burswood WA 6100
T: 1300 000 161
F: 08 9282 9999
ABN: 55 046 572 944

www.scrosswa.org.au

72