Annual Report
Message from the Chairman
Jeff McCarthy
Chairman
The past year has been the most challenging in our organisation’s history.
It started with a race against time as the team worked to secure vaccinations for the people we support and workers, while trying to keep everyone safe from the highly transmissible Delta variant.
In late December 2021, just two months after we achieved 100% double-vaccination rates for our workers, the even more contagious Omicron variant took hold. With it, the new problem emerged of keeping our sites staffed as workers went into isolation as close contacts or fell ill. During this period, 334 staff – more than half – were impacted by COVID-19.
Floods and unseasonable rain added to our challenges, causing damage at sites, and making it difficult for workers to get to work at times.
The relentless flow of changes made by the National Disability Agency (NDIA) also continued to test us. The trend in reducing participants’ funding packages has remained a significant concern with its potentially devastating impacts on the people we support. It also has an underlying impact on Sylvanvale’s profitability.
Throughout this time, all our staff have worked so hard, under extraordinary circumstances and I would like to thank them for their truly remarkable contribution. My special thanks also to Leanne Fretten for her vision and leadership in navigating the organisation through such a tumultuous time, and to the Executive Team that supports her. Thank you to my fellow Directors for their diligence and unwavering commitment to the organisation.
Finally, my sincere thanks to all the people we support and their families for entrusting us with the critical role of supporting them throughout another challenging period.
Message from the CEO
Leanne Fretten
Chief Executive Officer
The ever-evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic meant our teams have continued to operate under immense pressure. Our workers have risen to the challenge, displaying more than ever, the depth of their commitment to the people we support and to our organisation.
Despite the challenges, the team at Sylvanvale has had many remarkable achievements. Many reflected our focus and investment in technology. In July 2021, we launched a new intranet site, for workers which is now the central location for our documentation and systems. In October, we launched our brand new, accessible website for the people we support. Then in November 2021, we moved to the SharePoint Online document management system and Microsoft Teams – making it easier for workers to access files and collaborate.
Other highlights included launching our Towards Zero campaign to minimise agency staff in our services, with the ultimate goal of removing agency usage altogether. We also saw a reduction in workers injuring themselves at work.
We were pleased to announce collaborations with Enliven Housing and Good Housing and celebrated Mikarie Child Care Centre’s 10 year anniversary. We were also thrilled to win the Outstanding Community Services award at the Sutherland Shire Local Business Awards, and to see Caringbah Craft Centre feature on Channel 10’s news-current affairs show, The Project.
Thank you to all our workers for their outstanding efforts over the past twelve months. They have all shown incredible dedication throughout this time, particularly when facing the huge workload and workforce pressures caused by COVID.
My thanks to the Board of Directors, for your tremendous ongoing support, and to the Executive Team for your significant contribution.
Thank you also to the people we support, families and carers – who are the foundation of our organisation – for your continuing support and understanding in these extraordinary times.