96831 Novita June HU - Novita Children's Services

chief executive
As we head into the middle of another busy year, it seems an appropriate time to pause and reflect on some of
the more positive and productive experiences that all too often are overlooked in the hustle and bustle of
everyday activity at Novita Children’s Services. Indeed, as I write, I am reminded of the successful outcomes
which have taken place already this year, not only for clients, but also for Novita staff, as we work together
towards providing an excellent standard of services to our clients.
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As you may know, the organisation is in the final year of
the current 2001-2005 Strategic Plan. In preparing the
2006-2009 plan, the Board is keen to embark on a
comprehensive planning process, which will involve a
greater degree of consultation with a wider range of
people who have a stake in the services offered by Novita.
Novita exists to serve clients, their families and carers. It is
therefore critical that the views of a wide cross-section of
people are taken into consideration in determining the
way forward.
A number of focus groups have been planned so as to
enable service users to comment on ‘strategic directions’
being developed by the Board and members of the
organisation’s Executive.
I am also pleased to inform you that following a recent
audit, Novita was again successful in achieving “5 tick”
quality certification for the next three years.
Certification ensures that Novita’s organisational
processes and procedures conform to appropriate
Australian Standards and other industry benchmarks, and
we will continue in our endeavour to deliver the best
possible outcomes for our clients.
On another note of success, I am delighted to
congratulate NovitaTech Rehabilitation Engineer, David
Hobbs, who was awarded the prestigious title of
Australia’s Young Professional Engineer of the Year. The
award was presented by Engineers Australia at their
annual awards night in Canberra in November last year.
David is a fine example of the high calibre staff we are
privileged to employ at Novita and a wonderful reminder
that engineering isn’t all about building bridges or
skyscrapers – it can be about making real changes in the
lives of children with disability.
In a similar vein, NovitaTech was awarded the 2004
Innovation Excellence Award in the South Australian
division of the Engineers Australia Engineering Excellence
Awards. The award was in recognition of one of its
products – the Vocabulary Organiser – a software tool
designed to help therapists, carers, teachers and family
members communicate more effectively with children
who are unable to speak. In a nutshell, this is at the very
core of what Novita aims to do - make life easier for
people with disabilities so that they can enjoy the quality
of life we all too often take for granted.
And while on the topic of achievement, I would also like
to congratulate the nine Novita clients who were
nominated for the Lions Children of Courage Awards and
were recognized recently at the Awards night at
Government House.
On a more sombre note, we were shocked by the
sudden loss of colleague and friend, Robyn Chaplin, in
February of this year. Robyn was a longstanding and
highly valued member of the marketing and public
relations team. Following her retirement after 23 years
with the organisation, she maintained an active role
working part time with the Sports Challenge Foundation.
Robyn’s warmth, sincerity and outstanding commitment
will indeed be missed.
Looking ahead, there is still a great deal of work to be
done for the remainder of the 2005. The Down Every
Street Appeal was successfully launched in the Rundle
Mall on Thursday, 5 May. This appeal is vital to raising
funds which help us to continue providing services to our
1000-plus children and young clients.
And finally, I would like to formally recognise the wonderful
bequest which Novita received from the Marjory Edwards
Estate. As you may already be aware, Novita was one of
12 organisations to benefit from Mrs Edwards’ generosity
– she was a true philanthropic South Australian visionary
– a wonderful advocate of local charities and a dedicated
supporter of the needs of children, the homeless, and the
disadvantaged. Novita is privileged to have had an
ongoing association with Mrs Edwards and as a recipient
of her remarkable generosity.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you
all for your continued support. It is only with the ongoing
generosity of our sponsors, auxiliaries, volunteers and
individuals such as Marjory Edwards that Novita is able
to provide opportunities for children living with disability.
Glenn Rappensberg
Chief Executive
About our Cover
Novita client, Kiri Schroeter, 13, practises playing
the drums thanks to some help from Novita’s
therapy team which designed and fitted him with
some special orthotics for his hands.