MSWA Bulletin Magazine Summer 17

FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO
MARCUS STAFFORD
Christmas is fast approaching, and what a year it’s been!
We’ve enjoyed some great successes and our strong financial
position has allowed our 700+ staff to achieve many things for
our Members and Clients. As the NDIS experience is teaching
us, organisations with scale and focus can do some really
good work, and make a tremendously positive difference for
people with disabilities.
I am pleased to report, the Annual General Meeting provided
a great opportunity to share a year of record-breaking
milestones. Our single-minded focus on Member and Client
services, development of our strategic footprint, and funding
of research has proven sharp and ambitious. Board Director
and Bulletin Editor, Dr Greg Brotherson, provides more detail
later in this edition.
Our footprint continues to grow in line with our strategic plan,
and in Perth’s northern suburbs the Butler accommodation
and services hub is about to begin construction. The MSWA
services hub will provide a base for our nursing and allied
health team to see people onsite, and to conduct home
visits locally.
Our rapid growth, paired with our ambition to be the convenient
‘one-stop shop’, has allowed us to source new premises
in Mandurah and Bentley. Plans have been submitted to
Council, so I am optimistic that future Bulletin articles will
include them coming to fruition. We have also approved a
new leased facility in Joondalup to support our growing need
for services.
MSWA is closer to building a high support accommodation
facility in Shenton Park. Supported by an investment of
$2 million, this facility will be located at the Shenton Park
Hospital site, and will offer high support accommodation with
access to a private bedroom, lounge, kitchen and bathroom,
and access to around the clock care.
Within the context of our organisation, money isn’t the most
important thing, but what we do with it is! Our continued
success allows MSWA to provide a wide range of vital
healthcare services and support. My thanks go to the entire
team, whose tireless efforts allow us to fulfil our charter. Our
Mega Home Lottery provides a solid base from which we can
excel, but all other programs and activities perform a vital role.
We recently had the honour of hosting Her Excellency the
Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC, Governor of Western Australia
at our Bunbury Community and Health Services Centre. I was
very proud to show her around so she could fully appreciate the
depth and breadth of our services, as well as meet some of our
Members and Clients in this magnificent facility.
As we turn the page on the calendar year, we should take a
moment to enjoy the many noteworthy results that have been
delivered. But only a moment! 2018 beckons and presents us
with exciting opportunities to do more and more good things
for people with MS and all other neurological conditions.
I wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and
a safe New Year!
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MSWA BULLETIN SUMMER 2017 | 5