MSWA Bulletin Magazine Autumn 2021

FROM THE DESK
OF THE CEO
MARCUS STAFFORD
CEO
Most meetings that I have with
our President are easy. We are
usually talking about strategy and
performance.
The most recent one, however,
was difficult for me. This was the
conversation where I advised Ros of
my semi-retirement in general that,
of course, included my resignation
from MSWA. If I’m a halfway near
decent CEO, it shouldn’t have come
as a surprise. I’ve been preparing the
pathway for our fine organisation
for some time. But, even with the
scene set and the foundations
laid, being your CEO for nearly
twenty years has been both an
honour and a privilege, so that final
announcement was hard to make.
I won’t pass the baton until October,
so that we can ensure a smooth and
seamless transition and of course,
plenty of time for proper goodbyes!
As I sat down at my desk and
wrote the resignation letter, I
found myself thinking about the
incredible journey that we have
taken together. You’ll be relieved
to know that I will not relive that
journey today, or your casual
read of Bulletin might require a
deeper commitment!
Instead, just a flavour will do. Day
one was pretty unforgettable!
Before driving home that evening
I had been heckled in my first
presentation and confronted by a
few folk (quite a few in fact) who
were keen to let me know about
the decisions that I had to make.
And all before lunch! As a man who
had come from the relatively sterile
environment of banking, I was
struck by the passion of Members,
staff and volunteers. I reckoned
that if we could harness that for a
common purpose, we would do
some really good things.
As over the years, I bathe in the
reflected glory of our wonderful
management, staff and Board. As I
savour the wisdom and input of our
Members, Clients and volunteers.
As I appreciate the contributions of
everyone, I feel reassured that we
have done some really good things.
Everyone will have their own
highlights reel. For some, it
might be the opening of our new
accommodation centres and
services hubs. For others, the day
we became the largest funder of MS
research in our nation’s history. Or
perhaps the new physio program.
Or record growth in care support. Or
creation of family respite. Or maybe
climbing the ladder to be one of the
top three not-for-profits in Western
Australia. The list will go on, and I
don’t finish until October!
My highlights reel includes
those, but for me, I think
it’s been the human
moments that leave the
strongest memories.
The young couple, sitting in my
office, discussing the new approach
to their lives after the shock of
her diagnosis. Initially a mood of
despair, but ending with a positive
sense of liberation.
The woman who had been confined
to a wheelchair, taking her first
tentative steps after undertaking
our intensive physio program. And
her tears at that achievement. And
the tears of our physiotherapists.
Let no-one say that professional
boundaries prevent human
engagement!
Plus, perhaps those light-hearted
moments before the age of
enlightenment. Seeing the smiles
on the faces and listening to the
laughter of ‘the crowd’, as our senior
managers made fools of themselves
at the Members’ Christmas party.
Good sports one and all!
As I head towards a sunset of
semi-retirement, I reflect on our
achievements, driven by the
unflinching goal of making the lives
of folk with neurological conditions
just a little bit easier. All of that
down to the broader team effort.
Thank you.
However, I don’t go until October, so
plenty of time for proper goodbyes!
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