It’s been a very busy year at CaSPA Care.  Between settling into our new home – Emerald Hill Residence, giving South Port a ‘face lift’, redeveloping our website, fare welling long standing Board members, welcoming new Board members, increasing our workforce and filling Emerald Hill to capacity it has been non-stop.

Firstly, we must say a big thank you to our staff who have worked hard to assist the organisation transitioning into the Household Model of Care.  It hasn’t been easy and has taken time to evolve and take shape but now its providing our residents with a real sense of home.

Secondly, we fare welled two long standing Board members Beris Campbell and Liz Robson who have stepped down from the Board.  Beris was one of the pioneers behind South Port Community Residential Home dedicating her time to getting it off the ground and opened.  Beris was part of the South Port and CaSPA Care Boards for 38 years.  Her commitment and passion to South Port and CaSPA Care over the years has been extraordinary.  Liz was with us for 8 years, first commencing on the Claremont Home Committee of Management.  Liz’s nursing background provided great expertise and knowledge over the years being a valuable Board member.  Both Beris and Liz will continue to bring their valuable knowledge to our Clinical Governance committee in which they remain members.  Our sincere thanks go to Beris and Liz.

In fare welling two Board members this then left us with two vacant positions.  Neil Cathels who is a member of the Audit, Finance and Risk committee and former CaSPA Care Board member and former City of Port Phillip Councillor Anita Horvath both joined the Board.  Neil is a semi-retired Chartered Accountant with years of experience in the accounting industry.  Neil has partnered in various accounting firms and brings with him sound financial knowledge and expertise.  Anita has practiced in various fields of law, including at a senior associate level.  She has been an owner director of a successful medium sized enterprise based in Port Melbourne and holds a Masters of Law.  Anita’s strong sense of social justice, care for community, good governance and financial responsibility inform her decision making.  We welcome both Neil and Anita to the CaSPA Care Board and look forward to their input on the Board.

As mentioned, we have spent this year settling into Emerald Hill Residence and really bedding down our new model of care – the Household Model.  This has taken shape over the year with staff adapting to the new way of doing things and ensuring that our residents really feel a sense of home.  We are now at full occupancy and strive to make Emerald Hill a residence of choice for the elderly in the City of Port Phillip.

South Port underwent a ‘face lift’ with all four bed rooms being converted into two bed rooms, new carpet in bedrooms, two intimate dining rooms being created and new lounge spaces.  The gardens have been rejuvenated creating an enchanting space for our residents to enjoy.

Next year the organisations focus will be on planning the future of CaSPA Care’s homes and so, after a very busy year we head into the New Year with a sense of excitement for the future of CaSPA Care!

From all of us at CaSPA Care, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.