Thousands of people across regional South Australia were supported by regional agency ac.care last financial year.
A challenging year supporting people affected by COVID-19, meeting the growing needs of young people in state care and expanding its work in regional communities was the focus of the organisation’s annual general meeting this month.
The organisation’s annual report, released to coincide with the meeting, also highlighted the agency’s achievements across the Limestone Coast, Murraylands, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula during 2019/20.
The agency’s chief executive Shane Maddocks said this included supporting 278 people to avoid homelessness with early intervention support, helping 866 people move from homelessness to stable accommodation and securing foster care placements for 372 country children who had nowhere else safe to call home.
“The past financial year saw ac.care continue to focus on providing terrific services to country people to help ensure they have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships,” he said.
“With the support of the community and our ongoing delivery on government contracts, we continue to develop a sustainable financial model and have staff and volunteers that demonstrate their incredible commitment to country people every day, clearly exhibiting the behaviours associated with our values of compassion, adaptability, relationships and excellence.”
In his annual report, Mr Maddocks acknowledged the global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic had a devastating impact on regional communities, which would take years to recover, but the agency adapted to continue to support country people through the challenging and unpredictable times.
“The resilience of ac.care and its people has shone through this time,” he said.
The annual general meeting marked a significant milestone for the agency as long-serving board convenor Michael Bleby of Millicent stepped down after 25 years as chairman.
“The contribution Mike made to country communities through his leadership of ac.care cannot be measured,” Mr Maddocks said.
“He has steered ac.care through significant changes and substantial growth of the organisation that now has over 250 staff working across multiple regions after the agency began in Mount Gambier in 1986.”
Mount Gambier’s Rick Fisher was appointed as the new board convenor, while Mr Bleby continues to serve on a committee focussed on the care governance of ac.care.
“My aim is to ensure we can be confident we connect with people and their communities, guide children to safe and fulfilling lives, support families and help reduce need in regional areas,” Mr Fisher said.
