Jewish Care Awards Night Celebrates Staff & Volunteers
Jewish Care Victoria’s Staff and Volunteer Service & Excellence Awards with a record number of over 250 staff, volunteers, Life Governors, Board members, communal leaders and supporters.
Gary Smorgon House Lifestyle Team
The annual event started in 2011 and acknowledges the work of the organisation’s 750 staff and almost 500 volunteers and was held this year at the Malvern Town Hall.
Bill Appleby, Jewish Care CEO praised all staff and volunteers “for their integrity and commitment; empathy and respect for colleagues; provision of dignified care and support… and for leading by example and helping to foster a culture of authentic leadership across this wonderful organisation we call Jewish Care.”
The Samuel H. Harris award for excellence above and beyond expectation was presented to Marilyn Kraner, Jewish Care’s Manager Individual & Family Services.
A new award introduced this year, Innovation of the Year Award was presented to Emma Boyar, Next Generation Manager for Jewish Care’s inaugural Board Foundations program, ‘Yesod’ and Cassandra Barrett, Mental Health Promotion Resource Officer for the Mental Health Program.
Enrolled Nurse at Gary Smorgon House, Daphne Simons was recognised for her incredible 40 years of service at Jewish Care.
Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Anna Ozerova, who commits half a day, every day to supporting residents at Gary Smorgon House, through activities such as helping those with cognitive impairments.
Paul Hoffman was the keynote speaker who inspired the audience with stories of his trials and tribulations in his attempts to cross the English Channel. He shared his advice on self-belief, resilience and teamwork: “The idea of having a goal and just not letting go of it has stood me in good stead and is with me every day.”
Musical entertainment was provided by rising star, Josh Batten who will complete his music degree this year.
Other award categories and winners included:
President’s Award – Magali Kaplan, Holocaust Survivor Support Program Manager
Ethos Award – Jacinta Jarutis, Lifestyle Coordinator and Melanie McNamara, Executive Officer
CEO Customer Service Award – Fross Driscoll, Receptionist and Gabrielle Maymon, Employment Consultant
Team of the Year – Community and Gary Smorgon House Lifestyle Team
The Leo & Mina Fink Community Service Award – Reuben Zelwer
Professional Development Scholarships – Melinda Kidgell, Program Manager Client Services – Individual & Family Support; Tarun Dua, Personal Care Worker – Gary Smorgon House; Ella Turner, Registered Nurse – Smorgon Family Nursing Home
Ethos Mission Award – Marcus Harty, General Manager Infrastructure and Simon Jedwab, Manager Service Development
Service Awards – Also acknowledged, were staff and volunteers who have given 5 – 40 years of service to Jewish Care.
