Jewish Care’s 2019 AGM: celebrating our diversity and togetherness
More than 150 people attended Jewish Care Victoria’s 2019 Annual General Meeting held at Monash University, Caulfield.
Mike Debinski, outgoing Jewish Care President, addresses the 2019 AGM
Many significant achievements from the past financial year were outlined, including the commencement of works on the Anne & Eric Smorgon Active Living Centre adjoining Gary Smorgon House and the 120-bed Senior Living Community in Carnegie. Jewish Care also marked the mid-way point in construction of the $93m Hannah & Daryl Cohen Family Building with a celebration attended by Australian Treasurer, The Hon. Josh Frydenberg.
In his final year as President of Jewish Care, Mike Debinski reflected on Jewish Care’s proactive approach to meeting changing needs and anticipating sector reforms. “Some years ago, we began exploring disability and aged care service models in Australia and overseas to determine what services have proven excellent outcomes,” said Mr. Debinski. “We have built on these here at Jewish Care to deliver quality, contemporary services.”
Bill Appleby, CEO of Jewish Care, highlighted Jewish Care’s work in “embracing and celebrating diversity in all we do” and its importance in ensuring “all members of our community are positively included and can equally access all benefits through employment, volunteering, and service provision.”
Mr. Appleby concluded by saying, “The year ahead will not be without its challenges, but I am buoyed with confidence that our diversity and togetherness, united by a strong sense of purpose, strengthens us to continue our journey of enriching lives.”
Elections were held for the Jewish Care Board of Governance, with Sharon Gdanksi elected to the Board, and Mike Debinski, Simone Szalmuk-Singer, and Reuben Zelwer re-elected.
The Leo and Mina Fink Community Service Award, presented annually since 2010, was this year awarded to dual recipients, Hannah Cohen and Charles Holckner in recognition of their outstanding support of, and contribution to, Jewish Care’s Capital Campaign; ‘Growing. For our Community.’
The AGM also included the official launch of ‘170 Years – Enriching lives of the Jewish community’, a new hardcover pictorial book released as part of Jewish Care’s 170th anniversary.
The black and white book profiles 68 inspiring and captivating individuals and families who have been associated with or supported by, Jewish Care and its predecessor organisations.
