On Tuesday 25th November, we hosted our Annual General Meeting in the newly completed Rossmore House building, our first AGM held onsite within the residential building in many years. It was a special night of appreciation and reflection, acknowledging the dedication of our Board, staff, and volunteers throughout another year of hard work and achievement.
CEO Alex McKenna introduced the members of the Board, highlighting the strength and stability of Cooinda’s leadership. Alex delivered an inspiring address, reflecting on a year marked by significant progress and milestones, including the completion and opening of Rossmore House.
We also took the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our remarkable staff, volunteers, and Board members. From training achievements to significant years-of-service milestones ranging from 5 to 20 years, each contribution reflects the heart of Cooinda and our shared commitment to exceptional care.
A highlight of the evening was an overview of the Di Chomley Scholarship, a heartfelt initiative established by volunteer Angus Howell in loving memory of his late wife, Diana Chomley, a much loved former resident of Cooinda. This scholarship supports further education for Cooinda’s nursing and care staff, empowering them to continue providing exceptional, person-centred care.
We were delighted to announce Emmily Westbury as the first successful recipient. Emmily, a Personal Care Attendant currently studying to become an Enrolled Nurse, will use the scholarship to assist with education related costs. Congratulations, Emmily!
Board President Liz Lloyd expressed her gratitude to staff, Board members, residents, and families for their ongoing support throughout the year. She welcomed our Board members, acknowledged outgoing Board Emeritus Richard Rubira for his contributions, and reflected on Cooinda’s continued strength amid sector-wide regulatory changes and workforce shortages.
Liz also congratulated the entire organisation on achieving a 4-star rating, a testament to the rigorous standards upheld every day by our team.
Finance Manager Ryan Claxton provided a comprehensive analysis of Cooinda’s financial performance, reaffirming our dedication to responsible management and long term sustainability.
The 2024–2025 Annual Report is now available and can be viewed here:
https://cooinda.org.au/annual-reports-financials/
A special thank you goes to our wonderful cooks and catering team, who prepared all of the food onsite in our Cooinda kitchen. Their hard work, skill, and attention to detail ensured a warm and welcoming spread for everyone attending. We are grateful for their dedication and the care, your efforts truly helped make the evening memorable.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes to everyone involved in making the evening such a success. We’re proud of our shared achievements and looking forward to Cooinda’s future.
Cooinda Village Inc