ANNUAL REPORT
2013
50 Forans Rd, Barongarook West 3249 | P: (03) 52338203
PO Box 508, Colac Vic 3250
ABN : 34 389 908 652
ANNUAL REPORT
2013
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2013 | Diane Wright
The year in review
It is with much pleasure that I present this 2013 Annual
Report for Anam Cara House Colac. In doing so I reflect on
our past year and observe the enormous achievements
of our Hospice Care service, since our operational phase
formally commenced less than eighteen months ago.
Under the capable guidance of our Hospice Manager Mrs
Deb Payton a high standard of care to our Guests and their
Carers has increasingly been delivered to the extent that in
the past twelve months, some 500 episodes of care have
been delivered across our Day Hospice, Short-term Respite
and End-of-Life Care services.
The point of difference with the services offered at Anam
Cara House is that we provide a social model of care within
a “home-like” and very tranquil rural environment that is
available to all in our regional community and at no charge
– although we have welcomed generous guest donations.
Our operations
Anam Cara House’s operations are staffed by our Hospice
Manager and a casual bank of Palliative Care experienced
Div I and Div II Nurses, who are supported by our Community
Volunteers.
Our Volunteers are essential to the operations at Anam
Cara House, assisting us with the day-to day operations
including the day hospice activities, various guests’ needs,
housekeeping, laundry, gardening, maintenance, and
hospitality.
During this year, two Volunteer Training Programs have
been delivered by Mrs Deb Payton, Hospice Manager, Mrs
Robyn Barrand, guest trainers and myself - according to
Palliative Care Victoria Standards.
Our initial Volunteer Training Course this year also included
a number of Volunteers from Mercy Aged Care Colac - we
were delighted to offer this collaboration as part of our
1 | Anam Cara House Colac Annual Report | November 2013
training. The valuable inclusion of Volunteers in delivering
care at Anam Cara House not only represents important
cost savings but also brings both intangible and tangible
benefits to carers and volunteers that enhances the whole
fabric of our community.
Our staff
Other developments this year with regard to service
delivery, best practice and training, have included a shortterm contract position for a Quality Improvement Officer,
who along with our Manager, is working on the National
Standards Assessment Programme set up by Palliative
Care Australia.
We also have in place a Memorandum of Understanding
with Colac Area Health and during this year established
working agreements with a number of work place training
organisations who have welcomed the opportunity for the
placement of students at Anam Cara House Colac.
Our Div I Casual Nurse Bank has by necessity been
increased and we have also included a number of Div II
and PCA professionals to our Staff, who assist our Div I
nurses as required.
All of these initiatives indicate that we are moving in the
proper direction to establish a service of excellence to
provide respite and palliative care for our community.
Improvements
Throughout this year our day to day operations have been
in the capable hands of Mrs Deb Payton.
Deb was responsible for the initial clinical commissioning
of Anam Cara House Colac and her work for us has been
invaluable. In 2014 Deb has advised that she wishes to
alter her role at Anam Cara House and create more time for
own family and personal commitments.
ANNUAL REPORT
2013
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2013 |
...continued...
To this end we support Deb and are delighted that she
will remain with us to progress our National Standards &
Assessment Programme, monitor our Q&I, our Policies &
Procedures and assist with Volunteer Training while also
remaining on our Casual Nurse Bank.
We will subsequently be appointing a Nurse Manager in
the New Year, who will also be assisted by Mrs Elizabeth
Gore who has a part-time position as our Hospice Public
Relations and Community Liaison Officer.
Fund raising
Our operations could not progress however without
the good governance and oversight of our Committee
of Management plus the unswerving support of our
Colac Foundation Fund Committee and our Melbourne
Foundation Fund Committee who give enormous energy to
ensuring the financial sustainability of Anam Cara House.
In addition our Gellibrand Cattle Club Sub-committee work
tirelessly to underpin the annual salary of our Hospice
Manager; their endeavours are greatly valued.
a community facility such as ours before, in this part of
Victoria, however when people of insight and integrity
understood the vision for Anam Cara House, they came “on
the journey”. With great courage they took to “the road”
and this enabled the establishment of our community
hospice.
And now as we move firmly into our operational phase the
need for courage and faith in this vision still remains, as
our road widens and embraces many more people.
The outcome of this journey, as I said earlier, is that
the fabric of our community and indeed our shared
relationships, are continually being enriched along the way.
I conclude this 2013 Annual Report by paying tribute to our
Founding Patron Mr Neil Stewart, who retired from “active
Anam Cara House service” this year, but who along with
his wife Yvonne remain staunch supporters of our Hospice.
It was with Neil’s assistance and that of his son Michael
along with Charles Stewart & Co that enabled our vision to
become reality and we pay tribute to Neil’s many years of
service and his endeavours on behalf of Anam Cara House.
Thank you Neil.
Our May 2013 Gala Ball was an outstanding success this
year realising some $102,000 which was directed towards
our operational costs – a wonderful achievement that also
provided a most enjoyable evening for all in attendance.
Indeed as Founder & President of Anam Cara House Colac
I thank everyone for their endeavours and support during
2013 – it has been a full but very rewarding year.
We have also had some most welcome philanthropic
contributions during 2013 including significant support
from ‘The Gualtiero Vaccari Foundation’.
Next year
At our 2010 May Gala Ball I shared this quote which I want
to include in this annual report: “Hope is like a road in the
country: there was never a road, but when many people
walk on it, the road comes into existence.” (Lin Yutang)
Tributes
I believe that 2014 will also be an exciting and challenging
year for Anam Cara House as we respond to the needs of
our regional community and so I look forward to sharing
that year with you our Anam Cara House supporters and
our many “fellow travellers”.
Diane Wright
This quote has stayed with me because it symbolises so
much of the Anam Cara House journey. There has not been
Anam Cara House Colac Annual Report | November 2013 | 2
ANNUAL REPORT
2013
HOSPICE MANAGER’S REPORT 2013 | Deborah Payton
Another fantastic year for the journey that is
Anam Cara House!
The word is out and we are receiving many enquiries
regarding the type of care that can be provided here. The
model of hospice care is still a bit of a mystery to many
people but as our facility is used and people come to know
what we have to offer the understanding deepens.
Since November 2012 we have offered over two hundred
and fifty (250) episodes of Day Respite, over three hundred
and fifty (350) episodes of Overnight Care and over twentyfive (25) episodes in our Carer Accommodation.
On the education front during 2013 Diane & I have facilitated
two Palliative Care for Volunteers Training Courses and
Robyn Barrand has facilitated two Safe Food Handling for
Volunteers Courses.
An Art Therapy Workshop by Irene Renzenbrink was
incorporated into the Palliative Care Training in February.
We were joined on this day by staff & volunteers from
Geelong Anam Cara which really increased the enjoyment
& feeling of collegiality.
Many volunteers & staff attended a lecture by Jenny
Graham RN on Motor Neurone Disease to assist us in the
care of a guest with that life-limiting illness.
At present we have approximately 20 active palliative
volunteers plus our indefatigable garden & maintenance
“Team 2 M” Martin & Murray. Our chef, Bruce has been
a very valuable addition to the group who work so well
together.
Sixteen Registered nurses and five Patient Care Attendants
(PCA’s) make up the nursing staff.
Recently within a space of two months, four of our regular
respite guests have died. Unfortunately, they were not here
with us at Anam Cara House.
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This is sad for us but highlights the need for our Foundation
Fund to grow so that we can be fully operational.
In December I am handing the reins over to someone else
but I must say that this last two years has been a wonderful
time for me. I’m looking forward to a long association with
Anam Cara just not as the boss. Well I know Diane is really
the boss I just pretend to be while I am here.
Thank you to everyone who has made this such an amazing
place to work and thank you to Diane for “finding me”
Deborah Payton
Recent Guest Quotes
• Corry Vogels
“As I enter Anam Cara House I feel the peace, love
and warmth of wonderful people around me. Help
and support in any way always with a loving smile”.
• Kathy Gilligan
“Thank you for taking care of Kathy and giving me
a break. You have been amazing and have helped
me through such a difficult time. I don’t know
what I would have done without you’. David
• Lila Cooper’s family
‘Anam Cara House, where do I start, the staff,
the atmosphere and the whole concept of this
magnificent Hospice. The love and the care
they bestow on my Mum and the other guests is
absolutely outstanding, a home away from home,
no other place available that offers such amazing
care and that maintains the dignity, the individual
care and support for families.and are made very
comfortable’.
ANNUAL REPORT
2013
HONOUR BOARD
We gratefully acknowledge the following donors included on our Honour Board.
FOUNDATION MEMBERS
THE GUALTIERO VACCARI FOUNDATION
PLATINUM MEMBERS
THE DANKS TRUST
GOLD MEMBERS
SUNCORP-METWAY LTD
SILVER MEMBERS
ARGENTO PANELS
BRONZE MEMBERS
ERN HARTLEY FOUNDATION
AUREL DESSEWFFY
COLES COACHES (COLAC)
CENTRAL TYRE AND AUTO
JOAN MAGLAGAN
ROTARY CLUB COLAC WEST
DORTHE AND CORRIE KOORN
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