Community
15 November, 2024
Sunnyside celebrates $150k success
SUNNYSIDE House’s aged care facility board has persevered through a challenging economic period to show a strongly improved result, according to the annual report for 2023-2024.
The 2023-2024 year has seen many ups and downs for the facility, but a highlight revealed during yesterday’s (Thursday) annual general meeting (AGM) has been the work of the Sunnyside House Op Shop.
The Sunnyside House aged care facility ran at a loss of $15,727, which was an improvement on the $273,264 loss the previous year.
Total revenue for the facility was up $1.4 million in comparison to the previous year, however so too were operating expenditures due to increases in salaries and wages ($1.2 million) and IT computer software costs.
Volunteers at Sunnyside House Op Shop have managed to make $145,905 in sales this year, which is an improvement of $20,000 from the previous year.
The funds, which Op Shop volunteers will round up to $150,000, will go towards improving and maintaining the Sunnyside House aged care facility.
Outgoing Sunnyside House chief executive officer Bec Siemon said the aged care facility has seen many exciting moments and challenges throughout the 2023-2024 year.
“We have had several challenges this year - the high cost of agency staff that we use only when we must, to maintain the 24/7 requirement and the safety of our residents; our occasional COVID-19 outbreak; an accreditation which resulted in the decision to re-accredit our facility for three years; and the occasional leaking copper pipe in the roof,” she said.
“Our most exciting moment came in February this year when we made the decision to remove masks.
“Our residents were amazed to see our faces again and quite a few had trouble knowing who we were for a while.
“The staff were incredibly relieved and of course the visitors to the facility raised less concerns.
“We are still contending with daily rapid antigen tests now, just to ensure that all residents and staff are kept safe.”
Ms Siemon will be moving on to a new position in 2025, with a new chief executive officer having already been hired to fill her shoes.
She said she had enjoyed working as CEO over the past year, and it had been “a pleasure” working with the Sunnyside House board.
“Sunnyside’s new CEO starts in October this year and we all welcome Jo Forrest to both Camperdown and Sunnyside House,” Ms Siemon said.
“I would like to thank the board for their kindness and support, throughout my time at Sunnyside.
“They have high expectations for the quality of care that Sunnyside House gives their residents, and it is reflected in the facility’s local reputation through the compliments and feedback that we receive.
“I look forward to watching Sunnyside change and grow and thank the families and staff for their support and hard work.
“I am proud to have been a part of Sunnyside, the staff remain among the best I have worked with, in terms of professionalism and care and they are the standard I will take with me in my next position.”
Staff dedication was also recognised, with a series of certificates of appreciation awarded to staff members.
Adam Smith, Jenni Wason, Joy Simpson, Julie Broomby, Michelle Teal, Nicole Brookes and Rina Jordan received awards marking their five years of working for Sunnyside.
Two staff members - Tonya Spokes and Wilma White – were recognised for their 10 years of dedication, while Dulcemaria Wynd received a certificate marking 15 years of working at Sunnyside.
The 2024-2025 Sunnyside House board will see Philip Downie as chairman, Tony Dupleix as deputy chairman, Leonie Esh as treasurer, and board members Pam Anderson, Marie Thornton, Dianne Hampson and Mary Parsons.