Dr Claire Goodman (third from left) and members of the CLRS team celebrate at last Wednesday’s awards ceremony.
Photo by
Supplied
When your organisation is staffed by people with a genuine commitment to its mission, the rest just falls into place.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
It’s something especially important in the disability support sector, with Community Living and Respite Services board president Dr Claire Goodman crediting her organisation’s success to its focus on client care, autonomy and comfort above all.
Dr Goodman said buy-in across all levels to the organisation’s client-centric approach helped secure CLRS the Coolabah Turf Professional Service - Community Award (Large) at this year’s Campaspe Murray Business Awards.
“We’re a not-for-profit disability service provider working in a pretty tightly regulated environment,” Dr Goodman said.
“Our leadership team over a number of years have really focused on our workplace culture and leadership for people at all levels, as well as upskilling and providing top-notch, evidence-based services to our clients.
“Every person throughout the organisation has contributed to this success, particularly our disability service professionals who are at the coalface every day looking after our wonderful clients and their families.”
Dr Goodman said the award gave CLRS an opportunity to reflect on the work it had done over the past year, something not always possible given the all-encompassing nature of some of the organisation’s work.
Dr Claire Goodman with Coolabah Turf general manager Michelle Hearn and new CLRS chief executive Lauren Davy.
Photo by
Supplied
“I think one of the things we’re most impressed with is our reputation within the community,” she said.
“We are well supported by a number of businesses in Echuca Moama, and we have put on several high-profile fundraising events throughout the year, one of which is Run Echuca Moama.
“We’re particularly proud of this event, as it really displays what inclusion can look like within our community.
“We have all levels of ability participating, both as competitors and volunteers, and it’s a really great example of how enriched a community can be by including everyone.”
The win’s timing is especially poignant for CLRS, with the disability support sector still assessing how changes to the NDIS legislation will affect the work organisations do.
“We know there’s a lot of uncertainty for people who rely on services from the NDIS, and we want to reassure those people we’re in a really strong position to both continue to provide the supports they need, but also to help clients navigate through any changes which might affect them,” Dr Goodman said.
“Although it’s a time of apprehension, we’re full of hope we can continue to provide high-quality services for those people in our community.”
For Dr Goodman and her team, no matter what happens, one thing will remain the same: CLRS will continue to put clients at the centre of everything it does.
“Thank you to the broader community for continuing to support us,” she said.
“It lets us be confident, and we want to send a message of reassurance and support to everyone.
“It’s our mission to support people, and we’ll keep on doing that no matter what.”
9°C