Staff Matters February 19, 2021 Issue 297 Week 34
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF
SUNDOWNDER SUCCESS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA Our Adelaide team recently held a Support Coordination Sundowner as a fun way of networking and connecting with other support coordinators, while learning more about Afford and our services in Adelaide. It was a free event held at the Republic in Norwood and was a great success, with 17 support coordinators from 10 different organisations attending. In total 27 external guests came along to network.
In This Issue 1
Sundowner Success in South Australia Trivia Afford Reward Of The Week
2
Attendees were a mixture of support coordinators, CEOs, business owners and political advisors, as well as Afford Staff from SA, NSW & QLD.
3
Caboolture Blossoms Staff Profile
Karina Shines On Mix FM Sunshine Coast Handyman Timetable
“The night provided a good connection with all involved. There were lots of stories shared and problem-solving conversations. We received interest around day programs, our vehicles, mobility vans and Club Afford.
Reminder
4
Staff Awards Feature – Hall of Fame, Ruchi Desai Selfies Of The Week Upcoming Events Trivia Answer
Excited to see so much interest in our SIL, SDA and Short-Term Accommodation offerings and as well as a few enquiries about respite for children", said Customer Care Manager, Brenton Munzer. The team were also excited to promote our allied health and employment services. “An extraordinarily successful event with most people staying until the end and some even stayed after the event. Overall, it was a great introduction to 10 organisations that we did not have a relationship with before, who now know who we are", added Brenton.
PLUS ENJOY EVERY DAY SAVINGS ON THESE BRANDS!
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Monica Huynh POSITION: Senior Recruiter LOCATION: Minchinbury, NSW FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade FAVOURITE MOVIE? Venom FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Reading, hiking and doggie play dates FAVOURITE FOODS? Vietnamese foods and sushi IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? Panther, they seem like such regal creatures WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Japan, a beautiful country with beautiful people IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? A fairer and more equal society for all IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Not sure SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? This is a secret
February 19, 2021 Issue 297
CABOOLTURE BLOSSOMS Afford’s Queensland North district has blossomed over the past 2 years under the leadership of Joe-Marie van Zyl, with Caboolture now in the top five day programs less than three years after opening. Our CEO, Steven Herald recently had dinner with the team on his holidays to pass on congratulations to the team in North Queensland who have all played a part in such a successful expansion. It was pleasing to see that representatives from many of our services could join in the dinner, including day programs, supported accommodation, customer care, support coordination and allied health. It is clear that all functions work together and there are no silos which sounds simple but is often hard to achieve. We will soon be opening a day program in Northern Brisbane at Strathpine and there is a definite need for day programs in Deception Bay that we have discussed. We now have three supported accommodation properties in Caboolture, two in Deception Bay and two new ones to join in June 2021, one in Caboolture and one in North Lakes. We also have our short-term accommodation oasis opening on Bribie Island in March 2021, only a couple of weeks away! “I’m super excited about our Bribie Island Respite opening,” said Joe-Marie, “It’s walking distance to water, has a sparkling swimming pool and an excellent media room for entertaining.” Joe-Marie van Zyl started with Afford in 2016 as a team leader at Afford’s St Marys Short Term Accommodation during the rollout of the NDIS. She relocated to Caboolture in April 2019 as district manager and hit the ground running. “At first I was flying here on a Sunday night and returning to Sydney on Wednesday evenings. I relocated officially on the 1st of June 2019 and my family followed in August 2019 at the end of the school term,” said Joe-Marie. When asked what the best thing about leading the Caboolture team is, Joe-Marie said, “The best thing about leading the team… is the team! If you walk into Caboolture Hub, it is hard to work out whether someone is a team leader, customer care, support coordinator or allied health clinician. I believe the cohesion and connection we have as the QLD north team instead of different departments, filters down to all staff.” “We have a strong team with such different personalities; we pull on each other’s strengths and support the weaknesses. Mutual respect, trust and support is the key. When someone in the team comes across a problem or question, the teamwork to sort out the problem is impressive. I will often sit back and observe and will feel privilege being part of something so special. The shared space we have as an office has a massive impact on team culture.” “I have to be honest. It wasn’t always an easy road. There were times when I doubt myself and thought I have bitten off way more than I can chew, but then I leaned on my mentors, executive team, my husband and seeing the clients faces when they walk through the door make it worthwhile. I pull my shoulders back and push forward. I will not stop now as I can go on forever.” “I genuinely believe it is the culture that keeps us standing strong. Afford is not just an organisation; it has a heart and a soul,” said Joe-Marie.
www.afford.com.au
February 19, 2021 Issue 297
Staff Matters KARINA SHINES ON MIX FM SUNSHINE COAST This week our Team Leader for Allied Health QLD, Karina Johnson had the opportunity to promote Afford’s supports and services in a free radio interview on Mix FM 92.7 Sunshine Coast Radio. Being the superstar she is, Karina was happy to volunteer as a spokesperson at the last minute and did a fantastic job. She spoke about all of our services including, day programs, allied health, supported accommodation and Afford Getaways. This was an invaluable promotion on a major radio station. Mix FM’s service area reaches a population of over 300,000 people and covers the Sunshine Coast from Noosa to Caboolture. The opportunity to participate in the interview was suggested by Team Leader, Jillian Sellwood and organised by Fundraising, Events and Marketing Administrator, Emma Roache. We always welcome these ideas and suggestions, if you hear or see anything in your local area that can help promote your business, district or region, please do not hesitate to contact the marketing team: marketing@afford.com.au.
Handyman Timetable Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - Monday 22nd February: Billabong, Dolphin & Empire - Tuesday 23rd February: Sunshine, Panthers & Bluebird - Wednesday 24th February: Chipping Norton, Condell Park & Gregory Hills - Thursday 25th February:
Belmore, Green Valley & Glen Alpine Respite
- Friday 26th February:
Minto ADE & Ingleburn ADE
Meet Our Handyman Tahier
reminder! Please be reminded to nominate your colleagues for a customer service award! Customer Service Awards are awarded monthly and emails encouraging staff to send in their nominations are sent throughout the month from HR. February is now here, time to get in your nominations early or get ahead by keeping an eye out on who you will nominate for March! Send your nominations to: Mia.thulin@afford.com.au. Remember there are real prizes up for grabs, so get nominating today! 1st - $300 2nd - $200 3rd - $100
www.afford.com.au
February 19, 2021 Issue 297
Staff Matters STAFF AWARDS FEATURE – HALL OF FAME, RUCHI DESAI We are so proud of the Affordians that received awards at the recent Staff Awards night. Please join us in congratulating Hall of Fame winner, Ruchi Desai! Ruchi is Afford’s Operations Finance manager. She joined Afford in 2011 as a casual to reconcile client accounts. Since then, she has excelled in her role today as our Operations Finance Manager. Last year Ruchi took home a Hall of Fame award at the Staff Awards night held in October at Curzon Hall. “This lady has been at Afford for a very long time. She is in the finance department and knows everything there is to know. She is a very special friend of mine. When I am confused about payments, I know that she will put me on the right track if I give her a call. I’m just the biggest fan in the world of Ruchi Desai,” said CEO, Steven Herald. Ruchi accepted her award with a massive smile on her face. When asked how she felt after winning the award, Ruchi said, “At first, I thought, did I hear it right? Surely, I wouldn’t have won such a significant and prestigious award! I felt honoured to receive such great recognition for my work. I love every aspect of my job from dealing with internal customers to clients and their families and love my team,” said Ruchi. Congratulations Ruchi!
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
1 March
International Wheelchair Day
1-31 March
National Epilepsy Awareness Month
1-31 March
Australian Womens History Month
10-12 March Managers Conference eensland Selfie Above: Qu nagers, Esther Ma re Ca r me Custo ston catching hn Jo lyn ro Leak & Ca mmodation co Ac up with National y. ale He n sti Kir Advisor,
Pawsome Se lfie Above: Trainer, Bria nnon Giles SLES Vocational with her fur baby.
A: Anchor
www.afford.com.au