2 minute read
From the Chair
What a year this has been on a number of different levels!
At our Annual General Meeting in October, I was pleased to announce the release of Diabetes WA’s Annual Review for 2020-2021, which provides an overview of Diabetes WA’s health services activities for the past 12 months.
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I reflected on what could only be described as a very challenging year, as our amazing team continued to deliver vital services in an environment never before seen in the 56 years since our organisation was founded.
Through all the challenges this year has brought, I was proud to report on the incredible resilience our organisation showed in adapting,
Diabetes WA offices will be closed to the public from 24 December 2021 to 4 January. Our Call Centre will still be taking calls with reduced staff and will only be closed on Christmas Day.
FROM
THE CHAIR
innovating, and expanding the work we do in WA to support people living with diabetes and those vulnerable communities at risk of diabetes.
The Annual Review highlights some great achievements and is available, alongside our audited financial reporting, at www.diabeteswa.com.au. While visiting our website please take a moment to visit our new webstore. This one-stop shop allows you to renew your Diabetes WA Membership, make a donation, or purchase a wide range of diabetes products including those supported by the NDSS and available to all NDSS Registrants. Take a look at what is available or call one of our friendly customer service team members for information on 1300 001 880.
On 22 November our new CEO, Melanie Gates, commenced her role with Diabetes WA. Melanie is a highly experienced leader, who has worked in a number of executive roles within the healthcare sector.
Her appointment marks the beginning of an exciting new phase for our organisation and I'm delighted to welcome her aboard. I look forward to working closely with her to build on the great work Andrew has done during his time with us. In October the board and executive management team came together to kick off the development of a new five-year strategic plan. We are very excited about the opportunities to reach more consumers using innovation and technology, in addition to our successful face-to-face programs, to provide an expanded ranges of services to new audiences. I will bring you more on our new directions in coming editions of this magazine. In this summer edition of Diabetes Matters we are looking at different diets or eating styles. We profile many of the popular programs as we seek to help people decide what might work for them.
Inevitably, given the timing of this magazine, we also discuss different strategies for coping with the festive season when you’re living with diabetes. So, grab a tea or coffee, sit back and relax and read all about food strategies. I want to close this piece by wishing everyone all the very best for the forthcoming festive season. Let us join together in hoping that 2022 brings relief to the stresses and challenges that have affected us all during 2021. I look forward to speaking with you all again in 2022.
