I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today. I would also like to pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Honoured guests, valued members of Kalyna Care, distinguished representatives from Hromada, our community churches, and our respected partners from Dnister, welcome. It is a true privilege to have each of you with us today as we gather to reflect on our journey, celebrate our accomplishments, and set our vision for the future of Kalyna Care. Your presence today not only shows your support but also highlights the deep connections that bind us in our shared commitment to improving the lives of those we serve. Thank you for
joining us, and we anticipate a meaningful and productive day together.
I am privileged to continue serving as Chairman of the Kalyna Care Board of Directors. However, it’s essential to recognize that Kalyna Care’s achievements over the past year are due to the collaborative efforts of my fellow board members and the exceptional administrative team at our facility. Throughout this challenging period each director has dedicated their efforts wholeheartedly to guide us through these demanding times.
The financial statement reveals a noteworthy transformation, despite numerous hurdles we encountered. The Total Comprehensive surplus for the fiscal year amounted to $ 2.7 million in surplus. Although we faced persistent challenges from recurring Covid-19 outbreaks, the situation improved, thanks to enhanced vaccination efforts and the milder impact of COVID-19 strains. This has boosted community confidence and resulted in a substantial increase in the number of residents we serve.
The new residential wing, expanding our capacity to accommodate 144 residents, is now fully operational.
The service outcomes for the 2024 financial year met the standards set for the delivery of Aged Care Services. In October 2022, the Department of Health and Age Care introduced a new funding model known as the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) in response to recommendations from the Aged Care Royal Commission. This change resulted in a significant increase in funding. However, this increase was partially offset by higher staff costs, general expenses related to food and other items due to a growing number of residents and a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA).
I would like to express my appreciation and extend my thanks to our banking partners, Dnister Ukrainian Credit Cooperative, and their affiliated organizations, for their unwavering support. I can report that we are now debt-free.
On behalf of the Board, I sincerely thank the dedicated efforts of our Executive Staff:
Jennifer Saberon Ibanez, our Facility Manager, has grown the business and leads a skilled and dependable team of managers who share her commitment to advancing the goals of Kalyna Care. The facility if now full and financially viable, despite various challenges.
Nik Jayawantha, our Corporate Services Manager, remains a steadfast and unwavering presence, consistently working behind the scenes without complaint. He puts in extra hours during late nights and weekends to ensure that our financial documents are meticulously prepared for our banking partners and government agencies.
I’d also like to mention the others in the Senior Management team for their extraordinary dedication and hard work:
Frances Pasiliao – Clinical Manager
Wayne Azavedo – our new Hotel Services Manager, also need to mention our former HSM Amanpreet Singh who worked for us more than 4 years and ensured our residents were well looked after with regards to meals.
Sarah Hzaife – Quality and Compliance Officer
Michelle Goltz – Client Liaison Officer
Their contributions are truly invaluable to the success of our organisation.
I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank the dedicated individuals who are the heart of Kalyna Care – our incredible workers, nurses, leisure and lifestyle, care staff, kitchen staff, maintenance, administrative, laundry and cleaners. Your tireless commitment and hard work have made Kalyna Care not just a care facility, but a welcoming and comfortable home for our residents. Your efforts, often carried out behind the scenes, have created a warm and appealing environment for both residents and staff. Your compassion and dedication foster a true sense of belonging and comfort for our residents, and for this,
we are deeply grateful.
Furthermore, I want to express our sincere thanks to the visiting clinical staff. Thank you to the doctors who have been here for a long time: Dr. Andrew Soloczynskyj, Dr. Jabbar Akram, Dr. Luqmaan Malik and Dr. Ifana Akram. Also thank you to pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists and others who tirelessly attend to the health needs of our residents. Your expertise, care, and professionalism play a pivotal role in ensuring the wellbeing of those in our care. Your support is invaluable, and we deeply appreciate the collaborative efforts that contribute to the overall health and happiness of our residents.
Thank you all for being an integral part of the Kalyna Care family.
We acquired a property located adjacent to our eastern property boundary providing us with additional options and a new point of access from Chaucer Close.
I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to my fellow directors, whose contributions have been essential to sustaining Kalyna Care. Their collective efforts are invaluable in ensuring our organization operates smoothly. Allow me to introduce each of them in alphabetical order:
Basil Chamula’s role as deputy and his wide-ranging contributions are invaluable. His dedication to projects like the new building, café, and budget review highlights his commitment to enhancing our facilities, while securing the substantial roof replacement reflects his strong financial acumen. Additionally, his role as an ambassador at Ukrainian events strengthens community ties and enhances our public image. Basil’s efforts have positively impacted both Kalyna Care’s development and its engagement with the community.
Ray Chamula has been a valuable asset to our governance. His dedication to tasks such as generating meeting minutes and assisting with IT-related matters has helped ensure the smooth functioning of the organization. Furthermore, his willingness to offer insights and serve as a listening post has greatly assisted effective communication and a supportive atmosphere within Kalyna Care and me personally when I’ve needed advice.
Greg Lubczenko’s active participation in directors’ meetings, even remotely, is highly valued. His attentive listening, thoughtful solutions, and offers of assistance demonstrate his dedication to our goals. His contributions, including writing meeting minutes and his expertise in marketing, further highlight his importance to the team. We welcome him back to Melbourne.
Luba Pryslak’s experience as a facility manager in ethnic aged care enriches our clinical governance. Her proactive approach, including meeting with relatives and staff to address concerns, strengthens communication and care quality, directly benefiting residents’ well-being. Luba’s expertise and commitment have been instrumental in advancing our clinical governance initiatives.
Roman Rozek’s role as treasurer, combined with his accounting expertise in aged care, is an invaluable asset to our organization. His financial acumen ensures transparency and fiscal responsibility, while his work with executive staff and budget reviews underscores his commitment to our financial health and sustainability. Roman’s skills are essential to our operations, making a vital impact on the quality of care we provide and contributing significantly to our success.
Our vision for this aged care facility is a deep dedication to enriching the health, well-being, and quality of life of our elderly residents. Beyond essential medical support, our goal is to offer innovative and responsive care services rooted in Ukrainian heritage and traditions, fostering an environment where seniors can thrive, live fulfilling lives, and feel valued.
In closing, I want to express my sincere thanks to each of you for being here today at the Kalyna Care meeting. Your presence and steadfast support mean so much to us. Together, as a committed and unified community, we have accomplished a great deal, and your ongoing involvement is essential to our success. We deeply appreciate your insights, dedication, and commitment to our mission, and we look forward to your continued support as we move forward. Thank you for being an invaluable part of the Kalyna Care family, and we are excited to embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead as we work together to make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve.
Dr Igor Jakubowicz
LMusA, MBBS, MFM, CertFamPlan, GDip Forensic Med, GCert Travel Med., GAICD, Asst Prof UCSD
Chairman of Kalyna Care Board of Directors
