President’s report 2019/2020
As we continue to face the
unprecedented COVID-19 situation,
our staff this year have navigated a
“new normal” to ensure continued
delivery of health professional
services to our Members.
Between learning how to work from home,
implementing new safety precautions, managing
family needs and more, it has been a tough time
for everyone. Now more than ever, this leads
me to show our appreciation to our dedicated
Executive team, and all our staff. 2020 has been
a year that has given me immense pride in what
our staff have been able to achieve, and their
continued excellence in service to our members
and the South Australian Community.
To ensure smooth delivery of services, we have
transitioned to new models of business including
digitalisation to deliver education sessions.
This will serve as a platform for us to speed up
our transformation so that we will always be
prepared for the unexpected.
This year, we welcomed two new faces to the
Board, Lynn Bonython and Christine Bell.
I look forward to their contribution to the Board
through their skills and ideas.
However, it is with sadness that I say goodbye
to two of our current longest serving Board
members, Geoff Weeks and Monika Kruger.
Firstly, to Geoff Weeks, I take this opportunity
to thank you for your continued service since
July 2015 as an Executive Board member and
Board member. Specifically, I want to express
my gratitude to you for helping our Association
accomplish many significant tasks, including
our future directions and research grants. Your
Chair of the Research Grants Sub-Committee
has made all of us particularly proud to be able
to provide external funding for vital research.
That funding has been significant, and I hope
ongoing for years to come. It is a legacy for
which you have played a major role.
To Monika Kruger, I would like to thank you
for your contribution to the Board, and the
contributions you have made as a member and
supporter of the Association. Your consumer
lens has guided many conversations and has
been invaluable in ensuring a focus on the
person with diabetes. I take this opportunity to
thank you for continued service since October
2012 as an Executive Board member and Board
member. Specifically, I want to thank you for
your dedication and commitment to the work for
our future directions and research grants.
I am extremely proud of the Diabetes SA family
and again, I warmly acknowledge and thank
the CEO and each staff member and volunteer
for their contributions to Diabetes SA as they
continue to achieve excellence for our members
and the community of South Australia.
Peter Crouch
President