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NEWSLETTER
WINTER 2014
ComLink Expands Services to Meet Demand
ComLink has been awarded Growth Funding for 2014 that has
allowed new services to be made available in the following new
areas.
•
Townsville, Hinchinbrook, Burdekin
•Cairns
•
Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Banana and Fraser Coast
•Ipswich
received some funding for respite care. Feda said the North
Brisbane office and West Moreton region have also been able
to add centre-based day care to their services.
“We are now able to provide respite activities in North Brisbane
and the West Moreton region which is a great way for clients to
enjoy some time out and about.”
The growth funding has also allowed for the expansion of the
Sunshine Coast and North Lakes offices with additional drivers
and administration staff employed.
On Thursdays and Fridays, the team at North Lakes provides
centre-based day care at the Norths Leagues Club in Kallangur.
Clients enjoy transport to and from the event, a 2-course lunch
and entertainment.
ComLink’s Chief Executive, Feda Adra said ComLink was
thrilled with the growth funding announced earlier this year
and was looking forward to helping more clients across
Queensland.
On the Sunshine Coast, Kawana Companions and Busy Bees
have proven to be a great success and our clients really enjoy
the day respite activities and we look forward to watching the
respite activities in North Brisbane grow.
“The funding has allowed ComLink to expand into new regions
across Queensland and further develop the current services
we offer clients,” Feda said.
ComLink uses the funding provided to provide services over
and above the benchmarks set by government and relies
on the generosity of its army of trained and compassionate
volunteers to achieve this.
“In each new region, we will provide community transport and
care for the frail aged and younger people with a disability to
attend medical appointments, shop and maintain their social
inclusion.”
ComLink also received funding for social support services in
Townsville, Bundaberg and Ipswich areas and Bundaberg also
If you are interested in becoming a ComLink volunteer please
call 1300 761 011 for more information on volunteering
opportunities available in your region.
In this Issue
Read about the exciting new ComLink expansion and new regional offices opened around Queensland. We’ll
introduce you to the Regional Managers and let them tell you about all the great services they can offer residents in
their regions.
Word from the Chief Executive
I feel very privileged to be writing this
message as the Chief Executive - this
year marks my 10 year Anniversary with
this amazing organisation! Being able to
have been part of the humble beginnings
of Caloundra HACC, then Suncoast
Transport and Care and now ComLink
Limited has been extremely rewarding.
My team and I have spent the last decade
continuing to build our brand, which
has now become synonymous with our
commitment to helping more people
across the many different regions.
This year commenced with many new
beginnings. For example, we received
growth funding to expand our
current
operations
(Sunshine
Coast and North Brisbane offices)
and open in four new regions
(Ipswich, Bundaberg, Townsville
and Cairns).
We changed from an Incorporation
to a
Company Limited by
Guarantee.
We officially changed our
business name from
Suncoast
Transport
and Care to ComLink
Limited.
We appointed
an
additional
40 new staff
members
and
new
volunteer
appointments are
emerging every day.
We also opened and are
operational in all new
regions of Queensland.
ComLink achieved these
remarkable outcomes
within a short 8 week
period. I must thank
and
congratulate
the
ComLink
team
behind all these brilliant
achievements!
www.comlink.org.au
It is also important to note what has
not changed from our core values, our
client focus and great service delivery,
namely our commitments to providing
exceptional client service and to living
our core values: Passion, Integrity,
Empathy and Transparency. For me I
will be concentrating on encouraging
excellence in everything, leading by
example and keeping the focus on the
client. For my staff and volunteers, I want
to continue to encourage innovation and
provide an environment where we all go
home knowing we are extremely blessed
to be able to be part of the positive
change we make to people’s lives every
day.
Looking ahead, I will be focused on
accelerating the execution of our growth
strategy while continuing to build on the
strength of our brand—in helping our
clients remain independent in their own
homes. I will continue to encourage
innovation in bringing positive change to
the communities in which we work and
live.
I am incredibly excited about this journey
and truly believe the best of ComLink is
yet to come and I look forward to the year
ahead … and remember to enjoy every
moment and believe that all is possible!
Sincerely,
Feda Adra
CEO
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New Head Office team drives
change in regions
Riaz Janif
Finance Manager
John Muir
Treasurer and
Director
ComLink has had rapid growth across the
organisation in 2014 with the opening of
new offices in Ipswich, Bundaberg and
Townsville and satellite offices
also to be rolled out in Gympie,
Alexander Payne
Childers and Gin Gin later this
Corporate Services
year.
Manager
Jane Szach
Payroll and Accounts
Clerk
Tammie Guy
Human Resources
Coordinator
William Gee
Fleet Manager
Chris Brown
Business Support &
Facilities Supervisor
Adam Adra
Graphic, Web and
Media Coordinator
Staff and services have also
been expanded in North Lakes and
ComLink’s Head Office on the Sunshine
Coast. The New head office team structure
will enable central servicing of the Regional
Offices. The Head Office team will support
regional offices with, Human Resources, IT,
Facilities Management, and Web, Graphic
Design and Corporate Comms.
ComLink is currently in process of
implementing a new Intranet for staff
around Queensland to connect with each
other and provide access to companywide documentation in real time.
Alexander Payne
Alexander Payne, Corporate Services
Manager at ComLink, joined the team four
months ago after moving to the Sunshine
Coast from Melbourne and said he was
excited to be joining ComLink just as
they were getting ready to expand their
services across other communities in
Queensland.
Alexander’s role includes Human
Resources and he said that the organisation
undertook a unique recruitment process
of casting calls and group interviews
to find the 40 new team members
required to enable the expansion.
“We were looking for a basic skill set
when reviewing candidates but it was
more important for us to find people
who were caring, passionate about our
organisation’s work and most importantly
people who could build a rapport with
our clients,” Alexander said.
“ComLink is such an innovative and
forward thinking organisation that
really looks at frail age & disability
transport care in a new light, I love that
the services ComLink provides to the
community allows clients to maintain
their independence and be treated with
respect.”
ComLink’s 40 new staff members mostly
hold roles as either Client Service Officers
or Drivers. In addition, the Head Office
Team has been restructured to service
the regional areas.
“The restructured Head Office team will
support regional offices with Finance and
Corporate Services including Human
Resources, IT, Facilities Management
and Marketing.”
Alexander said he is excited by all the
future opportunities for ComLink and the
fantastic team of staff and volunteers.
What made you move to the Sunshine
Coast?
Definitely the weather, but also for a
change of pace. We love it here.
Dogs or cats?
Both. A cop out? No. Have had border
collie’s and ragdoll cats. But, have to say,
I lean more towards dogs.
Favourite aspect of working for
ComLink?
The culture. If you could bottle the
passion of our staff and volunteers, we
could sell it and make millions!
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Sunshine Coast
Robyn Elkojje
So far in 2014 the Sunshine Coast Region has expanded by two
Client Service Officers, a Community Visitors Scheme Coordinator
and two Drivers.
The Sunshine Coast has also had three new vehicles added to the
fleet including two sedans and one van which has access for two
wheelchairs.
Extra funding was awarded to the Sunshine Coast Region to
support our current programs in Social Support, Centre Based
Day Care and Transport.
The Sunshine Coast team is excited to announce that funding was
also received for a new program, Community Visitors Scheme.
More details on this program will be released in the near future.
Robyn Elkojje is ComLink’s Regional Manger
for the Sunshine Coast. Robyn has been with
ComLink for almost seven years. Back in 2008
when Robyn joined ComLink there was a small
team of six staff members. Fast forward to 2014
and Robyn now works in a team of 23 staff with
over 70 volunteers.
Robyn said in her role she manages the provision
of services and provides solutions to transport
problems.“I also manage a great team of people
who share the same enthusiasm and passion
for the work we do,” Robyn said.
Three of our new Sunshine Coast drivers, Geoff Mckie, Clint
Maher and Stefan Appleton.
There is a busy schedule of Bus Trips coming up including:
1. Memories of Bandstand - Little Pattie - Wednesday 25th
June, 11am show morning tea included.
2. Movie Day - Grace of Monaco Month of June details yet to be
announced
3. Eumandi Markets Wednesday fortnightly – ongoing
4. Sunshine Plaza – Wednesday Fortnightly – ongoing
5. Movie Day – Tammy Month of July – details yet to be announced.
6. Memories of Bandstand – Simon Gallagher 20th August 11am
show morning tea included
7. Memories of Bandstand - Rhonda Burchmore – up close and
Personal 11am show morning tea included.
Regular Scheduled bus runs:
•
Shopping
•
Library
•
Senior Citizens
•
Kawana Companions
www.comlink.org.au
Age or Generation: I’m Generation X. According
to Google my generation is highly educated,
active, balanced, happy and family orientated…
but wait there’s more! Materialistic, slacker,
disenfranchised but openly embraces social
diversity! I like the first bit and the last bit. Ignore
the middle bit.
Favourite food and/or beverage and why:
This is a hard one. It’s like asking me which of
my 3 children I love more! Being brought up in
a big Lebanese family home (as one of eleven
children), home cooking has played a big part in
my life. Waking up to the smell of stuffed vine
leaves cooking is one of my greatest childhood
memories. Mum is a great cook, actually she is
great at everything. I find myself now cooking
the same meals as mum and watch my kids’
faces and hope they have the same beautiful
memories as I do.
Plans for the future: I’m excited to see where
ComLink will take me in the future. I believe that
you should experience visiting somewhere new
when you can. Traveling for me is food for the
soul.
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Bundaberg
ComLink has recently opened the
Bundaberg Regional Office and has eight
new staff members operating there.
Since opening in April, the team has
had 90 regular clients in the Bundaberg
region that they assist.
The team in Bundaberg delivers to their
community the following services:
•Transport
•
Social Support
•
Personal Care
•
Domestic Assistance
•Respite
The Bundaberg ComLink team organises
regular shopping trips to Sugarlands
and Hinkler Shopping Centre, fortnightly
group social trips to Brothers League
Club (includes a 2 course lunch and
entertainment), weekly bingo trips and
is currently planning a Christmas in July
group outing.
The office is located at 43 Svensson
Street, Bundaberg West and Vikki and
the team welcomes anyone in need of
ComLink services to stop by and have
a chat to one of their friendly team
members.
Our enthusiastic new Bundaberg drivers Michael Unwin, Andrew
Hughes and Colin Sohier.
For more information on ComLink
Bundaberg services or their up and
coming events please call 1300 761 011.
Vikki Smout
Vikki Smout is the ComLink Regional Manager for
Bundaberg. She has been a ComLink team member for
the past three years. Vikki said she enjoys enhancing
the local community and creating connectivity among
community members.
“I lead an amazing team of passionate and dedicated
people, who deliver high-quality ComLink services within
the Bundaberg region,” Vikki said.
Favorite food and or beverage and why? Anything
Italian enjoyed with red wine - because it is so easy to
be social with a bottle of red and an Italian feast.
How do you like to spend your spare time? Chilling at
home with my fur kids Misha (dog) and Tigger (kitten).
Plans for the future?
To be holistically happy and abundant!
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North Lakes
With the expansion of services this
year the North Lakes office has had
six new staff join the team including
three Client Services Officers and
three full-time drivers.
The North Lakes team has also
recently expanded their vehicle fleet
to six, with a new Toyota HiAce van
that can cater for two wheelchairs at
any given time.
The North Lakes team has started
preparing for their Christmas in July
function that will include a twocourse Christmas roast and pudding,
entertainment, raffles and a Christmas
gift with return transport for $10.
For more information on the North
Brisbane services offered by ComLink
or its up and coming event schedule
please call 1300 761 011.
Karen Sharp and Erin Mealin are this
happy to be working for ComLink.
Every Thursday and Friday the team
at Northlakes provides centre-based
day care at the Norths Leagues
Club in Kallangur. The day includes
transport to and from the Norths
Leagues Club, a two-course lunch,
free entertainment and a raffle ticket.
The cost of the entire day is only $10
and it is a great way for clients and
volunteers to socialise and meet new
people.
A bingo bus to Nundah RSL and
Caloundra RSL will also be introduced
soon to the North Brisbane events
schedule.
New North Lakes drivers Adam Playford on the left and Peter Widdup
on the right.
Graham Adra
Graham Adra is the Regional
Manager for ComLink’s North
Lakes office that services the North
Brisbane region.
Graham said in his role with
ComLink he promotes ComLink to
all Service Providers, Retirement
Villages, Hospitals and Medical
Centres in the North Brisbane
region.
“I enjoy making a difference to
people’s lives by giving them access
to their community,” Graham said.
www.comlink.org.au
How long have you been with the
ComLink team?: 4 years
Favourite movie and why?: The
Life of Pi. It was beautifully made
and the message is so inspiring.
How do you like to spend your
spare time?: By the ocean having
a leisurely meal with my wife.
What motto do you live by or
what is your favourite saying?
Surrender!
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Ipswich
The ComLink Ipswich office has just
opened its doors in May located in
the inner city and close to specialist
clinics, public and private hospitals in
Ipswich.
The team at Ipswich is currently
working on a widespread promotion
campaign of the services they offer,
which includes networking with
service providers, aged care facilities,
retirement villages, local businesses
The Ipswich office has six full-time and community.
team members including the Regional
Manager, two community support ComLink Ipswich, volunteers have
officers and three drivers.
also held four Promotion days at local
shopping centres around Ipswich.
Two volunteers have already joined
the team and another four are
currently undergoing the volunteer
recruitment process.
Maryanne
Riek
Maryanne Riek is the Regional Manager
for the new Ipswich office and has been
in her role for just over four weeks.
Maryanne said she is excited to be
introducing ComLink into her hometown
– Ipswich as it is one of the fastest
growing cities in Australia and the
services are really needed in Ipswich.
The Ipswich team provides services
that include Transport, Social
Support, Domestic Assistance and
centre based Day Care.
Since opening in May there has been
20 clients who have registered to use
the transport services.
Stephan Gardham, Darren Hill and Paul Timberlake are the new ComLink
drivers in Ipswich.
What do you do in that role?
I manage a team of very enthusiastic
staff and volunteers and together,
we promote and deliver the ComLink
services in the new Ipswich region.
Favourite food and or beverage and
why?
Anyone who knows me knows I just love
a cup of tea and a bikkie! My favourite
meal is seafood pasta.
How do you like to spend your spare
time?
I spend any spare time I have with my
beautiful grandchildren.
What motto do you live by or what is
your favourite saying?
Just go with the flow!
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Kain Allen
Townsville
Kain Allen is the ComLink Regional
Manager for North Queensland at the
new North Queensland office based in
Townsville.
ComLink’s North Queensland
team officially opened their
Townsville office at the end of
May and now have five staff
members and two volunteers to
support the North Queensland
region.
Twenty-two clients enjoyed a
lovely lunch and a fun day out.
The team in Townsville already
have 40 registered clients in
North Queensland and on
Friday 30th May, hosted the first
social outing for clients to the
Townsville Casino.
For more information on the
services available in Townsville
and their up and coming events
please call 1300 761 011.
Kain said he has been in his role for
seven weeks and he relocated from
Sydney to take up the exciting new role
with ComLink.
“After 11 years working in Sydney in
Community Transport, I was looking to
move back to Queensland closer to my
hometown of Yeppoon”, Kain said.
Clients have also been treated
to an outing at the Eco Fiesta at
Queens Park, Townsville. A great
day was had by all who attended.
What do you like most about your job?
The knowledge that it is up to me to
get our services out there to meet the
needs of the community. Gives me a
rush I suppose.
Favourite movie? Heat – Robert De
Niro and Al Pacino are my two favourite
actors.
How do you like to spend your spare
time? Squash, biking, spending time
with Anelise and Philly and traveling
around the place.
What motto do you live by or what is
your favourite saying? No one knows
the value of a minute till you only have
one left.
Anelise Wanderly, a Client Services Officer in Townsville with a
ComLink client.
1300 761 011
Find us on
www.comlink.org.au
www.comlink.org.au
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