Anglicare thanks Karen for her service to the community
LAST week we farewelled our Executive Director Karen Crouch who has taken up the position of Chief Executive Officer of Feros Care, after 12 years with Anglicare Southern Queensland.
Director of Services Sue Cooke takes on the role of Acting Executive Director.
Sue, along with Anglican Community Services Commission Chair Dr Kim Forrester, Anglican Church General Manager Tim Reid, the Reverend Canon Linda McWilliam, Very Reverend Dr Peter Catt and Archbishop Phillip’s Executive Assistant Ann Joseph, paid tribute to Karen and her outstanding contribution to Anglicare Southern Queensland.
Anglicare Southern Queensland staff farewelled Karen Crouch (pictured in the centre) at a ceremony last week. Karen has taken up the Chief Executive Officer at Feros Care.
“Karen the leadership advice you once gave me several years ago was that if you keep the client at the centre for all decisions, then it’s hard to go wrong,” Sue said.
“Throughout the last 11 years of service together we have enjoyed many moments of joy and achievement, always underpinned by client-centred principles.
“Thank you for the journey we’ve had together and for your humanity and stewardship. You are a gifted and humbled leader and I’m grateful others will have the opportunity Anglicare and I have had to share in it. I wish you all the best.”
Staff from many of our services also participated in a farewell video that was played at the event.
A highlight was the presentation of an artwork, titled ‘Strong Communities‘, painted for Karen by three staff members – Cultural Capability Facilitator Olivene Yasso, and Cultural Support Workers Lalania Tusa and John Crabb.
The colours and elements of the artwork represent Karen’s contribution to Anglicare’s mission.
Olivene Yasso, Karen Crouch, John Crabb and Lalania Tusa.
On behalf of everyone at Anglicare SQ, we thank Karen for her leadership, strength, wisdom, empathy and humanity.
STORY: “Strong Communities”
ARTISTS: John Crabb, Lalania Tusa & Olivene Yasso
This story begins in the centre with the women’s Dilly Bag that is cleansing the toxins out of the bush berries in a stream of fresh flowing water. The Dilly Bag was used for straining poisonous foods, carrying babies, women’s business and dance ceremonies. The women weaved the dilly bags with natural fibres that varied in each clan group. Along the fresh flowing stream are meeting places symbolized by the circular formations and trees along the river that represent life and knowledge. This knowledge then flows down through to our young people and creates harmony and balance for the next generation. The larger meeting places on the outer edge represent the safe spaces where our children feel safe, loved and empowered for a better future. The sea of turtles who are swimming against the current represent the strength of community and the ancestor spirits that support you to grow, learn and guide you along your life’s journey. The turtles swimming with the current represents the next generation with the ancestor spirits who are strong watching over them. The strength within family and community has grounded them and prepared them in identity and culture, so that they can swim strong, no matter what the circumstances.
