One of the great privileges of the role of President and Camp Chief is that of recognising those who have given exemplary service to our organisation — people who have contributed consistently, generously and with deep alignment to our mission and values. Last week at our AGM I awarded five Camp Chief’s Award to our members and staff. These are people who have not sought recognition but are very deserving of it. They are people who simply do the work, hold our culture, embody service, and lift others along the way. Please join me in congratulating these awardees and thanking them for their service.
Marnie Carroll has contributed to our organisation in more ways than can be counted — including as a Slushee Queen, and most recently as a Board member from 2022 to 2025. As a Board member, Marnie steered our organisational rebrand through extensive member consultation — a task not for the faint-hearted in a community as passionate and diverse as ours – and one not afraid of sharing opinions! Her work has set us up with a strong, contemporary brand as we head towards our second century. Marnie also guided us through tricky communications challenges with humour, honesty and heart. Marnie lives the “fun” in our values. Her quips and energy made even the driest Board meetings brighter and lighter. Her service has been outstanding.
Helen Dunstan is one of the quiet powerhouses of our Somers operations team. She plays a pivotal role in managing camp handovers — welcoming programs as they arrive, supporting them throughout their stay, and ensuring smooth departures. Behind the scenes, Helen also oversees the complex world of food ordering and kitchen logistics, guiding Chef de Cuisines through the often-challenging task of planning menus for large groups with extensive and diverse dietary requirements. Anyone who’s led a kitchen at Somers knows just how crucial this support is. Helen brings calm, care and exceptional organisation to everything she touches. She goes about her work without fuss, without seeking recognition, and with a deep commitment to the people and programs she supports. Her contribution is essential — and deeply valued.
John Robert will likely tell you that as the Positive Ageing Leader on PandA appointed before COVID, stepping down earlier this year — he “aged in the role”! John’s leadership though has been valuable in keeping our more mature members connected, engaged and valued through the many activities both directly and indirectly associated with his PandA portfolio – Positive Ageing Lunches, Quarterly Connections, Olds and Bolds and Oldies and Goldies Camps. John brought history, context and wisdom to PandA, grounding conversations with a longer view of who we are and where we’ve come from. His contribution has been significant, steady and deeply appreciated.
Phoebe Watson has served on PandA for more than four years and generously agreed to stay on through 2025 to support our PandA restructure and the transition to the new Community and Member Program portfolios. As Youth Program Leader and Leadership & Development Leader, Phoebe supported MAX Camp, the Community Outreach Initiative and empowerme with empathy, insight, warmth and a strong commitment to transparency and accountability. Phoebe represents thoughtful, values-led leadership of the highest order.
Tim Ryan has been a steady, warm, values-driven, and courageous leader in all the ways that matter for our organisation. Over the past eight months, he has been an incredible support to me personally as I stepped into the Camp Chief role, and a trusted partner to many Board Directors. Tim’s contribution to the Power House redevelopment has been nothing short of remarkable. Across his more than seven years with LSC&PH, Tim has stewarded this project from concept to completion. He has lived every version of it — from the early plans for a major knock-down rebuild, estimated at close to $30 million, through to securing $5 million in Federal Government funding, and ultimately overseeing the full refurbishment that now secures our future at Albert Park for the next 20 years. The journey has not been smooth. Tim has navigated lift contractor industrial negotiations, plumbing and foundation issues, shifting timelines, and the complete replanning of our reopening — all while managing tenants, contractors, community expectations, an ever-evolving project scope and our core business. Through every challenge, he remained relentlessly positive, calm, solutions-focused and deeply respectful in his dealings with everyone involved. Our project partners — including our Federal Government contacts — simply could not speak more highly of Tim’s professionalism and leadership. Nor can we. Tim’s work on Power House has set us up for a bright and stable future. His service throughout this project has been exemplary. Thank you, Tim, for everything you have done, and everything you continue to give.
