AFTER spending 20 years as Mulleraterong Centre’s chief executive officer, it is safe to say that Annette Read has played a pivotal role in the organisation and her resignation will be felt by the whole community.

As is the way, all good things must come to an end, with Ms Read’s resignation announced in March in a special edition of the Mulleraterong newsletter.

In the announcement, Mulleraterong Centre Board of Management president, Becky Morton, wrote “it is with some sadness that I announce the resignation of Mulleraterong CEO, Annette Read, effective as of 3rd July”.

“The Board has already commenced the difficult task of finding a suitable replacement for Annette.

“Finding someone willing to offer the same level of commitment to Mulleraterong as Annette has shown will not be easy.”

With the end near, Ms Read said she looked back on her time at the organisation fondly, reflecting on what drew her to the position she has held since 2003.

“I had a great deal of training in business development and systemisation and wanted to put the training to good use,” she said.

“I certainly did not intend to stay in the role for 20 years although having said that, I did not set a limit and yes the time has flown by.

“Goodness – the sector has changed dramatically in 20 years and the compliance and regulations have increased 100 per cent.

“It has been a challenge to keep up and there has been so much to do to ensure Mulleraterong stayed abreast of the changes. I love what the organisation does for the people it supports.

Born in Australia, Annette has lived in Canada and New Zealand for extended periods before returning to Australia in 2003.

She been at Mulleraterong for 20 years and during that time has successfully led the organisation through many changes, the most recent being the switch to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding.

“No matter what has been going on with regulations, or changes including the introduction of NDIS, the amazing Mulleraterong team has provided individualised supports to many, many clients over my 20 years, and for the 48 years before that,” she said.

“Many of those clients and families are not aware of the work that has gone on at the Centre to ensure funding is provided or continued prior to NDIS and the collaborative work between Centre Client Services manager, Peter Gilbert (until Peter’s retirement in 2020)  and operations manager, Alison Dunn from 2020, since NDIS was introduced.

“There are cases where clients didn’t have anyone except Mulleraterong personnel to speak or advocate for them. 

“We have one client who has been coming to the Centre since he was four years old and 22 clients who have been coming to the Centre for over 20 years.

“Clients come to the Centre because they have a feeling of belonging and ownership and because of the social connections they form.

“They are empowered and treated as individuals. Mulleraterong is ‘their’ Centre and they are proud to be associated with the organisation.”

Annette was appointed Mulleraterong Centre chief executive in 2003.

A qualified business management consultant, she has worked with a wide variety of businesses on strategic planning, quality, systems and continuous improvement.

Annette’s background also includes marketing, advertising and public relations management and media sales with work in accounting and banking providing a solid foundation.

As a representative of Mulleraterong Centre, Annette is a member of the South West Disability Network.

Her volunteer roles have included businesses in the community, business mentoring, membership of the HHRC Committee and the Alexandra House Board of Management and being a mentor in the Standing Tall program.

Annette is a keen equine enthusiast and has been involved in the management of horse events in Canada, New Zealand and Australia and has been a Riding for the Disabled volunteer.

Annette said she will miss the clients and staff, Board members and colleagues, and will miss witnessing the development of individuals and the team’s collaboration.

“While I am looking forward to the next 20 years, I will certainly miss my work, and the people I work with at Mulleraterong,” she said.

“Work has come first for a long time so now it is time to have family time, which includes horses and dogs!

“My husband and I have a trip planned and purchasing a property is also on our list of things to do when we return.”

Annette will finish in her position on July 3. Her achievements were celebrated at a farewell morning tea on Thursday.