MEDIA RELEASE: 7 October 2010

 

Communities@Work and Galilee Inc to Amalgamate

 

Major Canberra not for profit community organisations, Communities@Work and Galilee Inc, have announced their intention to amalgamate.

Chair of Communities@Work’s Board of Directors, Archie Tsirimokos, said “Amalgamation will bring clear and defined benefits to our clients and staff, to sponsors and funding bodies and to the community in general.”

The amalgamated organisation will have improved capacity and enhanced capability to research and create program models in areas of unmet community need. There will be increased scope for traineeships, work experience and volunteer placements. Management structures and career pathways will be strengthened.

“The Boards of our two organisations are already working closely and we anticipate the amalgamation to be completed and in place by 1 July 2011”, Mr Tsirimokos added.

The benefits of the amalgamation were further emphasized by the acting President of Galilee Inc, Ms Kim Marshall.  “There are clear and defined benefits to the clients of both organisations and the financial position of the joined entity will be strengthened as a result of the amalgamation.”

Chief Executive Officer of Galilee Inc, Lynne Harwood, said she was looking forward to exploring the opportunities for expanding services that the amalgamation offers. “For example, we will build on the existing strengths of the Galilee School and of Communities@Work’s training unit, NuSkills Learning and Development, to extend vocational opportunities in the community services sector”, Ms Harwood said.

Chief Executive Officer of Communities@Work, Maureen Cane, said she warmly welcomed the amalgamation, which would utilise a wider pool of staff expertise to provide high quality family support and youth services.  Ms Cane also announced her intention to move on in March next year after ten years as CEO of Communities@Work. “It has been a wonderful privilege to work in such an innovative and dynamic organisation, with dedicated and professional staff and a supportive Board of Directors.  I am delighted to say I am leaving Communities@Work in excellent hands and with bright prospects for the future.” 

Archie Tsirimokos said that the Board of Communities@Work had great admiration for the way that Maureen had developed such an effective organisation and demonstrated personal leadership within the community sector.  He also stated that Maureen will leave Communities@Work in an excellent state for further development in conjunction with Galilee. 

 

Media Contacts:   Maureen Cane  Chief Executive Officer  Communities@Work  Tel: 6293 6500                                                                                                                                                      Lynne Harwood  Chief Executive Officer  Galilee Inc  Tel: 6290 2191