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Members, families and Sunfield community. It is an honour to present my report as Chairman for the 2023/24 year.
I would like to start by acknowledging our four new board members—Barbara Higgins, Barbara Talyaard, Myles van Deventer, and Howard Christie. They have brought fresh perspectives, energy, and valuable insights. This coupled with our new General Manager, Don Tully, we have been able to shift the Board’s focus to strategic planning.
Our year began with a successful strategy session held in October last year. This was attended by parents, guardians, siblings, prospective parents, staff, and board members. It became clear during this session that Sunfield has fallen behind in providing modern facilities for adults with special needs, and that change is essential. The result was a collective agreement on the way forward.
After much discussion, we adopted a new vision which reads as follows:
“Sunfield empowers people with intellectual disabilities to reach their full potential in a dignified, sustainable, and nurturing environment.“
To support this vision, we set the following 5-year goals:
• To enhance our facilities, campus, and vacant land.
• To expand vocational opportunities by creating new business and entrepreneurial opportunities tailored to our residents.
• To invest in skills development for both staff and residents.
• To offer flexible living options by expanding residential choices to meet diverse needs.
• To strengthen community integration and connections with the wider community.
• To rebrand and reposition Sunfield to attract more residents and increase visibility.
Over the past year, the Board and Senior Management have worked diligently towards these goals.
Last year, I reported the urgent need to renovate Schafer House and surrounding buildings. This would include creating new workshops, relocating the medical facilities closer to Combrink, and moving the entire Admin Block into Schafer. To achieve this, we enlisted the services of an architect and a quantity surveyor, who estimated the renovation cost to be around R15 million. I called upon you for help to raise this amount, and I am sincerely grateful to those who responded.
Thanks to their generosity, and the efforts of the Fund-Raising Committee, to date we have managed to raise R8 million. We are now able to begin the renovations early next year, a step that will significantly transform Sunfield’s future.
In addition to this, we have undertaken essential maintenance and upgrades. To mention a few:
•• Several buildings have been repainted.
• Thanks to a generous donation from a parent, the Guard House has been completely rebuilt and upgraded.
• The 5-bed isolation unit in Combrink has been completed and is now operational.
• The open woodshed opposite the shop has been enclosed to serve as a storeroom.
• LED lighting has been fitted in Combrink House.
• Hydroboil Hot Water systems are now operational in Combrink, de Smidt, Gregson, and the kitchen, eliminating the need for kettles and urns.
Electricity costs remain a concern, and we continue to monitor our daily consumption with the help of Murray Burger from Flux Energy. He is also negotiating with the Municipality to reduce the per-kilowatt rate. Despite the reduction of load shedding, solar power remains a future consideration.
In March 2024, the Board negotiated with Feedem to manage…… catering, laundry, caregiving, and OT services. While we hoped the contract would be in place by now, unforeseen circumstances have delayed its finalization, and negotiations are still ongoing.
Social activities have returned to normal. We were able to enjoy our annual swimming gala, and we were blessed with good weather for a successful May Fair. Our thanks to Tania and her team for an excellent and well-attended concert in August. Following today’s meeting, we will enjoy our Sports Day, and plans are already underway for the Christmas lights display on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of December. These events are vital for Sunfield’s community integration and connection.
Sunfield continues to participate in provincial and national sporting events. Special congratulations to Emily West and Douglas Dryden, who represented KZN at the National Para Table Tennis and brought home several medals. I would also like to thank Kamani Ellapen for her dedication to coaching and traveling with the athletes.
I extend my deepest appreciation to Tim Smeaton for his ongoing work with our residents in the vegetable tunnels and with the laying hens. Tim generously replaced the vegetable tunnel plastic cover and provided weekly opportunities for five residents to work at his dairy. Tim, your contribution is invaluable.
A special thanks go to Martin Roestof from Powacorp CC for the electrical repairs and maintenance you have undertaken at a reduced cost or free of charge.
We are equally grateful to David and Ina Bowes for their generous donation of a Ford Combi Bus.
FoSH, led by Les Thurtell…. Barbara Higgins, Pam Christie, and your dedicated team, I cannot thank you enough. Your energy and passion have transformed the Sunfield shop and significantly increased funds for our projects. You are always organising events and contributing to the wellbeing of our residents -thank you for your relentless efforts.
This year, we bid farewell to Charles Robinson, Kim Tyrer, and Sister Sally Smit, who retired. We wish them well. I also want to thank Buzz Goeman for stepping in as House Mother at de Smidt.
Don, this marks the end of your first year with us, and I commend your commitment, hard work, and the extra mile you have gone for Sunfield. With your support, the Board and Management are now working together. You have certainly been part of our journey which is in line with the strategic direction we set for ourselves last year.
I would also like to extend my thanks to your management team and staff for their care and dedication to their duties.
To the members of the Board, thank you for your time and support. It has been a pleasure working with this diverse team. A group of highly skilled individuals. Special recognition goes to Sue, whose third term as a director ends today. Thank you sincerely for your unwavering commitment, wisdom, and the support you have given us over the years. You have been a pillar of strength.
In closing, my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the growth and success of Sunfield this year.
Thank you,
David Worrall
Chairman
Have any questions? Call or email our General Manager, Don Tully.