News

Life Governorship to health and aged care advocate

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 05:33:00

Community protests to save the health service in Sea Lake, Ministerial meetings and a triumphant celebration in the main street are just some of the highlights of Mrs Laurice McClelland’s 16 years on the frontline of local health services.

Laurice was last week formally recognised with a Life Governorship to the Sea Lake and District Health Service (SLDHS) at the last meeting for 2019 of the Sea Lake Ladies’ Auxiliary. 

The nomination for the Life Governorship was made by long-time SLDHS former Board member and former Ladies’ Auxiliary president Mrs Mavis Hatcher.  The honor recognised Laurice’s outstanding contribution to local health and aged care services.  This was the final opportunity for awarding of life governorships as the SLDHS is in the final stages of being wound up.

Auxiliary Secretary and former Board Member Mrs Bev Cook provided an overview of Laurice’s long-time service on the Auxiliary, being elected to the SLDHS Inc Board from 2003 to 2017, and serving as a Board member of Mallee Track Health and Community Service (MTHCS) from 2010 until retiring in 2019, to name a few roles.

Laurice spoke of the challenges and triumphs including the financial crisis that saw SLDHS facing closure, and the passionate community protests that resulted in an 11th hour phone call to save health services in Sea Lake by a proposal from the health minister to merge with MTHCS.

She said she was moved and honoured to receive the life governorship and commended the dedication of the Sea Lake and district community for their support and hard work.

Former SLDHS Board Member Jamie Simpson endorsed the presentation and commented that the community had a common cause to come together to save their health service, but it was Laurice’s leadership that guided them to a suitable outcome.

Other former members of the SLDHS board were also invited to attend the presentation and most were in attendance, as well as MTHCS Chief Executive Officer Lois O’Callaghan.

MTHCS Board Chair, Mark Wilson, who was an apology for the event, said Laurice had been a strong contributor to the Board and was invaluable for her vast local knowledge and her corporate knowledge of the history of SLDHS and the merger with MTHCS.

“Laurice was also involved in the Early Years Management Board subcommittee and the Major Projects Board sub-committee,” he added.

Mr Wilson said the redevelopment of the Sea Lake facility was one of the major outcomes that had occurred for Sea Lake since the merger with MTHCS, and Mallee Track remained committed to continuing Laurice’s legacy to grow the range of services locally.

Caption: Left to right - Janine O’Callaghan, Laurice McClelland, Bev Cook, Mavis Hatcher, Jamie Simpson, Lois O’Callaghan.