It has been a historic week for the development of Blue Haven Illawarra, with the inaugural Chief Operating Officer, Kerrin Hunter, starting on Monday and the members of the first Blue Haven Advisory Board approved at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council on Tuesday.

The Advisory Board, a s355 committee, has been formed as part of reforms to the governance structure recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care.

Council CEO Jane Stroud says she is looking forward to working with the Board.

“I’m thrilled to have secured a board boasting the credentials, experience and community connections that we have to guide Blue Haven through this new chapter of its 40 plus year journey,” Ms Stroud said.

“Having a skills-based advisory board is a crucial part of the changes we’ve made to address the Royal Commission findings and help ensure Blue Haven is well-equipped to meet the challenges of the sector now and into the coming years.”

Together the appointees - John Cleary, Elizabeth Kelly, Joanne Sabena, Pearl Forrester and Richard Bialkowski – have a matrix of skills covering:

• experience in community-based organisations
• experience as senior managers or on the governing bodies of organisations providing aged care
• organisational strategy development
• corporate financial management
• corporate communications
• consumer engagement
• clinical governance
• age/health care sector knowledge and expertise
• regulatory decision making
• complaints handling.

More information on the individuals is available here.

Former Kiama Council General Manager Michael Forsyth was chosen by the councillors to provide community connection and technical skill. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Blue Haven and member of the Blue Haven Advisory Committee, he has overseen successful accreditations and major Blue Haven developments, including the dementia wing, Stage 5 Blue Haven Terralong and the masterplan for Blue Haven Bonaira.

Two councillors will also serve on the Board, along with Ms Stroud, in her role as Blue Haven CEO, and the new Chief Operating Officer.

“The creation of the Blue Haven Advisory Board and the appointment of Kerrin as Chief Operating Officer are key steps in our approach to providing good leadership, professional acumen and focused attention on this important part of our business,” says Ms Stroud.