Legacy
I remember, as a young university student, listening to a visiting speaker discuss the concept of leaving a legacy. Back then, in my early 20s, my focus was primarily on the present, yet deep down, as a newly graduating teacher, I aspired for my students to find passion and purpose in their learning and to carry that throughout their lives. Fast forward through various career changes and organisational shifts, I find myself pondering the concept of legacy again. We can never truly predict the impact we may have on someone’s journey or the impact they may have on ours. Currently, I represent an organisation with a 50-year legacy of building and advocating for best practice spiritual care in health, standing on the shoulders of giants – a cliché that rings incredibly true today. Regrettably, that legacy will shift in organisational form in early 2025.
Today marks the last day our current team will be together in the SHA office, signifying the end of a significant chapter for the organisation. Over the past six months, the team has passionately searched for solutions to our funding crisis, committed to preserving the work of SHA and the legacy of those who have paved the way. Despite our efforts, we have been unable to secure the necessary funding or partnerships to sustain the organisation. Without an unexpected reprieve in government funding, SHA will begin winding down in the coming months. Joey and Dot will be concluding their roles this month, and I will oversee the final stages of SHA’s closure.
I want to express my profound gratitude to the amazing team at SHA – Joey, Dorothy, Reza, and past members Alicia and Cuong. I also wish to honour the incredible legacy of Christine, Cheryl, Jenny, and all those who preceded them. Additionally, I acknowledge our tireless board for their steadfast efforts.
It has been a privilege to lead this organisation and advocate for the National Model and the role of spiritual care in health across Victoria and nationally. We leave behind a legacy of resources and research that will ensure best practice in spiritual care continues to be integral in health services across the country. The remainder of this newsletter will provide further details, but I want to take this moment to thank all of our supporters and followers for your ongoing encouragement and support.
Wishing you each a blessed festive season and a bright future.
Craig Exon, Interim CEO
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