CatholicCare Victoria has farewelled Netty Horton, ex-CEO of CatholicCare Melbourne/Gippsland at an event last week that was attended by staff, Board, and colleagues from other Catholic social services.
Netty commenced the role of CEO at CatholicCare Melbourne/Gippsland in November 2017. Following the merger with Centacare Ballarat and CatholicCare Sandhurst in January 2021, Netty joined the Executive team of CatholicCare Victoria as the Executive Director of the Melbourne/Gippsland region.
Netty brought to CatholicCare her vast community and not-for-profit experience and credentials, having worked as Territorial Social Programmes Director at the Salvation Army, General Manager of Community Services at St Vincent de Paul’s Aged Care & Community Services, and CEO of Council to Homeless Persons. Netty also served as Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Homelessness, as a member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Homelessness, and as a member of the Federal Aged Care Sector Committee.
Netty has spent most of her career working with, and advocating for, people who are disadvantaged across the community – and at CatholicCare, Netty was very keen to direct the services to those who were most disadvantaged.
During her three years as CEO, Netty provided exemplary leadership which resulted in many achievements, including:
- A successful tender for, and the subsequent establishment of, Emergency Relief services. Today, our work in this space continues to be noticed by the government – and our funding continues to grow.
- The Bushfire Community Recovery Service - a new program established to meet the needs of bushfire-affected families in remote Gippsland communities. The Community Connection Van would not exist without Netty’s leadership and encouragement.
- The expansion of our refugee programs, with increased government funding of the Settlement, Engagement and Transition Support program; a fundraising commitment to maintaining the Settle Well program for refugee youth in Geelong; and nurturing of a relationship with a key family foundation to deliver the Job Readiness program.
Over the last 11 months, Netty brought together the Client Services stream of CatholicCare Victoria. This mammoth task was a demonstration of Netty’s capacity for consultation, for listening and being present to the concerns of staff, but also of making difficult decisions – and always with clients at the centre.
Netty will be very much missed by all at CatholicCare Victoria, and particularly those from the Melbourne/Gippsland teams who have had the privilege to work under her supportive and caring leadership for the last four years.
And another farewell
Tony Newton, Corporate Services Director of Melbourne/Gippsland region was also farewelled last week, after 13 years as a much-valued member of CatholicCare’s Executive Team. Tony oversaw Financial Management, ICT, Corporate Administration and Quality.
Tony’s key achievements include: excellent stewardship of CC’s finances, supporting the development of the Penelope Client Management System, successful oversight of various Quality Audits and accreditations, and establishment of the CatholicCare intranet.
Tony was also the Company Secretary on both the CatholicCare Melbourne and CatholicCare Victoria Tasmania (CCVT) Boards, assisting in the planning and operationalisation of services, including many financial acquittals.
Tony acquitted his role with true professionalism underpinned by a deep commitment to the ethos of CatholicCare – the care and compassion for those who are less fortunate.
The Board and staff at CatholicCare Victoria acknowledge the commitment, contribution, and excellence in leadership that both Netty and Tony gave to our organisation and we wish them both well in their future endeavours.
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