By Peter Douglas
Melba Support Services and Ballarat-based Karden Disability Support Foundation are set to join forces, with a merger expected to become official before July next year.
In an effort to strengthen long-term sustainability, the merger aims to help both not-for-profit organisations to expand their services and better meet the needs of individuals under the incoming National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
As part of the merger, some Karden Board members will join the Melba Board, while a dedicated Ballarat advisory committee will be established.
Incumbent Melba Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Foard, will head the merged organisation, with counterpart CEO Rachael Jones to take on a role as senior manager.
Mr Foard assured the community all present services and staff would be retained.
“We’ve always admired Karden because we share many of the same values,” Mr Foard said.
“We’re taking the best of what we both have to offer, this is about sitting down and working out the best way to offer these services.
“This will be a great advantage to us as the NDIS comes into effect, early in the year in Ballarat, then later in the Yarra Ranges.”
Mr Foard says he expects the NDIS will result in a more competitive environment, where more choice for services will become available.
He believes the merger will leave both organisations better placed to transition to the environment the NDIS is expected to bring.
Melba Support Services provides services throughout eastern and southern Melbourne, including Yarra Ranges, while Karden provides services throughout the Central Highlands region.
Melba Chair Dr John Annison said the merger would allow the organisations to better meet the needs of individuals under NDIS.
“The care and well-being of the individuals supported by both organisations are our priority,” he said.
“It has been critical to ensure there won’t be any change to the services they receive; nor the high-quality service we provide.”
