The Mackenzie legacy

The late Roy and Joan Mackenzie were two of the most impactful, dedicated and important philanthropists in the more-than 100-year history of Epworth HealthCare. I was greatly honoured to be asked to give the closing remarks at the Mackenzie Dinner at Epworth last month, and I shared a little more about that in an earlier post.

However, I wanted to take a moment today to share a little more about this extraordinary couple, who worked so hard in their lives, to give so much to others for generations to come. Their philanthropic example is inspiration to us all.

Roy and Joan Mackenzie believed deeply in the pursuit of knowledge. They believed in the people of Epworth Hospital, and the legacy they created across our hospitals is a true reflection of this.

“One of the things I first noticed when I came into Epworth was how staff were to one another - they were so nice to each other! I realised that there was a friendship here. They really did care,” Joan once shared.

And it is this fondness for Epworth that led Roy and Joan to establish the Mackenzie Endowment Fund, which was initially used to fund the renovation of the Roy and Joan Mackenzie Library at Epworth Richmond, including the ongoing funding of digital and print resources for the library.

Roy and Joan knew that if you have the best people in a hospital, you're going to be able to give the best care. This led to the establishment of the Roy and Joan Mackenzie Staff Scholarships which are awarded each and every year in their honour.

Through their bequest, Roy and Joan expanded this important endowment to help fund the Brookes Academy, where nurses and midwives will be supported to grow their clinical, leadership, education, and research skills.

Epworth named the Mackenzie Dinner in Roy and Joan’s honour as they believed it represented Roy’s and Joan’s dedication to the education and development of our staff, and their passion for ensuring the community receives the very best care.

Furthermore, with thanks to Roy and Joan’s generosity, the funding for the Mackenzie Dinner was perpetually endowed. This was because Roy and Joan believed in the power and importance of celebrating philanthropy and the difference that it makes.

This legacy of searching for new and better ways to care continues today. These competitive funding grants for innovative projects will transform the way that care and services are provided at Epworth HealthCare.

Watch a lovely video sharing more of Roy’s and Joan’s life and legacy here.

Protecting Aussie retirement investments

As Australia’s population ages, and the cost-of-living squeeze puts ever-increasing pressure on household budgets, the performance of superannuation savings can have a profound impact on the quality of life that each of us is able to enjoy for decades into retirement.

To maintain this high performance for its members, AustralianSuper invests heavily in “real assets,” that is, physical, tangible assets, such as real estate, natural resources, commodities, and natural resources.

However, when the value and performance of an investment relies on the value and upkeep of a physical asset, it becomes absolutely imperative that that asset is maintained and even improved to the highest standard.

I believe the facilities management industry plays a crucial role in enhancing and preserving the value of real assets.

This is why I was so pleased to represent AustralianSuper at the recent 2024 Facilities Management Industry Awards gala dinner in the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne, taking the opportunity to honour the hard work and dedication of the individuals, teams and companies who maintain these assets.

This important work is helping to protect the retirement income of millions of hard-working Australians. After all, AustralianSuper has 3.4 million members, and their superannuation investments contribute capital for significant development and maintenance of assets, ultimately bolstering the Australian economy.

The growth in the value of property assets not only benefits the community but also serves the interests of property managers and investors. Over the previous 12 months to 30th June, 2024 AustralianSuper delivered a return of 8.46 percent in the balanced investment option.

Insights for AustralianSuper 2025

During the FM Industry Awards, I also had the opportunity to share some insights into AustralianSuper’s investment focus for FY25. This includes:

• Strengthening our team’s International Equities and Cash Portfolio Management to manage more assets-internally

• Building our private equity team to manage investment resources more effectively, and achieve higher returns

• Continuing to grow our internal mid risk teams in New York and London to support international and investments

• Sustainability will remain a top priority as it enhances efficiency and aligns with regulatory, community, and member expectations

AustralianSuper is proud to collaborate with the Facilities Management Association in supporting events and activities that bring value to its members.

We are privileged to collaborate with the FMA’s CEO Nic Burt and other Employer Groups and Unions on the Vulnerable Members Advisory Council. This initiative aims to identify, develop, and inform AustralianSuper management on initiatives and considerations for vulnerable members, ensuring better member outcomes.

The Advisory Council provides feedback and guidance on the Fund's approach to unpaid superannuation, and facilitates education and engagement opportunities for AustralianSuper in relevant industries or cohorts.

I am also proud to share that AustralianSuper is committed to removing the barriers of financial inclusion that face some of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, to better understand and access their super.

We offer a range of support services, including a dedicated phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members who can speak to a specialist colleague with cultural training, and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interpreter service. Members can book an appointment with the fund and an interpreter in one of many First nations languages a six part radio series called Australian Super Made Easy, in English and Western Arrernte which is available to download

Moreover, during the previous 12 months AustralianSuper has insourced its management-of-death claims through a new dedicated Bereavement Centre, so members beneficiaries receive the support, empathy and compassion they expect and deserve at these difficult times.

Donors fund $1.7m "innovation grants" at Epworth

I have been connected with Epworth HealthCare, a private, not-for-profit hospital group, for many years. Over that time, I continue to be amazed by the talent of the staff and doctors within all Epworth hospitals.

The desire of the staff to develop, learn and grow is exceptional, and as a Director of the Epworth Medical Foundation, I am proud that we can provide many hundreds of opportunities for dedicated and outstanding staff at Epworth to excel in their chosen fields.

Earlier this week, the Epworth Medical Foundation hosted a dinner for more than 550 members of the Epworth Community. Named in honour of two generous donors to Epworth, the late Roy and Joan Mackenzie, the dinner also marked the presentation of 75 individual grants - valued at more than $1.7 million - to support research, innovation and medical education at Epworth.

These grants are funded in their entirety by donations, which is a powerful testament to the foresight and generosity of the people of Melbourne, to invest in the future of medical excellence.

I was privileged to speak at this event, and it was made even more special because so many of the donors and supporters within our community were with us on the night to see their awards being presented, and to meet the worthy recipients who will use them to make a powerful difference to their patients.

The generosity and commitment of these donors to Epworth staff means those recipients will undertake experiences and opportunities that simply would not have been possible without these grants.

Epworth is special place and is made up of an incredibly diverse range of roles and employees. To see such a diverse pool of recipients, roles and projects receiving these grants demonstrates all of the incredible people that care for our patients every single day.

I know that each recipient of these grants will embrace the experiences ahead of them. Their individual vocations play an incredibly important role to ensure that Epworth patients consistently receive a quality level of care and compassion.

A pathway to positive change

Following is an excerpt from a story recently published in the RMIT news.

A $100,000 gift to RMIT from soft facility services company GJK Facility Services will help disadvantaged students overcome the barriers they face to higher education.

The generous gift will fund the GJK Facility Services Scholarship, worth up to $10,000 a year for three years. 

The scholarship is aimed at students who face challenges in accessing higher education, particularly those identifying as women, from rural or financially disadvantaged backgrounds, or pursuing science, technology, engineering or mathematics disciplines. “The hope is that the funding will help recipients achieve their educational and career aspirations and, ultimately, bring about positive change in the community. 

Continue reading on the RMIT website >>

Defeating cancer in real time

My humble thanks to Epworth Medical Foundation for sharing the following words.

George Stamas AM and Jaqui Maree Stamas continue to demonstrate extraordinary support of patients at Epworth.

As major sponsors of the Epworth Race Day, via GJK Facility Services, George and Jaqui Maree were instrumental in the funding of a Trident Imaging System, a portable x‐ray machine that is used during breast cancer surgery to help determine whether all the tumour cells have been removed.

As Dr Chantel Thornton reflected:

“During surgery, I want to make sure I’ve got all the cancer. But to do that, I need to take an image of the sample because you can’t necessarily feel or see the cancer cell. They can be absolutely microscopic, and something only the very best imaging can capture.

“With the Trident, I’d have an image of the specimen right there on the screen in front of me, in real time. If I’ve removed all the cancer, I could complete the surgery straight away, and if there was a rogue cell at the margin that indicated I’d need to take a further sample, I could see it immediately.”

As a centre of excellence in breast cancer care, Epworth attracts patients from across Australia to seek treatment from our world-class breast cancer surgeons. As a result, this is the second Trident Imaging System that George and Jaqui Maree have funded, enabling the very best care of patients.

Ask RUOK?

In recognition of R U OK? Day this month, GJK Facility Services arranged afternoon tea for our teams across the country, which also featured actor and comedian Danyal Diallo as the guest speaker of one of our client sites to offer support, advice and inspiration to our teams.

Danyal Diallo is a 21 year old TEDx speaker, actor, and comedian based in Melbourne. He stands for social reform and youth excellence and has been demonstrating that through the way he steps out into the world to inspire his audience.

We believe that R U OK? Day is more than just a day: it’s a movement that empowers us to identify the signs that someone might not be OK, and offers guidance on how to both listen and help.

A cleaning revolution

Most people, when they think about the cleaning industry, imagine traditional cleaning methods and procedures. For years - centuries! - we have relied on traditional techniques to keep our spaces clean and sanitary.

There is a certain beauty in this, in the history of our humble industry, where women and men keep our families and colleagues safe through their hard work and dedication.

However, the landscape in our industry is changing, and we now benefit from incorporating cutting-edge technologies, environmentally friendly methods and a data-driven approach to cleaning. This has the capacity to revolutionise the results we are able to achieve. And in a post-pandemic world, sanitation has never been more important, or valued.

The company I founded, GJK Facility Services, is a leader in introducing automated cleaning technologies to its range of services. These smart machines, such as floor scrubbers with superior navigation and obstacle-avoidance technology, provide a consistent, immaculate clean across huge floor areas. The machines do the repetitive and time-consuming tasks, while allowing our dedicated team of human cleaners to concentrate on more complex areas and quality control.

Our company leverages the power of digitally-enabled equipment to monitor cleaning performance in real time. Sensors built into our cleaning equipment provide useful information on cleaning solution levels, brush wear, and battery life. This information is then examined to improve cleaning operations, forecast maintenance requirements, and maintain consistent cleaning quality across all service sites.

By using this knowledge and data-driven insights, GJK is able to create a tailored cleaning strategy that includes frequency, scope of services, and appropriate technology implementation.

Samantha's story

This year our family was proud to see the Stamas Family Scholarship awarded to Samantha Doherty, an ICU nurse at Epworth Richmond.  We recently heard Samantha’s story, and it really emphasised why as a family we are so thrilled to support the Brookes Academy at Epworth.

By funding scholarships like this one, we are able to enable Samantha and her colleagues to build upon their expertise and knowledge within the critical-care space.

Our family is deeply passionate about education, and we have felt firsthand the genuine kindness and support of nurses at Epworth. These scholarships provide really meaningful opportunities, and we’re proud to play our part.

Samantha shared the story of her journey to nursing in a recent edition of the Epworth Medical Foundation Philanthropy Report - the article is here. In the meantime, I am thrilled to share Samantha’s story below.

My story is quite a personal one.

I didn’t initially start out doing nursing. My mum became very ill with cancer when I was in my early 20s. She had a long journey, but what really stood out to us during this incredibly difficult time for our family was the nursing care she received. It brought a smile to her face every day.

Every day you saw her light up because of the care the nurses provided and how genuinely kind they were to her. I thought – I want to be that person who brightens up someone’s day when they’re having a really, really difficult time.

I started my career at Epworth within interventional cardiology. Most commonly we would support

patients who had a heart attack. They would need a stent in the cath labs and all being well they

would be home in a few days to rest and recover.

Today, I work in the ICU. It’s completely different work. We often have patients with us for weeks,

even months – it’s challenging but incredibly rewarding. We do care for the sickest of the sick, and we get to make a difference every single day.

One patient who sticks in my mind is an Irish man who was with us for about four weeks. He came in very unwell, and we got the opportunity to not only get to know him throughout his time with us, but his family as well.

And that’s the beauty of Epworth and the role that we play as nurses. We get to really make this connection with our patients and their families. We found out that he had migrated over from Ireland when he was in his twenties, we learnt about his career in Australia and we got to meet his children and grandchildren.

It’s an amazing opportunity that you would never get in any other job or any other career. Unfortunately, he did pass with us, but it was so special that we got to be there with him and his family during such a vulnerable time. It really reminded me that we are part of that experience with them. That’s something that will stick with me forever.

The race to recovery

What a pleasure it was to take part in the annual Epworth Medical Foundation Race Day this month.

GJK Facility Services was the major event sponsor once again and this year, the assembled guests raised important funds to purchase a Trident Imaging System to be used by surgeons at Epworth HealthCare to treat patients with breast cancer.

The Trident allows surgeons to take images of tumours while still in the operating theatre, in real time. This in turn enables them to determine whether a the cancerous tumours have been fully removed from the healthy tissue. By reducing the patients’ time in the operating theatre and under anaesthesia, this technology improves outcomes, wellbeing and recovery times for patients.

A representative from Epworth Medical Foundation, Chloe Rowarth, shared a little more about the Trident Imaging System with me after the event.

“This high-tech equipment will be used every day by our breast cancer surgeons in our operating theatres,” she said. “By taking an outer specimen of the tumour and testing it in the Trident Imaging System in theatre, our surgeons can immediately and accurately determine if enough margin has been taken. This means the best result can be achieved for our breast cancer patients within the shortest period of time.”

I was thrilled to be part of this event, and of the outstanding efforts that my wife Jaqui Maree and her colleagues on the Epworth Special Events Committee put into making it such a success.

To quote Chloe one again, “This is going to make the world of difference for our breast cancer patients and the surgeons who care for them, as specimens are tested there and then in the theatre, hastening the length of time in surgery and enabling a faster recovery.”

Helping vulnerable Aussies

Earlier this month I was honoured to accept an appointment as the chair of the Vulnerable Members Advisory Council at AustralianSuper.

I am proud to be part of this initiative of AustralianSuper, which identifies AustralianSuper members who are vulnerable, and offers them additional assistance.

The nature of the assistance these members require depends on the types of vulnerability they experience. For example, vulnerability may come from physical ill-health, lack of literacy, age, domestic violence, or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status. Our committee oversees the care we are able to provide to these members, whether that may be interpreting services, more flexibility around documentation, identity verification, or cultural training for staff-members when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.

Assessors and claims managers receive cultural awareness and emotional intelligence training to help identify and support people at risk.

Throughout my career - from my earliest days working as a part-time cleaner, to now standing at the helm of a 4000-person strong company, community care and compassion for those who are vulnerable has always been a priority. I am thrilled to accept this position on the Vulnerable Members Advisory Council to play my part in creating a positive impact on society.

A gift for pregnant women

Today, on International Women's Day, the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) hosted a special event to honor the remarkable women contributing to eye research. This event served as a platform to celebrate the advancements and contributions of talented researchers and doctors in the field of ophthalmology.

CERA, a not-for-profit Medical Research Institute located at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and closely affiliated with the University of Melbourne, stands as a beacon of excellence in eye health research. Renowned for its innovative approach, CERA is ranked #4 in the World University Rankings for Ophthalmology and serves as Australia's only WHO Collaborating Centre for the prevention of blindness.

Among the fantastic researchers and doctors at CERA are Dr. Jennifer Fan Gaskin, Principal Investigator in Ocular Fibrosis, and Professor Robyn Guymer AM, CERA's Deputy Director and Head of Macular Research. Their dedication and expertise have significantly contributed to the advancements in eye health research.

My wife Jacqui Maree and I were proud to make a donation to CERA, in the knowledge that it will be used to support new research aimed at helping women with diabetes safeguard their vision during pregnancy. Our donation enabled the purchase of a state-of-the-art AI-assisted portable camera, unveiled at CERA's International Women's Day celebrations.

Led by Professor Lyndell Lim and Associate Professor Andrew Symons, the research aims to provide innovative ways for women with diabetes to monitor their eye health during pregnancy, reducing the risks associated with sight-threatening eye diseases. The study will introduce a streamlined approach to provide eye screenings to pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes, ensuring timely assessments and necessary referrals.

This groundbreaking research will have a profound impact on improving the eye health outcomes for women with diabetes. As we commemorate International Women's Day 2024, let us recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of women in eye research, driving innovative advancements in preserving vision and enhancing eye health for all.

A safer adulthood

It is a sad fact that half of all young people who enter our corrections system come straight from the state care system. Transitioning from childhood to adulthood is difficult for all of us, but imagine doing so without the support of any parents or close family-members. The care and support that vulnerable young people - such as those in the foster and out-of-home-care systems - are able to access stops on the day they turn 18, as they enter adulthood.

For many, this milestone birthday means an abrupt end to all of their support and networks. They must leave their “home” without any means of supporting themselves: no networks, no financial support, nothing. Most cannot even open a bank account because they don’t have the identification required, which in turn prevents them from accessing vital welfare support, including Medicare, Centrelink and the ATO.

Sadly, this significantly increases the risk of the young people experiencing homelessness, mental health struggles, criminal offences, early parenthood, and drug- and alcohol-problems, an outcome that is borne out in fact that they make up half of all young people in the corrections system. And of these vulnerable young people, young women are most at risk.

Our team at GJK Facility Services was deeply moved to learn about these issues from the Bridge of Hope Foundation, and we were determined to do something positive to help them. Bridge of Hope is a not-for-profit organisation that collaborates with vulnerable young women - and their care teams - to develop personalised support plans that help them transition safely from out-of-home care to independent living. The support these women receive includes both the practical, social and financial skills and resources needed for independent living, and the emotional skills that help them build resilience as they navigate adult life.

For example, the program ensures every young woman leaving care has a copy of their birth certificate, a bank account and debit card, and introduction to Centrelink, a MyKi cards and MyGov accounts. They are given driving lessons and help earning a driver’s license, and help developing a professional resume and developing interview skills, as well as free legal advice and representation if they need it.

In addition, the young women receive access to specialised mental and general health programs, and the program is currently negotiating with one of Victoria’s major hospitals to provide health assessment and advice, and to facilitate necessary surgical procedures.

I am proud to serve on the Board of Bridge of Hope, and prouder-still of the GJK team, who recently donated $20,000 to the foundation’s “Bridging the Gap” initiative as the next step in its goal to foster social change and offer help to those in need.

Life member, FMA

The Facility Management Association (FMA) is the peak industry body in Australia for facilities management companies, including GJK Facility Services. I have been proud to serve as a member of the FMA for 20 years, and to serve on the National Board for more than 10 years.

During that time, I’ve held various roles including Finance Director, member of the Audit Committee, Victorian Vice-Chair, Victorian Chair, and currently National Vice-Chair.

I was deeply honoured during an awards ceremony last week to be formally recognised as a lifetime member of the FMA, an honour that leaves me as humbled as I am proud.

The FMA does a fantastic job representing, educating and supporting individuals and businesses in our industry. Often, facilities management is overlooked or misunderstood in the community, but our work is vital to caring for the operational management of Australia’s built environments.

Helping homeless children

I am proud to share the following story from GJK Facility Services, and the support the team was able to give to the Lighthouse Foundation, an important charity that provides children and young people who are homeless - or at risk of homelessness - with the care and support they need to heal and thrive.

“In a heartwarming collaboration, our esteemed charity partner, Lighthouse Foundation, sought our support to revitalise one of their residences for young people. Without hesitation, our dedicated team sprang into action. Today, we are proud to announce that thanks to our joint efforts, this particular home in Melbourne has undergone a thorough transformation.

“GJK Facility Services are deeply honoured to be a part of this endeavour and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact the rejuvenated home has on the lives of these remarkable young individuals. Together, we are sowing the seeds of self-sufficiency, responsibility, and a clean, nurturing home environment that will endure for years to come.”

Understanding endometriosis

I recently had the privilege of attending the Women’s Health Lunch, hosted by Epworth Medical Foundation.

We were privileged to hear from Dr Kate Tyson, who shed light on endometriosis, a painful condition that affects many women. And Julia Argyrou shared her personal journey of battling the disease, and the events that motivated her to start the Julia Argyrou Endometriosis Centre at Epworth HealthCare.

GJK Facility Services was proud to be part of this event, and to support such an important cause.

Gratitude & resilience

We all have the power to change someone’s life for the better, and it may start with something as simple as a heartfelt question: “Are you ok?”

GJK Facility Services joined hands with the RUOK movement last month, taking the time to remind each of us that opening up an “Are you ok?” conversation - and approaching it with an open heart and mind - can make a significant impact on the lives of those we care about.

We all have an opportunity to create a world that is more supportive, connected and compassionate.

In the lead-up to RUOK day, GJK Facility Services encouraged its staff-members to post messages of gratitude on our Gratitude Walls, and welcomed Mark “Squiz” Squirrell, OAM (Green Beret Commando and Mount Everest Summiteer) to speak to the team about his journey and the importance of resilience.

Disco fever

The Epworth Gala Ball is one of the major events in Melbourne’s social calendar, with more than 1300 guests gathering to dine, dance, and raise-much needed funds for outstanding medical care at Epworth Hospital.

The theme for 2023 was “disco,” and party-goers did not disappoint, filling the room with more sequins and glitter than Melbourne has seen in many a decade.

Our family was proud to make a large donation to this cause during the gala in August this year, with my son Elias Stamas, CEO of GJK Facility Services (pictured below), and GJK’s Director of Strategic Relationships, Kristiana Greenwood GAICD, announcing the gift.

More than $3.5 million was made on the night, which will be used to purchase new equipment and support for the Brookes Academy for Midwifery and Nursing at Epworth.

For Our Elders

Every year, the beginning of NAIDOC Week in Victoria is marked by the official Flag Raising Ceremony, honouring the continued connection to culture, country and language of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

NAIDOC Week is a significant occasion that holds tremendous meaning for all Australians. This year’s theme, “For Our Elders,” is an important reminder that our Elders are the keepers of both culture and lore, and are the most important aspect of healing our people.

GJK Facility Services was pleased to send Nerida Robertson and Loyal Johaan as our representatives at the Ceremony, which involves a Smoking Ceremony, Welcome to Country, and a one-minute silence in honour of Aboriginal Elders who had passed to the Dreaming in the past year, and for all ancestors who had fought for the survival of Aboriginal peoples and cultures.

They said:

“Elders have the enormous task of maintaining and passing on traditional knowledge, values and customary practices, while helping us find balance as we navigate between different worlds. They have laid the foundations for us to be successful across multiple sectors like health, education, the arts, politics, and everything in between.”

Supporting our nurses

If COVID taught our nation anything about the healthcare environment in Australia, it was to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary and tireless work performed by armies of nurses across our nation.

Finding, supporting and retaining qualified nurses has proven to be a major challenge for many hospitals and healthcare organisations Australia-wide, especially since so many of our talented and dedicated nurses reached the point of burnout during the first two years of the pandemic.

In response to this crisis, Epworth HealthCare has come up with an outstanding initiative to support our nurses, and foster true excellence through advanced training. The Brookes Academy of Nursing and Midwifery at Epworth HealthCare recently launched to forge innovative learning pathways for nurses and midwives at all levels in clinical, leadership, education and research fields.

The result is a new cohort of nurses who are supported and developed in their careers at every stage, and an even higher standard of patient care at Epworth, as they benefit from the skills and education of the Academy graduates.

What is even more extraordinary about this Academy is that is is funded entirely by donations. What a legacy of generosity and foresight made by individuals and businesses in Melbourne! I was thrilled to have the opportunity to support this initiative earlier this year, by donating $250,000 towards the development of the Brookes Academy of Nursing and Midwifery. I truly believe this Academy will fundamentally change the face and lift the standards of nursing training across Victoria and indeed Australia.

Long-service celebrations

In an era when the average person remains in a job for just four years, I believe it is worth celebrating when employees choose to stay at an organisation for a long period of time. Their longevity of tenure is a testament to both the employee for their support, loyalty and personal contribution to the business, as well as to the business itself for fostering and committing to a workplace environment that encourages good employees to stay.

GJK Facility Services recently awarded five of its employees with Service Awards for their long-term dedication, commitment and service to the company. My congratulations and thanks go to:

• Brendan Wright, John Fotinos and Mabel Coelho for 10 years of contributions to GJK

• Meny Fotinos for 15 years (she has been called “a mainstay of the business and a pillar of strength and support to her colleagues”)

• Lenny Nikolic for 20 years (his employers say of him, “Lenny is known to be super resilient in challenging situations and a real asset to the team”)