By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
ALISON Gommers, a Healesville local for the last 13 years, is the new leader of Healesville Interchurch Community Care Incorporated (HICCI).
Ms Gommers, who was appointed Executive Officer at HICCI, has a history of community welfare roles including family and community services, mostly in local government, including Yarra Ranges Council and also community-based services within the shire.
“I enjoy project work where I have the opportunity to work in partnership with other agencies,” Ms Gommers said.
“I want to provide services to meet identified needs utilising and developing existing services.”
Ms Gommers noted she has a rather large learning curve stepping into this role at HICCI, but said it was a challenge she was happy to face.
“I am learning about who and how HICCI helps people,” she said.
Ms Gommers said she would spend time really getting to know HICCI so that she could lead the organisation in an effective way.
“My focus is to learn what HICCI is and meet everyone involved; clients, volunteers, church leaders and congregations, committees, partners, sponsors, funding bodies and any other relevant party interested in partnering with us to help make a difference.”
“HICCI has an extremely dedicated and caring team of professionals to provide support, as well as providing a one-stop shop of services such as financial, gambling and alcohol counselling and various other support services,” she said.
Ms Gommers has been appointed to the role after the departure of Kerri Goding, who held the role for more than 10 years.
Ms Goding was farewelled from her role on Thursday 18 June after guiding HICCI for 11 years.
Taking up a job at the Yarra Glen Electoral Office of Eildon MP Cindy McLeish, Ms Goding said her work in liaising with the community was somewhat similar to her work at HICCI.
“It is a way to give people a voice – if they have issues or concerns, they can give us a call or come into the office and we’ll do what we can where we can,” she said.
Ms Goding has often been seen as one of the faces of HICCI, and has appeared in numerous articles in the Mail about the organisation’s projects and milestones.
Ms Gommers is aware of the legacy Ms Goding has left at HICCI, but is proud to follow in the footsteps of such a community leader.
“I have extremely big shoes to fill, and I know that Kerri was highly respected for her work and the care and pride she took in her role,” Ms Gommers said.
One of the more recent accolades HICCI recived was the Yarra Ranges Council naming HICCI as the Community Group of the Year in 2014.
Food donations of non-perishable items can be made to HICCI’s office at 231 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, next to the Memo Hall. Call 5965 3529 for more information.
