By KATH GANNAWAY
IT’S hard to imagine Upper Yarra Community House without Sally Brennan.
But, as the UYCH committee of management announced their CEO’s resignation last week, the woman who has led the organisation for 22 years said it was time.
There is also her candidacy for Labor in the November State Election.
“You don’t go into these things with a ‘Plan B’, she told the Mail.
“When I do something it’s about giving it 100 per cent.”
UYCH, under Sally Brennan’s leadership has brought what were two decades ago, unthinkable education opportunities to the Upper Yarra and beyond.
Born and raised in Yarra Junction, Sally returned to the valley to raise her own family after university, travel and work in the wider world.
“For me it was, and is, more about recognising the value of education in the lives of people and what education provides for people as a springboard to live; it enables them to reach their potential,” she said.
Asked what she is most proud of in terms of achievements at UYSC, it gets back to breaking down barriers and making education accessible.
“What our organisation has been able to achieve is removing the barriers like the programs for young mums, for young people who have fallen out of school, for offenders, people with low literacy skills, culturally specific programs for Aboriginal people.”
The children’s centre is an achievement she describes as “extraordinary”.
“That just didn’t exist in the Upper Yarra or in this area, and that is significant,” she said. The centre includes a childcare centre and an education base for childcare courses.
The UYCH committee acknowledged Sally’s contribution, last week describing the contribution she made to the growth of UYCH as remarkable.
“Sally has led UYCH and strengthened its position as one of the community’s leading employers offering quality services to the people of Upper Yarra,” president Ric Butler said.
“Sally deservedly will be long remembered for leading one of the most successful community organisations in the area. “Under her leadership, UYCH has not only survived through economic hardship, it has emerged as one of the most respected organisations offering high quality services.
“We will always be grateful to Sally for her leadership, compelling vision and for fostering a culture of working together that will serve our organisation for decades to come.”
Jenny Holinger will take up the position of acting CEO.
