By REBECCA BILLS
MORRISIONS House has announced its closure with former CEO Jan Simmons shocked and saddened by the news.
Ms Simmons, who had been with the organisation since its inception 35 years ago, left Morrisons late last month as did Corporate Support manager Jan Deane who had been with the organisation for 26 years.
Speculation was rife in town that something serious was happening within the organisation, and the worst fears were confirmed yesterday when the Governance Board at Morrison House announced it was ceasing trading as a community service provider.
“On Wednesday 26 February 2014, the directors of Morrison House Inc (Morrisons) resolved unanimously that the declining financial situation of the organisation had reached a point where there was no other option,” a statement from the organisation said.
“This difficult decision has been reached after many months of endeavours to secure a sustainable budget position.”
Former CEO Jan Simmons said she was in absolute shock over the decision and very sad.
“Mount Evelyn deserves a neighbourhood house in whatever form it may be,” she said.
“I’m extremely sad and it seems like a very extreme response.
“It sounds like something serious has happened in their lives – when I left Morrisons it was looking alright.”
The board, together with current CEO Joe Deragon, met with senior staff late last week to communicate the decision.
Mr Deragon will prepare a plan for the orderly closure and where possible the transition to other service providers of operations over a period of some weeks or months.
“The needs of clients and the local community are paramount, and every effort is being made to ensure continuing access to the types of services provided by Morrisons to this point,” the statement said.
“Board Chair Joseph D’Souza, CEO Joe Deragon and other board members remain in talks with state and local government representatives in order to ensure the best possible transition and solutions for staff, students and other House users.”
Mr D’Souza has assured staff that all wages, entitlements and superannuation provisions are protected in the financial forecast.
Board Member Paula Herlihy said some parts of the organisation was still financially viable and that was why Mr D’Souza is in talks with education bodies and government representatives.
“We are hoping some of them won’t close at all and will continue to function under a different management structure,” she said.
“Yes, we are closing this structure, but it is to re-structure – we are not bankrupt and we do not wish to move into this area.”
Gail Shandley took to the Yarra Valley Noticeboard Facebook page to voice concerns about the rumoured closure on Saturday evening.
“Today, they announced their gonna sell off the assets and close up after 35 years,” Ms Simmons said.
“Programs will run but be managed from outside Mount Evelyn.
“They told what staff were left that it will be ‘done n dusted’ in eight weeks … come on Mount Evelyn we need a community outcry.”
Facebook user Kathleen Bowie commented on the post saying, Morrisons is such a huge asset to the local community and would be a massive loss not just for them but the Mount Evelyn community.
“I’m supposed to be starting study there in April and my son has been going to childcare there for a while now,” she wrote.
“He absolutely loves it there, as do I.”
What’s you experience been at Morrisons? Have you completed a class there? How do you feel about the closure? Send the Mail a letter at 2a York Road, Mount Evelyn or editorial@yvnews.com.au.
