Farewell Sally and Alex

Former board directors, staff and friends of the Tasmanian Community Fund (TCF) gathered at the TechnoPark earlier in December to celebrate Sally Darke and Alex McKenzie’s time at the Fund as their board terms are completed on 31 December this year.

Alex spent six years on the board and Sally spent nine years, eight as Chairperson.

Both have dedicated an extraordinary amount of energy to support the Fund to invest strategically in our communities and grow the leadership skills and capacity of Tasmanians, especially in rural and regional areas.

Speaking at the event, Board Director Michelle Swallow said Alex had represented his beloved north-west coast with passion, as a champion for the region including community, arts and sporting organisations.

“He has brought extraordinary legal and governance skills to the Board table and he will be greatly missed by his colleagues,” Michelle said.

Alex said that his time at the Fund exposed him to the extraordinary people making a difference in their communities.

“I have learnt so much from my board colleagues both past and present. While we arrive with different technical skills, everyone has a burning desire to see Tasmanian communities strengthened, barriers broken and futures built,” he said.

“I am a better version of myself thanks to the support and care of the TCF board and staff over the past six years.”

Of Sally Darke’s contribution, Michelle said she had always had the best interests of the Fund and the team as a focus, going above and beyond what other Chairs would do to provide assistance and guidance.

“Building leadership capacity in regional and remote areas through the Emerging Community Leader program, project management training and the recent Governance for Social Impact training will be Sally’s lasting legacy,” Michelle said.

Over the nine years Sally has been to each municipality in Tasmania at least twice, provided funding to 844 grants totalling $60 million and read 2,165 applications.

Sally said it was an absolute pleasure to read about the different community groups and what they were doing to help their communities and the role of Chairperson had been an absolute highlight of her career.

“I have followed in the footsteps of some amazing previous Chairs in Lynn Mason and the late Gerald Loughran who left a strong foundation for me. It has been important that I leave a strong foundation for the next Chairperson,” she said.

“It is an honour and a privilege to work with so many amazing people and the many not-for-profit and community organisations doing important work to represent Tasmanian voices, many who struggle to be heard.”

Leaving the board both Sally and Alex have made a significant difference to Tasmania and both have left a lasting legacy, helping improve the lives of Tasmanians.

Thank you Sally and Alex.