Our Board of Directors, management and staff have been deeply saddened by the passing of former CEO Kim Sykes.
Caring.
Loyal.
Passionate about community health and helping those most in need.
So proud of BCHS and the staff who represented its values.
Kim singled out 'the staff' as her proudest moment on the final day as CEO: “We have such a dedicated team at Bendigo Community Health Services who are passionate about supporting the people they work with and making their lives better. Every day brings a new highlight for me in what the staff are achieving to make both BCHS and their community better. It’s been a privilege for me to be part of their work and the achievements made through their expertise and dedication. They are the strength of BCHS.”
Our staff will never forget Kim's love of celebrating a milestone and unashamed passion for Christmas which saw sites and meetings take on a distinct festive flavour every December.
In eight and a half years as our CEO Kim worked tirelessly to improve health services for Greater Bendigo and beyond.
Kim made many friends along the way both in the health sector and general community.
Kim enjoyed a diverse career in health and human services through the public, private and not for profit sectors with roles in service provision, state-wide policy development, governance and executive leadership.
Our thoughts are with Kim's children Aaron and Jess, family and friends.
Aaron and Jess provided the following message to BCHS and community.
"We are emailing you with the sad news that our mother, Kim Sykes, passed away peacefully on the morning of the 18th. We were lucky enough to both be with her at the time, and incredibly grateful to those at the Epworth who made her final days as comfortable as possible.
"We feel very fortunate not only to have had such a witty, loving, unique and impressive mother, but also that she gathered so many like minds around her who have supported all of us so much during this period.
"We know that Mum was loved by many who sit across state and national borders, and as such, we will wait to celebrate her life and accomplishments with as many of her friends and family as possible. Given our various states of lockdown this celebration of Mum’s life is likely to happen early next year."
We have greatly appreciated all well-wishes and thoughts during this time."
Kim's proudest moments and career highlights at BCHS
Kim shared her highlights and proudest moments from BCHS in a post on the final day as CEO