Lutheran Care held its annual All Staff Day on November 14, giving our valued workforce the opportunity to join together at the Adelaide Zoo to strengthen our connection to each other and take some time out from our busy working schedules.
For the third year running, staff were again invited to get creative and dress up in teams on the day, with this year’s theme being ‘Adventures at the Zoo’. The commitment to reflecting this theme was impressive, with so many incredible outfits put together for the event. From Alice in Wonderland to friendly pirates, The Magic School Bus to a number of different interpretations of scouts, staff certainly embraced the theme and got into the spirit of the day.
About 150 staff attended All Staff Day this year, making it our largest event to date. The day began with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony shared by Kaurna Elder Uncle Mickey O’Brien on the picturesque grounds outside the zoo. Uncle Mickey shared some beautiful messages about his people and culture, while encouraging us to share a gum leaf with each other to symbolise the sharing of knowledge.
Staff then moved inside the venue for the morning’s guest speaker, Tim Jarvis AM, a South Australian environmental scientist, author, filmmaker and philanthropist. His address was a highlight of the day, captivating staff with his recount of both Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition and his own remarkable recreation of that journey.
Tim’s reflections on leadership, teamwork, resilience and achieving goals was inspirational and pragmatic at the same time, while it was also encouraging to see Tim’s hard-earned personal experiences resonate with Lutheran Care’s values.
During the morning session, staff also heard from Lutheran Care’s Chief Executive Officer Rohan Feegrade, who shared an extensive list of organisational highlights from the past year, including our expansion into the allied health space and our win as the 2024 South Australian Not-for-Profit of the Year.
The morning session concluded with a series of awards and ribbons acknowledging the best dressed teams and individuals on the day across a range of categories.
Following lunch, staff were given the option to partake in an Amazing Race adventure around the zoo in the afternoon, or spend some free time wondering around the venue and taking some time to relax. Those who participated in the Amazing Race thoroughly enjoyed the activity, with teams working together to complete and solve a number of physical and mental challenges.
Following the afternoon activities, staff then had the opportunity to wind down and catch up with fellow colleagues for an hour at a post-event gathering.
Lutheran Care’s Executive Manager People & Culture Michelle Keane said it was fantastic to see everyone embracing All Staff Day with such energy and team spirit.
“Days like this remind us of the value of coming together – not just to celebrate our achievements – but to strengthen the connections we have with one another,” she said.
“Whether it was during the Amazing Race, walking around the zoo, or simply chatting over lunch and post-event drinks, the shared energy and sense of connection were the absolute standouts for me personally.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have a CEO like Rohan Feegrade, who wholeheartedly supports opportunities like All Staff Day. It’s this kind of leadership that allows us to take a step back from our daily work, appreciate the bigger picture, and celebrate as a whole organisation.
“A special shout-out to Lutheran Care’s All Staff Day Committee for their tireless work behind the scenes. You brought everything together beautifully. And to everyone who contributed and participated, thank you for making the day such a success.”