The Board of Remembrance Park Central Victoria is pleased to announce the appointment of its new interim CEO, Ms Maureen O’Keefe.

 

Ms O’Keefe is an experienced CEO with decades of experience in the health sector. In all her roles Ms O’Keefe has consulted widely with
stakeholders and the community to develop projects that provide equitable healthcare to the community.

Most recently, Ms O’Keefe was CEO of the College of Optometry where her national role was to provide a public health eye care service provider
for communities experiencing disadvantage. Prior to this she was the Chief Operating Officer for the prestigious Walter and Eliza Research
Institute where among other achievements she Led the operational planning and execution of a $185M medical research facility redevelopment project.

Ms O’Keefe has also served as a Non-Executive Director on Boards including the Victorian Cancer Agency, Very Special Kids and Vision
2020.

Ms O’Keefe started in the role on Monday 13 February and will lead the organisation until a permanent CEO can be secured.

Members of the Board met on Wednesday with the Victorian Ombudsman to report on the progress the organisation has made with its investigation into how the adornment policy was communicated and applied.

The organisation appointed Lifelife to run individual and/or group counselling sessions to any member of the community who has been
impacted or is distressed about the adornment policy.

RPCV continues to provide vases from its administration offices to anyone who has a loved one interred at its cemeteries.

The independent investigation that the Board commissioned into how the organisation’s adornment policy was communicated and applied is
making good progress. The investigator has spoken individually with all members of staff and some members of the community as part of
understanding what actually occurred.

Our customer service team is ready and able to meet and support families as soon as they make contact.

The Board of Remembrance Park Central Victoria is sincerely sorry for what has occurred. Each member of the Trust is motivated by serving
the communities they represent.

Members of the Trust are distraught that the policy that was meant to keep the community and staff safe has instead caused so much pain.

The investigation will uncover how this occurred.

The Trust thanks everyone for their input, support and patience

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Media Inquiries – Simone Gandur 0404813771