Latest news with #AYSA
West Australian
15-07-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Albany Youth Support Association's Ian Clarke steps down as chief executive to new strategic role
The boss of the Great Southern's leading youth homelessness support group is stepping away from the top job to focus on expanding the organisation's reach in a new executive role. After 4½ years as the chief executive of Albany Youth Support Association, Ian Clarke will move to occupy the newly created role of strategic project and planning executive, following the end of his contract period. Mr Clarke, who will continue to hold the position until a replacement is found, said his 'gradual transition' into the new job will represent growth of the group's reach. 'There are lots of other things I'm doing but the focus in this new role is on the key projects that reflect more widely on the community,' he said. 'We want to do the best we can in delivering broader services for the Great Southern and continue to build a broader approach for the region. 'AYSA has expanded a fair bit in the time I've been there but this change is actually about increasing things and looking more closely at bigger projects.' One such project Mr Clarke will oversee is the Foyer Project, which will provide transitional accommodation for 50 young people and an additional 10-bed crisis refuge that youth can use to stabilise before moving into the transitional studio apartments. Reflecting on his time in the top job, Mr Clarke said his highlights included developing AYSA staff's capacity to deal with complex problems faced by modern youth and building on a solid foundation of programs to address underlying issues. 'We've been able to establish new and unique programs in this area, find out what we need down here and improve things for young people,' he said. 'My goal was taking an organisation that was already doing great work and continuing to do great work in a broader and better way.' AYSA chairman Lindsay Campbell lauded Mr Clarke's 'amazing and inspiring' leadership. 'He has incredible vision and strategic awareness, and this has seen our programs increase in both number and effectiveness in supporting our youth,' he said. 'We see Ian's movement into a new role focused solely on strategic ventures as a necessary and hugely beneficial one, for our continued growth and ability to serve our young people in the best ways possible.'
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Abilene Zoo's Caribbean Cove project nears completion, showcasing warm-weather animals year-round
ABILENE, Texas () — It's been just a year since the Abilene Zoo started its Caribbean Cove project, an additional exhibit allowing warmer-climate animals to be viewed year-round. With completion expected in a few months, the zoo is seeking city council approval on Thursday to use funds for its completion. Denae Duesler, with the Abilene Zoo, said, 'We have to ensure that we are keeping up with all of the standards of care for all of the animals here at the zoo, as well as we want to ensure we're providing the best possible guest experience. I think the community is just going to be dazzled by it. I know we're so excited about this project.' There is one more step in the funding process before the project can be completed. The organization wants to use funds from a pre-approved 2023 bond for zoo improvements to help finish the project out for its summer 2025 completion date. 'Anything that's being expended for any one particular item over a certain dollar amount does have to go to the city council for approval. So we did get multiple bids on this caging, and we are utilizing the one that is the most cost-effective for this project,' Duesler explained. 'The big piece of it is providing all of the caging for those animals. The concrete has been poured for that. But we're still waiting on the installation of all of that caging.' The new exhibit will showcase warm-weather animals during winter months and feature additional trees. 'With all of this construction going on around here, between our parking lot, AYSA, and some other projects in town, the zoo has been really passionate about trying to save as many of these beautiful trees as we actually can. So, when you come out to the Abilene Zoo, you're going to see some new trees planted,' Duesler said. The zoo will also welcome toucans to the exhibit and have a wider parking lot paired with lighting and sidewalks for the summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
