By Olivia Bunter
A career focused on affecting the lives of others has been the professional background for new MercyCare CEO, Anthony Smith.
Coming to MercyCare from St Johns Ambulance Western Australia, Mr Smith says he is taking on the role with a great sense of pride and enthusiasm, while appreciating building new relationships in the Mercy community with commitment and passion.
“MercyCare is in a strong position as an organisation with an incredible story,” Mr Smith said.
“These first few months have been really enjoyable, as I have been able to spend time visiting, listening, learning and observing the organisation,” he said.
Beginning his career in local government, Mr Smith told The Record that this was an extremely valuable time, as it afforded him the ability to move across many different functional areas where he gained positive formational experience and exposure.
“From local government to now, I’ve continued to work in places that affect the lives of others,” he said.
“These have been organisations and departments that are focused on improving other people’s position in life, or of those that are vulnerable.”
During his time with St John’s Ambulance WA, he spent the latter six years as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer where he held responsibility for organisational strategy, state-wide operations and being instrumental in the management of significant organisation reform programs.
Speaking about his new role, Mr Smith emphasised the results of the first few months have been an eye-opening experience.
“It’s very precious because you only get to see the organisation with those eyes once,” he said.
“It has been a very busy period looking at the operations, while also meeting volunteers, staff and interacting with many of our external stakeholders. It’s given me a great perspective.”
For some 170 years, MercyCare has been committed to its vision to create a caring and compassionate environment for all Western Australians, while also changing and adapting to offer services that the community needs for each point in time of its history.
MercyCare currently offers more than 40 services including child care, aged care, health care as well as disability, community and family services.
While the growth and formation of services may have changed across the timeline, Mr Smith believes the core values and mission of MercyCare have remained constant.
He said the organisation is shaped by foundational principals around the Mercy tradition, including Catholic social teachings, Judeo-Christian scripture and the historical setting of the Catholic faith.
“There’s also a series of other shapers that help guide us,” he said.
“MercyCare understands the importance of recognising all forms of diversity and if we’re going to be successful, if we’re going to be representative, then our services need to be diverse.
“If we’re going to make the impact that we desire to, then it’s important that we understand diversity.”
Speaking about his own professional ideologies, Mr Smith stated that from his experience, people choose their own attitude and approach to their work.
“When faced with a positive or negative challenge, I preference the positive aspect and work with it,” Mr Smith said.
“I believe you can choose your own attitude in life and you can wake up every day and choose the approach that you take to that day and in all aspects of life.
“From a leadership or management point of view, my philosophy really is around the organisation being strengthened through its people.
“The greatest satisfaction I’ve had in all of my positions in my career has been around encouraging and empowering others to achieve and setting them up for success.”
Mr Smith has said that during his short time with the organisation, so far, he has witnessed an incredible warmth.
“I’ve had an incredible amount of support from the trustees, the board, my executive team and our staff and that’s made it wonderfully rich experience.”