We are extremely proud to announce that our very own Mandy Larsson, Director of Crisis Support here at Lifeline Canberra was awarded a Medal (OAM) in Australia Day 2019 Honours List.
Mandy has spent the past 18 years volunteering as a telephone crisis supporter for Lifeline;
and the past 16 years working at Lifeline Canberra. She is currently Director of Service Delivery, Lifeline Canberra, a position she has held for 5 years.
This places her right at the coal face, overseeing the operations of a phone room staffed by over 300 volunteers, and in operation 7 days a week from 6am to midnight. Mandy also manages a team of eight staff.
Mandy ensures that both volunteers and staff are well equipped to deal with the often confronting content of the phone calls. She excels in her ability to provide leadership, ensuring that the safety of both our callers and our telephone crisis supporters is stringently guarded and at the same time being open, friendly and supportive to all.
Under Mandy’s leadership, Lifeline Canberra’s call answer rate has increased significantly, as has our capacity to retain telephone crisis supporters undertaking this vital community service.
She is a much loved, happy and well respected leader, incredibly deserving of public accolades.
After receiving this award, Mandy said “this award is very much a team effort and a celebration of what we as a team do everyday for those who are struggling in this tough world. And this award is shared with everyone at Lifeline Canberra for their dedication to our callers, whether you work in events, training, admin or crisis support”
“I feel incredibly blessed to work with you all everyday and excited to see what we can achieve in 2019.”
Congratultions once again Mandy, from the entire Lifeline Canberra Family. Thank you for all you do.