Ray Canobie with Windermere chief executive Cheryl De Zilwa and chairman Carl Strachan at the ceremony naming Pakenham’s centre for children in crisis in Mr Canobie’s honour. Picture: Luke Plummer.
By Paul Dunlop
PAKENHAM’S centre for children in crisis has been named in honour of Ray Canobie.
The Windermere Child and Family Services centre was dedicated to Mr Canobie, recognising his years of service to the welfare organisation and the community.
Mr Canobie was Windermere’s chief executive for more than a decade and also spent more than 20 years as a leading figure in local government for the former Pakenham and Berwick shires.
He is widely regarded as the man responsible for establishing Windermere as the dynamic welfare provider it is today, serving a population of more than 330,000 residents from seven locations.
Windermere works with children and families that are struggling with issues such as physical and emotional abuse, drug addition and caring for disabled.
Staff and clients, community representatives and family and friends gathered at the Pakenham centre to pay tribute to a man described by current CEO Cheryl De Zilwa as a “hard act to follow”.
Windermere chairman Carl Strachan said the 100-plus-year-old organisation had been struggling but was reborn under Mr Canobie’s leadership.
“It went from strength to strength and Ray has left a wonderful legacy that will never be forgotten,” he said.
Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Ronald said Mr Canobie had made an extraordinary contribution to Pakenham, both with Windermere and as a shire secretary and chief executive officer in local government.
Cr Ronald said he regarded Mr Canobie as a mentor and paid tribute to the “enormous passion” he had for the community.
“Passion drives him and it is very hard to do anything without passion,” Cr Ronald said.
“He is a great man and I would walk over hot coals to say these words – it has been my privilege and pleasure to know him.”
Close friend and long-time Windermere supporter Ian Thomas said he had enjoyed a tremendous association with Mr Canobie over almost 50 years.
“He is a wonderful person who has always given 100 per cent to everything he has done,” Mr Thomas said.
Mr Canobie said he felt honoured and humbled by the gesture.
“Whoever said life’s a journey not a destination got it pretty right, I think,” he said.
“We’re never entirely sure where it’s going to take us – what challenges it will throw up or opportunities it will present.”
Mr Canobie spoke passionately about the need for Pakenham residents to continue to support Windermere.
“It’s my fervent wish that this centre will long be a catalyst in the rebuilding of shattered lives,” he said.
“That would be the greatest honour of all.”
