Zoos SA Annual Report 2011-12
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zoossa.com.au zoossa.com.au Passion We inspire and influence through our valuable conservation efforts and recognise success. Effectiveness We focus on clearly defined shared goals and support people to achieve them. Innovation We seek creative ways to achieve goals and promote a culture of learning and improving. Integrity We are guided by our values and deliver on our promises. Respect We respect individual’s values and encourage a culture of collaboration, listening and trust. President’s Report .......................................2 CEO’s Report ............................................4 Board Members ...........................................6 List of Achievements ...................................7 The Animals ...........................................11 Conservation ............................................20 Education ................................................23 Sustainability ...........................................24 Visitation .................................................26 Communications & Development .................28 Our People ..............................................34 Assets & Infrastructure ..............................41 Life Members ...........................................42 Finance ...................................................54 AGM Minutes (2011) ................................59 SGM Minutes (2012) .................................62 Zoos South Australia Annual Report 2011/12 1 President’s Report Dusky Langur here is no question that the the overall direction of the business. The past 12 months have been a Business Plan builds on a number of key tremendous challenge for Zoos themes developed as part of the overall TSA. The issues faced by the organisation Strategic Plan for Zoos SA have been tackled head on and significant Saving species from extinction progress has been made in ensuring a > Connecting people with nature viable future for the organisation. > Working in an ethical and sustainable In November 2011 we announced a > manner resolution of the debt and grant funding Applying an innovative business issues faced by us. The level of debt > with Westpac was reset to $7.5 million approach at a concessional interest rate and with The Chief Executive Officer commentary a five year term. In addition the State in this Annual Report provides further Government agreed to increase the insight into the key drivers and outcomes annual operating grant to $4.5 million of the 5 Year Plan. with indexation going forward as well as providing additional funding to meet Another important step taken during the interest costs on the Westpac debt. year included the review of the Rules of Formal documentation to reflect these the Society. These changes represented new arrangements was signed during the most comprehensive set of changes the financial year. We would like to to the Rules for some time. The new acknowledge and thank both Westpac Rules were approved by the Members and the State Government for their at a Special Meeting on 31 May 2012. support in assisting to resolve this issue. The decision by the State Government We look forward to continuing to work to no longer continue with Government with Westpac as a Principal Partner and nominated Board positions meant that supporter of Zoos SA. a restructure of the Board composition was essential. Going forward the Board With these arrangements in place, the will comprise 6 member elected positions Board and Management went to work and 3 co-opted positions. The latter on developing a 5 Year Business Plan will provide the Board with flexibility that would provide the framework for to recruit specialist skills and expertise Zoos South Australia Annual Report 2011/12 2 to complement the member elected representatives. We have engaged a specialist recruitment agency to assist with finding suitable candidates and expect to be in a position to advise of the appointments prior to the AGM in November. Earlier this year we celebrated 30 years of volunteering at Zoos SA. This programme at Monarto. Through this period I would also like to take this opportunity has expanded to now include over 500 membership of Zoos SA almost doubled to thank Sarah Brown for stepping in volunteers and growing. Zoos SA would and with growth in visitor numbers and as Interim CEO. Sarah has done an not function without this committed additional visitor experiences the revenue outstanding job. group and on behalf of the Board I would of the organisation also doubled. Chris like to express our sincere appreciation to goes with our best wishes in his new role. On behalf of the Board I would like to all of our volunteers. pass on our sincere gratitude to the We are very excited to welcome Elaine staff of Zoos SA. We understand that Our work in conservation of endangered Bensted who will join in September the pressures are felt right through the species continues to be a key focus. We 2012 as new CEO. Elaine’s appointment organisation – our staff and volunteers run a number of critical programmes followed an extensive recruitment process continue to show a passion and for native species as well as being which saw more than 100 applications commitment for the work they do. actively involved in a range of overseas for the role. Elaine joins Zoos SA having I would also like to thank Members programmes. It is also pleasing that our most recently been CEO of TAFE SA and for their continued support. We are breeding programmes continue to deliver prior to that has held senior positions committed to rebuilding Zoos SA to a results and we expect the next 12 months in both the public and private sector. much loved iconic organisation in South to be even more exciting. We are extremely pleased that we have Australia and look forward to a far more In April 2012 Dr Chris West resigned recruited such a talented and capable positive and certain future. as CEO. Chris joined Zoos SA in 2005 person based here in SA. The Board was and through his 7 year tenure oversaw attracted to Elaine’s strong leadership Kevin McGuinness and management skills, her disciplined a range of exciting changes across the President approach and the passion she displayed organisation. This included extensive Royal Zoological Society for our organisation and this role. redevelopment at Adelaide as well as of South Australia further development and improvements Zoos South Australia Annual Report 2011/12 3 CEO’s Report White Rhino or Zoos SA, it has been a year few. Sadly we have also seen the passing of milestones, challenges and of a visitor and member favourite, Chook, achievements. the Lyrebird alongside the last Black-Lion Tamarin in Australia. ThisF year we celebrate 30 years of our volunteer program within Zoos SA. It was Our capital program focussed on exhibit in 1982 that a handful of members held design and improvement. One such project a Christmas Picnic, beginning a tradition was the new Tasmanian Devil exhibit at of volunteering that has grown into more Monarto Zoo. This exhibit has quickly than 500 volunteers across 17 different become a must-see for visitors, housing programs – all giving their valuable time, young devils as a part of the insurance energy and expertise. We thank all our population for this endangered species. volunteers for their ongoing support and contributions. This last year, the organisation experienced a period of major change and transition. Our sponsors and supporters have It is against this backdrop, that we have continued to partner with our endeavours, developed a Strategic Plan which brings ensuring that valuable project work both together the ideas, energy and passion of in-situ and ex-situ continue. One such our team with an overarching focus on partnership is Westpac who are now a how best to achieve our shared purpose principal partner with the Zoo for the and goals. It provides the framework for next five years, building on their past four the organisation’s Five-Year Business Plan years of support. I would like to express and will guide our work over the next five my deepest thanks to all our sponsors years and into the future. and supporters for their partnering us in our efforts. ‘Our Mission’ - Zoos SA is a charitable conservation society With our highly skilled and motivated staff, we have continued our breeding that exists to save species from programs and have seen the births of extinction and to connect people Cheetah, Hyena, Orange Bellied Parrots, with nature. Fennec Fox, Ghost bats, Goodfellow Tree Kangaroo, Western Swamp Tortoise, Palm Cockatoo and Tasmanian Devil to name a Zoos South Australia Annual Report 2011/12 4 As set out in Zoos SA’s Strategic Plan, the organisation has four primary goals and a series of broad strategies to achieve these. We have developed the business plan to underpin the efforts and commitment within the Strategic Plan; outlining a positive and rigorous 5-year plan to consolidate Zoos SA’s strengths, address shortcomings and safeguard a healthy future. purchasing arrangements we will create It is with this support and the investment savings in key cost areas. We will also of our membership, sponsors and Our key income drivers for the plan include: target real wage savings through the supporters and especially our visitors, Visitation expectations inline with reduction of full time equivalent hours that our zoos will continue to provide > current economic status and tourism from a peak of 202 to 184 through a fun and educational experience for sector further efficiencies and assessments. all who spend time with us