ANNUAL REPORT 2016 VISION Equity for deaf people

PURPOSE ‘Deaf life: Your way, your language’. We work with deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people. We work to break down barriers, create choice and support you to reach your goals.

CONTENTS

Highlights of the Year...... 3 Message from the Chair...... 4 Overview from the Chief Executive Officer...... 5 Our People...... 6 Our Strategy - how we performed...... 7 Treasurer’s Report...... 13 Financial Report...... 14 Membership & Acknowledgements...... 19

PATRONS

PATRON His Excellency General The VICE PATRON Nola Colefax OAM Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) Governor of NSW

THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Leadership in Community Accessibility Award

In November 2015, the Deaf Society and NSW Rural Fire Service were recognised for Leadership in Community Accessibility at the NSW Disability Industry Innovation Awards. The award was in recognition of the innovative Get Ready project.

Meeting with international deaf role model

We were delighted to meet America’s Next Top Model winner, Nyle DiMarco when he visited Australia late last year. Nyle has since gone on to win America’s Dancing with the Stars and continues to demonstrate that deaf people ‘can!’

Wiggle learns Auslan

Yellow Wiggle, Emma Watkins studied Auslan with us this year. It was lovely to learn about Emma’s inclusive approach to her role as a Wiggle and wanting to connect with children who are deaf or use sign language.

Deaf Festival!

The 2015 Deaf Festival was a standout event for the year with memorable performances including the Philharmonia Signing Choir’s preview performance.

THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 3 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

It is with mixed feelings I write the As a deaf person, I am proud to see a strong Chairperson’s report – I feel strange organisation with deaf leaders providing that Alastair McEwin is not writing the a positive service to the community. I am Chairperson’s report. Alastair has been a excited to see the opportunities that the fantastic President and Chairperson for future will bring to the organisation. the Deaf Society, leading the Board and The Board has strengthened its governance organisation through the transition of the and leadership by changing our constitution Chief Executive Officer role and through the to reduce the number of roles on the Board new changes that the National Disability and combining the ceremonial role of the Insurance Scheme (NDIS) brings to the President with the Board leadership role of organisation. the Chairperson (which was achieved at our However, I am very pleased with Alastair’s EGM on 6 September 2016). This will make appointment as our first deaf Australian the Board more focused and disciplined Disability Discrimination Commissioner, with its governance, however the Board even though this meant that Alastair will continue needing support from other had to step down from his President and advisory groups and committees. Chairperson role. On behalf of the Deaf The Board has recently established the Society and the Board, I would like to wish Advisory Council as a committee, which Alastair the very best with his new role in is composed of members of the deaf and the Australian Human Rights Commission. hard of hearing community. It is envisioned This year is the first “full” year that our that this Council will provide us with the first deaf Chief Executive Officer, Leonie opportunity to develop future deaf and hard Jackson, has led the Deaf Society. Leonie of hearing Board Directors and provide the has implemented several changes in the Board with a strong succession plan. I am structure of the organisation, making sure looking forward to seeing the first ‘graduate’ that the organisation has a customer- from the Advisory Council joining the Deaf centric focus. This is an important cultural Society Board. shift which will align with the NDIS, which I would like to thank the Board – David has expanded over the year to include the Atkinson, Ken Deacon, Brian Halse, Alastair Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and, McEwin, Frank Peterson, Vivek Prabhu, Sue at the end of the financial year, the Blue Rae, Julie Tait, and Elizabeth Wee. These Mountains region. The NDIS will continue Board Directors have volunteered their rolling out to other regions in Australia time and energy to ensure that the Deaf over the next few years, opening new Society remains an important asset to the opportunities for the Deaf Society and for community, and that it continues to strive the deaf and hard of hearing community. to achieve Equity for Deaf People. Organisational change can be painful Finally, I would like to thank Leonie Jackson for some people, either impacting or and her team of dedicated, wonderful staff changing their role in the organisation. for their dedication to the organisation, and The Board would like to acknowledge and for serving and supporting the deaf and note our appreciation to the Deaf Society hard of hearing community. staff for supporting these changes, and understanding why these changes are necessary to remain relevant to the deaf and hard of hearing community. Todd Wright Chairperson

4 THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 OVERVIEW FROM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

It is with great pleasure that I present infrastructure and develop an IT strategy this year’s report to our members and including new infrastructure to ensure supporters. I hope you will enjoy learning that the organisation’s customers find it about our highlights and work supporting easy to book, pay and use our services. deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind people and 3. Customer Strategy – this strategy is their families. developed to ensure that every employee The past 12 months have been a time of who works for the Deaf Society is 100% significant change while the Deaf Society focused on our customers. prepares for the full rollout of the National We have implemented many changes and Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in NSW there is still a lot of work to do. We rely and ACT. The team and I have been learning on our customers and members to give us a lot from our customers and supporters feedback. After all, you are the reason why I about how the NDIS has positively impacted am making the changes – you have told me their lives. We are also excited about the either directly or indirectly that you want possibilities that NDIS will bring to deaf, things to change. hard of hearing, deafblind people and their reminding me every day that the work we families and carers in the near future. In conclusion, I would like to thank a do is life changing for our customers. The number of people. First of all, I would like As the organisation was going through team is a constant source of inspiration to thank the immediate past Chair and changes, I came across this quote from to me as I can see how much they care President, Alastair McEwin for his loyalty, Barack Obama while he was a senator in for our customers. Every day, they guidance and support during my first 2008 which sums up the past 12 months: come to work with a 100% focus and full year as the CEO of this wonderful “Change will not come if we wait for some determination. organisation. Todd Wright and Brian Halse other person or some other time. We are have stepped into Alastair’s shoes and have Lastly I would like to thank our members, the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the also been wonderful support to me and donors and supporters. Without you, we change that we seek.” the leadership team since Alastair stepped cannot achieve equity for deaf people. This resonated with me and became my down to take up his new role as Australia’s I look forward to continuing the Deaf mantra during this time of change. I could Disability Discrimination Commissioner. The Society’s vision and work to ensure that not have done this without the Deaf Society’s board have been my brain together, we achieve equity for everyone. support from the board and leadership trust and I cannot thank them enough for team. They have given me an important their support and guidance during a year of mandate to ensure that we at the Deaf significant changes. Society become customer-centric Secondly, I would like to thank my Leonie Jackson organisation that provides high quality management team. Sharon Nann, David Chief Executive Officer customer-focused services and supports. McQuiggin, Andrew Wiltshire, John With the support and feedback from our O’Neill, Ivana Krunes, Rosalie Kassulke, customers, members, consultants and the Kate Matairavula, Gerry Healy, Michelle community, the Deaf Society have developed Pogoni and Sharon Xabregas all have been and implemented three key strategies: a wonderful support to me and the team at the Deaf Society. Each one of them are 1. Growth Strategy – this five year strategic strongly committed to making the Deaf plan is the organisation’s blueprint to Society an organisation that provides high develop new services and supports that quality service and support to deaf, hard are financially sustainable under the new of hearing and deafblind people and their NDIS funding model. families, friends and employers. 2. IT Audit and Strategy – the organisation Thirdly I would like to thank the whole Deaf has recruited a senior IT Business Society team across NSW and ACT for Analyst to review the organisation’s IT

THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 5 OUR PEOPLE

We aim to lead by example, our workplace is bi-lingual and bi-cultural where both Auslan and English are used and valued. We celebrate our diverse employees including those engaged on a casual basis and value the passion and skill they bring as we work toward equity for deaf people.

Our staff work with our partners including not-for-profit, corporate and government organisations to achieve greater impact. Most importantly, our staff support our customers to ensure they have access to all areas of life on an equal basis with others.

STAFF PROFILES

Genevieve Leah Brown Jenny Rozsa Simon Mahony Nicholas Roberts Booking Support Auslan Trainer Kassulke Get Ready Coordinator Coordinator Support Worker With over 12 years Project Officer Leah is passionate Jenny works closely teaching experience, Nicholas is committed Genevieve was about ensuring our with customers to Simon has been to the provision of instrumental in the customer’s request for prepare them for their instrumental in strong supports and success of the Get an interpreter is fulfilled NDIS planning meeting. establishing and customer satisfaction Ready project which 91% of the time. With She is open and willing maintaining courses in all the work that prepared the Deaf a limited supply of to listen to customers in the Northern Rivers he does. He is always Community for interpreters and an in and always strives for region and surrounds. willing to go the extra emergencies like fire, increase in demand for the best outcome for Simon has been a key mile for customers and flood and storm. interpreting services, them. When requested, mentor for the local works with colleagues sometimes a lot of Jenny attends their Auslan trainers and at any level to ensure Her experience and creativity is needed to planning meetings with students in the region. the best outcomes passion were vital in ensure we can meet our them to provide moral Along with his teaching are achieved for our the development of customers’ needs. Leah support for them. She capacity, Simon customers. the nine Deaf Liaison sources interpreters and encourages them to brings a wealth of Officers and training providers for customers speak for themselves community knowledge, of over 200 deaf from all over NSW and during these meetings. professionalism, and people in emergency the ACT. Customers like her most importantly – fun! preparedness. warm and friendly persona.

6 THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 OUR STRATEGY - HOW WE PERFORMED

To work effectively towards our vision of 2. Create opportunities in the workforce The following pages (pages 7-12) contain equity for deaf people, we set ourselves five a summary of outcomes against the five 3. Build community capacity strategic directions for 2015-2018: strategic priorities during the 2016 year. 4. Build a customer-centred Deaf Society 1. Improve and expand services for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people 5. Strengthen partnerships and support other agencies

IMPROVE AND EXPAND SERVICES FOR DEAF, DEAFBLIND AND HARD OF HEARING PEOPLE

In 2016, we continued to support deaf, Wollongong and Gosford. We have seen people and continue to grow the number of deafblind and hard of hearing people and an increase in sustainable job placements students that we support. their families across a range of service areas in the Central Coast region due to The RTO renewal was the ‘icing on the cake’ including; independent living, information the commitment of staff in providing for the education area which experienced provision, interpreting, education and training, exceptional customer service to job seekers its largest student intake with 556 and employment and workplace support. and employers. enrolments. This included expansion of our We have worked to develop the The Education and Training team were course delivery to the ACT under the ACT community’s awareness of our employment successful in renewing our Registered Government Skills Capital funding program service through a range of marketing Training Organisation (RTO 91243) status and regional NSW including Broken Hill strategies. This has led to an increase in for another seven years until May 2023. This and Bathurst under the NSW Governments deaf and hard of hearing people joining ensures that we can continue to provide a Smart and Skilled Program. our employment service in , range of courses to deaf and hard of hearing

333 tactile smoke alarms installed

15,500+ hours of Auslan/English Interpreting

THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 7 A warm welcome to the Deaf Community

Sally Smid was part of the Parent to Parent Support Program in 2016. She shares her experience of the program and the valuable support her family received;

Kathy (mentor) has been an enormous blessing to me and my family and we are so thankful for her support, kindness, time and now friendship! Before I met Kathy, I didn’t know any deaf people, I didn’t know Auslan and I didn’t know much about hearing loss or sign language. It was important to me to access all of these so my son James could grow up as part of the Deaf Community and build a strong and happy confidence in his identity- not as a person with hearing “loss” or “impairment” but as a person with “Deaf gain”

Kathy introduced my family to people in the Deaf Community, including her beautiful family, pointed me in the direction of classes, courses, services and resources and we talked about a whole bunch of other random stuff that could only be covered over cups of coffee or in late night chats on the phone- usually accompanied by tears and laughter. My family and I are now regular attendees at deaf events, we have made several friends in the Deaf community and we are learning Auslan through the Deaf Society. We are a happy, confident, proud and strong family and we are certain that Kathy’s support has helped us get here. She has truly been a unique blessing to our family and I will forever be grateful for her support and guidance and I know I’ve made a lifelong friend out of the Parent-to-Parent Program.

8 THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 CREATE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORKFORCE

With an increasing number of people training fully accessible and means that Thanks to funding from the Champions enrolling in Auslan courses and families of everyone can participate comfortably in of the West program, we were also able deaf children requesting Auslan tutoring in discussions. We are also working with The to deliver a voluntary internship program. the home, we realised the need to upskill Parramatta College to unpack the TAE40110 The program supported four deaf people more deaf people with the Certificate IV in qualification and ensure written resources to gain valuable work experience at the TAE10 (Training and Assessment) required are provided in plain English. Deaf Society. In April, we welcomed three for teaching. An expression of interest was high school students for a week of work In earlier years, we have identified an advertised and we now have 29 students experience and a deaf adult for a month of increase in demand for interpreters. To enrolled in the TAE10. work experience. The program was not only better meet this demand, we delivered an opportunity to gain skills but also to learn The great majority of the teachers of the the Diploma of Interpreting this year with about best practice in a deaf workplace. They Auslan courses are deaf and fluent in Auslan eight students achieving their NAATI are now better equipped to self-advocate so we decided to deliver the Certificate accreditation and joining the workforce. for communication access and assistive IV in TAE10 in Auslan. This makes the equipment in their future workplaces.

The journey to employment

Charlotte O’Connor is a customer of our Since her employment, Charlotte has learned Most recently Charlotte was awarded employment service. She was long term new skills and gained confidence in herself, ‘Employee of the Year’ by the local Rotary unemployed, applying for countless jobs but and her abilities. The employer has also Club in recognition of her exceptional always unsuccessful. Many employers are still been very supportive and willing to adapt to customer service skills. Charlotte’s story is unwilling to employ a deaf person. In April, make it easier for Charlotte to participate in just one example of the positive influence Charlotte was invited for a job interview with the workplace and fulfil her responsibilities. of employment and why we continue to Peter Canisius House and was successful in She is now also receiving training from the support deaf people to gain and maintain gaining the full-time position of Kitchenhand. housekeeping department so that she can meaningful employment. work in both areas of the business.

THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 9 BUILD COMMUNITY CAPACITY

In 2016, we delivered two significant NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), Red deafblind people. community capacity building projects; Cross, and the Deaf The success of Get Ready is due to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Community. It was funded by the Office holistic capacity building approach taken; (NDIS) Information Sessions and the Get of Emergency Management through the injecting knowledge and skills into both the Ready Project. Community Resilience Innovation Program Deaf Community and emergency services. (CRIP). The focus of the project was In 2015, the NSW Government announces DAT sessions place deaf cultural knowledge preparing the Deaf Community for natural that the NDIS would rollout to eight into emergency services and DLO training disasters like fire, flood and storms. regions of NSW from 1 July 2016. To ensure placed emergency preparedness knowledge that deaf people understood the scheme, The project involved: into the Deaf Community. application process and the potential of the • The recruitment and emergency From the commencement of Get Ready, NDIS to create greater equity in their lives, preparedness training of nine Deaf Liaison the focus was shifted from a passive rescue we organised 13 information sessions across Officers (DLOs) in six regions including mentality to an empowered model of Greater Sydney and the ACT. Illawarra, Macarthur, Blue Mountains, shared responsibility. For a traditionally In total 372 people attended the Auslan Metro Sydney, Central Coast and Hunter. vulnerable community, such empowerment information sessions to gain a better was enthusiastically embraced and enabled • The delivery of nine Deaf Awareness understanding of the NDIS. Following on deaf leadership to flourish. The recruitment, Training (DAT) sessions for emergency from the workshops, we have supported training and activity of the DLOs has been services personnel with 295 emergency 57 people to prepare for their first the single most effective resource to effect services personnel attending and learning meeting with an NDIS planner and have change to date. The DLOs act as champions about the best way to communicate with appointments to support dozens more. and leaders within their communities and deaf and hard of hearing people in the case bridge the gap between deaf people and With the final phase of the NDIS rollout of an emergency. emergency services in this important area commencing on 1 July 2017, we look • The production of seven Auslan emergency of emergency preparedness. forward to delivering our NDIS information preparedness videos based on the Red sessions in the eight new regions and The project was awarded the NSW Cross RediPlan. supporting more deaf people to realise the Disability Industry Innovation Award for potential of the NDIS. • The delivery of 10 Emergency Leadership in Community Accessibility in Preparedness Workshops by DLOs to 2015. Due to the success and impact of the The Get Ready project is a partnership their local community with 263 deaf project, we are exploring ways to expand involving The Deaf Society, NSW State people in attendance including eight and sustain the project into the future. Emergency Service (SES), Fire & Rescue 372 people attend NDIS information sessions

271 community members attended Get Ready workshops

10 THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 BUILD A CUSTOMER-CENTRED DEAF SOCIETY

This year we embarked on an organisation Successful changes include full time staffing A significant project that Gerry re-structure to ensure that we are more in the interpreter bookings team which commenced this year is the development customer-centred. We recognised that has led to increased staff satisfaction and of a mobile web application (app) for NDIS our customers had a range of support therefore more satisfied customers. The customers. The app is designed to make it needs and were being referred to different consistency and the full time oversight easier for deaf people to book interpreters departments for different services. This has improved our service significantly. using a smartphone. meant that the customer had multiple We also now have full time oversight of He has also been focussed on implementing points of contact which can be confusing our reception area with an experienced an organisation-wide customer relationship and their supports were fragmented rather customer service officer which has led to management (CRM) system that combines than holistic. an increase in positive responses from staff key customer information in a single system and customers. To improve the customer’s experience enabling the Customer Service Team to of our service, we established two new This year we welcomed Gerry Healy to the provide a positive customer experience teams; the Support Coordination Team and team in the position of Senior IT Business across all Deaf Society services. the Customer Service Team. The Support Analyst. His role is to evaluate and improve Coordination Team was established in April. our IT systems so that they support us in The team is responsible for supporting being more customer-focused. customers to identify their goals and the supports they need to achieve those goals. This includes supporting people to access the NDIS and prepare for their meeting with a NDIA planner who often will have no lived experience of their disability.

Since the establishment of the team, the response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive. After meeting with a Support Coordinator, customers have expressed that they have a better understanding of the supports and services available which can improve their access and community participation.

The Customer Service Team was created at the same time as the Supports Coordination Team. The team’s main responsibility is responding to enquiries and requests such as booking interpreters, enrolling students and assigning support workers. They have been busy learning new functions, getting to know how each other’s area of work and improving processes, and procedures. STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS AND SUPPORT OTHER AGENCIES

We recognise that through partnerships • Working with Australian Hearing to We have also continued to be part of an and productive relationships we can better increase the reach of our Smoke Alarm interagency meeting group including support our customers and the Deaf Subsidy Scheme in regional areas and ASLIA NSW, Deaf Australia (NSW), The Community, and extend the reach of our with hard of hearing people. Shepherd Centre, Royal Institute of Deaf services. In the past year, we have continued and Blind Children, Deaf Sports Australia, • Working with Able Australia to increase to develop relationships to the benefit of Accessible Arts, Ephpheta Centre, Hear awareness and understanding of the Deaf Community including; for You and Deafness Forum. Interagency deafblindness among staff. meetings are an opportunity to share • Becoming a partner of the Break the Sound • NSW State Emergency Services, NSW information, experiences and seek Barrier campaign which aims to put the Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, opportunities for collaboration. health and well-being of deaf, deafblind Red Cross, University of Sydney have and hard of hearing people on the national been valuable and committed partners political agenda. to the Get Ready project.

Working with the Lismore Community

This year, we have established an ongoing The notes from each session are turned Another positive outcome this year was session called the ‘Lismore Q&A’ as part into an action plan, which is then acted the organisation of a range of activities of our ongoing community engagement upon by staff and an update provide at the for National Week of Deaf People. strategy. The community and local Deaf following community meeting. This rolling The Lismore Deaf Community put on a Society staff met on a quarterly basis to consultation has significantly improved fantastic local event celebrating deaf exchange information, consult on the engagement with the local community and culture, Auslan and everything that makes community’s objectives and satisfaction given us a better framework for decision- the Deaf Community unique. There were with service provision. making when planning services. some great jokes and stories too.

12 THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 Chair, Finance and Audit Committee's Report

In what has been a year of transition for The challenging environment for investment Deaf Society as we navigate the progression returns, the return (including franking of the National Disability Insurance Scheme credits) on the Society’s externally managed (NDIS), I would like to congratulate the investment portfolio for the year, was management team and staff of the Deaf approximately 2.3%, below the CPI+5% Society for delivering a commendable (6.0%) objective set out in the Investment financial result for 2016. Policy. This was an acceptable result in the context of a low interest rate environment, This year the Society incurred a deficit of in which the Reserve Bank of Australia $146,619 (2015: $10,859 surplus). Total reduced the official cash rate twice over comprehensive income (after including the the course of the financial year from 2.0% change in market value of investments held) to 1.5% (2015: reduced from 2.5% to 2.0%) for the year was a deficit of $634,184 (2015: and follows three consecutive years in $167,340 surplus) with revenue continuing which the investment return objectives to grow this year to $6,798,631 (2014: were exceeded. $6,113,236). At the end of the financial year, the Society had net assets of $15,839,716 This year’s total comprehensive income (2015: $16,473,900). I would sincerely like of a $634,184 deficit (2015: $167,340 to thank our supporters and commend surplus) is reflective of the investment the efforts of our Directors and staff that the Society has made in readying itself for made these results possible. I would also an NDIS environment, to ensure it’s in a like to acknowledge the financial assistance position to continue providing services to received from the Commonwealth and New the Deaf Community into the future. South Wales Governments, on which the Along with the Society’s participation Society heavily relies. in the NDIS NSW trial sites, the Board The net income from fundraising initiatives continues to manage the Society’s response this year was $39,865 (2015: $32,517). I to the transition in government funding would like to thank those individuals and from a block funded model to a person organisations who chose to support the centred approach to funding under NDIS. Society in this way. To enhance the Society’s growth and capacity under the NDIS model, the Board The 2016 financial year marks the fourth will continue to invest in strategies critical full year since the Society appointed its to achieving sustainable growth and a investment advisors (Deutsche Bank and JB customer-centred approach. Were). During the year, income generated from investments totalled $686,700 (2015: $833,488), with the value of investments held declining by $487,565 (2015: $156,481 increase), supplemented by realised gains Vivek Prabhu of $244,391 (2015: $221,270) on the Chair, Finance and Audit Committee sale of some investments. In what was a

THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 13 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2016

CORPORATE INFORMATION

ABN 21 952 195 236

Directors Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu ABN 74 490 121 060

David Atkinson Eclipse Tower Level 17 60 Station Street Kenneth Deacon Parramatta NSW 2150 PO Box 38 Parramatta NSW 2124 Australia Alastair McEwin Tel: +61 (0) 2 9840 7000 Vivek Prabhu The Board of Directors Fax: +61 (0) 2 9840 7001 The Deaf Society www.deloitte.com.au Level 4 Susanne Alexandra Rae 69 Philip Street Parramatta NSW 2150 Julie Tait Todd James Wright

Evan Kidd 12 October 2016

Elizabeth Wee Dear Board Members Brian Peter Halse The Deaf Society Frank Lawrence Peterson In accordance with Subdivision 60-C of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012, I am pleased to provide the following declaration of independence to the directors of The Deaf Company Secretary Society.

Louise Hicks As lead audit partner for the audit of the financial statements of The Deaf Society for the financial year ended 30 June 2016, I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been no contraventions of: Registered Office and Principal Place (i) the auditor independence requirements as set out in the Australian Charities and Not-for- of Business profits Commission Act 2012 in relation to the audit; and (ii) any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit. Suite 401 Level 4

69 Phillip Street

Parramatta NSW 2150 Yours sincerely

Bankers

DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU Commonwealth Bank of Australia 90-92 Audley Road

Petersham NSW 2049 David Black Partner Chartered Accountants Investment Managers

JB Were Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation Level 42, Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited

1 Farrar Place Page 8

Sydney NSW 2000

Deutsche Bank AG Deutsche Bank Place Level 16 Corner Phillip and Hunter Streets Sydney NSW 2000

Auditor Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Eclipse Tower Level 17 60 Station Street Parramatta NSW 2150

For the detailed financial report, visit our website www.deafsocietynsw.org.au.

14 THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2016

2016 2015 $ $ Revenue 6,798,631 6,113,236 Investment gain 244,391 221,270 Employee benefits expense (4,868,683) (4,267,506) Depreciation expense (52,235) (68,842) Administrative expenses (450,442) (433,666) Occupancy expenses (338,378) (379,695) Consulting and marketing expenses (1,023, 937) (733,782) Other expenses (455,966) (440,156) (Deficit)/surplus for the year (146,619) 10,859 Other comprehensive income: Items that may reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: Fair value (loss)/gain on available-for-sale assets (487,565) 156,481 Total comprehensive (deficit)/surplus income for the year (634,184) 167,340

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2016

2016 2015 $ $ Current assets Cash and bank balances 327,472 2,033,630 Trade and other receivables 846,774 514,684 Other financial assets 532,197 - Other assets 174,441 112,737 Total current assets 1,880,884 2,661,051 Non-current assets Other financial assets 15,875,400 15,836,625 Property, plant and equipment 132,681 234,305 Total non-current asset 16,008,081 16,070,930 Total assets 17,888,965 18,731,981 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 1,546,375 1,793,276 Provisions 408,081 295,847 Total current liabilities 1,954,456 2,089,123 Non-current liabilities Provisions 94,793 168,958 Total non-current liabilities 94,793 168,958 Total liabilities 2,049,249 2,258,081 Net assets 15,839,716 16,473,900 Equity Reserves 6,593,350 7,080,915 Accumulated surplus 9,246,366 9,392,985

Total equity 15,839,716 16,473,900

THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 15 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OF FUNDRAISING APPEALS FOR THE YEAR 30 JUNE 2016

2016 2015 $ $ Income Annual mail appeal - 1,678 Donations 39,965 30,838 Merchandise Sales 249 527 Total fundraising income 40,214 33,043

Expenditure Postage, printing, stationary 2,245 2,578 Total cost of fundraising 2,245 2,578 Net Surplus 37,969 30,465

The surplus for the year is used to ameliorate the deficits incurred by the society in providing vital services, in particular support for members of the Deaf Community and their families in rural and regional areas. In 2016 year, the deficit amounted to $405,588 (2015: $210,411).

% % Total cost of fundraising on fundraising income 6 8 Net surplus on fundraising income 94 92

Fundraising income excludes bequests, as it is not considered to represent income from active fundraising. There were no fundraising activities conducted jointly with traders.

Declaration by the President in respect of fundraising appeals I, Todd James Wright, Chair of The Deaf Society (previously known as The Deaf Society of NSW) declare, that in my opinion: (a) The accounts give a true and fair view of all income and expenditure of The Deaf Society with respect to fundraising appeals; (b) The statement of financial position gives a true and fair view of the state of affairs with respect to fundraising appeals; (c) The provision of the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 (NSW) and the regulations under the Act have been complied with; (d) The conditions attached to the authority have been complied with; and (e) The internal controls exercised by The Deaf Society are appropriate and effective in accounting for all income received and applied by the Society from any of its fundraising appeals.

Todd James Wright Chair Sydney, 12 October 2016

DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2016

The directors declare that: (a) in the directors’ opinion, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the company will be able to pay its debt as and when they become due and payable; and (b) in the directors’ opinion, the attached financial statements and notes thereto are in accordance with the Australian Charities and Non- for-profits Commission Act 2012 and the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 (NSW) including compliance with accounting standards and giving a true and fair view of the financial position and performance of the company.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors made pursuant to s.60.15 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulation 2013.

On behalf of the directors

Todd James Wright Vivek Prabhu Chair Chair of Finance and Audit Committee Sydney, 12 October 2016

16 THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu A.B.N. 74 490 121 060 Eclipse Tower Level 17 60 Station Street Parramatta NSW 2150 PO Box 38 Parramatta NSW 2124 Australia Tel: +61 2 9840 7000 Fax: +61 2 9322 7001 www.deloitte.com.au

Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of The Deaf Society

We have audited the accompanying financial report of The Deaf Society, which comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2016, the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, the statement of cash flows and the statement of changes in equity for the year ended on that date, notes comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information, and the directors’ declaration as set out on pages 9 to 33. In addition, we have audited The Deaf Society’s compliance with specific requirements of the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 for the year ended 30 June 2016.

Directors’ Responsibility for the Financial Report and for Compliance with the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991

The directors of the company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 and for compliance with the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991. The directors are also responsible for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable compliance with requirements of the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s compliance with specific requirements of the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and the financial report based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Those standards require that we comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the entity has complied with specific requirements of the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and the financial report is free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the company’s compliance with specific requirements of the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and amounts and disclosures in the financial report. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risks of non-compliance with specific requirements of the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control, relevant to the company’s compliance with the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view, in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report.

Inherent Limitations

Because of the inherent limitations of any compliance procedure, it is possible that fraud, error, or noncompliance with the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 may occur and not be detected. An audit is not designed to detect all weaknesses in The Deaf Society’s compliance with the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 as an audit is not performed continuously throughout the period and the tests are performed on a sample basis.

THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 17 Any projection of the evaluation of compliance with the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 to future periods is subject to the risk that the procedures, may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with them may deteriorate.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Auditor’s Independence Declaration

In conducting our audit, we have complied with the independence requirements of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012.

Opinion

In our opinion:

(a) financial report of The Deaf Society is in accordance with Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012, including:

a. giving a true and fair view of the company’s financial position as at 30 June 2016 and of its performance and cash flows for the year ended on that date; and

b. complying with Australian Accounting Standards and with Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Regulation 2013;

(b) the financial report agrees to the underlying financial records of The Deaf Society, that have been maintained, in all material respects, in accordance with the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and its regulations for the year ended 30 June 2016; and

(c) monies received by The Deaf Society, as a result of fundraising appeals conducted during the year ended 30 June 2016, have been accounted for and applied, in all material respects, in accordance with the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and its regulations.

DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU

David Black Partner Chartered Accountants Sydney, 18 October 2016

18 THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 MEMEBERS AS AT 30 JUNE 2016

LIFE MEMBERS REGULAR MEMBERS Elizabeth Wee Kristen Whitely A M Houen AM Adelaide Evan Kidd Louise Hicks Adam Salzer Alastair McEwin Evelyn Christie Margaret Dale Alexandra Hynes Alex Jones Frances Whitley Margaret Day Anthony Gorringe OAM Alison Toft Frank L Peterson Margaret Drabsch Barry Duggan Andrew Lucas George Krams Martin Budd Brian Surtees Andrew Wiltshire Gregory Faulks Mary Cook Bridget Carty Anne Woods Helen Nicholson Megan Hannon Colin Allen Anne M Smith Helen Trendos Michelle Norberry Ethel Goff Anthony McKrodt Inge Jahn Megan Hannon George Barbouttis Arthur Liberale Jacqueline Endicott Michelle Norberry Harry Roberts Barbara Stathis Jennifer Lazarus Norma Giuffre Michael Hedley Betty O'Brien Jennifer Hannan Patricia Mutton Nola Colefax OAM Bradley Trudgett Jitka Navratil Peter Hannan Peter Miller Brendan McQuiggin John Gould Ron Nicholson Ray Todd Brian Halse John Grant Rosalie Kassulke Ray Whitten Brian Johnston John O'Neill Roy Goldring Ron Bryant Bruce Drabsch Jordanna Smith Sharon Nann Sharon Everson Carol Tiley Judith Watson Sue Rae Steven Turner Charlene Grace Judy Clews Thomas Robson V D Bear Christian James Julie Tait Todd Wright David Atkinson Kathy Wright Toni Rose Robson David London Ken Deacon Vivek Prabhu David McQuiggin Kerry Priem Young-Joo Byun Dennis Johnston Kevin Mitchell

MAJOR DONATIONS AND SPONSORS

The generosity of our present and past supporters has made our work possible. We place on record our sincere thanks and appreciation to the many, many people who make our work possible.

$1,000 AND OVER $500 AND OVER $200 AND OVER $100 AND OVER J Church I H Campbell E Ash Anatolian Catering Google C Grace O Bolliger V Bear L Jackson P Hunt V Caradus B Beaver National Relay Service J Smith E Collings B Boyes Samsung J K Smith S Everson V Caradus L Wang Thrill Event P M Griffin N Colefax J Wiseman E Hart R Gallaway R J Howson M Gates R Jacobs B W Glockeman D Johnston J Gould C Maher H E Grant M R Parker J Harland V Phillips C A Harris K Prigram C V Hood Quota International of Quirindi F Horsley A Rowell L G Johnson St Drogo's Café Lawson Women's Bowling Club G E Wall I Mensdorff-Pouilly Whelan Project Co Pty Ltd R Mewburn C R Wilhelm Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College LN & LM Wilcox F Muecke J Phillipe J Putland D Rouvray R Taplin

THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 19 Level 4, 69 Phillip Street Parramatta NSW 2150

Phone: (02) 8833 3600 SMS: 0427 741 420 Email: [email protected] Skype: deafsocietyofnsw Website: www.deafsocietynsw.org.au