Annual Report 2015 2016
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Bridging the Gap Inc. Annual Report 2015 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 2015 2016 We support our community 2 | BRIDGING THE GAP ANNUAL REPORT 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 2015 2016 We support our community. Contents Page 4 Mission, Vision and Sustainability Page 5 Special Occasions Page 6 Chairman's Report Page 7 CEO’s Report Page 8 Our Board Page 11 Our Celebrations Page 12 Letter from the Auditor Page 14 Abridged Financial Report Page 18 Our Programs Page 23 Good News Stories Page 26 Partnerships and Support BRIDGING THE GAP ANNUAL REPORT 2015 | 3 Mission, Vision and Values Our Vision Empowering People, Building Communities Our Mission To bridge the gap and build communities by empowering people and building self sufficiency in disadvantaged and disenfranchised individuals through social inclusion, practical training and enhanced employment opportunities. Sustainability Bridging the Gap is a supportive member of the community. To ensure our sustainability as a business, we are diversifying our income streams by creating ways of marketing our expertise to the wider community. For over 30 years Bridging the Gap has been firmly embedded in WA’s local communities. Our experience includes delivery of State and Federal funded programs in employment support services, career development and training services from Perth to Peel region. As ongoing members within the CoAct network across Australia we continue our commitment to address pressing social needs in communities through the delivery of existing and new programs. We are committed to equal opportunities, both for our own employees and those we assist into work. We would like to acknowledge the following staff for their years of service to Bridging the Gap. 10 years and more of service Up to 10 years of service Jane McWhirter 19 Laureen Weyell 9 Peter Bird 11 Rob Toon 6 Janet Yates 10 Melissa Ritchie 5 Funding and Partnerships Bridging the Gap would like to thank and acknowledge the many organisations with whom we partner to deliver our programs and initiatives. 4 | BRIDGING THE GAP ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Special Occasions August 2015 Board and Staff Dinner at the Admiral December 2015 Christmas Staff Sundowner Ngulla Community and Training Centre February 2016 Opening of our offices in Mandurah Bridging the Gap, Workforce Development Centre September 2016 Green Army Graduation Day at the Pinjarra Community Gardens BRIDGING THE GAP ANNUAL REPORT 2015 | 5 Special Occasions From the Chair Evan Parker Bridging the Gap Inc. Chairman Life in the not-for-profit sector changes constantly and this year is no exception. Bridging the Gap has made major adjustments to changed government contracting over the past year and has transitioned its operations to work with State and Federal governments and Job Active providers. The Board has been very active in pursuing alternatives to provide strength and stability to Bridging the Gap and long-term security to its staff and stakeholders. We thank the staff for their patience and support over this difficult time. In particular, we would like to thank CEO Jane McWhirter for her tireless efforts to expand the business, deliver on existing contracts and build a cohesive organisation. I’m very pleased to lead a diverse and capable Board and thank each Board member for their input, advice and contribution. The challenges will continue and I look forward to working closely with staff, managers and the Board to produce another year of growth, strength and excellent service delivery to those most in need in our community. 6 | BRIDGING THE GAP ANNUAL REPORT 2015 From the CEO Jane McWhirter Bridging the Gap Inc. Chief Executive Officer Bridging the Gap has experienced a very challenging, eventful and indeed successful year. A review and redesign of the organisation was led by our Board of Directors to firstly ensure sustainability for the organisation, and secondly to ensure we continue to deliver high quality and relevant services that meet the needs of families, individuals and the community at large. In spite of very difficult economic times, we were pleased to have increased our business throughout the year and this included an increase in Work for the Dole and Green Army projects spanning from Geraldton to Mandurah as well as the reopening our Mandurah office. We were also successful in gaining Workforce Development Centre business funded by the Department of Training and Workforce Development and Royalties for Regions. This incredible Careers service is available to all individuals, schools and other groups in the Peel region including Mandurah and remote areas Boddington, Pinjarra, Byford and Waroona. The past year saw the organisation grow from a workforce of sixteen to twenty eight highly committed people working as a team to meet the challenges of empowering clients to achieve their goals and contribute to their communities. A special thank you goes out to all of these staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to support Bridging the Gap’s vision for the future. I have been very fortunate indeed to experience this amazing team’s dedication and commitment and have received incredible support from them all especially my Managers and Coordinators who travelled this incredible journey close by my side. For me personally, I would like to also extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to each and every board member who over the past year has supported me immensely to steer this ship into smoother waters. Looking ahead to 2016-17, we will see the development of new Strategic Direction, Vision and Purpose for Bridging The Gap, and yes, change will happen and we will work tirelessly to embrace the change necessary to ensure this fantastic organisation remains solid for many years to come. BRIDGING THE GAP ANNUAL REPORT 2015 | 7 Our Board Evan Parker Chairman Evan was elected to the position of Chairman at the 2012 Annual General Meeting on October 15th, having served as Vice Chair from October 2010-2011, he is also a member of both the Finance and Marketing Sub-Committees. Evan is an Accountant and Consultant in Finance, Training and Employment to State and Local Government clients. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from UWA; is a Fellow of CPA Australia and an Associate of the Australian Institute of Management. Evan spent a decade in the Banking Industry before joining TAFE to lecture in Accounting, Commercial Law and Management and then to become an Academic Administrator in a range of city and country colleges. Evan held a variety of Senior positions in TAFE including Navy Training Manager, Director of Business Development, Chief Financial Officer and Director of IT and Business. Wayne Milnes Deputy Chair Wayne has a wealth of experience in the finance and commercial sectors, having spent 30 plus years with National Australia Bank, 15 of those in the position of Commercial Business Manager. Wayne retired from the banking industry in 2009 to spend time with his lovely wife Suzanne, enjoying golf and basketball – a sport he has been dedicated to for 36 years. In 2012, he re-joined the workforce on a part-time basis as a Business Agent for Harcourt Real Estate in Kwinana and is also a West Australian Consultant for Melbourne Company Mortgagee Services. Brad Dean Treasurer Brad joined the board of Bridging the Gap in 2011 and is the current Treasurer and a member of the Finance Subcommittee. Living in the region for 19 years, Brad has been an active member of the community holding executive positions on The South Coast Regional Chambers of Commerce, The Rockingham Community Bank, and numerous smaller local organisations. Brad is a director of local accounting firm, BDR Business Accountants and is a current member of the CPA Australia’s – WA Public Practice Committee. Outside of work Brad is heavily involved with the Variety Bash which is an annual event which raises and distributes much needed funds for needy and disadvantaged children. 8 | BRIDGING THE GAP ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Our Board Donna Gordin Director Donna’s career spans a variety of Industry’s including Mining, Hospitality and now Real Estate, where she has owned and run a small business (Home 2 Home Realty) since 2005 where she trains and employs local people in the Rockingham region. Donna has been actively involved in politics since 2008. Her passion for politics saw her endorsed as a Candidate in both the 2010 and 2013 Federal Elections. While unsuccessful in her in campaign to win, the local community benefited as a result. Additionally, Donna was able to assist BTG in securing a Green Army Project. She is connected to the local community through her fundraising for NFP groups, and an active member of both BNI and the Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce. Les Hayward Director Les is a business and personal risk and wealth management specialist with over 20 year’s corporate, financial services, mortgage, risk and wealth management industry experience. Commencing his corporate career in 1991 after serving several years in the Australian Defence Force, Les has worked in various senior executive roles servicing both the private & federal government sector including Defence and Foreign government installations, HQADF, ASIO, Canberra Airport & US Embassy, as well as various national roles in strategy, business development, risk management, training and operations management. In 2005, Les commenced working in the finance sector and in 2009 decided to transition into his own Practice, establishing Prosperity Wealth Management and Niche Wealth Management— both authorised representatives of Elders Financial Planning Pty Ltd. As a Director of Prosperity & Niche Wealth Management Les and his team work intimately with private and business clients to identify and understand their business and personal financial goals and aspirations. Les’s dedication and commitment to his customers was recognised in October 2013 when he was awarded the Elders Financial Planning "Practice of the Year Award".