Asylum Seekers Centre Annual Report 2012-2013

ABN: 47 164 509 475 “I want to thank the Asylum Seekers Centre for helping me build a new life. All that I am now is because of them. They were the first people who helped me in Australia. They helped me get my Protection Visa, they found me somewhere to sleep, they helped me with my health needs and they helped me improve my English. I owe them so much.” Former Client Our Vision Asylum seekers are welcomed to Australia and afforded a dignified, meaningful and safe existence pending the fair, transparent and expeditious resolution of their claims.

Contents

About Us 04

Our Patrons 05

Our Board 06

Chair’s Report 08

CEO’s Report 09

What We Do 12

Volunteers 15

Fundraising 16

Financials 18

Our Supporters 21

Acknowledgements 22

Contact 24

Annual Report 2012–13 03 About Us

The Asylum Seekers Primary needs of asylum seekers on arrival Centre is a place of hospitality and welcome. It is an 4.5% oasis for many people, a safe place 3.6% 11.4% for those who have fled situations of great danger. 10.7% 44.8% The Asylum Seekers Centre provides practical and personal 8.4% support for asylum seekers living in the community. Our services 16.6% include casework, accommodation, financial relief, health care and counselling, employment assistance, education, advocacy, food, material and social support. We are a not-for-profit organisation and rely on grants, Homelessness and Financial donations and volunteers to undertake our work. Our clients Employment come from over 52 countries in Education and Nutrition search of safety, protection and Legal freedom. During 2012-13, we cared for almost 1,000 asylum seekers Material Aid with the majority of new clients Health coming from Iran, followed by Egypt, Bangladesh, China and Other Pakistan. Of those clients, 45% were homeless when they arrived, During 2012-2013 we provided: 50% had no work rights and 70% received absolutely no +6,000 casework +5,500 hot meals government support. consultations +6,000 food parcels +9,914 accommodation +3,000 classroom hours nights +300 pharmaceutical +3,000 health prescriptions consultations +2,400 one-on-one job consultations

04 Asylum Seekers Centre Our Patrons

Her Excellency John Menadue AO Hugh Mackay Professor Marie John Menadue has had a Australia’s pre-eminent social Bashir AC CVO distinguished career in the public researcher, Hugh Mackay is sector, including as Head of the internationally recognised for Governor of Department of Prime Minister his pioneering work in this area. and Cabinet under two Prime He is the author of nine books New South Wales Ministers, Gough Whitlam in the field of social psychology and Malcolm Fraser. He was and ethics as well as six novels. Ambassador to Japan as well as Hugh has been a newspaper Secretary of the Department of columnist and media commentator Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, for over 25 years and is currently and the Department of Trade. an Honorary Professor of Social Private sector appointments Science at the University of included General Manager, News Wollongong. He was previously Limited, Sydney. He was also CEO Deputy Chairman of the Australia of Qantas, a Director of Telstra Council, Chairman of Trustees and Chair of the Australia-Japan of Sydney Grammar School and Foundation. John was Founding the inaugural Chairman of the Chair of the Centre for Policy ACT Government’s Community Development. He is presently Inclusion Board. a Fellow of the CPD.

Annual Report 2012–13 05 Our Board

Steve Bradley: Frances Rush: Christopher Chair Deputy Chair Fogarty: Secretary Steve has over 25 year’s senior Assistant Director, Office Christopher is a retired lawyer executive experience in some of the Public Guardian. Frances and consultant with extensive of Australia’s largest corporations. has extensive experience in experience in governance, He concluded his full time working complex case management and management and international career at Woolworths where he was crisis intervention and has been development. Before his the Chief Logistics and Information associated with the ASC since retirement, Christopher worked Officer responsible for the supply its inception. for 35 years in a range of positions chain and information technology. in the Commonwealth Parliament Passionate about innovation and the public sector. His last and change in organisations, position was as General Counsel he has led some of the largest in a Commonwealth regulatory change programs in Australia. agency. In the 1970’s he worked as a Since finishing full time work volunteer in PNG with Australian he has been the Chairman of Volunteers International (AVI). Outback Stores, director of a large He subsequently served on the superannuation fund and has board of AVI, including nine consulted to a significant range years as Chair, and is currently of Australian and NZ businesses. an external appointment to the Governance Committee of AVI.

Lachlan Murdoch: Treasurer Deputy Director, NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS). Lachlan was a founding member of the ASC and brings extensive expertise in refugee trauma and mental health matters.

06 Asylum Seekers Centre Steven Glass Tom Gregory Betty Hounslow Partner in the law firm Gilbert Tom has more than 35 years Betty has over 30 years experience + Tobin. Steven has practised for of international finance and in the community sector, most 26 years, specialising in commercial management experience, including recently as Deputy CEO of The litigation. For 11 years he has led the 28 years as chief executive of a Fred Hollows Foundation. She has firm’s pro bono refugee practice. company of which he is currently worked in community legal centres Steven has been a regular visitor non executive chairman. For over and women’s refuges, been the to Christmas Island and other a decade, he was non executive Executive Director of ACOSS detention centres to represent director of a not-for-profit (the national advocacy body for low asylum seekers. publisher, and is head of a Private income and disadvantaged people), Ancillary Fund he established in and Vice-President of ACFID 2002. Tom and his parents arrived (the peak body for international in Australia as refugees. aid agencies). Her activism around the rights of refugees and migrants started in the early 1980’s.

Graham Thom Jack Thomas Refugee Coordinator, Amnesty Jack has a broad background International Australia. Graham in marketing and international has visited detention centres and operations management. refugee camps both in Australia Immediately before retirement, and throughout the region. He has he was President, Asia Pacific chaired the NSW Asylum Seeker for Cognos, a leading supplier of Interagency since 2000. business intelligence. Jack brings with him a passion for human rights.

Annual Report 2012–13 07 Chair’s Report

This year we moved from our much The Houston Report was delivered loved home of 20 years in Surry in August 2012 and contained Hills to wonderful new premises in much useful information about Newtown. Becher House provides the global phenomenon of asylum us with over three times the floor seekers and the factors affecting space and has allowed us to create a their arrival into our region. warm and welcoming home for our It made 22 recommendations, clients as well as much improved which it clearly stated needed working space for staff and to be implemented as a whole. volunteers. Becher House was only Unfortunately the government possible through the very generous either could not, or would not Good Shepherd Sisters and made contribution of many people but in implement many of the proposals, a major contribution to the Centre particular the Becher Foundation which seriously undermined over the years. Betty Hounslow which provided the majority of the effectiveness of its joined the Board and brings a the funds for the purchase. Becher recommendations. wealth of experience in the not- House will be a fitting legacy to We ended this year with our for-profit sector, most recently as their generosity and commitment. finances in the strongest position Deputy CEO of the Fred Hollows The year has seen both major they have ever been. In particular Foundation. We are honoured that parties taking a highly political our balance sheet grew from Hugh Mackay has chosen to join approach to asylum seekers $171,000 to $2,300,000 after the John Menadue as a Patron of and the debate has been loud purchase of Becher House. the Centre. and rancorous. Each side claims We remain determined to manage Melanie Noden has been the that their solution is the better our financial affairs prudently CEO for over a year now and has approach when in fact there’s little while expanding our services displayed wonderful leadership difference between them. We see where possible to meet the needs through a period of significant the impact these policies have of our clients. growth. She has guided the on asylum seekers living in the Our services had been limited Centre through much change community and would welcome by the physical space available while continually improving as much focus being placed on for some years, a constraint client services. reducing the harm this causes as is removed by the move to Becher I would like to thank all the devoted to border protection issues. House. We have progressively staff, volunteers and supporters expanded our services in the last for their great commitment and We strongly year and intend to continue this dedication throughout the year. as funding permits. Our priorities advocate that all They really are the heart and the are increasing the range of legal asylum seekers soul of the Centre and make a very services available to our clients real difference to the lives of many living in the and increasing the amount of people. I would also like to thank community be emergency accommodation we my Board colleagues for their have available. We are also keen to granted work rights enthusiasm, commitment and wise increase advocacy on behalf of our counsel through the year. and the uncertainty clients and be widely recognized as

provided by a calm and authoritative voice for asylum seekers. temporary Wendy Watson resigned Steve Bradley protection visas from the Board in 2012. She has Chair be removed. represented the interests of the Asylum Seekers Centre

08 Asylum Seekers Centre CEO’s Report

2012–13 was a landmark year for Our greatest the Asylum Seekers Centre on all levels. We’ve celebrated the achievement this 20th anniversary of the Centre, year is that we purchased a new home and served served the highest the greatest number of asylum seekers in our history. number of asylum In over 20 years, thousands seekers since our of asylum seekers have seen inception. our Centre as an oasis, a place of welcome and a second home. We assisted more than 1,000 All our successes have been During that time we’ve never asylum seekers from 52 countries. achieved without a single dollar turned anyone away hungry or in We could not have served the of Federal Government funding need of a bed. We’ve been inspired increased numbers without the and with 92% of our funding by their stories of extraordinary extra space Becher House provides. coming from the community and resilience and courage. Details of the incredible work philanthropy. We are so incredibly We are particularly grateful to undertaken by the Centre during grateful to all of our supporters the Good Shepherd Australia New 2012–2013 are set out elsewhere in for their generosity and for the Zealand, whose vision to create a this report. Particular highlights commitment and passion of our place of hope and welcome to include: Board, staff and volunteers. We are asylum seekers made the Centre • The leasing of houses with also thankful for the privilege to a reality. For two decades they 20 beds to supplement our work with so many inspirational supported us financially and hostel style emergency asylum seekers whose courage, provided us with a home rent-free. short-term accommodation resilience and dignity continue to They’ve also made a substantial • Introducing additional pro bono inspire us daily in our efforts. donation to our new home. GP, dental, osteopathic and We look forward to the new era We moved into Becher House counselling clinics in Becher House. We’re very proud near Newtown Station in April 2013. • Introducing Australian work of what we’ve achieved in the last We are incredibly grateful to all culture workshops provided by 20 years and are well positioned those who made our new home a potential employers to face the challenges ahead. reality. In particular I would like to • Increasing our classroom hours thank our major funder, the Becher to 3,000 Foundation, from whom Becher • Creating new recreation House takes its name. programs to assist with mental health and fitness Melanie Noden • Increasing the number Chief Executive Officer of volunteers by 30%. Asylum Seekers Centre

Annual Report 2012–13 09 10 Asylum Seekers Centre Annual Report 2012–13 11 What we do

Casework • Secured funding to employ Health a fulltime Casework Service The Casework Service is the first Manager, increasing staffing The Centre provides health care point of contact for all new clients to 3.1 FTE. for clients who are not eligible who arrive at the Centre. It allows • Caseworked 443 new clients, for Medicare and do not have any their needs to be assessed and a 34% increase over the previous financial income. We run regular prioritised so that we can link year, and cared for almost clinics in general medicine, oral them to the services and support 1,000 clients. health, physiotherapy, osteopathy they need. The Casework team • Provided over 6,000 and mental health. All of these provides practical support and casework consultations and services are supplied by our broad referrals in relation to applications 9,914 nights of accommodation. network of pro bono providers. for protection, accommodation, We also assist with referrals to financial and material support, Goals 2013–2014 external health care specialists advocacy and liaison with • Expand our emergency and advocate for fee-waivers government and other sector accommodation program. for specialist consultations and agencies. • Increase staffing and volunteer emergency treatment at public numbers to support the hospitals. Major Achievements 2012–2013 increasing number of clients. • Grew our Emergency Financial • Decrease the waiting period Major Achievements 2012–2013 Relief Fund to $213,426 enabling between receiving referrals and • Expanded our counselling us to support up to 60 clients conducting assessments. service to four days a week. per week who would otherwise • Introduce a membership card • Commencement of be homeless. scheme to ensure resources pharmaceutical provisions • Leased houses with 20 beds support those most in need. by RPA pharmacy. to supplement our hostel • Commencement of an style emergency short-term osteopathy clinic. accommodation. • Introduction of a dental clinic. • Recruitment of a female GP. • Setting up a medical suite at Becher House made possible by the purchase of $10,000 worth of equipment for medical clinic (AMA grant).

Goals 2013–2014 • Increase funding for pharmaceutical provisions. • Increase GP clinics. • Establish group therapy sessions. • Recruit administration volunteer. • Introduce nursing case management for complex presentations.

12 Asylum Seekers Centre Employment Major Achievements 2012–2013 Education • Delivered 2,400 one-on-one job Assistance consultations. We run regular English classes We provide a structured • Joined the Migrant Skills which are taught by professionally employment assistance service for Recognition Service Steering trained and experienced volunteer asylum seekers. They have much to Committee to ensure our ESL teachers. These are tailored offer Australian workplaces, often clients have access to a federal for clients with different levels bringing many years of experience, government skills assessment of English and held in a group professional expertise and maturity service. environment or one-on-one for to a workplace. In our experience, • Provided microloans totalling those with specific needs. Our asylum seekers become dedicated $10,200 to 15 clients. weekly computer classes help team members because they are • Expanded our network of clients set up email accounts, seeking stability and a chance employers, recruitment agencies navigate the internet, format their to contribute to the Australian and training organisations resumes and address any general community through work. willing to assist. computer questions they have. Working in partnership with • Held three training forums employers, we provide a free where asylum seekers heard Major Achievements 2012–2013 employment service and offer from potential employers about • Expanded English Language ongoing workplace support once a Australian workplace culture. Program to include weekly position has been filled. All our job one-on-one Accent Modification seekers have been granted work Goals 2013–2014 Classes and other individually visas by the government which • Grow our employer network. tailored classes. means they have full work rights. • Provide cultural diversity • Piloted Advanced English class. Employers who have recruited our training to businesses to build • Recruited additional teachers for candidates report very positive their capacity to employ asylum program expansion and retained benefits in their workplaces. seekers. a strong group of experienced Our microloans program offers • Continue to raise awareness of ESL teachers. asylum seekers interest free loans the under-utilised pool of skills • Increased student up to $1,200 to help meet the costs and experience in the asylum participation to an average of equipment, vocational training seeker population. of 50 students per week. or to start their own business. • Maintain the high retention • Increased classroom hours We also offer our service to rates our service achieves when to 3,000. partner organisations supporting placing candidates in work. asylum seekers in NSW, ensuring Goals 2013–2014 we remain accessible to all asylum • Conduct evaluation of English seekers. and computer programs to better address clients’ needs. • Develop a system for identifying and referring clients to free English programs in Sydney. • Expand English Language Program within the Centre. • Recruit part-time staff member and volunteer team coordinator to foster expansion.

Annual Report 2012–13 13 What we do continued

Social Support • Created new partnerships to Nutrition and increase recreational activities Our Social Support Program aims with Newtown Neighbourhood Material Support to reduce the social isolation Centre, Annette Kellerman A team of generous volunteers experienced by asylum seekers Aquatic Centre and the provides daily nutritious lunches and create a connection for them Australian Children’s Music for clients. These lunches set with the local community. Not only Foundation. the tone for our welcoming have they had to leave their home • Introduced recreational environment and present a much country, but also their community activities specifically for needed opportunity for clients and often their family. Apart from families and children. to engage socially. the stress of seeking asylum, We also provide a Food Bank they often suffer from extreme Goals 2013–2014 service to clients to help them loneliness. We provide a range • Conduct client focused maintain a healthy diet at home. of regular physical activities and evaluation of recreation During the year we provided fitness classes as well as creative activities. over 5,500 hot meals and more outlets that include gardening, • Improve system for internal than 6,000 food parcels. art, music and excursions to local referrals to recreation program. Sydney attractions. • Continue to expand recreational activities. Major Achievements 2012–2013 • Increase the number of regular • Developed new fitness and excursions. creative programs including art, • Develop new community music and exercise. partnerships for free recreational activities.

14 Asylum Seekers Centre Volunteers

We have over 200 wonderful Goals 2013–2014 volunteers who are the heart • Enhance volunteer recruitment and soul of the Centre. Not only process by streamlining are they the first people asylum channels of communication. seekers meet when they arrive, • Increase efficiency of volunteer but they enable us to provide a intake and management using warm welcome and the supporting eTapestry. services our clients need as they • Reconstruct training practices start to build a new life in Australia. for new and existing volunteers. • Reinforce and strengthen Major Achievements 2012–2013 reward systems and feedback • Increased the number of channels. volunteers by 30%. • Retained a strong cadre of skilled, professional and dedicated volunteers. • Strengthened relationships with volunteer groups and organizations to increase volunteer engagement.

Annual Report 2012–13 15 Fundraising

Given we have no This has put us in a In the last year we have secure position to ensure the doubled the number of women, federal government sustainability of the Centre and men and children asylum funding, we rely our capacity to continue to support seekers to over 1,000 and this is on the generosity the growing number of asylum a result of the new premises in seekers who arrive at our door. combination with recent changes of individuals, as We thank all of our financial in government policy. well as charitable supporters for their incredible foundations and contributions, and hope that we Fundraising Events can continue to count on them into In May, we held our 11th Annual trusts to help us the future. perform our work. Quiz Night which was attended by over 450 people. Hosted by 2012–13 was a successful year Becher House HG Nelson the night raised over for the Asylum Seekers Centre. We raised $1,941,889 to purchase $60,000 in profit from individuals With the support of the Becher our new home at Becher House. and a number of corporate tables. Foundation, the trusts and With the support of the Becher The quiz night is run by a foundations listed and a number Foundation and other individuals wonderful volunteer committee of major gifts from individuals, and trusts, we now have premises and we thank them all for their we were able to acquire our new that enable us to effectively serve incredibly hard work on such premises. We raised more from our clients needs. a successful event. fundraising events than in the past The funds covered the and we exceeded our expectations property’s purchase, renovations General for funding from foundations and fit out to meet our expanding Fundraising and trusts. requirements, as well as establish Overall we ended the financial a sinking fund. The Winter and Christmas appeals, year with a surplus of $247,535 in addition to general fundraising, (excluding Becher House funds), regular giving and unsolicited a significant improvement from donations, raised $174,453 to the previous financial year. support our work. Support from foundations and trusts raised a record of almost $700,000 to fund the different services that we provide to our clients. We particularly thank the Becher Foundation, Good Shepherd Sisters Australia New Zealand, Bridge for Asylum Seekers, Gandel Philanthropy, the Sydney Myer Fund and Vincent Fairfax Family Trust for their ongoing support.

16 Asylum Seekers Centre How we were funded

1% 8%

Donations 22% Events Non-Government Grants 61% State Government Funding 8% Other

How we used our funds

11% Our Work

13% Fundraising

Administration & Governance

76%

Annual Report 2012–13 17 Financial Statements

Profit and Loss Statement Asylum Seekers Centre Incorporated ABN 47 164 509 475 For the Year Ended 30 June 2013 2013 2012 INCOME $ $ Interest income 8,601 11,147 Grants 766,892 512,037 Donations and bequests 464,255 216,901 Donations in kind 20,600 - Donations – Becher House 1,750,000 - Donations – Becher House sinking fund 100,000 - Fundraising revenue 92,959 69,328 Total Income 3,203,307 809,413

LESS EXPENSES $ $ Accounting fees 2,000 - Advertising 12,447 - Bank charges 1,883 1,206 Board expenses 123 3,408 Cleaning 7,136 3,338 Client assistance expenses 227,797 159,691 Computer expenses 10,858 11,790 Depreciation 36,732 1,510 Electricity and water 7,262 4,929 Equipment <$300 566 1,575 Fundraising expenses 16,030 14,998 Insurance 7,919 4,690 Lease rentals on operating lease 1,888 1,070 Leave pay 19,086 2,490 Other employee costs 975 1,496 Postage 2,644 1,750 Printing and stationery 5,344 6,529 Rates and taxes 25,596 - Repairs and maintenance 2,647 3,950 Salaries 589,942 511,513 Staff amenities 1,401 685 Staff training 11,246 367 Subscriptions 241 650 Sundry expenses 571 960 Superannuation contributions 51,062 41,044 Telephone and fax 12,994 24,793 Travel – domestic 984 1,843 Workers compensation insurance 17,022 15,095 Total Expenses 1,074,396 821,370

Profit/(loss) before income tax 2,128,911 (11,957)

18 Asylum Seekers Centre Statement of Financial Position Asylum Seekers Centre Incorporated ABN 47 164 509 475 For the Year Ended 30 June 2013 2013 2012 ASSETS $ $ Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents 685,223 360,891 Trade and other receivables 156,231 12,693 Current tax receivable 6,119 - Other assets - 4,384 Total Current Assets 847,573 377,968

Non-Current Assets Property, plant and equipment 1,949,907 2,269 Total Non-Current Assets 1,949,907 2,269

Total Assets 2,797,480 380,237

LIABILITIES $ $ Current Liabilities Trade and other payables 164,692 33,999 Borrowings - 13,703 Current tax liabilities - 999 Employee benefits 49,584 30,498 Other liabilities 282,969 129,714 Total Current Liabilities 497,245 208,913

Total Liabilities 497,245 208,913

NET ASSETS 2,300,235 171,324

EQUITY $ $ Reserves 100,000 - Retained Earnings 2,200,235 171,324 Total Equity 2,300,235 171,324

Annual Report 2012–13 19 20 Asylum Seekers Centre Our Supporters

We thank our major supporters who make all of our services and support of asylum seekers possible.

AMA Foundation Key Foundation Scully Foundation

Becher House Funders • Becher Foundation • Key Foundation • Steve and Ros Bradley • Karen Loblay • Catholic Community of Mary • Peter and Pam Mattick Magdalene, Rose Bay • David Murray • Ferris Family Foundation • Dick and Pip Smith Foundation • Good Shepherd Australia • Jack Thomas New Zealand

Annual Report 2012–13 21 Acknowledgements

Images : Michael Amendolis; Wentworth Courier Design : Modeve Design (modeve.com.au) Printer : Konica Minolta

This Annual Report has been printed on SilkHD Matt paper which is produced in an ISO 14001 accredited facility ensuring all processes involved in production are of the highest environmental standards. Silk-HD is made Carbon Neutral and uses an Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) bleaching process.

22 Asylum Seekers Centre Asylum Seekers Centre 43 Bedford Street, Newtown, NSW 2042 Australia T : (02) 9078 1900 F : (02) 9078 1999 E : [email protected] www.asylumseekerscentre.org.au