ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 1 Changing Funding Arrangements (Always Very Passionate Bands of People – Our Downwards) and Reporting Requirements
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Crows Nest Centre Connecting Our Community Annual Report 2017 - 2018 North Sydney Community Service Ltd Contents Our vision Report from the Chair 1 Connecting our community. Report from Our mission the Executive Officer 3 Crows Nest Centre exists to provide and facilitate quality community programs and services that: Activities 5 connect our community, sustain community Chinese seniors 7 wellbeing and reduce social isolation. Community engagement 8 Our values Community support 11 Work of the Crows Nest is guided by our values: Computer club 13 Caring Food services 14 We care, we are welcoming, friendly and helpful. Linen service 17 Sensitivity Migrant services 19 We are respectful of the unique qualities of others; appreciative; open and responsive; Social support 22 treating all with dignity and equality. Venue hire 24 Dedication Volunteering 25 We work together towards a common mission with conviction, high motivation Financial Report Appendix 1 and perseverance. Supporters Appendix 2 Integrity Staff Appendix 2 We aim for the highest ethical standards; we are trustworthy, honest, financially and morally accountable. Excellence Crows Nest We aspire to be the best we can be in all that Centre we do. Connecting Our Community Innovation 2 Ernest Place, Crows Nest, NSW 2065 P (02) 9439 5122 We are creative, progressive and willing to F (02) 9439 8608 take prudent risks to achieve our vision and E [email protected] mission. www.crowsnestcentre.org.au Australian Government Department of Health Report from the Chair 2017-18 was another challenging year for Like other boards of not for profit The Crows Nest Centre, yet the Centre organisations, we are under increasing not only delivered a strong financial pressure from government to comply performance, but most importantly, with an ever-growing list of regulations delivered great outcomes for our clients. and compliance reporting. The Board continues to meet its obligations in this The Centre’s revenue regard, and our reputation in the sector is increased marginally second to none. during the 2017-18 financial year. I would like to especially thank Board However, with members for their ongoing and tireless continuing financial efforts in supporting the Centre’s pressures on activities. Your many hours of support operations, we have does not go unnoticed. Your level of to report a minor professional governance has been crucial loss. Again, due to the excellent to ensuring the Centre continues to management of Executive Officer Denise operate effectively. I feel privileged to Ward and Accounts Manager Sue Lloyd, work with such a talented group of the Centre remains in a sound financial professionals and volunteers. situation. I thank and congratulate them on a superb job. I would also like to thank our Executive Officer, Denise Ward, for her energy, The Crows Nest Centre Board continues enthusiasm and commitment in to provide a sound level of governance. managing the Centre. Denise has been Unfortunately, we farewelled two with the Centre since February 2011 and Directors during the year, Bob Birchall, runs a multifaceted operation to the who had been with us since November highest professional standards. Denise 2012, and Nicole Rieveley, who joined us has faced some significant challenges in May 2017. Both made an excellent over the years, such as continuously contribution and will be missed. The Board undertook an active recruitment campaign to replace the outgoing Directors, resulting in 20 applicants, short-listed to five experienced and qualified candidates. Alice Martin and Joshua Dowton were selected as the outstanding candidates. They will be presented to the Annual General Meeting in November for formal acceptance. Both have excellent credentials and we are confident they will make a very positive contribution. Crows Nest Centre | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 1 changing funding arrangements (always very passionate bands of people – our downwards) and reporting requirements. staff and our volunteers. Walking around Yet Denise has continued to keep the the office at any time is very uplifting, Centre running smoothly, managing staff seeing the way that the Centre staff work and looking after Board members. It has tirelessly to ensure the people in our been a pleasure working with Denise and community receive the services they I look forward to working with her in the need. future. The range of services we provide both in I would also like to congratulate Sue Lloyd the Centre and to the community as a for her work in managing our financials. whole, never ceases to amaze me! Sue’s efforts make our job as a Board so There is no way we could deliver these much easier, knowing the financials are services without our volunteers, over 200 being well looked after. Thank you, Sue. from teens to nineties. They are the backbone of our success. Without our The Board and management face volunteers we would not have any hope continuing challenges regarding future of meeting the communities’ needs. Commonwealth and State Government funding. We are very grateful to North Finally, thank you everyone for all that Sydney Council for their continuing you do. It makes me especially proud to financial and in-kind support. Particular be the Chair of such a wonderful thanks must go to Martin Ellis, Director organisation of dedicated people. Community and Library Services, for his ongoing advice and support. Jonathan Farrell Chair, North Sydney Community Service Finally, the many community programs and services we provide would not be possible without the dedication of two 2 Crows Nest Centre | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 Report from the Executive Officer With Local Government reform finally off With the support of Federal Member for the agenda, 2017-18 saw the Crows Nest North Sydney, Trent Zimmerman, we Centre grappling with the advent of obtained a grant to purchase new ageing and disability reform, and the furniture for the Pat Brunton Dining likely impact on clients, volunteers, staff Room. We have also been negotiating and revenue. with Council to paint and recarpet, creating a more welcoming space for our Our Strategic community centre clients and volunteers. Directions 2017- 2020 guided the Dealings during the year with My Aged work of the Centre Care and Regional Assessment Services and services and often proved challenging, requiring activities for older patience and adaptation by clients, staff people, people with and volunteers. a disability, migrants, parents We contemplated our future in relation and people who are to the National Disability Insurance homeless or at risk. Scheme, with the view that compliance and regulatory requirements may North Sydney Council renewed the outweigh the benefits of participation. Centre’s Joint Plan of Management, providing our premises and a vital cash Our 2018 Seniors Festival celebrations donation, contributed to Persian Morning were a standout success. The week Tea, Migrant Employability Workshops commenced with the launch of Crows and special events such as the NSW Nest Centre Remembers, a local poppy Seniors Festival, NAIDOC Week and project to commemorate the end of Christmas in July. World War I. Crows Nest Centre | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 3 It concluded with Growing More Together, a garden luncheon with themed music, a talk by the Coal Loader for Sustainability and the potting of herbs to take home. Keen to enhance our sustainability, we worked with North Sydney Council to install a thermal heat pump to deliver hot water throughout the Centre. Much loved staff members, Anita Maria and Archie Scott retired. Mel Corner, previously working on Special Projects, became Volunteer Coordinator and Graham O’Hearn, previously a Venue Supervisor, became Venue Coordinator. Sadly, we also farewelled outstanding Linen Coordinator, Junko Przelozny. We welcomed Olga Telepova as relief as Receptionist, filling in for Suchitra Linen Coordinator and then as Social Kuppili, also on maternity leave. Support Coordinator, covering Johanna Lawrence’s maternity leave. Aurelio We continued to be well supported by Quadros Maia joined us as Kitchen Hand, Rotary (Crows Nest, North Sydney and with Paul Buhne taking extended leave. At North Sydney Sunrise), local schools, year end, Georgina Tanous commenced churches and businesses. as Linen Coordinator and Lynn Catterson My heartfelt thanks go to our dedicated volunteers and committed staff. You enable us to offer a wide range of services to people in their own homes, at our Centre and in the community. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together for our community. Denise Ward Executive Officer 4 Crows Nest Centre | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 Activities In 2017-18, the Crows Nest Centre offered a range of social and recreational activities for older people and people with a disability. Our focus is social inclusion, healthy ageing and promoting independence. Friday lunches are a highlight. People catch up with friends, enjoy morning tea and share a hot meal. Visits by talented musicians at North Sydney Girls complement the lunches. Bus outings to places of interest included Paddington Reservoir Gardens, Glenorie Bakery, St Mary’s Cathedral, Cabramatta, Watsons Bay and Kurnell. Monthly movies were well attended. The Rotary Club of North Sydney Sunrise generously donated funds dazzling spectacle. The ambience of this and Cremorne Hayden Orpheum half lovely old theatre brought back many price tickets. memories. Theatre parties were met with great We welcomed older Indian people to acclaim. Puttin’ on the Ritz, at the State monthly Bollywood Music, with culturally Theatre, was a chance to travel back to themed music and morning tea. Diwali the golden age of Hollywood, where celebrations proved popular. melody, rhythm and dance reigned in a Social and recreational activities (knitting, indoor bowls, mah-jong, canasta, internet kiosk and women's wisdom circle) attracted a loyal group of regulars. Ageing Well sessions on health, independence and remaining at home were introduced. Topics included Glaucoma, Eat Well – Age Well and Energy Bills. Crows Nest Centre | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 5 Healthy ageing classes (tai chi, yoga and Feldenkrais) were well supported, creating demand for an extra yoga class.