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Working in partnership with the people of the Himalaya

Annual Report 2014/15

Sustainable education, health and environmental projects Contents

3 Who We Are 4 Chairman’s Review 5 From the General Manager 7 Program Review 8 Rebuilding after the Nepal Earthquakes 9 Teacher Training & Quality Education Program 10 Our Programs 12 Board of Directors and Staff 14 Our Donors, Sponsors & Supporters 16 Accountability

The Australian Himalayan Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for people in need in the remote communities of the Himalaya. Who we are

Over the years, thousands of Australians have visited the Himalaya. For many it is an opportunity to trek beneath the world’s highest peaks and to appreciate some of the world’s most hospitable cultures.

Yet the Himalaya is not just a vast adventure These programs help to reduce poverty playground. For the local communities life and address human rights like gender is anything but easy – with access to basic equality, child rights and the rights of health and education services often out of marginalised groups in rural regions reach. In response to these needs, the throughout the Himalaya. Australian Himalayan Foundation was The AHF is a registered Australian NGO formed in 2003 and strives to ensure the with no political or religious affiliations. long-term viability of sustainable health, We are members of the Australian Council education and conservation programs for International Development and have across the Himalaya. accreditation status with the Australian These cost-effective projects are combined Government Overseas Aid Program (DFAT). with practical on-the-ground outcomes in the poorest, most under-resourced areas of the Himalaya across Nepal, Bhutan and Northern India.

ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 | THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION 3 Chairman’s Review

When I wrote last year that “we have much to look forward to – new partnerships, more and more loyal and new supporters, and new opportunities to help the people of the Himalaya”, little did we know what a year of major challenge and difference 2014-2015 would be for us.

Of course, it was the enormous challenges All of this of course required an enormous --The appointment of new AHF Youth faced by the people of the Himalaya, with and rapid operational and fundraising Ambassadors, Jackson Bursill and the disastrous earthquakes in April and effort and through the commitment and George Hillary. May 2015, which largely generated ours, generosity of literally thousands of loyal --The appointment of Tshering Lama as our assistance for them had to be swift and new partners, supporters and donors, O’Gorman, as Program Director, and – as it always has been – effective large and small, we raised a fantastic taking over this role from Garry Weare. and sustainable. $915,000 in our Earthquake Appeal, Thank you Garry for your stellar to June 30, 2015. The earthquakes radically expanded and efforts over many years in building altered our operations. When the April 25 I want to thank so much the AHF team: up our wonderful set of practical, earthquake hit, we had to immediately the Board, staff, the many volunteers and cost-effective programs. become a disaster relief agency, supplying pro bono helpers – organising fundraising Though 2014-15 was very different for us, vital emergency help and supplies. drives and events – who worked so we stuck firmly to our ethos of ‘providing tirelessly, and particularly The Sunrise With virtually every school in our education what is needed most to those who need Foundation, Dick & Pip Smith Foundation, heartland, the Lower Solukhumbu, it most’, in a practical, efficient way, Dr G and Ruth Fitzhardinge, Ian Watson, destroyed or damaged we set up many and I can promise all our supporters we Bill Grose, Joe Bonington, Jackson Bursill Temporary Learning Centres and also began will continue to do that, as the damage and the ‘Neverest’ team, Andrew Lock and organising a major earthquake-resistant, and deaths from the earthquakes has Geoff Bartram, Jennifer Waugh, Peter sustainable, schools rebuilding program. made our long-time direct assistance to Lemon, Joan Naughton, the Ian McNair children, families and schools in hundreds Charitable Foundation, Craig Macindoe of Himalayan communities more vital and David Ross for their sterling efforts. than ever. Of course, this all had to be on top of our fundraising for our on-going programs and overall we raised $1.95 million in 2014-15.

2014-15 was also notable for: Simon Balderstone --The visit of Her Majesty, Gyalyum Chairman Sangay Choden Wangchuck, Queen Mother of Bhutan, to Australia to raise awareness and support for our girls’ education projects in Bhutan, of which she is Patron through our partner RENEW. We thank Her Majesty so much for her fantastic spirit and dedication.

4 THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION | ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 From the General Manager

This past year will be etched firmly in the hearts and minds of everyone who has a love for the Himalaya and for AHF it proved to be one of our biggest years yet.

In October, we were thrilled to welcome This year we: --Rolled out our Teacher-Training and Her Majesty, Gyalyum Sangay Choden --Raised over in $1.95 million in funds Quality Education program to the last Wangchuck to Australia as Patron of our remaining districts of Kerung and Brought Her Majesty Queen Mother work in Bhutan. She is a fearless advocate -- Necha. This program now operates in of Bhutan to Australia as Patron of for the development of women and girls every single district and reaches every RENEW to raise funds for and lift across the region and it was a delight to single school in the lower Solu the profile of our work with women have her in Australia. Along with numerous Khumbu region. This is part of a and girls fundraising events and activities, twelve-year vision aimed squarely at Her Majesty met with high-level government --Provided critical supplies including improving the quality of the education representatives in Canberra including the food, clean water, emergency shelter in the region and children’s access to it and medical supplies to those areas Minister for Women and the Secretary of Provided medical training for traditional most affected by the April and -- the Department of Foreign Affairs and health practitioners in some of May earthquakes Trade. Her Majesty’s visit was a fantastic remotest communities of Ladakh opportunity for the AHF and we are grateful Established emergency medical -- Launched a new textile-based for the support of many during this time. camps in the Everest region in -- vocational training program for women response to the second earthquake On the 25th of April this year, the first of and girls in Bhutan, focussed on Constructed temporary learning two major earthquakes hit Nepal and -- employment opportunities post-school centres to get kids back to school caused widespread devastation across the --Increased our annual support for country. These events put our team here --Organised a post-trauma art therapy the conservation and preservation and our partners in Nepal to the test and camp for students of the Everest of snow leopards. both groups worked tirelessly to get vital region with over 330 teachers and Although it is more than 60 years since supplies out to those most in need. students attending Sir Edmund Hillary first began working to Provided 1600 teachers with psycho- -- help the people of Nepal, these results Despite these heartbreaking events, social counselling and training who were show that the Australian public still shares I am proud to share with you AHF’s then equipped to go out into the field his vision to improve the lives of the people achievements during this time which would and provide this counselling to others never have been possible without the of the Himalaya. This year we have seen, Started scoping the long-term support of our wonderful in-country -- in a very powerful way, Sir Ed’s spirit live rebuilding needs of the many schools partners and you – our valuable donors, on in your remarkable response to the we support across the Everest region supporters and volunteers. We are tragic earthquakes in Nepal and through particularly proud of our partners in Nepal your support for our various other programs who managed to continue to deliver our and for this we are immensely grateful. flagship education program in the face of enormous challenges.

Carolyn Hamer-Smith General Manager

ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 | THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION 5 The only load a child should carry is a school bag. Program Review

Following the earthquakes in Nepal in April and May 2015, we have assisted in the rebuilding of the education sector in Solukhumbhu and other select areas. Integral to our ‘build back better’ model is capacity building of the local people – training on disaster preparedness to schools and training of local people in skilled construction works.

To normalize the education sector, it was opportunities for women to learn necessary to continue our long running traditional medicine practice combined flagship program, Teacher Training & with modern medical care and help people Quality Education (TTQE). So with new in remote communities. components such as psycho-social training and disaster preparedness, our TTQE This year, we supported our in-country program resumed fully as soon as it partner, the Snow Leopard Conservancy’s was safe to do so. (SLC) work in Zanskar to mitigate human- wildlife conflicts. The beautiful and iconic Elsewhere in the Himalaya, I am pleased mountain cat, the snow leopard, is to report that our projects are running unfortunately a threat to livestock. SLC smoothly. As a result of the visit by found that improving the design of the Her Majesty Queen Mother of Bhutan we sheep corrals protected the livestock and raised funds to launch a vocational training curbed the retaliatory killing of the cats and project for women from disadvantaged we are supporting this venture in Zanskar. backgrounds with our in-country partner RENEW. As part of our focus on capacity When the tragic earthquakes in Nepal building, this program has been designed occurred this year, I had been working for to provide weaving and tailoring skills that AHF for just under six months. A disaster of will hopefully lead to employment this scale was a huge learning curve for me, opportunities for girls coming from our although I have over 14 years of work scholarship program. We also received experience with local communities and additional funds for this program from the NGOs in the Himalaya. We learned to cope Australian High Commission in India. with shocking human tragedies and push on with the disaster response and In Ladakh, we conducted training and rebuilding efforts. Equally, I have found it to medical camps for amchis (traditional be a reaffirmation in the strength of human health practitioners) in Sani, Ichar and compassion shown by our supporters who Padum through our in-country partners, reached out immediately and generously. Servants of Society. This innovative My heartfelt thanks to everyone for program is aimed at improving the quality supporting the people of the Himalaya. of traditional health care practices by integrating amchi and modern medical practices. The program also supports female amchis to provide maternal and infant health care services. Traditionally, Tshering Lama O’Gorman the amchis were always male, so this Program Director initiative serves a dual purpose of giving

ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 | THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION 7 Rebuilding after the Nepal Earthquakes

When the 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal on 25 April 2015, it caused nearly 9,000 deaths, and destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure. Over 35,000 classrooms were majorly or totally damaged, leaving more than a million children lacking access to a safe, permanent place to learn. (Nepal Earthquake Cluster Briefs June and July 2015)

The Australian Himalayan Foundation was Following a disaster management We have now been working in Nepal for amongst the first NGOs on the ground to assessment conducted by AHF more than a decade and we will continue provide immediate relief assistance to Ambassador Andrew Lock and Geoff to be there well into the future. As a result affected people. Thanks to our in-country Bartram (disaster management of these devastating events, programs like program partners at REED (Rural Education professionals) in late May, we built our School Scholarship Program are & Environmental Development), we had 19 Temporary Learning Centres using needed more than ever, with an increased people on the ground ready, willing and able locally sourced, durable materials, to number of parents requesting scholarship to help provide food and other essential ensure children will continue their support and schools in desperate need of supplies out to the areas of Kathmandu and education while their permanent resources and supplies. It is imperative beyond that were worst affected. schools are repaired or rebuilt. that the children of Nepal return to school as soon as possible, giving them respite When the second earthquake hit in May Soon after, we also organised a Post- from the devastation they have faced 2015, enormous damage was suffered Trauma Art Therapy Camp and more than and allowing their parents time to rebuild in hundreds of remote Himalayan 330 students and teachers from across their lives. communities in the extremely poor and the region participated. Recipients of the under-resourced region of the lower AHF Art Award facilitated this 5-day Solukhumbu (Everest). This region is workshop using art therapy to provide where our long-term flagship Teacher post-earthquake counselling. Training & Quality Education program We provided psycho-social counselling is focussed, and where we have begun and training to 1600 teachers to help planning and implementing a major children and families suffering from the schools repair and rebuilding program. trauma of the earthquakes.

8 THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION | ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 Teacher Training & Quality Education – Our Flagship Program

The Australian Himalayan Foundation recognises that a quality education empowers children to achieve their full potential and can change the life outcomes of a child forever.

Nepal faces large disparities in literacy rates, program to the last remaining districts of with urban areas recording literacy rates of Kerung and Necha. approximately 73%, but only reaching 43% This now means the TTQE program on average in rural areas. In addition, operates in every single district and teachers in rural Nepal receive little or no reaches every single school in the lower training and regularly resort to basic rote Solukhumbu region. This achievement is learning methods. As a result, attendance part of a twelve year vision the AHF had rates by teachers and students alike are for the region – one aimed squarely at poor, and schools are very inadequately improving the quality of the education in resourced. These conditions mean that in the region and children’s access to it. rural Nepal today, many children do not attend primary school regularly and less We also work with the wider community – than half of the children enrolled in primary including local community groups and school go on to complete secondary school. parents and teachers associations – to promote the value of education, with year In 2005, the Australian Himalayan round teacher training workshops as well as Foundation first started working with local Child Clubs to help children appreciate the Nepalese NGO, REED (Rural Education & rights and role in the education process. Environmental Development) to develop a program to improve the quality of education The program also includes support for Key in the Everest district. The Teacher Training & Teacher workshops designed to fast track Quality Education program (TTQE) aims to the most able teachers so that they can reduce poverty and provide livelihood eventually train other teachers – creating a

EVEREST

opportunities through a number of SOLU KHUMBU truly sustainable program. The AHF has to NEPAL KATHMANDU objectives focussed on ensuring that date trained over 50 local teachers in the disadvantaged communities in remote, region, who have now become teacher SOLU KHUMBU TOTAL SCHOOLS 283; TEACHERS 2,008; STUDENTS 38,586; THIS INCLUDES 239; PRIMARY SCHOOLS; 1,701 TEACHERS; EVEREST rural areas receive a quality education. trainers themselves. 33,014 STUDENTS

GOKYO

The key objectives of the program are to: The TTQE Team TO EVEREST BASE CAMP TO GOKYO LAKES --Increase primary school enrolment rates On the ground our program is implemented SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK by our dedicated project partners REED, TENGBOCHE in rural Nepal KHUMJUNG

a Nepalese NGO based in Kathmandu and NAMCHE UPPER Reduce dropout rates of children from BAZAAR -- KHUMBU our Education Consultant, Jim Strang MAKALU NATIONAL PARK low socioeconomic backgrounds who was instrumental in establishing the

Improve overall attendance rates CHOURIKHOLA -- original teacher-training program run by LUKLA Airstrip Increase the enrolment rates of the most -- Sir Edmund Hillary. A further dimension to LOWER vulnerable – including girls, disabled the program is the valued contribution of a KHUMBU KHARIKHOLA TAKSINDU BHAKANJE JUNBESI children and dalit (untouchable caste) team of volunteer teachers from Australia NUNTHALA FROM JIRI TO EVEREST CHAULA KHARKA EENI SOTANG

GOLI TAMAKHANI and New Zealand who work with REED CHESKAM BASA BUNG 2014-15 marked an enormous milestone PHAPLU AIRSTRIP GUDEL SALLERI WAKU

in the field. KERUNG PAWAL for the AHF with the roll out our TTQE KAKU SOTANG GORAKHANI DEUSA SOTAN GARMA TAPTING LOKHIM

NELE BAZAAR

KERUPA KANGEL NELE TINGLA JABU

SALYAN PANCHAN NECHA NECHA BATASE ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 | THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION 9 Our Programs LADAKH

LHASA NEPAL TIBET School Scholarships & Educational Resources NEPAL DELHI As part of our TTQE program, we provide school scholarships for children in the greatest need of educational support. Health Everest Additional expenses such as school In memory of AHF Founder and Director KATHMANDU uniforms, lunches and text books make SOLU KHUMBU Lincoln Hall, we run a project in the lower BHUTAN school out of reach for many of these families. Solukhumbu that supports maternal health Scholarship recipients are provided with care and service delivery for pregnant textbooks, school supplies and stationery, women, mothers and newborn babies. INDIA school lunches, school uniforms, shoes and The project covers both antenatal and a school bag. As part of an ongoing review post natal care and involves funding and of the program, each school is required to training of two dedicated maternal health Bhutan, where the challenges of receiving submit a progress report on behalf of each care nurses for the region. an education are greatest. We are now in beneficiary every six months and AHF is the process of scoping an expansion of committed to supporting scholarship BHUTAN our work in Bhutan, ensuring a whole of recipients through until the completion Education for girls community approach that brings greater of their primary school education. The AHF is working in some of the remotest sustainability to the overall project. corners of rural Bhutan, where children Children who were previously falling often walk up to 3 hours a day just to reach INDIA between the cracks and out of school are the nearest community primary school. now attending school regularly and in many Working with women and children These children are from isolated cases it is the scholarship-supported Zanskar is one of the most remote regions communities that experience extreme children that are achieving the highest in the entire Himalaya. Located in the poverty and girls in particular are often academic results. region of Ladakh, in the Indian Himalaya, affected. AHF supports girls’ education heavy snows in winter cut it off from the In this last year the scholarship program in these communities through a school outside world for over six months of the supported 500 students of which: scholarship program that enables these year. During this time medical facilities are --350 were girls from disadvantaged girls to attend school. The scholarships non-existent and villagers rely heavily on families experiencing extreme poverty provide school meals, uniforms, textbooks the amchi – traditional medical healers – and 150 were boys and the building of girls’ boarding facilities. for primary health care. Sadly, the region The funding of these resources ensures that 251 of these were Janajati has unacceptable rates of infant mortality, -- just as many girls attend school as boys. (vulnerable indigenous population) often as high as one in two children. --172 were dalit children Her Majesty, Ashi Sangay Choden Our aim is to decrease these tragic rates (socially disadvantaged group) Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, of infant mortality and assist with is the Patron and Founder of RENEW, --50 had a disability improving maternal healthcare in the an organisation dedicated to the region – both of which are part of the Educational resources are also an important empowerment of women and girls in UN Sustainable Development Goals. component of our Quality Education Bhutan. AHF partners with RENEW to program and critical to its long-term support girls education in Bhutan, We do this by funding annual workshops for success. For many of the schools in this recognising that investing in the education the amchi, aimed at improving their traditional remote region, books are a rare luxury and of women and girls is fundamental to health care practices, as well as enhancing stationery often unheard of. The AHF is creating strong, stable families, them with modern health care techniques. supporting these schools with a regular communities and countries. Our program in These workshops are well attended by the supply of the necessary basics including Bhutan is supporting ten years of education amchi in the region, who in some cases trek pens, paper, writing books and textbooks. for 200 girls across the remotest regions of up to one week to participate and over the last seven years, the AHF is proud to have

10 THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION | ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 LADAKH

LHASA TIBET NEPAL DELHI

Everest

KATHMANDU SOLU KHUMBU BHUTAN

INDIA

gained the confidence and co-operation of Snow Leopard Conservation Special Projects the amchi, which is essential for long-term In 1974, Snow Leopards were Himalayan Art Awards success of this project. internationally declared an endangered Although the Himalaya boosts a species and today there may be as few as Many amchi, with the assistance of the rich cultural heritage, there are few 3500 leopards left in the world. Humans AHF, have gone on to undertake further opportunities for creative expression for are largely responsible for their decline – training in the government hospital in the many talented artists in the Himalaya. poachers hunt them for their pelts, body capital Leh, as well as monitoring prenatal The Himalayan Art Award provides parts are used for traditional medicines visits, births in their own villages, educating financial support for a select number of and the leopards often come into conflict new mothers and passing on their emerging artists for the period of one with local farmers. The AHF is working knowledge to other community members. year and in return, the artists commit closely with the Snow Leopard to donating one major and one minor Conservancy to protect the endangered Supporting Tibetan culture artwork to the AHF. The works are then snow leopard through partnerships In association with the Australian Tibetan sold in Australia at our major events, with local communities in Ladakh. Society we support the ‘Gangjong and the funds are designated for future Doeghar’ Tibetan performing arts in We support community-based protection awards, creating a fully sustainable Kalimpong, North India, which preserves of these big cats through grass-roots arts program. and promotes traditional Tibetan cultural conservation initiatives, environmental dance and music. With our support they education, training of herders in wildlife Schools for the Himalaya are able to provide training to many young monitoring and research – blending Our Schools for the Himalaya program people of the Himalaya in keeping alive traditional knowledge and modern was established by Lincoln and Barbara Tibetan cultural dance and music science. Through this partnership, we Hall and is aligned to our Teacher traditions of all the regions of Tibet. provide basic training in improved animal Training and Quality Education program. husbandry and other livelihood skills to Schools in Australia are encouraged to eliminate the threat of poaching and raise funds for a ‘cluster’ of schools to unnecessary killing of snow leopards. help improve basic facilities and educational resources. There are also opportunities for Australian schools to visit these schools and gain firsthand experience of the extent and effectiveness of our educational program.

ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 | THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION 11 Board of Directors and Staff

Board of Directors

Simon Balderstone AM (Chairman) Janine Constantine Greg Mortimer OAM Director of consultancy company; International Development specialist Greg is one of the world’s foremost adviser to Olympic movement; with 20 years’ experience developing mountaineers. His many achievements member of the 1984 First Australian and managing aid projects for in mountaineering include being a member Everest Expedition; journalist and the Australian Government, United of the first Australian ascent of the north author. Former Prime Ministerial Nations agencies and NGOs. face of Mount Everest in 1984; the first adviser, SOCOG Board member ever ascent of the south face of and General Manager. Christine Gee AM Annapurna 2; the first Australian ascent Nepalese Honorary Consul General of Vinson Massif, the highest mountain (1987– 2009); co-founder of Australian Cheryl Bart AO in Antarctica; the first Australian ascent On 24 May 2008, Cheryl and her Himalayan Expeditions (now World of K2; and an ascent of Mt Manaslu. 23-year-old daughter Nikki became Expeditions); Attache to Sydney 2000 Greg was appointed to the Board in the first mother-daughter team to reach Nepal Olympic team, member March 2014. the summit of Mount Everest. The scaling of Chief Executive Women. of Everest also saw them complete the Garry Weare (Deputy Chairman) ‘Seven Summits’ challenge: climbing Barbara Hall Veteran trek guide with over 35 years’ Barbara is a long-time secondary school the highest mountain on each continent. experience in the Himalaya; Honorary teacher. As a teacher at the International Cheryl is a Director of the Australian Secretary (Australia) for the Himalayan Australian School in Singapore she Broadcasting Corporation, Spark Club; former Director and now began, with husband Lincoln Hall, the Infrastructure and ESTA Utilities. consultant to World Expeditions; AHF ‘Schools for the Himalaya’ program author and photographer. Julia Booth and has visited the region regularly, Julia’s area of expertise is in the determining first-hand the needs development and management of schools. of projects in the Private, Government and NGO sectors. For the last 15 years Peter Hillary Adventurer (twice Everest summiteer, she has concentrated on development South Pole overland via Shackleton projects with a focus on livelihood Glacier, first high-altitude traverse of and education programs for women entire Himalayan range); expedition leader, and children. She has a long history public speaker, leader of philanthropic of cultural exchange with the Himalayan missions; author and photographer. region and with the nation of Bhutan in particular. Julia was appointed to the Board in March 2014.

12 THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION | ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 Ambassadors

Michael Dillon AM Alice I’Anson Jackson Bursill AHF Ambassador AHF Youth Ambassador AHF Youth Ambassador Adventurer and one of the world’s Alice’s passion for travel and international Jackson joined as a Youth Ambassador leading mountain cinematographers aid led her to complete a Bachelor of following his work establishing Neverest, and documentary filmmakers with Arts in International Studies and recently a fundraising event for the AHF in which over 40 films to his credit; member and completed an internship with the AHF. 150 people walked or ran the equivalent Director of Photography on the First Alice is the daughter of renowned Lonely vertical height of Mount Everest to raise Australian Everest Expedition 1984; Planet photographer, Richard I’Anson. funds for the AHF’s Nepal Earthquake AFI award winner. After many years Appeal following the devastating of service as a Director, Mike now George Hillary Earthquakes on April 25th and May 12th. continues his support as an excellent AHF Youth Ambassador Jackson is also a member of the Ambassador for AHF. George has always had strong Australian Cross Country Ski team. Andrew Lock OAM connections with Nepal, through his AHF Ambassador father, Peter Hillary, and late grandfather, Sir Edmund Hillary. He has been fortunate Acclaimed as Australia’s most enough to travel through the area on accomplished high-altitude mountaineer, several occasions, during which time Andrew recently became the first he has been able to foster a more Australian to climb all 14 of the world’s personal connection with the Nepalese 8,000 metre peaks. The Foundation communities, as well as the projects is proud to have Andrew as its and goals of the AHF. AHF Staff first Ambassador. Carolyn Hamer-Smith Dylan Hall General Manager AHF Youth Ambassador Tshering Lama O’Gorman Dylan’s passion for the Himalaya Program Director was first ignited as a young boy travelling in the early 1990’s. As the Siobhan Reynolds son of founding AHF Director Lincoln Fundraising and Marketing Manager Hall, he has always had a close (part time) association with the Himalaya. Jim Strang TTQE Program Co-ordinator (Nepal)

ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 | THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION 13 Our Donors, Sponsors & Supporters With heartfelt thanks to our major donors, sponsors Our special thanks go out and loyal supporters that make this work possible: to all of our supporters, partners and the wider --Accor Hotels --Lateral Events community who donated --ACME Foundation Management so generously to our Nepal Earthquake Appeal --Australian Aid Program, --National Geographic to support the recovery Department of Foreign Channel and rebuild of our schools. Affairs and Trade --Nepalese Australian We would like to thank --Australian High Association in particular: Commission (India) --Robert Oatley Wines --BHP Billiton (Matching --Sherpa Insurance --Annie McNiven --AXA Assistance Gifts Program) --SMEC Foundation --Bill Grose -Footprints Network -- Bruce and Sascha Estens - --Stewart’s Way --The Banff Mountain Film Festival (WorldNomads.com) --Capital Partners Private Wealth --Summer Salt Doc Ross Foundation --Forrest Family Foundation -- --The Dick and Pip Smith --Diane Johnstone --Dr G Fitzhardinge --Friends of Nepal – WA Foundation --GoGet --Hunter Hall International --The Himalayan Trust NZ --Ian Watson Foundation --Ian Pollard --Ian McNair Charitable --The Himalayan Trust UK --Intelligent Risks Pty Ltd Foundation --Jennifer Waugh --The Sunrise Foundation --Jennifer Wray --Jaycar Electronics --Joan Naughton --Virgin Australia Kamener Foundation --Jeanette & Peter Young -- --Westpac Matched --Mark and Lucy Osborn Foundation --Paul and Annette Johnson Giving Program -Peter Lemon --Kathmandu - --Wild Women on Top --Peter Mulcahy --Rabobank --World Expeditions --Ruth Fitzhardinge --The Sun Foundation --Tony Shields

We would also like to thank the following individuals and groups who organised fundraising treks and challenges in support of the AHF: 2014 Upper Mustang Trekkers, 2014 Everest Base Camp Trekkers, 2014 Bhutan Trekkers Heather McNeice, Krista Waddell and friends, 2015 Kathmandu Nepal Summit Club Trekkers, the 2014 Blackmores Sydney Running Festival Sherpa Team, the 2015 ‘Neverest’ Team and the 2015 Joes Base Camp Team. Finally, our sincere thanks to our Annual Supporters and our regular individual donors who are the backbone of AHF and the work we do – we are immensely grateful for their ongoing support.

ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 | THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION 15 Financial Information

Strategy How we raised our funds in 2014-15 We continue to build up our Overseas Aid account in order to fully commit to our long-term programs – in particular Donations & Supporter our financial commitment to complete Contributions $1,634,695 (83.63%) the 15-year cycle of our TTQE program.

Donations Donations go into our Overseas Aid DFAT $181,500 (9.29%) Account for program payments and associated program costs. The funds Fundraising Gross $121,101 (6.19%) are held in a bank account with all interest credited for future program Interest $8,349 (0.43%) payments. In line with AusAID Community Education $8,984 (0.46%) requirements as well as our commitment to high standards of Bequests & Legacies $0 (0%) program delivery, 20% of donations TOTAL $1,954,629 (100%) were spent on management and administration costs. This reflects best practice that ensures the AHF maintains robust, professional standards How we spent our funds in 2014-15 consistent with industry practice. International Program Directors’ Benefits Expenditure & Director Garry Weare was the Program Support Costs $785,894 (67.02%) Manager until December 2014. Garry was paid for one and a half days work Fundraising Costs a week. The rest of his considerable (Govt & Public)* $155,753 (13.28%) workload was on a voluntary basis. The Chairman and all other Directors did not receive payment or benefit or any kind. Administration $211,334 (18.02%)

Community Education** $19,708 (1.68%)

TOTAL $1,172,689 (100%)

* Fundraising costs include all costs associated with events plus expenses integral to applications for government funding. ** Community Education expenses include regular AHF Supporter evenings, which are not organised as fundraising events, but as an opportunity for our Supporters and friends to gain an update on the AHF. Community Education costs also include a percentage of expenditure from general fundraising events that are assigned to promoting our development programs.

16 THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION | ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 Income Statement

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 2015 2014 $ $

REVENUE Donations and Gifts – Monetary 1,618,425 537,342 – Non Monetary - - Bequests and Legacies - -

Grants – DFAT 181,500 150,000 – Other Australian - - – Other Overseas - - Investment Income 8,349 10,319

Other Income – Fundraising Revenue 121,101 124,088 – Supporter Contributions 16,270 17,375 – Community Education 8,984 12,057 Revenue for International Political or Religious Adherence Promotion Programs - -

TOTAL REVENUE 1,954,629 851,181

EXPENDITURE

International Programs – Funds to Overseas Programs 676,298 425,335 – Program Support Costs 109,596 76,858 Fundraising Costs – Public 130,617 124,332 – Government and Multilateral 25,136 29,799 Community Education 19,708 28,321 Accountability and Administration 211,334 90,663 Non Monetary Expenditure - - Total International Aid and Development Expenditure 1,172,689 775,308

Expenditure for International Political or Religious Adherence Promotion Programs - -

TOTAL EXPENDITURE 1,172,689 775,308

SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) ORDINARY ACTIVITIES 781,940 75,873

The accompanying notes from part of these financial statements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 | THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION 17 Balance Sheet

AS AT 30 JUNE 2015 2015 2014 $ $ ASSETS Current Assets – Cash and Cash Equivalents 1,343,657 540,023 – Trade and Other Receivables 1,366 747 Total Current Assets 1,345,023 540,770 Non Current Assets – Property, Plant and Equipment 457 914 Total Non Current Assets 457 914

TOTAL ASSETS 1,345,479 541,684

LIABILITIES Current Liabilities – Trade and Other Payables 14,979 5,912 Provision for Employee Entitlements 12,789 -

Total Current Liabilities 27,768 5,912

TOTAL LIABILITIES 27,768 5,912 NET ASSETS 1,317,712 535,772 EQUITY Retained Earnings 1,317,712 535,772 Member’s Guarantee – – TOTAL EQUITY 1,317,712 535,772

The accompanying notes from part of these financial statements.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 Retained Earnings Total $ $

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2013 459,888 459,888 Excess of Revenue Over Expenses 75,884 75,884 Items of Other Comprehensive Income – – BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2014 535,772 535,772 Excess of Revenue Over Expenses 781,940 781,940 Items of Other Comprehensive Income – – BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2015 1,317,712 1,317,712

18 THE AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION | ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 A copy of the full statutory financial report for 2014-15 The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is the Australian Government is available on request from our office. Our summary agency responsible for managing financial report complies with the standards set out Australia’s overseas aid program. by the ACFID Code of Conduct. Please refer to DFAT’s accreditation process provides both the federal government and the www.acfid.asn.au for further information. Australian public with confidence that where the Australian Government provides Australian Himalayan Foundation Ltd’s Independent Audit Report grants to Australian NGOs to implement aid reserves are comprised entirely of retained Scope and Opinion and development programs, it is funding earnings held for unrestricted purposes. We have audited the summarised financial professional, well-managed, community There were no adjustments, transfers or report of the Australian Himalayan based organisations capable of delivering asset revaluations made in 2014-15. Foundation Ltd for the year ended 30 June good development outcomes. 2015 comprising the income statement, A copy of the full statutory financial report As an officially accredited aid agency, statement of changes in equity, balance for 2014-15 is available on request from the Australian Himalayan Foundation is sheet, statement of cash flows and the our office. required to demonstrate that all relevant declaration of cash movements for financial and program policies and designated purposes. Table of Cash Movements procedures are in place and adhered to for Designated Purposes In our opinion, the information reported when providing funds to our in-country No single appeal or any other form of is consistent with the ACFID Code of partners. These included acquittals, audits fundraising for a designated purpose Conduct reporting requirements and with (in Australia and overseas) and monitoring generated 10% or more of the Australian the annual statutory financial report dated and evaluation reports. In addition the Himalayan Foundation Ltd’s international 9 October 2015 from which it was derived AHF is obliged to develop stringent risk aid and development revenue for the and upon which we expressed an assessment guidelines and policies, financial year ended 30 June 2015. unqualified audit opinion. For a better and provide evidence of co-operation understanding of the scope of our audit, agreements with relevant statutory this report should be read in conjunction authorities in the countries where with our audit report on the annual programs are implemented. statutory financial report. Complaints Policy The Australian Himalayan Foundation is a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and a Signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct, which is a voluntary, self-regulatory code Scott Lucas, Partner, of good practice. Information about how B.Comm FCA Dip FP to make a complaint can be found at Lambourne Partners www.acfid.asn.au www.lambourne.com.au Newcastle The AHF has a process in place for handling any complaints. 4 November 2015 Please direct your complaint to Carolyn Hamer-Smith (General Manager) on 02 9438 1822 or email: [email protected] How can you help?

You can help to make a difference in the Himalaya in the following ways:

Join as a Supporter Make a Donation Our Supporters are crucial to our All donations to the AHF are development – we are a community- greatly appreciated, and can be based organization and rely on a made online or by post. Donations pool of talented supporters to provide of $2 or more are tax deductible. expertise, inspiration and assistance. Make a Bequest We hold regular events and keep Sponsor Partner Supporters informed through our Create a living legacy to Yakety Yak newsletter and updates assist future generations in the to our website. Himalaya by remembering the AHF in your will. Supporter Categories All Supporter Fees are tax deductible: Trek for the AHF Principal Media Sponsor Trekking in the Himalaya provides Individual $50 per annum an ideal opportunity to raise funds Family $75 per annum for the AHF. Contact the AHF office Bronze $250 per annum for further information. Silver $500 per annum Gold $1,000 per annum

PO Box 553, Crows Nest NSW 1585 Phone: +61 2 9438 1822 Email: [email protected] Design by Equation. www.australianhimalayanfoundation.org.au Photography by Conor Ashleigh.