Annual Report 2020 Journeys annecto Annual Report 2020 Throughout our lives, we embark on many journeys that take us to different places, teach us new Our organisation is on perspectives and connect us to different kinds of people. a journey and always will New chapters are written every day in the journey be. We aren’t changing of life. Listening to each other’s journey enables us to learn from the challenges and opportunities direction, but we are involved, and our journeys are never-ending. In the challenges we encounter, there’s always potential starting a new chapter. for growth and improvement. Being present and aware in the moment and taking it all in contributes greatly to our continuing growth. We connect by sharing each other’s story. The learning that comes We are on this journey by understanding another’s journey increases empathy, which in turn connects the people in together. society. Diversity is a strength. No matter where you are in Australia, you live, work, Acknowledgement play and travel across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land and waters. annecto would like to acknowledge the of Country traditional custodians of the lands upon which we work on mainland Australia. We have oces that operate on the Aboriginal homelands of the: annecto pays its respects to Elders both past We also honour the strength and resilience of and present from all of these Aboriginal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples nations, and we acknowledge their traditions, who have been forcibly removed from their cultures and ongoing connection to country, lands such as the Stolen Generations and both land and waters, of mainland Australia. many others who were also forced to relocate from their country to missions, reserves or We recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait other communities without having a choice Islander peoples from whatever nation they in doing so. Wurundjeri, Woiwurrung Boon Wurrung, Wurundjeri, Wada Wurrung, Wurundjeri, peoples of the Kulin nation Woiwurrung peoples of the Woiwurrung peoples of the may come from, and who have made their where our Footscray Kulin nation where our oces Kulin nation where our West Vic home in one or more of these homelands of headquarters, Coburg and in Yarraville and Werribee oces operate at Bacchus Australia’s First Peoples, upon which annecto Ringwood oces are based. are located. Marsh, Melton and Ballarat. provides its aged and disability services. Latji Latji people of Mildura, Gadigal clan of the Eora/Darug Dunghutti nation that is as well as the custodians of the nation and the wider Darug home to our Kempsey team. surrounding regions that are nation that our Sydney oce the Paakantji (Barkindji), supports from its Glebe and Ngiyampaa, Kureinji, Mutthi Bidwill bases. Mutthi, Wemba Wemba, Tati Tati and Barapa Barapa. Wiradjuri peoples, geographically Wilyakali peoples where our Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) the largest Aboriginal nation in Broken Hill oce operates. nation where our NSW, where our Dubbo oce Maroochydore oce is provides services. located on the Sunshine Coast of QLD. Ngunnawal and the Ngambri peoples of the ACT where our Mawson sta work. annecto Annual Report 2020 President’s Report 8 There’s always CEO’s Report 10 CEO Transition 12 potential for growth Our Performance 14 Strategic Direction 15 and improvement Mr Ivanovski’s Story 16 Leading The Way 18 Aaron’s Story 20 After Hours 22 Melva’s Story 24 Mr Mahmoudi’s Story 26 Remembering Peter Cave 28 Recycling With A Purpose 30 Our Staff 32 Our Board 34 Our Organisation 36 Financial Summary 38 Award Winners 42 Acknowledgements 44 Quality & Accreditations 46 Contact Us 47 annecto Annual Report 2020 Page 9 President’s Report Ross Joyce Our organisation continues its journey • 2016 – Commenced interstate expansion response to COVID for the safety and welfare During the 2019-2020 which stems from our commitment to of services to NSW, ACT and Queensland, of our staff and all clients using annecto’s year, the annecto Board advancing human rights and inclusion along with intentional focus on culturally services. The Board and I, along with the embarked on one of the most important through our services. And what an safe practices and community/economic CEO, are actively involved in monitoring the tasks for the annecto community, the incredible journey it has been! development. plans, decisions or responses on COVID. This recruitment of a CEO, as our incredible CEO, also led to the development of tele-support Estelle Fyffe, had decided to move on after In November 2019, the Board took some • 2019 – Merger with Merrimu extending our and other non-contact services to maintain providing annecto exemplary leadership and time to reflect on annecto’s journey, our presence through the Victorian Western jobs and service provision. guidance for more than 16 years. Irrespective stories and the future. In recognising the Growth Corridor into Bacchus Marsh and of the challenges posed by COVID, the Board completion of our current Strategic Plan Ballarat, ensuring continuity of support for The Board cannot speak highly enough of completed a thorough advertising campaign and in preparation for the development of those communities. the way in which annecto staff has adapted and search with an extensive, rigorous and our next Plan, we identified some of the key and continued to provide outstanding • 2019 – Completed our Reconciliation Action extremely competitive recruitment process, milestones that have led to where annecto services during this difficult time. Everyone Plan (RAP) working with our Aboriginal ably supported by Fisher Leadership. has evolved in 2020: has been absolutely outstanding and Elders and community. we sincerely thank each and every staff I am delighted to welcome Cheryl De Zilwa • 2002 – Distance management of services • 2019 – Conducted annecto’s first social member from our frontline support staff, our to the annecto community as the incoming commenced when we opened in Mildura. impact study, demonstrating our background/administration staff, our co- CEO of annecto, commencing on 10 August • 2003-2009 – Steady growth of service commitment to delivering social value ordinators, the entire management team 2020. We all look forward to welcoming offerings and staffing across multiple areas through our supports and measuring and our CEO. Thank you! Cheryl into the annecto community and in Victoria. outcomes related to inclusion and personal continuing with our key work. Our thoughts are also with the clients who goal attainment. We continuously review • 2010 – First steps in introducing use annecto’s services, who we support, as I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our approach, exploring which new governance and management practices to well as their families, many of whom have each and every one of my fellow Directors for practices in impact reporting we can build distributed/participatory leadership been facing additional difficulties because their professionalism, passion, commitment usefully implement, data improvement and a focus on inclusion outcomes. of the pandemic. and personal time devoted during a very and applying learnings to improve our demanding year. • 2012 – Extensive stakeholder consultation research questions. Unfortunately, COVID is likely to be around resulted in the annecto purpose statement for some time into the future and we all On behalf of the continuing Directors, I would Across our journey, annecto has undertaken changed to ‘Connecting individuals and need to maintain our responses to ensure also like to express appreciation to Vivien planned and steady growth, informed communities to realise an inclusive society’. the safety and wellbeing of our staff, Beer, Leslie Cannold, Wendy Dunn and by market research, delivery of quality our clients and the wider community. Andrew Loader for their outstanding service • 2013 – Abbotsford Project commenced with services by quality trained staff and Government assistance for employment during their tenure on the annecto Board. annecto in partnership with the Summer guided by thought leadership. While not a support, particularly JobKeeper, has been Foundation and the Transport Accident straightforward path, annecto is successfully It’s been a privilege to represent annecto crucial in maintaining continuity of services, Commission (TAC). This was ground- navigating through government reforms as your President over this year, the Board as has been the constant provision of breaking work in opening opportunities in aged care and the National Disability and I are committed to continuing the strong information and guidance from state for young people who would otherwise Strategy (NDIS) into a ‘market’ economy. development of annecto in striving for a truly and national governments. be in nursing homes, supporting them The information throughout this annual inclusive society. to live in their own apartments. report outlines the considerable achieve- • 2015 – Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal ments over 2019-2020, as well as managing Corporation partnership commenced through the unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic and significantly grown over time. which, with its challenges, has meant that some plans for the year naturally had to • 2016 – Commitment by Board and be deferred. management to ongoing strategic investment in Information Systems As an essential service, annecto has and Technology. continued to operate during the pandemic. opens 2002 Mildura & management Governance 2010 introduced practices statement Purpose 2012 changed Project Abbotsford 2013