Annual Report 2012 Hi, my name is Alicia. I was once fortunate enough to be able to visit Stewart House on 2 occasions “ and I can honestly say that on both occasions it was the highlight of my childhood. I know from personal experience that what Stewart House offers to children growing up in unfortunate circumstances is hope, hope that we do not have. My personal experience there has never and will never be forgotten and I often find myself fondly remembering my experiences there. As I was growing up I always told myself that I would grow up and work at Stewart House and give back to more kids what I so fortunately given from the staff at Stewart House. Never had I felt more safe and cared for as a child as I did when I was at Stewart House, which for children whom visit there is necessary to remind us there is more to life. Words are at a loss to how much Stewart House changed my life and my gratitude will never be able to be expressed in words. If only there was a Stewart House located in QLD, I would then be able to follow a childhood dream. The work you do is incredible and invaluable and many children like myself “ have better lives because of Stewart House. So thank you, thank you more than you could ever know. With immense gratitude and thankfulness. STEWART HOUSE ANNUAL REPORT 2012 STEWART HOUSE GOVERNANCE We are governed by a board of directors, with delegated authority to a Chief Executive Officer and several other sub-committees. Stewart House is a company limited by guarantee being an affiliated health organisation in respect of child health screening under schedule 3 of the NSW Health Services Act 1997. Representation on the company’s board of directors is sought from the following stakeholders – NSW Departments of Education and Communities and Health; NSW Teachers Federation; Federation of Parents and Citizens’ Associations of NSW as well as interested philanthropic individuals for periods of up to three years. No income or property of Stewart House may be paid or transferred, directly or indirectly to any company member and no remuneration or other benefit is paid or given by Stewart House to any company director. The number of directors on the Stewart House board can range from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 12. BOARD OF DIRECTORS STEWART HOUSE COMMITEES --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Graeme Philpotts The directors of the board select the chair of each Chief Executive Officer committee, who is normally a board director and approve their memberships. The chairman of the board is an ex- Barry Johnson officio member of all committees. The board appoints the Chairman Chief Executive Officer to all board committees. Members are usually appointed for a term of 1 year, with a maximum Tom Croker of two consecutive terms. There are normally no less than David Hope 4 committee members. Committee members may be board Richard Hoskins members, staff of the organisation or people with relevant Michelle Reincastle expertise from outside the organisation. Mark Rice In 2012 the following committees operated: Audit Risk and Compliance Committee Mark Rice (chair) Marilyn Bourne Tom Croker Richard Hoskins Barry Johnson Governance and Nominations Board Committee Barry Johnson (chair) Michelle Reincastle Stewart House Out Of School Hours Program Assessment Committee Richard Hoskins (chair) Tom Croker George Green (ARISSEA) Margaret Hopkins (ARISSEA) Geoff Walton (ARISSEA) STEWART HOUSE ANNUAL REPORT 2012 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT What WE ACHIEVED In its 81st year Stewart House catered for the needs of 1624 mainstream students from public schools across NSW and ACT (in 19 groups staying 12 days each) and 120 special education students (in 2 group staying for 4 days). 22%, of this cohort, were identified as from Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, 9% were non-English speaking and 3% were return visitors. I encourage the reader to review the data enclosed in this report to gain a better understanding of the children who require our care. OUR FINANCIAL POSITION We are in good shape. The company’s financial statements are included in this annual report. I am very pleased to announce a surplus for the fourth consecutive year coinciding with the four years of the new company’s operations. The net surplus decreased by $600,261 to $165,303 for the year ended 31 December 2012. This was expected as 2011 donations were inflated by Keith Dowling’s single bequest of $625,000 received towards the end of 2011, which I outlined in last year’s annual report. The company reported assets of $631,487 and liabilities of $274,722 at year end which represented a positive working capital of $656,715. The company’s statement of financial position discloses net assets of $14,858,489 as at 31 December 2012. This compares to $14,693,186 last year. THE ROOF We have finally put to rest a constant source of annoyance. In the 1981 annual report, the then Chairman, Roy Reidy wrote…”The cause of the leaks in the senior dormitory continues to elude us and the assistance of the Public Works Department is constantly being sought in an endeavour to solve this long term problem which has proved and is proving to be a continuous drain on our emotions and our funds….” In 1988 the then Chairman, Bruce Enderby wrote…. “The main problem which has beset the Board for many years has been the entry of stormwater through the roof and gutter surrounds of the main building. The considerable damage to interior ceilings and carpets has been evident for some years but the major remedial work involved has been beyond the financial resources of the Board…..” Even after a ministerial injection of $300,000 in 1990 towards the construction of a new roof over the existing one the problem remained. It gives me great pleasure to announce that, after 31 years and an expenditure in excess of $550,000, that the Batho Street building (housing dormitories, dining and recreational facilities) no longer leaks! We have the historic precedent of the Keith Dowling bequest to thank for this work which will extend the life of the building well towards our centenary. We used the opportunity to carry out other refurbishment work on the building which included the tiling of the balconies and the replacement of all the windows and doors. OTHER Capital WORKS We are also addressing the backlog of projects put on hold in leaner times. The size of the Stewart House complex and the turnover of residents and visitors necessitate constant maintenance upgrading and refurbishing. Such undertakings are costly, but apart from health and safety considerations, we attach great importance to creating an environment which is attractive and comfortable. The site probably looks the best it has ever looked. We have spent in excess of $750,000 over the last three years bringing facilities up to scratch. A recent addition, provided by the Friends of Stewart House in recognition of their 75th anniversary, the dining room ‘under sea themed’ mural looks phenomenal and the purchase of new café style furniture to complement the walls takes the space from institutional to modern and inviting. Optic fibre and Cat 6 cabling of all dormitories and health facilities was commenced in 2012 to facilitate timely sharing of information across the site through use of e-mails and shared databases linked to our own dedicated fileserver. Now supervisors, teachers and health staff can have instantaneous access to vital information concerning each child’s well being. We have completely gutted the conference facilities on the top level of the Batho Street building and are awaiting funds for a complete refurbishment of the room which will result in child-friendly mini theatrette, complete with tiered cinema-style seating. STEWART HOUSE ANNUAL REPORT 2012 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2012 SERVICE DEVELOPMENTS We ensure as far as practicable, our children’s health needs are met. Many people have considered Stewart House as a holiday home and nothing else. This is far from the truth. Carefully planned excursions giving children the opportunity to experience a major capital city are incidental to the health, dental, optical, remedial and therapeutic care these children receive while they are in residence. I must emphasize that Stewart House provides integrated and holistic quality health care in a unique residential setting, enabling identification and early intervention for children. We further promote positive outcomes for children in psychosocial, emotional and physical wellbeing domains, based on supportive relationship with home schools, and onwards to the local community. For the last three decades, commensurate with society’s increased reliance on community based health solutions, we have maintained a screening service in relation to the health issues of each cohort. In 2012 we were able to take our service provision well beyond the screening level that is inherent in the organisation’s objects. Children, with caregiver consent, now see a dental therapist in the first two days of their stay. Dental requirements are assessed, fluoride treatment given and for those in pain or in need of emergency treatment appointments are made with Mona aleV hospital dentists. A letter highlighting their dental health needs is posted to parents with a call to action to access free NSW Health dental clinics close to home. Oral hygiene education remains a focus both with the teaching and supervisory staff. All children receive an audiometric assessment on the third day of their stay and those identified as in need of further treatment are taken to Macquarie University for advanced assessment within their world-respected Audiology Department. This arrangement was brokered midway through last year and we are extremely grateful for this support.