ANNUAL REPORT 2017 Brochure_AnnualReport_2017_A4.indd 1 9/11/17 11:39 am VISION Equity for deaf people PURPOSE ‘Deaf life: Your way, your language’. We work with deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people. We work to break down barriers, create choice and support you to reach your goals. CONTENTS Highlights of the Year ............................................................................................................................. 3 Message from the Chair ......................................................................................................................... 4 Overview from the Chief Executive Officer ......................................................................................... 5 In memory of Vice Patron Nola Colefax OAM .................................................................................... 6 Our People ............................................................................................................................................... 7 Our Strategy – how we performed ....................................................................................................... 8 Chair, Finance and Audit Committee’s Report ....................................................................................13 Financial Report ......................................................................................................................................14 Membership & Acknowledgements .....................................................................................................19 PATRON PATRON His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) Governor of NSW THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2017 Brochure_AnnualReport_2017_A4.indd 2 9/11/17 11:39 am HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR 2016 Deaf Festival The annual Deaf Festival was a wonderful success with community members young and old joining in activities such as the Auslan Spelling Bee and the family classic, traffic light game. Resilient Australia Award In October 2016, The Deaf Society and emergency service partners won the NSW Resilient Australia Award in the community category. The award recognised the Get Ready program which has empowered the Deaf Community to prepare for natural disasters like fire, flood and storms. My Interpreting App In 2016, we designed and launched a new website which makes it easier for deaf people to book an interpreter using their mobile, tablet or iPad. Now to book an interpreter with NDIS funds, it is 4 simple steps plus a once-off registration. Auslan at NRL Grand Final The 2016 NRL Grand Final was the first time an Auslan performance of the Australian National Anthem was included at a major sporting event. An audience of over 80,000 people witnessed this historic and proud moment for the Deaf Community. THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2017 3 Brochure_AnnualReport_2017_A4.indd 3 9/11/17 11:39 am MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR The 2017 financial year (FY2017) was This is my first year as Chairperson of the another successful year for the Deaf Deaf Society, and there are so many people Society. Not only did we grow our to thank. To the staff of the Deaf Society, operating profit to $475,080 compared you are the face of the organisation. For to the previous year’s trading loss of your determination, devotion and drive to $146,619. The Board, along with the senior deliver the many programs and projects, management has developed a strategy a big thank you. to build the capacity and services that It would be remiss of me, not to we deliver to the community. This plan acknowledge the two Directors who is aimed to drive revenue to $20 million, have left the organisation over the past by 2021, and significantly increase the year, both made enormous contributions services we provide. to the Deaf Society during their tenure • Increase in the surplus from FY2016 to with the organisation. FY2017 of $621,699. Vivek Prabhu, sat on the Finance & • The rollout of the National Disability Audit Committee for several years Insurance Scheme. and oversaw the financial audits and management of the investment portfolios. • Increase in interpreter services the Deaf Vivek’s skills in understanding financial Society provides. markets and his ability to work with the • Increase in sign language course investment advisers to build long-term enrolments by 36%. investment portfolios for the Deaf These are very pleasing results, considering Society will benefit the organisation for the changing business environment many years to come. the Deaf Society works within and Ken Deacon, sat on the Board for more the constant challenges including; the than ten years and held the position of complete rollout of the NDIS, changing Chair for many years. Ken has made many government policy, reduced funding significant contributions to the Deaf opportunities, and aligning our services to Society during this time. He has guided customers’ needs. the organisation in the employment of a However, the challenges we face are only new CEO and understood the changing opportunities for the organisation to grow environment including the implications of and prosper, provide better services to our the NDIS. All should appreciate his desire customers and improve our engagement for the organisation to strive and improve with the broader community. the services it provides to the deaf community. If the Deaf Society is going to continue to grow and flourish, we must build a business To my fellow Board members, who have model that is substantial, resilient, and devoted energy and time to assist and delivers quality services to our customers. guide the organisation over the past year, We must continue to listen to our thank you. customers and develop strategies that will promote and assist, those people in the deaf community that require support. Brian Halse Chairperson 4 THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2017 Brochure_AnnualReport_2017_A4.indd 4 9/11/17 11:39 am OVERVIEW FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER This year, we have seen many new support to me and the Executive Team challenges and exciting opportunities to during this dynamic time. improve the quality of our services and I would like to especially thank Vivek support for our deaf, hard of hearing and Prahbu and Kenneth Deacon for their deafblind customers. years of dedicated service and loyalty to As we prepared for the full roll-out of the the Society. Michael Boneham, Kashveera National Disability Insurance Scheme Chanderjith and Vince Lam have joined (NDIS) in NSW, the Deaf Society team the board in February 2017 and brought in have been listening to our customers and continuity of financial knowledge as well implementing changes or introducing new as their individual perspectives to drive the services to make their journey easier. This Society forward. would have not been possible without a Secondly, I would like to thank the team who are very focused and passionate Executive Managers; Ivana Krunes, David about their customers ensuring that we McQuiggin, Sharon Nann and John O’Neill. give 100% to all of you. Each one of them are strongly committed The Board and leadership team have also to making the Deaf Society stand out as been working strategically so that we may a thought leader in the deafness sector, continue to provide high quality customer- one that provides high quality service focused support and proactively respond and support to deaf, hard of hearing and to the significant changes in the sector deafblind people as well as their families, including NDIS and My Aged Care. friends and employers. In December 2016, the Deaf Society Thirdly I would like to thank the whole experienced great sadness with the passing Deaf Society team across NSW and of our beloved Vice-Patron, the late the ACT for showing me every day, the Nola Colefax, OAM. Nola‘s funeral was difference they make for our customers well attended with many people in the and importantly our community. The team community paying tribute to a remarkable has been phenomenal as they worked and loyal woman who has inspired many towards equity for deaf people. people. Her legacy and contribution to the Lastly I would like to thank our members, Deaf Society and the community will never donors and supporters. Without you, we be forgotten. cannot achieve equity for deaf people. I I would like to thank the many people look forward to continuing to work toward who have tirelessly supported the Society the Deaf Society’s vision and ensuring that during the past 12 months. together, we achieve equity for everyone. Firstly, I would like to thank past Chair, Todd Wright for his guidance and hard work. Brian Halse accepted the Chair position when Todd stepped down in Leonie Jackson February 2017 and has been a wonderful Chief Executive Officer THE DEAF SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2017 5 Brochure_AnnualReport_2017_A4.indd 5 9/11/17 11:39 am IN MEMORY OF VICE PATRON NOLA COLEFAX OAM In 2016, we farewelled a dearly loved Whilst working full time on a factory 1989 publication of the Auslan Dictionary member of the Deaf Community, our assembly line, Nola dedicated most of her of which he was the editor. Vice Patron Nola Colefax OAM. Nola died spare time to the theatre company. In 1978, In 1981 Nola Colefax was awarded an peacefully on 15 December 2016, a few six months before she was due to retire Order of Australia for her services to months after celebrating her 95th birthday. from factory work, Nola accepted a full the Theatre of the Deaf. She continued We would like to pay tribute to Nola’s time position in the Theatre of the Deaf