MALLEE FAMILY CARE2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT

Servicing the Murray Mallee since 1979

Vision, Mission, Principles 2

About MFC 3

Our Board 5

Presidents Report 6

Staff Stories 8

Our Staff 14

Supporters 16

Donors 20

Treasurers Report 22

Financial Report 23

Independent Audit Report 24

Mallee Family Care Inc. 2015/16 Financial Report 26

Our people promote community well being.

2016 ANNUAL REPORT 11

Vision Seeking Solutions, Shaping Success. Towards stronger, more caring communities.

Mission Promote excellence in the delivery of services, research and advocacy that enrich lives and increase opportunities for individuals, families and communities.

Principles Communities are enriched by Passion, Participation and Partnerships.

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Mallee Family CarePATRONSHon. Tim Fischer ACRichard Haselgrove AMProfessor Tony Vinson AM

OFFICERSPresident Ross Lake OAMVice-President Marie Schlemme OAMSecretary Teresa JayetTreasurer Larry OConner

BOARDDr John CookePeter Greed (Retired April 2016)Jenny Hilton (Retired November 2016)Archdeacon Michael Hopkins Jim KirkpatrickMax NoyceKeith Richards OAMChris RiordanMargaret Thomson William (Billy) Carroll (Resigned October 2015)Michelle Oates (Appointed April 2016)Rachel White (Appointed May 2016)

AUDIT COMMITTEEChair Dr John Cooke Ross Lake OAM Larry OConnorAmanda King (Resigned March 2016)Kate Hancock

LIFE MEMBERSBill BrownRoger CornellBernie CurrowMargery Fenton (Dec)Nell FlightRoss Lake OAMOllie Godena (Dec)Richard Haselgrove AMDon (Dec) & Doris LittrellColin McLeodElizabeth MaffeiAnne MansellAndrew MentiplayPeter Mills (Dec)Max Noyce Jill PattendenBruce PennyGerald PurchaseNeil (Dusty) Rhodes (Dec)Keith OAM & Jan RichardsLuke Rumbold (Dr)Don (Dec) & Maureen Skelton (Dec)Graeme Sutton (Rev)John Taylor (Rev)Eddie WarhurstMilton Whiting OAM (Dec)Rotary Club of MilduraSomebodys Daughter Theatre Company

MEMBERS FOR LIFEFiona Harley OAMChristine Knight OAMRaymond Lyons

AUDITORSRSD Chartered Accountants

MANAGEMENT TEAMExecutive Director Teresa Jayet Director Corporate Services Geoff Dea (10/06/2016)Deputy Executive Director, Director Education, Training and Research Fiona HarleyDirector Community ServicesLisa-Maree Stevens Director Disabilities and Mental Health Cath Murphy Director Family Services Metaxia Tsoukatos

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Chances for Children PATRONSDr. Patricia Edgar AMDr. James FitzpatrickJoshua JenkinsMyf WarhurstThe Rt. Hon. Ian Sinclair ACDr Sev Ozdowski OAMNahum MushinLady Marigold Southey ACThe Hon. Tim Fischer

BOARD Chair Fiona Devilee Ros FoxRoss Lake OAMLara McCarronAnne MansellMike MooneyGary NalderKeith Richards OAMEvette Turlan

LIFE MEMBERSStefano De PieriLloyd ThomsonEddie WarhurstFiona DevileeBrian DodsonKeith Richards OAM Alan Fisher

CHANCES CHAMPIONSVicki KrakeMatt GaffneyPaul and Janet Lock

COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENTAnne MansellDan MenziesFiona DevileeGary NalderGerard JoseKeith Richards OAMMarie SchlemmeMichelle WallMike MooneyRoz Fox

ABOUT MALLEE FAMILY CARE (continued)

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Chris RiordanBoard member

Rachel WhiteBoard member

Michelle OatesBoard member

LEFT > RIGHT

Ross Lake OAMPresident

Marie Schlemme OAMVice president

Larry OConnorTreasurer

Dr. John CookeBoard member

Michael HopkinsBoard member

Jim KirkpatrickBoard member

Margaret ThomsonBoard member

Keith Richards OAMBoard member

Max NoyceBoard member

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PRESIDENTS REPORT

It has been a year of transition for Mallee Family Care, after 36 years of tireless leadership as Executive Director, we wished Vernon Knight AM well in his retirement and we welcomed Teresa Jayet. Teresa has fully embraced the challenges and opportunities that have faced the Agency in the last twelve months and I am certain that this will continue as we face another year ahead with numerous changes in the sector.

The Agency commenced a project that would ultimately see all programs reviewed. Due to this review, the most notable transition was that of All Star Access to Connecting Skills Australia. While this was a difficult decision for the Board, the staff, supported employees and their families should be commended for their determination to ensure the transition was a success. As a result of the transition, employment continues locally for all supported employees within our community.

We entered into the final year of a two year project with our partners, Upper Murray Family Care, Oz Child and Melbourne University which was funded through the Ian Potter Foundation 50th Anniversary Commemorative Grant. Our Partnership journey enabled us to join with MacKillop Family Services and implement a software system that will enable us to measure the outcomes and effects of our services to clients.

The compliance and accreditation requirements that occur for our programs are extensive.

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The Office of the Childrens Guardian renewed Mallee Family Cares accreditation and certification for a five year period for out of home care in New South Wales. This is considered to be the best level of practice to be attained in the sector.

It should be noted that Board Members, Peter Greed, Jenny Hilton and Billy Carrol resigned

from their positions, however, they remain dedicated advocates of the work of Mallee Family Care. We welcomed both Michelle Oats and Rachel White who are both community minded and strong supporters of the work of Mallee Family Care.

Thank-you must go to a dedicated Board and Audit Committee, and the staff and volunteers who are

passionate about the work they do and contribute an enormous amount to the lives of others. It is with this recognition of our staff and volunteers that I invite you to read their stories in this years Annual Report.

Ross Lake OAMPresident

2016 ANNUAL REPORT 77

It was a chance meeting

twenty five years ago with

then financial counsellor of

Mallee Family Care, Brian

Dodson, that Maurice Rowles

began his own journey with

the Agency, an Agency that

would see Maurice in a

number of roles that would

ultimately create some very

memorable moments.

Maurice came from the banking sector and he interviewed for a financial counselling position that Brian was vacating. Maurice was doing his best to impress, he attended the interview on a Saturday morning in a suit and tie, only to find that the interview panel were wearing running shorts and sleeveless shirts, one was even wearing gum boots, needless to say, Maurice never wore a tie to work again.

While Maurices previous employment in the banking sector had provided him with a knowledge of finance, it had not equipped him with the work of a financial counsellor. He was

now working at the other end of the spectrum; no longer was he providing loans to eligible customers, he was now required to assist people who were in debt and negotiate repayments with creditors and mediate between clients and debt collectors, some of his former bank customers were now his clients. Unfortunately, the first Bankruptcy application that Maurice had assisted a client with had been a former loan he had written when previously employed at the bank, Maurice often highlights that financial circumstances can change significantly for anyone at any time.

Maurice recalls that in the early 1990s, interest rates on a mortgage had reached up to 17%. This was also at a time when job losses were high in the public service sector. Many people turned to establishing a small business and unfortunately, many had mortgaged their property to establish the business. There were terrible losses during this time, not only financial, there was family breakdown, and issues

relating to mental health; it was a time of great stress.

This period also saw a change in the work of financial counselling. No longer was the household budget the primary reason that people presented for an appointment, people were now presenting for business debts and bankruptcy applications throughout the 1990s skyrocketed.

In the early days of the Financial Counselling Program, Maurice also acted as an administrator for the Guardianship Board for a number of clients as a trial for the local metal health program. This was established out of a need due to State Trustees at the time would not extend their service beyond Melbourne.

Maurice transitioned from Financial Counselling to managing Marlayna House, a service to support adults with a disability. While Maurice enjoyed his time at Marlayna, it provided him with the experience he required for his next role, as Workplace Health

MAURICEREFLECTS

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and Safely Manager. Maurice commenced this role in 1995 and he has observed changes in legislation and rigorous compliance requirements.

Maurice speaks of his time with Mallee Family Care with admiration.

Maurice acknowledges that it is not only he who has been impacted by his time at Mallee Family Care, his children have also grown with the Agency, in fact his own children have been employed with Mallee Family Care, and now his grandchildren get to visit Poppy at work. This work is enjoyable, I have seen some great changes, I have also experienced difficult times, but, I have enjoyed every minute of it.

He considers it to be a privilege to work with people in the community who fall on difficult times. It has been great to see clients get back on their feet, it is a rewarding part of being at a