ANNUAL REPORT July 2015 December 2016 WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA ... · ANNUAL REPORT July 2015 –...

ANNUAL REPORT

July 2015 – December 2016

WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA LTD.

ABN: 28 602 083 858

Annual Report 2015-16 Welcome to Australia Ltd. Page 2 of 34



CONTENTS

OUR MISSION .................................................................................................................................................................... 6

OUR VISION ....................................................................................................................................................................... 6

OUR AIMS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6

OUR HISTORY .................................................................................................................................................................... 6

SECTION 1 - AN OVERVIEW OF WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA ............................................................................................... 7

ABOUT US .................................................................................................................................................................. 7

OUR PEOPLE ............................................................................................................................................................. 8

OUR SUPPORTERS ............................................................................................................................................... 10

SECTION 2 - GOVERNANCE ............................................................................................................................................. 13

CHAIR & CEO REPORT ......................................................................................................................................... 13

STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................................................... 15

GUIDING PRINCIPLES ........................................................................................................................................... 16

STRATEGIC PLAN - 2016-2019 ............................................................................................................................ 17

SECTION 3 – OUR ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................. 18

WALK TOGETHER .................................................................................................................................................. 18

WELCOME CENTRE .............................................................................................................................................. 22

WELCOMING CITIES.............................................................................................................................................. 24

WELCOME TO THE GAME ................................................................................................................................... 26

SECTION 4 – OUR FINANCES ........................................................................................................................................... 28

TREASURER’S REPORT ....................................................................................................................................... 28

AUDITOR’S REPORT ............................................................................................................................................. 29

FINANCIAL SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................................... 31

SECTION 5 – ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & ROAD AHEAD .................................................................................................... 32

THANK YOU ............................................................................................................................................................. 32

FOUNDATION PARTNERS ............................................................................................................................... 32

GRANTS AND FUNDING ................................................................................................................................... 32

CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY .................................................................................................................... 32

VOLUNTEERS...................................................................................................................................................... 32

HOW YOU CAN HELP ............................................................................................................................................ 33

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME ................................................................................................................................. 33

MAKE A DONATION ........................................................................................................................................... 33

SUPPORT AN EVENT OR FUNDRAISING ACTIVITY.................................................................................. 33

BECOME A CORPORATE PARTNER ............................................................................................................. 33

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP OUR CAUSE .............................................................................................. 33

CONTACT US ........................................................................................................................................................... 33



OUR MISSION

To engage everyday Australians in the task of cultivating a culture of welcome in our nation.

OUR VISION

We believe that cultural diversity should be celebrated for the beauty and depth it adds to

our society.

We celebrate the compassion, generosity and commitment of Australians to giving all

people a fair go.

We create social and policy change by facilitating opportunities for authentic relationships

to be built between people of differing backgrounds.

We encourage inclusion, open mindedness, equality and social harmony.

OUR AIMS

Welcome

We aim to offer a warm, positive and dignified welcome to asylum seekers, refugees and

other migrants.

We will work with others who are committed to the vision of an inclusive, welcoming and just

Australia.

Changing the Conversation and Innovation

We aim to create a loud, public voice of positivity that changes the public conversation by

virtue of its volume and values.

We aim to provide innovative leadership in the sector.

Accountability

We aim to be highly accountable to the public and our stakeholders for the delivery of our

programs and projects.

OUR HISTORY

Welcome to Australia started five years ago with a simple vision; to cultivate a culture of welcome

in our nation.

To counter the growing fear of the other, particularly of people seeking asylum, we wanted to be a

voice of relentless positivity, one that could engage thousands of middle Australians to connect and

recognise our common humanity.

With no staff and an army of volunteers, Welcome to Australia started by holding Walk Together

events, and welcoming parties across Australia. These events were a celebration of diversity,

multiculturalism, and a strong message to our leaders that unity builds a better community than

division ever could. We wanted to show the community, that we are stronger together. We wanted

to send a strong message that we want to be a more welcoming Australia. We continue to strive to

do so in our increasingly expanded programs and activities.


SECTION 1 - AN OVERVIEW OF WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA

ABOUT US

Welcome to Australia is a national not-for-profit community organisation that exists to engage

everyday Australians in the task of cultivating a culture of welcome in our nation.

Welcome to Australia is a huge social cohesion project. In everything we do, whether it is programs

or events, we aim to foster social cohesion, understanding, and friendships between everyday

Australians and new arrivals to create a sense of belonging, inclusion and participation amongst

everyone.

Using this framework, we want to connect people to people, promote genuine stories of courage,

resilience and compassion, and to create a more welcoming Australia.

We believe that cultural diversity should be celebrated for the beauty and depth it adds to our society.

We celebrate the compassion, generosity and commitment of Australians to giving all people a fair

go. We create social and policy change by facilitating opportunities for authentic relationships to be

built between people of differing backgrounds. We encourage inclusion, open mindedness, equality

and social cohesion and harmony.

We aim to offer a positive, dignified, and warm welcome to people seeking asylum, refugees and

other migrants who want to call Australia home. We work with others who are committed to the

vision of an inclusive, welcoming and just Australia.

Welcome to Australia started with volunteer branches in most capital cities and now those branches

are transitioning to become a more stable presence, with some staff and still our many volunteers,

as the demand for an alternative positive voice is growing every day. These branches engage their

local communities to take action and promote compassion, foster social cohesion, and

understanding of different cultures.

At Welcome to Australia, we are about mobilising volunteers to engage in practical acts of welcome

to encourage us all to leave our prejudices behind and replace them with a spirit of inclusiveness

and commitment to creating a brighter future for all Australians.

We work with anyone who wants to create a more welcoming Australia and we pride ourselves on

maintaining a bi-partisanship relationship with politicians, to work with them, encourage them, and

support them through the process of creating a more compassionate refugee and social policy.


OUR PEOPLE

Board members

Name Position Dates acted

Ms. Tina Karanastasis Chairperson July 2015 – Current

Ms. Leah Marrone Company Secretary July 2015 – Current

Ms. Kate Dooley Treasurer September 2016 – Current

Ms. Helena Kyriazopoulos Board Member November 2015 – Current

Ms. Anisa Leaver Board Member November 2015 – Current

Ms. Manal Younis Board Member July 2015 – January 2016

Mr. Andrew McLeod Board Member July 2015 – April 2016

Ms. Kate Leaney Board Member July 2015 – May 2016

Mr. Brad Chilcott Board Member July 2015 – June 2016

Staff

Name Position Work type Dates acted

Mr. Mohammad Al-Khafaji Chief Executive Officer Full time October 2015 – Current

Mr. Brad Chilcott Founder & Business

Development Manager

0.2 FTE July 2015 – Current

Ms. Kathryn Girvan Welcome Centre

Manager

0.5 FTE July 2015 – December 2016

Mr. Aleem Ali Welcoming Cities

Manager

Full time December 2015 – Current

Ms. Judy Thomas Finance & HR

Administrator

0.2 FTE July 2015 – Current

Ms. Maia Tua-Davidson Welcome to the

Game Coordinator

Full time April 2016 – Current

Ms. Kani Kenyi Welcome to the

Game – organiser

0.2 FTE June 2016 – Current


Key Volunteers

We thank the dedication of all our wonderful volunteers who dedicated their time and

skills to grow Welcome to Australia and contributing to the welcoming movement.

We would like to particularly thank the following volunteers:

Name Position

Ms. Leah Marrone Community Awareness Training – National coordinator

Ms. Kate Leaney Deputy CEO & National Walk Together coordinator

Ms. Megs Lamb & Mr. Ali Jafari SA Branch managers

Ms. Emily Haren VIC Branch manager

Mr. James Jegasworthy WA Branch manager

Ms. Jessica Beange ACT Branch manager

Ms. Clara Saddi Wollongong Branch manager

Mr. Mark Cody Newcastle Branch manager

Ms. Charlotte Chompff Sydney Branch manager

Mr. Fida Hussain Community Dinner coordinator

Ms. Katrina Bean Connect Program coordinator

Ms. Marigold White Volunteer System review

Ms. Nora Ahmed HR system review

Mr. Will Menzies Board minute taker

Ms. Sally-Anne Nicholson English class program coordinator

Ms. Zoe Green Walk Together coordinator – Adelaide

Mr. Kern Mangan-Walker Walk Together coordinator – Melbourne

Mr. Glen Veitch Walk Together coordinator – Brisbane

Ms. Alison Dugan Walk Together coordinator – Hobart

Mr. Ron Mitchell Walk Together coordinator – Darwin

Mr. Jeremy Hillman Walk Together coordinator – Sydney

Ms. Natasha Chabbra Walk Together coordinator – Canberra

Ms. Natha Middlemas Walk Together coordinator – Perth

Mr. Johanis Lyons-Reid Videography

Ms. Rachel Foster English Tea Coordinator

Mr. Mehdi Fili Chai & Conversation coordinator

Ms. Shekoofe Aghaee Food Pantry Donation coordinator

Mr. Toby Pearce Furniture Donation & Delivery coordinator

Ms. Erin Green Welcome Health Project

Ms. Leanne Guest Grants coordinator

Ms. Alicja Clisby Volunteer manager

Ms. Jakki Abanat & Ms. Sue Nash Welcome Marion coordinators


OUR SUPPORTERS

We would like to thank all of our generous supporters and funding organisations who are

committed to changing the conversation and joining the welcoming movement. Particularly we

would like to thank the following organisations:

Foundation Partners

Multicultural Development

Association (MDA)

Queensland

Settlement Services

International

New South Wales

Access Community Services

Ltd.

Queensland

Australian Manufacturing

Workers Union

National

Australian Services Union

National

Australian Education Union

National

Program Sponsors

Anglicare SA

The Welcome Centre

Lipman Karas Lawyers

The Welcome Centre

Department for Communities

and Social Inclusion (SA)

The Welcome Centre

Scanlon Foundation

Welcoming Cities

Department of Premier and

Cabinet

Welcoming Cities


Event Partners

AMES

Victoria

Department for Communities

and Social Inclusion

South Australia

Australian Red Cross

South Australia

Australian Refugee

Association

South Australia

Multicultural Communities

Council of SA Inc

South Australia

Multicultural Communities

Council Gold Coast Ltd.

Queensland

Multicultural NSW

New South Wales



SECTION 2 - GOVERNANCE

CHAIR & CEO REPORT

We are pleased to present our first Annual

Report on behalf of Welcome to Australia in

recognition of an eventful and exciting year.

Our Board of Directors and staff look forward to

the challenges ahead as we build on the

successes and achievements of 2015-16 in

working with the Australian community to foster

a culture of welcome for refugees and asylum

seekers.

Welcome to Australia grew out of a group of

volunteers, with charity status initially enabled

through the generosity of ‘Activate Community

Services’, to be able to stand on our own feet

to become an independent national

organisation registered with the Australian

Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission

(ACNC).

This required a new Board, organisational

structure, operational systems and good

governance, all of which have been a major

focus during our first year. We have covered a

lot of ground in relatively short space of time

with Board members, staff and volunteers

around the country working tirelessly to

progress the goals of the organisation.

Highly qualified, professional and experienced

Board members have been appointed to

ensure the important task of governance is

supported by a strong and diverse team. This

is an ongoing process and we hope to recruit

additional members in the future who have the

required expertise and skills to advance

Welcome’s mission.

Governance and Finance Sub-Committees

have been established to oversee and drive

development in these key areas of our work

and to provide advice to the Board. Through its

annual planning process, the Board has also

developed a three-year Strategic Plan with the

support of Janet Giles who gave her time

voluntarily to facilitate and guide us through this

process. Thank you Janet.

As a young organisation, we have the benefit

of creating from a ‘blank canvass’. We have the

flexibility to shape Welcome to Australia into a

progressive, innovative and professional

organisation underpinned by good governance

and the capacity to think outside the square.

This is reflected in some of the major programs

introduced in 2015-16 including ‘Welcoming

Cities’ sponsored by the Scanlon Foundation

and ‘Welcome to the Game’ funded by

Multicultural Development Australia (MDA).

We welcomed our CEO, Mohammad Al-Khafaji

who was employed using a mix of crowd

funding, foundation partners, and through the

delivery of training for the Australian

Multicultural Foundation. We welcomed Aleem

Ali, Welcoming Cities Manager, who is based

in Brisbane as well as Maia Tua-Davidson,

Welcome to the Game Coordinator, also based

in Brisbane. More information about the major

projects are contained in the Annual Report.

Since hiring our first full-time staff member in

October 2015, the organisation has grown from

1.0 FTE to 5.5 FTE staff with exciting projects,

new partnerships, and plans for expanded

development across Australia.

We are especially grateful to those staff and

volunteers who were there from the beginning,

helping to build relationships and

collaborations which supported major national

and very high profile initiatives such as ‘Walk

Together’.

Due to the new structure of the organisation or

because they wanted to pursue other

challenges, some of the staff and volunteers

have moved on and we wish them well with

future endeavours. In particular, we thank the

outgoing Volunteer State Directors who

engaged with the community, created new

exciting initiatives and motivated volunteers

under the leadership of Welcome’s Founder,

Brad Chilcott.


Our dedicated Welcome Centre Manager,

Kathryn Girvan, made a huge difference to the

lives of many families through her work at the

centre and the programs she developed for

new arrivals. Under Kathryn’s leadership, the

Welcome Centre was also awarded an

infrastructure grant from the Department of

Communities and Social Inclusion (SA) which

allowed us to upgrade centre facilities and

create a more suitable and comfortable space

for users. This grant allowed us to install air-

conditioners, a new kitchen, pave the

courtyard, install new doors and security, repair

plumbing and much more.

During this period, we advocated for the many

refugees on temporary protection visas, and

were able to engage with the South Australian

Government to ensure South Australia became

a Safe Haven zone, which meant hundreds of

people seeking did not have to move interstate

or away from their established networks and

friends. We are grateful to have respectful

relationships with all sides of politics to affect

positive policy change.

We are most effective in our advocacy work

when secure tri-partisan cross party support,

and a great example of this was the launch of

the National Day of Unity, launched in

Parliament House in Canberra with the leaders

of the three major parties.

We continue to engage and speak with all

sections of the community, including those who

may not be engaged in the multicultural and

refugee sectors. We continue to work with our

ambassadors and celebrities to carry our

message of welcome to the broader

community.

2015-16 was an exciting year for Welcome to

Australia and a very significant one for

everyone involved in assisting the organisation

to take its first real steps. A very sincere thank

you to all of our supporters, sponsors, and

partner organisations, and of course our

growing team of Welcome Ambassadors.

We all share a common passion and

commitment to a multicultural Australia which

is compassionate and welcoming to all those

who seek to escape persecution and build a

better life for themselves and their families.

With the support of many generous people and

the goodwill of the community, we will continue

to cultivate a culture of welcome, celebrate

cultural diversity, build social cohesion, and

advocate for a fair and just refugee policy.

Tina Karanastasis Mohammad Al-Khafaji

Chairperson Chief Executive Officer


STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT

Welcome to Australia Ltd. (ABN: 28 602 083 858) is a company limited by guarantee, a Public

Benevolent Institution registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission

(ACNC). As a registered charity, Welcome to Australia has DGR1 tax deductibility status.

In mid-2015 Welcome to Australia formed its own independent board and became a company

Limited by Guarantee, governed by ACNC’s regulations and guidelines. Welcome to Australia’s

charity size has recently has been reclassified from a small charity to a medium size charity. As a

medium size charity, we have additional rules and regulations that we must abide by as per ACNC’s

guidelines and we look forward to working towards implementing best practice governance and

financial management.

Welcome to Australia’s Organisational Chart:

Mohammad Al-Khafaji

Chief Executive Officer

Brad ChilcottFounder

Development

Manager

Aleem AliWelcoming Cities manager

Maia Tua-DavidsonWelcome to the Game

Vacant

Canberra

Board of Directors

Judith ThomasFinance Admin

Kathryn GirvanWelcome Centre Manager

Elizabeth

Melbourne

Kate Leaney

Perth

Jeremy

Sydney

Vacant

Darwin

Vacant

Hobart

Volunteer Branch

Kani KenyiOrganiser

Mohammad

Adelaide

Aleem

Brisbane


GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The following principles guide the work of Welcome to Australia in determining both its internal and

external priorities and commitments:

1. We are a national movement which seeks to build a welcoming Australia through

community action.

2. As a positive voice for change that seeks to engage with all members of the Australian

community, we will maintain bipartisan consensus and collaboration across the political

spectrum.

3. We will actively pursue creative and innovative ways of raising community awareness and

bringing people together, including the expansion of our Ambassadors and the annual ‘Walk

Together’ campaigns.

4. We are strongly committed to collaboration and building partnerships which further the

mission, values and objectives of our movement.

5. We value the significant contribution of our volunteers and understand the importance of

giving back through opportunities for personal and professional development and community

recognition.

6. Wherever possible, we will support the efforts of the migrant and refugee services sector but

will be selective about what we give our time to within the scope of our resources. External

requests to participate in committees and forums will be monitored and reviewed by the

Board.

7. We will provide services to refugees, people seeking asylum, and other new arrivals,

however will endeavour wherever possible not to duplicate what is already successfully

provided by settlement services and other providers. We will support existing services in the

community to deliver client focused quality service, and we endeavour to provide services to

address service gaps and needs where they are in line with our mission and vision.

8. Our welcoming spaces will be safe and open to everyone who is willing to treat others with

respect and dignity. We will encourage people from all walks of life to come together in the

spirit of harmony, celebration and friendship.

9. We will establish consistent branding for the organisation that will be prominently featured

across all community spaces, projects and campaigns.

10. We will be ethical and transparent in all our dealings based on the foundation of trust and

goodwill.


STRATEGIC PLAN - 2016-2019

This plan outlines the core of this organisation, our mission, vision, aims and guiding principles. It

also outlines our key goals over the next three years.

Financial and social sustainability

Financial sustainability

Growing the organisation

Maintaining relevance in the community

Governance and Management

Ensure effective Governance and Management policies are in place and maintained

Review Constitution

Establish national committees in key areas

Services and Programs

Maintain and expand our Welcome Centres as the heart and shop front of our movement.

Examine opportunities for other programs in-line with our Strategic Plan.

Building a Movement

Continue to grow Walk Together as a large community event all around Australia

Build our brand

Increase effectiveness

Building Partnerships and Influence

Continue to develop positive relationships with community leaders

Create new supporters and partnerships

Build influence in the sector, community and government


SECTION 3 – OUR ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS

WALK TOGETHER

Walk Together is Welcome to Australia’s flagship annual national celebration of Australia’s diversity,

designed as a tangible expression of the welcoming, fair and compassionate society we are all

committed to building.

We dream of a nation that celebrates diversity, made up of communities where people of our First

Nations, people seeking asylum, refugees, international students, skilled migrants and every other

human being can experience the joy and security of belonging.

Walk Together exists to call out the best in the Australian character; our inclusive, compassionate

and welcoming nature in a large demonstration of the nation we would like to become.

Walk Together aims to paint the picture of an Australia that believes in its public debate, media

conversation and legislation that we are all common people with common dreams, equally deserving

of freedom, fairness, opportunity to contribute, welcome and belonging. An Australia that combines

together to Say Welcome.

In 2015 & 2016, Walk Together events were held across Australia in all major capital cities and

many more regional centres on Saturday 22 October. In the past two years, Walk Together was

held in conjunction with the National Mosque Open day, an initiative of Lebanese Muslim

Association. These two major events were combined as part of National Day of Unity which was

launched at Parliament House in Canberra in 2015 with the Prime Minister, the Hon. Malcolm

Turnbull, Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Bill Shorten, and the Greens Leader, the Hon. Richard

Di Natale.

In 2016, Walk Together was held on Saturday October 22 across over 25 cities and regional centres

around Australia and for the first time, the event went international with Anchorage in Alaska hosting

the walk too.

There were more than 60 Walk Together events across the country in 2015 & 2016, all made

possible thanks to the generous support of sponsoring organisations.

These videos capture the essence of Walk Together and highlight its potential impact:

Walk Together 2016 – The Beat (TV commercial) : www.youtube.com/watch?v=peNFN--QCs8

Walk Together 2016 – Missy Higgins (promo video): www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZYyBkZbvXk

Walk Together 2016 – Adelaide (highlight video): www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRkSSbOPA5U

Walk Together 2015 – TV Commercial (episode 1): www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJZX9XSTN9E

Walk Together 2015 – TV Commercial (episode 2): www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1vhTTMqi7g

Walk Together 2015 – Adelaide (highlight video): www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt7sxtvbRIE

Walk Together 2013 – TV commercial: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLspTBT6O9A

Walk Together 2012 – TV commercial: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi55z4vEojc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peNFN--QCs8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZYyBkZbvXk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRkSSbOPA5U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJZX9XSTN9E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1vhTTMqi7g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt7sxtvbRIE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLspTBT6O9A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi55z4vEojc





WELCOME CENTRE

The Welcome Centre in Adelaide is a safe drop-in centre for refugee families, people seeking

asylum, and new arrivals to come together to access essential services. It is also a place where

every day Australians are given a space to interact and build authentic relationship with new arrivals.

We provide support through programs such as:

English classes

Chai and Conversation English practice

Emergency relief

Fortnightly community dinners

Volunteer opportunities

Food and furniture donations

Social support programs for socially isolated families

School holiday programs

Free internet café

Weekly soccer program

Connect mentoring program

and most importantly, friendship and welcome

The Welcome Centre works closely with service providers in SA to assist where we can, through

referral of clients. All of this, is coordinated by a part time centre manager and a team of dedicated

and generous volunteers.

The Welcome Centre started organically in 2013 when a group of asylum seekers and volunteers

of Welcome to Australia came together to participate in social activities, to forget about the hardships

of living with uncertainty of temporary visas, and to create positive change in their communities.

The Welcome Centre is an initiative of Welcome to Australia and relies heavily on the generosity of

the community, sponsors, and regular donors who believe in the important work of the Welcome

Centre in helping new arrivals, and changing the conversation.

The Welcome Centre is proudly sponsored by:



WELCOMING CITIES

Welcoming Cities facilitates a national network of inclusive, vibrant communities internationally

recognised for their ability to foster a sense of belonging and participation. It seeks to address and

embrace the challenges and opportunities of migration. We are working to create more welcoming

and inclusive communities by supporting local government leaders and communities to be more

effectively resourced, networked and supported.

Since the national launch of Welcoming Cities in Melbourne Town Hall, on 9th March 2016, the

initiative has undergone significant development and growth. In less than six months, Welcoming

Cities built relationships with 31 Local Government Authorities and 22 other government or non-

government organisations.

The first Local Government Authority to formally join the Welcoming Cities network was Hume City

Council. Local Governments are often conservative by nature and many are waiting for a critical

mass before they will commit to the network. However, Councils are best placed to understand and

represent the diversity and nuances of their communities and many understand not only the benefits

of planning effectively for migration but also the importance of leading welcoming efforts and being

recognised for doing so. The opportunity for network growth lies in identifying these Councils and

securing their interest.

An opportunity exists for Welcoming Cities to lead this work in the South Pacific, with interest from

the New Zealand Department of Immigration in extending the network across local governments in

their country. Welcoming Cities has also been successful in securing multi-year funding through the

Victorian State Government that will allow the establishment of a Melbourne-based office and full-

time role. This will allow a specific growth and development focus on the Victorian Local

Governments and communities, where more than 40% of current Local Government interest in

Welcoming Cities is based.

The working mission of Welcoming Cities is to ensure that communities are welcoming and inclusive

and all people have the opportunity to participate and engage in socioeconomic opportunities and

community life. The way that we seek to achieve this is by partnering with Local Governments,

through a multi-sector approach, to develop clear strategies for welcoming recently arrived migrants

and providing access and opportunity for social, economic and civic participation.

Welcoming Cities is proudly sponsored by:



WELCOME TO THE GAME

Welcome to the Game engages young people of refugee background in local sport, including Futsal,

Soccer and AFL. Through building local relationships between Clubs and young people as well as

linking young people to training, jobs and fundraising opportunities, Welcome to the Game will help

at least 100 young people access sport in the Brisbane community. Welcome to the Game uses

sport as a vehicle for connecting young refugees and vulnerable migrants with their local

communities, creating opportunities to build meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging in

their new community.

We love sport. It is a defining characteristic of our Australian identity and a place where traditionally

communities thrive and grow. The local sports club should reflect the community in which it is

located. It should adapt and react to the needs of its people and should be, not only a physical place,

but a social, emotional and spiritual place for creating the culture of welcome. Sport crosses barriers

that nothing else can. When people step on to the field, pitch, court or oval, before they look at each

other or speak to each other they start with a shared passion and this has the power to change lives.

The benefits of sport and physical activity for anyone is overwhelming. For our young people, many

are often struggling to connect with their new environment, their new communities, they can be

struggling at school, with language, with the clash of cultures, with making friends, with memories

of trauma and torture, with mental health issues, often they are caught up in negative social circles,

anti-social behaviour and crime. Participating in sport gives them a break from these things, a place

where they can relax, have fun and forget. It creates an opportunity and a pathway for us to connect

with them, to identify deeper issues, to provide support and advice to improve their lives, their

families lives and their settlement journey.

Our overall goal is to increase the participation levels of these young people in sports and physical

activity and to use sport to improve their lives. Within this we focus on sustainable participation and

connection over competition.

Welcome to the Game operates in 4 distinctive ways;

1. Individual support, advice and connections for young people and their families looking to

participate in sport.

2. Group support, advice and connections for semi-organised groups or teams that are looking

to increase their participation.

3. Direct delivery of sports development programs.

4. Sports clubs, advice, support and connections to increase understanding of the refugee

experience and to assistance in ‘reaching out’ to the newest members of their community.

Welcome to the Game is funded by Multicultural Development Australia, under the Youth Transition

Pilot by the Department of Social Services.

The program is aimed at young people aged 15-24 from refugee or migrant backgrounds who have

lived in Australia for 5 years or less.



SECTION 4 – OUR FINANCES

TREASURER’S REPORT

MRL Group Pty Ltd. Chartered Accountants conducted a full review of WTA’s 2015-2016 financial report, concluding that the reports are compliant with Australian Accounting Standards to the extent described in Note 1, and Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulation 2013. As at the 30 June 2016 WTA recorded a surplus of $260,393. This surplus includes funds provided in advance for programs in 2016-17 as reflected due to cash accounting. Welcome to Australia’s current financial position is sound and in a positive position to meet short to medium term strategic objectives. There is still a level of uncertainty around securing ongoing financial support from corporate and private sources, however the Board is strongly committed to exploring opportunities for growth. Thank you to our CEO Mohammad Al-Khafaji and Finance Officer Judy Thomas who implemented Xero accounting software and laid strong foundations for the effective management of finances moving forward. The Board looks forward to continuing financial growth during 2016-2017. Full financial statements are available on request.

Mr. Brad Chilcott Treasurer


AUDITOR’S REPORT



FINANCIAL SUMMARY

TOTAL INCOME: $636,271

TOTAL EXPENSES: $375,878

Contracts17%

$105,332

Donations16%

$105,207

Grants31%

$194,478

Sponsorship35%

$223,711

Other income1%

$7,543

Salaries45%

$169,882

Operational Expenses40%

$149,867

Events15%

$56,129


SECTION 5 – ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & ROAD AHEAD

THANK YOU

There are many people and organisations to thank for supporting Welcome to Australia over the

years. Without these wonderful supporters, we would not be where we are today.

FOUNDATION PARTNERS

Welcome to Australia is greatly honoured and humbled by the generous donations of our foundation

partners. These organisations enabled us to hire our first full-time staff member. These

organisations have given life to Welcome to Australia and as foundation partners, they have made

a huge contribution to this organisation.

GRANTS AND FUNDING

Welcome to Australia would like to thank our specific program funding bodies for their trust in this

organisation to deliver the outcomes promised. We hope to continue a long lasting relationship into

the future and look forward to collaborating on new innovative projects to address social issues in

our communities.

CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY

Thanks to our corporate sponsors for trusting us with their reputation, brand, and for believing in

creating a more welcoming Australia and fulfilling their social corporate responsibility. We hope that

our relationship grows from strength to strength into the future.

To our community partners, thank you for working with us, collaborating ideas, and for truly building

a better community for the benefit of those who we serve. Without your support and guidance, our

programs would have not been possible.

VOLUNTEERS

To the incredible volunteers all around the country, thank you! You are the backbone of this

organisation, and we pride ourselves as a volunteer run movement of passionate advocates for a

better Australia.

Your time and effort is very much appreciated whether you organised an event, helped at the

Welcome Centre, or came along to a community dinner. Your voice and presence assures us that

we have a movement we can grow together, and move forward to achieve a more welcoming

Australia for all.


HOW YOU CAN HELP

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME

Welcome to Australia depends on the dedication and passion of skilled professional volunteers who

make a great contribution to the organisation.

As a young organisation, Welcome to Australia welcomes offers of professional services that an

NGO would need, such as marketing, fundraising, design, campaigning and other professional

services. There are other opportunities to volunteer through the Welcome Centre or at the local

volunteer branches to organise events such as Walk Together.

MAKE A DONATION

Donating to Welcome to Australia is easy. Just head to our website at

www.welcometoaustralia.org.au and you will be contributing to a great cause and a great charity.

Without financial donations, we cannot operate and deliver important work such as the programs

that run out of the Welcome Centre or the campaigns that change public sentiments and

Government policy.

Become a regular donor, join the Welcome100 exclusive club, and if you would like to offer other

donations, please email [email protected]

All financial donations to Welcome to Australia above $2 are tax deductible.

SUPPORT AN EVENT OR FUNDRAISING ACTIVITY

Some of the most thoughtful and kind donations are those that have been organised as fundraisers

by individuals. If you would like to support Welcome to Australia or any of its particular programs,

organise a fundraising event and invite your friends to donate to a great cause.

BECOME A CORPORATE PARTNER

If you are a corporate organisation that cares about social justice, cultivating a culture of welcome

in our nation, and would like to become a corporate sponsor, we would love to hear from you.

Corporate organisations play an important part in being a role model to their employees and the

public about social issues. Becoming a corporate partner with Welcome to Australia is a great way

to achieve your organisations Corporate Social Responsibility. To join, please contact us and we

would be glad to organise a time to present a proposal for your consideration.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP OUR CAUSE

If you can help us in any way you think is worthwhile, please get in touch with us with your ideas;

this could be as simple as connecting us with your network of potential sponsors, influencers, policy

makers and useful contacts.

CONTACT US PO Box 16, Torrensville, SA, 5031

100 Drayton St, Bowden, SA, 5007

www.welcometoaustralia.org.au

[email protected]

facebook.com/welcometoaustralia

@welcome2aussie

http://www.welcometoaustralia.org.au/

mailto:[email protected]

www.welcometoaustralia.org.au

mailto:[email protected]


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