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Celebrating 30 years of A
chievements
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-2006
1
Our Vision, Purpose, Roles and Values
30 Years of Achievements by Carers NSW
President’s Report
Board of Management
Friends of Carers NSW
Organisation Chart
Acting Chief Executive Officer’s Report
Volunteers
Young Carers: 10 years and still counting
Progress Report from the Business Plan 2005-2006
Acknowledgments
Partnerships & Committees
Financial Statements
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02
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08
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Contents Our visionGovernments and communities recognise, value and support carers
Our purposeTo lead change and be the voice of carers
Our role• Education and training for carers, service providers
and communities
• Emotional support, counselling and individual advocacy for carers
• Information, publications, resource development and delivery
• Policy development, research and advocacy
• Sector development and systemic change
• Service innovation, development and evaluation
Our valuesRespect
We respect the right of carers and the people they support to make choices and determine their own lives.
Diversity
We value the diversity of people and communities and are respectful of, and responsive to, these differences.
Privacy
We respect the privacy of individuals in line with good practice.
Involving carers
We actively involve and listen to carers. Their views guide our policies, advocacy and services.
Indigenous culture and heritage
We respect and value Indigenous cultural heritage and are committed to self-determination for, and reconciliation with, Indigenous people. We acknowledge that Indigenous people are the traditional owners and custodians of our land.
Innovation and learning
We pride ourselves on being innovators and have a commitment to ongoing learning that helps us find better ways to achieve our goals.
Quality and professionalism
As an organisation, we aim for quality, productivity and professionalism in all we do.
Valuing our people
Our effectiveness is dependent on our Board, staff and volunteers and we are committed to their ongoing development and wellbeing.
Future orientation
We are committed to action that results in an improved and more sustainable future – in the health and community care systems and for carers and those they support.
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-20062 3
30 Years of Achievements by Carers NSW
1991Arrangement made with IDEAS to use their 088 line to enable carers in country areas to make contact with the Carers Association without cost to the caller.Carer Support Groups increase in number across NSW.The Association moves from Surry Hills to larger premises in Fitzroy Gardens, Kings Cross.
1976Clare Stevenson forms a Carers Committee within the Council on the Ageing.
1980Carers Association of NSW becomes an independent body.
1981Carers Association of NSW becomes a registered charity.
1985Carers Pension becomes available and the Home and Community Care Program (HACC) is established.
1987Funding received through the HACC Program and part-time staff appointed. Volunteers continue to form the core of the Association.
1989Carers Association of NSW becomes an incorporated body.Inaugural Clare Stevenson Memorial Lecture held - now an annual event.
1990First annual Carers NSW Conference held in Sydney.
1992-93Federal budget funds the Carers Information Kit which is distributed throughout NSW by the Association and later published in 11 community languages.Commonwealth Respite for Carers Program is funded.Inaugural National Carers Week celebrations and activities are held.
1993Plans for a national body, the Carers Association of Australia, take shape. Resource Manual for Carer Support Groups produced.
1994Development of the ATSI Carer Support Kit.Facilitation of the NSW Carers Coalition an alliance of state and regional service providers who have influenced government policy and practice.
1995The Association sponsors Ngara (to hear and to listen) Aboriginal Carer Support Service in Western Sydney.NESB Research Project funded to look into the issues faced by NESB carers in the Western Sydney Area regarding current services, information and availability of language specific resources.NESB Carer Support Kit Program commences.The Association moves from Kings Cross to larger premises in York Street, Sydney.
1996Funding received to implement the Young Carers Project.Carers Directories of Services covering 16 regional areas launched.Telegroupcounselling (TGCs) piloted under the Action Research Counselling Project.
1997NSW Carer Resource Centre established.Inaugural Carer Support Worker Conference held in Sydney. The Carers Association of NSW renamed Carers NSW.
1998Telegroupcounselling commenced with Young Carers.Carers NSW awarded for work with rural carers of persons with a mental illness.Participated in first International Conference for Carers held in London.
1999Carer Profile (to explore
the concept of carer assessment across
NSW) developed.Successful lobbying
during State Election resulted in the first NSW
Care for Carers Plan. Carer Checklist funding
received to educate general practitioners
about carers.
2000After many years of lobbying the Taxation Department, tax deductibility on donations was attained.HACC receives a fair increase in the State Budget.Work with hidden carers continues with projects such as Koori Carer Yarning, Connections (for carers of children with disabilities in remote locations), After Hours Carers’ Line.Carers NSW moves again to larger premises in Castlereagh Street, Sydney.
2001A joint venture with Carers
NSW and the Salvation Army’s Salvo Care Line
provided a free after hours Telephone Counselling
and Support Service for carers.
Multicultural Carers Alliance formed.
2002Carers Mental Health Project commenced.Carers NSW wins the International Best Practice Award at the Third International Carers Conference in Washington DC for three of its innovative projects.
2003Peak Body Status granted to
Carers NSW.Carers NSW invited to sit on
panel on Intergenerational Caregiving in Washington DC.
Friends of Carers NSW, a group of people with special expertise who assist Carers
NSW with professional advice from time to time in an
of residential aged care facilities in carers’ issues
and to support and inform carers with palliative care
responsibilities.
2004Improving support for ageing parent carers.Carers NSW increasingly being asked to provide carer representation to assist with policy and service development.Inaugural Carers NSW Conference for Health professionals funded by NSW Health.Inaugural Young Carers Summit.
2005-2006Carer Life Course
Framework (a model which illustrates
carers information and support needs) is
launched as part of the Carers Mental Health
Project.Carers NSW expands its regional presence to set up offices and
staff in the Area Health Service Regions of
Greater West, North Coast and South East
Sydney/Illawarra.
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-20064 5
Over the past 30 years Carers NSW has grown from a research grant to the Council on the Ageing through to the peak organisation it is today, representing all carers across NSW.
30 Years of Achievements by Carers NSW
1976 Budget: $34,000 (equivalent to approximately $300,000 today)
Staff: 3 (part of the Council on the Ageing)
Volunteers: 1
Location: Argyle Place, Sydney
Key Activities: n Research n Lobbying
2006 Budget: $4,431,231
Staff: 41
Volunteers: 55 (including Board members)
Location: Moved from Castlereagh Street to Roden Cutler House, Campbell Street, Sydney
Key Activities:
n Researchn Policy development
and analysisn Carers News and Young
Carers Newslettern Individual support
and advocacyn Information and referral
(Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre)
n Libraryn Carer Support Kitn Carers Weekn Community developmentn Aboriginal Carer Supportn Multicultural Carer Supportn Young Carer project
n Regional Mental Health Program
n National Carer Counselling Program
n Website – Carers NSW and Young Carers
n Education and Training – Palliative Care Project, Residential Aged Care, Disability Services, Mental Health, Health professionals
n Marketing and corporate partnership development
n National collaboration as part of the Network of Carers Associations
n State Conference
1986 Budget: $4,800
Staff: 0 paid staff
Volunteers: 17 (including Board members)
Location: Argyle Place, Sydney Moved to Albion Street, Surry Hills in 1989 Then to the Fitzroy Gardens, Kings Cross in 1991
Key Activities: n Lobbying n Carers News (newsletter) n Support and advocacy for individuals
1996 Budget: $726,499
Staff: 14
Volunteers: 23 (including Board members)
Location: York Street, Sydney, moved to Castlereagh Street, Sydney in 2000
Key Activities: n Research n Lobbying n Carers News n Individual support and advocacy n Information and referral n Library n Carer Support Kit n Carers Week n Community development n Aboriginal Carer Support n Young Carer Project n State Conference
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-20066 7
Change has been the defining feature of this year. There has been change at national, state and organisational level. In this climate, I am very grateful for the energetic, enthusiastic and supportive participation of all Board members and their clear commitment to the
fact that Board membership extends beyond simply attending monthly meetings. Everyone has been active representing carers and Carers NSW on a range of other internal and external committees and working parties. The life of a Carers NSW Board member is very busy!
One of the directions of the Board’s work this year has been the significant emphasis on membership of the internal Board committees – Marketing, Governance, Finance and Research and Policy. Major work has been done by all of these committees to update and further professionalise their work as well as to advance all of the matters in each of their domains.
We were sorry to lose the passion and enthusiasm of Board member Francesca Seychell, who stood down in July and the connection with our history when Joan Bullock resigned in February. Joan had been with Carers NSW since its formation and will be greatly missed. Fortunately we have had the fresh input of Dulcie Flower and Christine Rowell who were co-opted to the Board after the AGM.
Nationally, we contributed to the National Review of Community Care, I completed my term as President of Carers Australia and Pam Webster was appointed our new national representative. She moved directly into the role of Vice President.
To assist CEO Joan Hughes, Kathy Wood was appointed Deputy CEO in October, with the enthusiastic and unanimous support of the Board. Later Kathy took on the role of Acting CEO when Joan was seconded as CEO of Carers Australia for an initial term of three months from February 2006. This secondment was subsequently extended and in June, Joan notified the Board that she had been offered the position permanently from July 2006. While we were very sad to lose Joan, the Board is delighted that her knowledge and expertise will still be used in the service of carers nationally.
The Board has also recognised how fortunate we have been to have Kathy Wood, who has brought her own personal style and vast experience with carers and with our organisation to the top job. We are especially grateful for the fact that she has managed to merge the roles of Acting CEO and Deputy CEO and to support the Board, staff and volunteers through this unsettled time.
We have made very good connections with political leaders in NSW. During Carers Week, John Della Bosca, Minister for Ageing and Minister for Disability Services, launched our Male Carers Report and he also attended our AGM, hosted at the Town Hall by Counsellor Shayne Mallard. This was a wonderful occasion. Joan Hughes delivered the Clare Stevenson Lecture and Averil Fink gave the preamble. Life memberships went to former Board member Muriel Foster and young carer volunteer, Niall Quinlan.
President’s Report
Last year Joan and I attended a round table meeting with Premier Morris Iemma and following this, he announced a review of the NSW Carers Statement. Carers NSW has been working since then with the Government and other stakeholders to develop a much broader NSW Carers Policy.
The Board also invited members of the State Opposition to address us, detailing their commitment to carer issues. We were pleased that NSW Leader of the Opposition, Peter Debnam, Shadow Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, and Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Community Services, Gladys Berejiklian, were also able to join us for a special lunch to thank all staff for their hard work and especially their contribution towards our move to new premises.
Our move was flagged last year, as our needs had outstripped our office space. Long-standing staff member, Jan Treharne, led a committee of Board and staff members to supervise the whole process. This involved a great deal of work until the move took place at the end of March.
Board members Laraine Toms, Sara Graham and Pam Webster contributed a huge amount of work under considerable time pressure to our application for the Family and Carer Support Services Component of the NSW Mental Health Program. As a result, the Government has committed funding to enable us to extend our work and expertise related to carer support in the area of mental health into three vast regional areas. This will mean more staff located in the regions and more changes for Carers NSW.
Work by the Marketing Committee, chaired by Vice President Laraine Toms with consultant Carol McCormack and Acting CEO Kathy Wood, led to a most wonderful donation of $200,000 as well as other smaller donations. Media exposure of carer concerns and needs, supervised by consultant Leigh White, has been the best ever. Several of our increasing number of enthusiastic Friends of Carers NSW helped us in a range of areas with their professional expertise and knowledge.
I feel very fortunate to have had these years with Carers NSW. We have made great gains for carers, but many still lead very difficult lives and we know that there is much to be done. Thanks to all our members for your ongoing support.
Louise Gilmore President
“Last year Joan and I attended a round table meeting with Premier Morris Iemma and following this, he announced a review of the NSW Carers Statement.”
“Change has been the defining feature of this year. There has been change at national, state and organisational level.”
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-20068 9
Dulcie Flower joined the Board as a Co-opted Member in November 2005. Dulcie is a Torres Strait Islander. She is a registered nurse and educator who has worked in Aboriginal health for many years. She has represented Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders on many committees and advisory groups, including the Ministerial Advisory Committee, National Diabetes Strategies Group. In 2004 she was elected to the Board of Directors of the Aboriginal Medical Service Co-op Ltd Redfern.
Sara Graham, a former carer, has been a member of the Board of Carers NSW for seven years and is co-chair of its Policy and Research Committee. She has served on the NSW Home and Community Care State Advisory Committee and currently serves on the Aged Care Working Group of the Council on the Ageing (NSW). She is a founder member of the Advance Care Directive Association (Inc). She is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of NSW. Her research interests include the evaluation of community support services.
Sarah Lawrance joined the Board as a Co-opted Member in November 2005. Her career has spanned 20 years of commercial experience in large and small businesses in the public and private sectors. She currently works in the financial sector managing alliance relationships. Her skills include: people management, effective communication, financial management and business development.
Christine Rowell joined the Board as a Co-opted member in November 2005. Christine trained as a school teacher and taught in WA and NSW. She worked in the travel industry from the mid 70s until the mid 80s then worked for AFS Intercultural Programs, principally working with volunteers in the selection and placement of young Australians participating in AFS. In 1993 Christine graduated with an MBA from Macquarie Graduate School of Management. She joined CanTeen in 1994 and was Chief Executive Officer for nine years. Christine is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a keen interest in corporate governance in community businesses.
Jennifer Webb is a former carer with a nursing background. She has been a volunteer with community organisations for some years, especially in a Dementia specific daycare centre and a general carer support group. Her interest is in support for long-term carers. She has been a Board Member of Carers NSW for 11 years.
Pam Webster has been a Carers NSW Board Member since 2000. She is the chair of the Governance Committee, co-chair of the Policy and Research Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. In November 2005 she was elected as the Carers NSW representative on the Board of Carers Australia. Pam worked in health and welfare areas for over 22 years in management, research, evaluation and policy development. She represents Carers Australia on the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions Advisory Group.
Board of Management
Louise Gilmore President
Louise Gilmore is a family carer, a journalist and author of The Carers Handbook. She is employed as a lecturer at a college of natural therapies. She has been a member of Carers NSW for 12 years and President of the Board of Management for seven years. She is a member of the Carers NSW Finance, Marketing and Governance committees and an ex-officio member of the Research and Policy Committee. Louise was the New South Wales representative on the Board of Carers Australia for seven years and served three years as national President.
Laraine Toms Vice President
Laraine Toms is a carer. She currently coordinates and lectures in the Carer Advocacy Course at the NSW Institute of Psychiatry. Laraine chairs the Marketing Committee and is a member of the Policy & Research and Governance Committees. She is co-chair of the NSW Mental Health Priority Taskforce. Laraine represents Carers NSW on various state and federal government working parties.
John King Honorary Treasurer
John King worked as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse, now PricewaterhouseCoopers, for his entire professional career. Since his retirement he has worked in a voluntary capacity to provide financial expertise to the Brain Foundation and Sydney Day Nurseries Association and has been the Hon. Treasurer at Carers NSW since early 2002. He has been chair of the Finance Committee since February 2005.
Felicity Purdy Honorary Secretary
Felicity Purdy has worked with children and adults with disabilities, their families and their services for more than 30 years and is a former carer herself. She holds a number of voluntary and advisory positions concerned with severe disability and has been a member of Carers NSW Board for seven years. She is a member of the Policy & Research, Governance and Finance Committees and the Young Carers Advisory Committee.
Michelle Dellagiacoma is a carer. She is a strategic planner with State Government. Michelle is a Board Member of the Cabinet appointed Disability Advisory Council; a member and advocate on a number of parent groups; a coordinator of the NSW branch of the Association of Children with a Disability; and the founding member/facilitator of a family support group.
Averil Fink has a long association with many community organisations, including Council on the Ageing, Beehive Industries and Meals on Wheels, and is on the Board of the Retirement Villages Association. She has been involved with carer associations for more than 28 years. Averil cared for her husband who died of a brain tumour in 1997. She received life membership of Carers NSW in 2000.
The Board of Management is responsible for strategic and policy directions of Carers NSW to ensure it achieves its aims for carers. It reviews standards, policies and procedures in accordance with the constitution, and is financially and legally accountable for use of funds. There are 12 board members, including four office bearers, with provision for up to three co-opted members. Sub-committees and working parties meet regularly to work on relevant issues. The Board Working Parties for 2005-2006 are Finance, Marketing, Policy and Research and Governance.
Members of the Board of Management for 2005-2006 are:
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-200610 11
Organisation Chart - Carers NSW - as at 30 June 2006Friends of Carers NSW
Friends of Carers NSW help by giving time and skill, not money. They assist in strategy development and decision making by supplementing the knowledge of the staff and Board. This might be through the provision of legal advice, or ideas on how to raise our profile and increase our networks. Friends do not play an active role in day-to-day operations but act as honorary consultants to the Board.
Friends of Carers NSW are drawn from a wide range of sectors, including the Arts, Financial Services, Health, Legal and Media. Carers NSW is extremely grateful to the following Friends of Carers NSW:
• Dr Tom Acheson, Director of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai
Care Association
• Emeritus Professor Peter Baume, Chancellor,
The Australian National University
• Ms Jennifer Bott, CEO of the Australia Council for
the Arts
• Professor Tony Broe, Professor of Geriatric Medicine,
University of NSW/Prince of Wales Hospital
• Ms Anne Deveson AO, writer, broadcaster and
documentary film-maker
• Dr Ian Fitzpatrick, retired medical practitioner
• Professor Ian Hickie, executive director of the Brain
& Mind Research Institute, Sydney University and
consultant to the National Depression Initiative
beyond blue
• Ms Robin Hughes AO, producer, writer, director and
interviewer
• Mr Paul Livingston, entertainer and writer
• Ms Julie McCrossin, radio broadcaster and television
presenter
• Mr Ross McLuckie, solicitor
• Mr Charles G. Mendel, solicitor
• Mr Richard Ottley, solicitor
• Ms Vivienne Pusey, manager, aged care services
• Ms Robin Stonecash, senior lecturer and consultant
• Mr Chris Taylor, accountant and financial planner
• Emeritus Professor Ian W. Webster AO, physician,
Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine,
University of NSW
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-200612 13
Carers NSW has undergone significant changes in the past year following rapid growth and change.
Most importantly has been the secondment in February, and ultimate appointment, of Joan Hughes to the position of CEO of Carers Australia.
Joan led Carers NSW for 13 years and saw it grow from a staff of 3 to a staff of nearly 50. She built important relationships not only with carers, but with government, politicians and service providers across the aged, disability, mental health and health sectors - culminating in securing our funding status as the peak body for all carers in NSW in 2003. Whilst we are sad to farewell her as CEO of Carers NSW, Joan’s leadership, reputation, understanding and passion for the carer movement makes her a popular choice and she is well placed to take the network of State/Territory Carers Associations into a strong and successful future in her new role with Carers Australia.
We also initiated a consultation process to decide on the future management and staffing structure of Carers NSW in order to position ourselves for ongoing effectiveness in our work with, and for, carers. The result was the development of a report outlining what we want to change and how we will do it. Whilst there have been some delays, we have begun implementing these changes across the latter part of this year.
We also moved premises at the end of March as we had outgrown our office in Castlereagh Street. We are now located nearby in Roden Cutler House, and, following the inevitable ‘settling in’ difficulties, are now enjoying the additional space.
Our submission to the Centre for Mental Health in December 2005 to provide support, advocacy, education and training to carers and their families was successful. We will be setting up offices in 3 of the 8 Area Health Service regions in NSW – North Coast, Greater West and South Eastern Sydney/ Illawarra. This will result in a greater regional presence for Carers NSW and we look forward to working in close partnership with the Area Health Services, carer networks, families and carers, other NGOs and the Centre for Mental Health.
There have been important shifts in program delivery at the national level. Carers NSW has worked closely with Carers Australia and other State/Territory Associations over many years – but this year has seen the consolidation of that relationship and the development of a strategic vision for national program delivery following a review of the role and functions (part of the wider Community Care Review) of the Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres and the National Carer Counselling Program.
Our policy and lobbying activities have increased in line with our Strategic Directions 2005 - 2010. Whilst there is always more work to do to improve the lives of carers, the person they support and their families, Carers NSW has been pleased to see the development of a NSW Family and Carer Mental Health Program and a 10 year Disability Plan. Both acknowledge the key role of carers and their families, but we must remain vigilant in ensuring that in implementing these plans - resources and supports are targeted to the specific needs of carers and their families throughout their caring journey.
The State Government committed to a review of the 1999 NSW Carers Statement. A discussion paper has subsequently been written but we continue to await its release for consultation. This delay places NSW behind most of the other States and Territories who have variously developed whole of government carer policies, charters and/or legislation. We look forward to the progression of this most important milestone for carers in our State.
We also celebrate 30 years as an incorporated association and 10 years since the inception of the Young Carer program. (See pages 2 and 3 for some of the highlights across the years.)
Acting Chief Executive Officer’s Report
Staff movements
This year we have said goodbye to some longstanding staff – Joanne Mulligan, Kerry Jack and Jan Treharne. We have also farewelled Tim Marchant, Leigh Etherden, Gill McCardle, Carol Barker, Sue Wildman, Adam McLean, Kerrie Saunders. We subsequently welcomed Jainnari Smith (our first Aboriginal Traineeship), Viola Zhang, Jane McCarthy, Anne Louie, Sherry Carol, Wendy Melia, and Tricia Dearden.
We continue to be fortunate with the social work students who have worked with us on placement and we thank Rebecca Elias , Mike Gibbs, Bei Wang and Anna Kevrekian.
Acknowledgments
Managing the changes over these past 12 months could not have been done without the extraordinary dedication of the Board, staff and volunteers. This dedication I sincerely believe, is built on a commitment to our main purpose – which is to lead change and be the voice of carers.
However as we celebrate 30 years as an incorporated association and re-position ourselves for the future, we need to be careful that, as an organisation, we retain what is of value from the past whilst embracing the opportunities and excitement of the challenges that lie ahead. The organisation is about to undertake significant growth along with the appointment of a new CEO. Achieving the balance of integrating the best of the past with the hard decisions that will build a strong future will not always be easy, but will be assisted if we remain accountable to carers across NSW and to our members.
I would like to thank the Board, staff and volunteers who have supported me during my time as Acting CEO. I understand now what I perhaps never fully realised – that it is possible to achieve at the top, primarily because of the support and commitment from those around you.
Kathy WoodActing Chief Executive Officer
“Carers NSW has been pleased to see the development of a NSW Family and Carer Mental Health Program and a 10 year Disability Plan. Both acknowledge the key role of carers and their families”.
“Joan led Carers NSW for 13 years and saw it grow from a staff of 3 to a staff of nearly 50.”
Joan Hughes CEO, Carers NSW 1993-2006
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-200614 15
Volunteers
Jessica Barnard Young Carer Camp leader
Clem Barrack Carers News mailout
Mary Bobokis Young Carer Camp leader
Cindy Bond Young Carer Camp leader
Gaylia Brcin Carers News mailout
Kylie Brown Young Carer Camp leader
Anthea Brumerskyj Young Carer Camp leader
Delia Collier Preparation of kits and other information, filing
Ian Kirkham Preparation of kits, photocopying, brochure management/maintenance, Fact Sheets management/maintenance, Carers News mailout
Michael Koutzoumis Young Carer Camp leader
Irene Lam Carers News mailout
Barbara Lee Carers News mailout
Narelle Mackander Young Carer Camp leader
Bart Madden Young Carer Camp leader
Hamish Mitchell Young Carer Camp leader
Aimee Moscatelli Young Carer Camp leader
Sonya Nader Young Carer Camp leader
Heidi Newbery Young Carer Camp leader
Helen O’Doherty General assistance, kit preparation, Carers News mailout
Stephen Parker Young Carer Camp leader
Mary Pilkington Young Carer Camp leader
Katherine Pitkethly Young Carer Camp leader
Niall Quinlan Young Carer Camp leader
Ben Rowe Young Carer Camp leader
David Shin Young Carer Camp leader
Marie Shipway Preparation and distribution of kits and other items Photocopying Fact Sheets
Elaine Stansfeld Carers News mailout, general assistance, preparation and distribution of kits
Mary Stathis Preparation and distribution of kits and other items
Betty Stojic Carers News mailout
Matt Wade Young Carer Camp leader
Jodie Sykes Young Carer Camp leader
Without our volunteers, Carers NSW could not exist as it does. This year’s dedication and commitment has been outstanding and we sincerely thank each and every one of our volunteers.
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-200616 17
In 2005 the Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) provided funding to further develop services for young carers across Australia. The Young Carer ‘At Risk’ Program was launched throughout Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres to assist and prevent young carers prematurely exiting formal education due to caring responsibilities. Carers Australia developed the first national young carer information resources for young carers, their families and teachers, together with the first national young carer website. Carers NSW utilised the FaCSIA funding to employ a third project worker to oversee development of the Carers NSW Interactive Young Carer Website. This medium created the opportunity for young carers to communicate with other young carers online, and assists hidden young carers to reach out for support on a regular basis.
Perhaps the most significant progress in the last 10 years has been young carer recognition by both state and federal governments, coupled with continuous funding for Carer Associations to support young carers. FaCSIA define a young carer as a child or young person under the age of 26 caring for someone with a long-term physical illness, mental illness, disability, drug or alcohol problem. It is estimated that there are around 347,700 Australians, under the age of 25, providing care to a family member who has a long-term illness or disability. Approximately 90,000 of these young carers live in NSW (ABS, 2003).
At present, the project employs four project workers and has 1,540 young carers registered with the program. Volunteers continue to play an integral part in the project, with up to 20 volunteer leaders contributing their time and energy at any one time to ensure the continued success of our young carer activities.
Data from the 2003 ABS Disability, Ageing and Carers:
Summary of Findings (SDAC)
Young Carers Project 1995-1998, Carers NSW (1998)
CNSW Young Carer Project Final Report, Carers NSW (2001)
Young Carer Newsletter, Carers NSW (2003-2006)
CNSW Young Carer Website www.youngcarersnsw.asn.au
“I recently went on a Young Carer’s camp. I just wanted to say thank you for such an awesome camp. I had the best time. The camp was great, I loved all the activities and I enjoyed the Chat Groups. Thank you for considering and accepting me to go on this camp. It helped a lot to get away for a few days and to be with kids in the same situation as myself.
(Young Carer Website, 2006)
“I care for my mum who is deaf, has a hip replacement and a spinal condition. I help mum most of the time with cooking her dinner, making cuppers for her and cleaning the house. I also help with mum’s hearing dog Annie by keeping it in training, washing her and feeding her, as my mum is unable to bend down or lift Annie. I have also learnt to sign, which is a form of communication for mum. We share a love of music, by feeling the vibration and signing the words we create a close bond.”
Young Carer 11 years (Young Carer Website, 2006)
Young Carers: 10 years and still counting
In 2006, the term ‘young carer’ is met with acknowledgment and recognition from government funders, service providers, educators, parents and young carers themselves. The journey of the Young Carer Project at Carers NSW demonstrates how the desire to support young carers shifted from a long-term vision in 1995 to a reality in 2006.
In 1995, committed volunteers began the process of identifying young carers and their needs. Young carers were offered the opportunity for peer support and respite from their caring role in the form of recreational camps. There were loose estimates that there may have been 10,000 young carers under the age of 15 years in NSW. The number of young carers aged between 16 and 18 was unknown.
The research and service provision for young carers undertaken between 1995 and 1998 under the guidance of Patricia Dunn set the groundwork for the Carers NSW Young Carer Project to secure funding from the NSW Department of Ageing and Disability in the year 2000. This crucial milestone allowed the project to expand its work, not only in the provision of young carer activities and services, but also in its capacity to network, guide and educate other service providers about the needs of young carers. The project was able to employ one full-time project officer and identify approximately 500 young carers. Financial assistance was also provided by local Rotary Clubs and this valuable support continues today.
In 2003, the project secured ongoing and increased funding from the NSW Carers Program (administered by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care). These funds led to the employment of an additional project worker and launched the first of three subsequent yearly statewide camps for young adult carers in 2004. This was the first known endeavour to support carers aged 18-25 years within a peer support model in Australia. The first National Young Carer Summit was held in Sydney the same year, with representatives from government departments, Carer Associations and young carers from around Australia in attendance. This signalled the beginning of a national approach to achieve positive outcomes for young carers across the country. Each state and territory was allocated federal funding for a Young Carer Program and the Australian National Young Carer Action Team (ANYCAT), comprising young carers and young carer workers, was established.
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-200618 19
Policy and Research
Submissions
Home and Community Care Inquiry
Carers NSW made a submission to the HACC Program and Home Care Service Inquiry being conducted by the Public Accounts Committee of the NSW Parliament Legislative Assembly. They include recommendations for improving access to the HACC program for carers and targeting specific groups of carers that are in need of support.
Fit for the Future Discussion Paper
Carers NSW was invited to comment on the NSW Health publication “Fit for the Future”. Our submission included recommendations and an emphasis on a preventative health focus, strengthening of primary and continuing care in the community and better support and inclusion of carers as part of the health team.
PADP Policy Discussion paper
Carers NSW was invited to comment on the NSW Health discussion paper on the Program for Appliances of Disabled People (PADP) about the critical nature of the program for family carers. Our submission included recommendations around ease of access for carers and in relation to the need for increased funding and better administration of the program.
Primary Care Health Policy paper
Carers NSW developed a comprehensive submission on the consultation draft of the NSW Integrated Primary and Community Health Policy. Recommendations included a focus on the value of taking carers’ interests and needs into consideration within the values and operating statements of the policy.
Pre-Budget Submission
Carers NSW constantly monitors and analyses the issues raised by carers in all its service, project and training work. It also surveys its membership on a regular basis to ensure that the main issues for carers are appropriately represented. This submission, with its emphasis on greater investment in general community services, emotional support and recognition, reflects the needs identified by carers.
Carer Card Proposal
Improving financial outcomes for carers is one of the top priorities for Carers NSW. We recognise that the state government is limited in what it can do in this regard. However the Carer Card Proposal is one step that NSW can take towards improving financial outcomes for carers and increasing their ability to participate in community life.
Research
Male Carer Research
In July 2005 Carers NSW published a report entitled “The Social and Emotional Circumstances of Male Carers”, the first research of its kind ever undertaken by the organisation. It was an indicative study exploring an area in which almost no work has been done in Australia. The report was launched by the Minister for Community Services, the Hon. John Della Bosca, during Carers Week in October 2005.
Carers Mental Health Project – Final Evaluation Report (2001-2004)
Published in March 2006, this report evaluates the impact on carers’ health and wellbeing of the education and support programs offered to carers through the Carers Mental Health Project and highlights the successes and challenges of setting up a complex project in two regional areas of NSW. The report was written by Dr Deanna Pagnini, independent consultant to Carers NSW funded by NSW Health through the Centre for Mental Health.
Progress Report from the Business Plan 2005-2006
KRA 1 Policy Development, Research and AdvocacyGoals• The contribution of carers is better recognised and their needs and issues are high on the policy agenda• A NSW Carers Policy has been adopted by government• Government is allocating more resources to meet carer needs through coordinated carer support• More appropriate supports and interventions are available to different carer populations throughout their caring
experiences and life stages• Carers are better represented in health and community care systems and policy processes
Priority Work Achieved Not Ongoing
• Implement the Carers NSW Marketing/ Media Plan •Represent carers’ needs and issues on key committees:
• NSW Health Carers Advisory Group (developing NSW Carer Policy) •• Aged & Community Care Liaison Group (Federal) •• Ombudsman’s Roundtable (Home Care and other issues) •• NSW Health Palliative Care Advisory Group •• NSW Cancer Institute Oncology Group (Palliative Care) •• Disability Council •• DADHC Planning for Later Life Forum •Action recommendations of Carers Coalition Ageing Carers Project through work with government and other key stakeholders: •
Develop 3 year Carers Week Plan for NSW with DADHC and other key stakeholders •Work with the NSW Govt and other key stakeholders to review the 1999 NSW Carers Statement and develop a NSW Carers Policy •
Implement Carers NSW Carer Participation and Representation Policy •Actively contribute to the National Policy Action Plan through work with Carers Australia and other State and Territory Carer Associations. •
Work with key research organisations to further develop the research agenda for carer issues in NSW: •
Progress key submissions and papers:• Review of the Mental Health Act, Carer Card proposal, lobbying plan state election, budget
submission•
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-200620 21
Priority Work Achieved Not Ongoing
Start planning for biennial Statewide conference for health and community care professionals in 2007
•
Complete project for carers of people with acquired brain injury and spinal cord injury (CLIC)
•
Finalise Male Carer Action Plan for organisation •Deliver education to health and community care professionals across NSW and to carers •Complete palliative care education project to health and community care providers in the Illawarra and Central Coast regions and commence Stage 2
•
Implement Family Carer Awareness Education (Uniting Care Residential Aged Care) •Represent Carers NSW in key committees and forums •Determine options and priorities for integrating Carers NSW various education programs and priorities in preparation for restructure
• Develop Discussion Paper •Contribute to the development of the National Carer Competencies to be incorporated in to the Community and Health Services Industry Training Package
•
Determine future direction for Carers NSW RTO status (in conjunction with 3.8) •Implement and expand the range of programs for young carers: •• Target CALD and ATSI Young Carers Services •• Develop strategies to address gaps in services delivery (Drug & Alcohol, Young Adult
Carers)•
• Review/update current education/training resources •• Develop marketing strategy for Young Carer Services •• Assist in the implementation of a National Young Carers Summit 2006 in conjunction with
Carers Australia•
Work in partnership with Greater West Area Health Service to implement the Koori Yarning Indigenous Carer project
•
Build key relationships that assist Carers NSW to influence support for indigenous carers •Build key relationships to promote better outcomes for multicultural carers •
KRA 3 Sector Development and Systemic ChangeGoals• Carers NSW has an improved relationship with the
disability sector• The health, community care and residential care
sectors are more inclusive and responsive to the needs of carers
• Carer support is enhanced and better integrated as part of mental health service delivery
• Young Carers have improved access to services and support is appropriate to their needs
• Indigenous Carers have improved access to services and support that is appropriate to their needs and their communities
• Carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have improved access to services and support is culturally appropriate
Progress Report from the Business Plan 2005-2006
KRA 2 Direct Services and Programs for CarersGoals• The number of new carers and ‘hidden’ carers contacting Carers NSW is increased• Responses to carer contacts are timely, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the whole of the care situation• The number of carers accessing services is increased• Service quality is continuously improving based on good practice models and carer feedback• Carers are accessing more education and training programs• New and improved resources are available to carers and their use and impact is monitored
Priority Work Achieved Not Ongoing
Contribute to development of a national carer services model to be determined by the national review of Commonwealth Respite Centres, Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres, Carelink in the context of the Community Care Review
•
Develop better links & communication processes between units and key functions in Carers NSW to improve carer support & service provision
•
• Service 1800 number – information, support, counselling and referral •Update and maintain current information to carers and service providers – website, fact sheets, brochures
•
Write and publish Carers News •Contribute to national education work •Review existing support provided to carer support groups •Research, write and distribute e-bulletin to health and community care professionals •Implement and evaluate continuation of Stage 2 of Mental Health Project •Implement Stage 3 Family & Carer Mental Health Program •
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-200622 23
KRA 4 Organisational Development – our people, processes and systemsGoals• Quality improvement processes are in place and contributing to the development of practice, management,
governance and people• Staff, volunteers and board members are skilled to fulfil their roles and remain committed and fulfilled in their work• Funding of Carers NSW is secure and growing and diversification of the funding base provides for stability and
sustainability of the organisation for the longer term• Carers NSW is structured in a way that reflects strengthening its policy and systemic work• Carers NSW has strengthened its organisational support functions – IT, communication and data collection
Priority Work Achieved Not Ongoing
Further strengthen the effectiveness of the governing board •Realign allocation of resources to reflect the priorities, goals and functions of the organisation
•
Move premises •Ensure that Occupational Health and Safety Procedures are up to date •Ensure all staff receive high quality orientation, support and adequate supervision and development
•
Maintain and update Policies and Procedures Manual
• Contract consultant to update Policies and Procedures •• New Federal and State privacy laws incorporated
– continue implementation plan•
• Develop and operationalise across the organisation an intranet based Policies and Procedures Manual
•
Progress Report from the Business Plan 2005-2006
Education and Training
Education and Training Provided to Carers
The education and training provided to carers included:
• Carers in Action: learning how to be heard
• Services and Support for Multicultural Carers
• Loss and Grief (Multicultural Carers)
• Supporting Aboriginal Carers
• 14 Principles of Coping (carers of a person with a mental illness/ disorder)
• 8 Stages of Healing (carers of a person with a mental illness/ disorder)
• SMILES Program (young carers of a person with a mental illness/ disorder)
• Supporting and educating carers in palliative care
Education and Training Provided to Service and Health Providers
The education and training provided for service and health providers included:
• Carers in the Health System
• Services Supporting Carers
• Services and Support (Multicultural Carers)
• Supporting Aboriginal Carers
• Supporting Young Carers
• Enhancing Relationships with Carers (Area Mental Health staff)
• Community and Health Industry Professionals (CHIPS): Enhancing Relationships with Carers of People with a Mental Illness
• SMILES facilitator training
• Supporting and Educating Carers in Palliative Care
• Carer Sensitive Counselling
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-200624 25
Carers NSW would like to sincerely thank the members listed below, and those who chose not to be acknowledged, for their generosity during 2005-2006.
Mr R Barrett
Ronda Goodwin
Mrs P Hookham
Mr Firdes
Mrs F Calabria
Miss D Reynolds
Stephanie Wright
Norma Bond
Mr Chisesi
Frank Coghlan
William Hamnett
Mr E Dunkley
Harries-Evans
Patricia Hawking
Joyce Goddard
Diana Carman
Margaret Walls
Desmond Ayres
Dale Chapple
Mrs S Foufas
John Mitchell
Leonie Swan
Mrs V Kenny
Irmingard Keck
June Dalglish
Vicki Mayhew
Geoff Penney
Joan Geldard
Mrs M Juske
Janice Ho
Anne Hirst
Mr N Kringas
Mr P Van Schaik
Beryl Dignum
Mrs D Matlak
Mrs D Owens
Mr C Morgan
Mr K Underwood
Ms E Perkins
Matt O’Shea
Ann McCarthy
Mrs P Cleggett
Mr B Stewart
Mrs L Searles
Mrs V Lovell
Mrs E M Casson
Mrs P Anderson
Miss Ollie Gumb
Mrs J Smith-Cameron
Mrs A L Stace
Mr D Rothwell
Miss C Costello
Robyn Gardiner
The Brown Sisters – Coogee
Ms G Hatch
Vilma Kenny
Ms C Croker
Mrs J Calandra
Judith Hedington
Barbara Clegg
Maureen Mara
Cristina Bahamid
Suzanne Logue
Mr D G Rolfe
Cathie Smith
Caroline Yuile
Mrs E Rickard
David Lynch
Mrs P Ha
Anet Minia
Pam McGillivray
Mrs V Feltham
Margaret Devenney
Arthur Blofeld
Mrs F Hanna
Joanne Hickey
Mr A Yeates
Laura Knight
Suzanne Parkes
Mr K. McKenzie
Robyn Smith
Susan Denning
Glenda Dean
Mr A Margules
Mary Ashton
Mary Lemmens
Ann Parry
Mrs Umaram
Newcastle-Hunter District Ladies Golf Association
Mrs G Winton
Women’s Golf NSW
Nick Kringas
Fay Ryan
Fiona Place
Peter Davidson
Caltex (Best Allrounder Award – Kriestienne Thomas)
Stephen Salmon
Marguerite Garland
McDermott Family
Mr & Mrs Smith
Mrs C Ruting
Mr E Comyns
Mrs P Rosenman
Jeanette Lewis
Miss Lynne Dunn
Mrs B Capanna
Judith Douglas
Mr P Louis
Marianne Bush
Mr E Isles
Mrs J O’Farrell
Loris Peek
Dr A Gill
Mr M Cott
Miss R Delfino
Mrs H Phillips
Dr S Bard
Mrs G Churcher
Henry Taylor
Mrs Yelland
Mrs Parsons
Juliet Ooshana
Wagga Wagga Men’s Support Group
Mr K Burrows
Mrs P McAleer
Miss R Mashford
Mr A A Grant
Mr C Stanborough
Thanh Tuong Ho
Thi Minh Ly Tran
Betty Coorey
Pamela Potts
Mrs S Hudspith
Miss K Hanssen
Cheryl Davies
Mr P Grullemans
Miss S Cheung
Mrs Catherine Davies
Mrs Indira Thakorlal
Mr R. Leavold
Mr M. Laybutt
Ms Rhonda Speer
Mrs Dawn Pogson
Ms M. Rawlinson
Mr C.R. Arndt
Mrs I Nicholson
Ms C. Rowell
Mr R Stringer
Elwyn Pattenden
Carol Trimingham
John Ebrill
Patricia Bull
Verna Scalley
Miss E Baxter
Caroline French
Peter Scott
Connie Crampton
Miss R Harrison
Ken Wrench
Ms H McDonald
Mrs B Hadfield
Ms I Vains
Mr W Hamnett
Miss J Rowland
Mrs J O’Farrell
Thelma James
Mrs B Whiteman
The Forsight Foundation for Deaf & Blind
Mr C Piper
Judy Devai
Mrs J Walker
Mrs M Halloway
Mrs B Ancilleri
Michael Brotherton
Ms J Liang
Miss J Sadleir
Mrs P Liddell
Ms D Solomon
Mrs G Gordon
Carl Erle
Mrs I Nicholson
Ruth Clancy
Caroline Yuile
Helen Daly
Mrs M. Batcheldor
Mrs R.A Dawson
Mr J.T. Cameron
Jeanne Doyle
Alan King
Colleen Bisson
Mr R. Podmore
Caroline Yuile
Michel Wagner
Evelyn Gardiner
Roslyn Godlee
Ms M. Crawley
Val Shears
Carolyn Todd
Anne Hirst
Mrs A. Triggs
Acknowledgments
Carers NSW appreciates the great amount of time and effort given by carers and others to support and assist our association. We also acknowledge the following government departments, organisations and people for their financial or in kind support during 2005-2006:
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Australian Governent Department of Families, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs
NSW Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care
NSW Department of Community Services
Motor Accidents Authority
NSW Department of Health
NSW Department of Health through the Centre for Mental Health
Greg and Jo-anne Bierne
Commonwealth Bank
Macquarie Bank Foundation
Rotary Club of Hawkesbury
Thyne Reid Charitable Trusts
Uniting Care Ageing – Sydney Region
Women’s Golf New South Wales
Steve Abbott
Hoyts Theatres
Paul Livingston
Opera Australia
Consultants
Bernadette Eichner
Sue Greig
Massive Interactive Pty Ltd
Carol McCormack
Deanna Pagnini, PhD
Edwina Pickering
Richard Ottley
Tony Ovadia
Lyla Rogan
Graham Wheeler
Leigh White
Dino Zanella
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-200626 27
With all of Carers NSW projects, an advisory, steering or reference group is set up to guide the project work. Carers are always significant members of these committees. The following committees have been in place for the 2005-2006 year:
Carers CoalitionCommunity Options (COPS)COTA NSWCare ConnectSchizophrenia FellowshipNorthcott SocietyBrain Injury AssociationNSW Consumer Advocacy GroupParkinsons NSWCombined Pensioners and Superannuants AssociationPeople with DisabilitiesEthnic Communities CouncilAged and Community ServicesFamily AdvocacyDown Syndrome AssociationMultiple Sclerosis SocietySpastic Centre NSWEpilepsy AssociationARAFMIACRODAlzheimers Australia NSWBenevolent SocietyMeals on WheelsUniting CareInterchangeAids Council of NSW (ACON)Autism Association of NSWSpinal Cord Injuries Australia
Jewish CareAssociation of Genetic Support of Australasia (AGSA)The Accommodation Rights ServiceNCOSSMotor Neurone Disease AssociationNSW Cancer CouncilStroke Recovery AssociationNorthern Sydney Home Nursing ServiceForsight Foundation
Carers Mental Health ProjectMid West Regional Reference GroupMargaret Balsom, CarerParkes Mental Health ServiceCentrelink, OrangeCentrelink, ParkesCentacare ForbesCurran CentreBathurst Mental Health ServiceAnna Della Bosca, CarerLifeline Central WestGrenfell Carer Support Group RepresentativeCentral West Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre & Commonwealth CarelinkAllied HealthBloomfield HospitalErica Pitman, Carers NSWGreater Western Area Health ServiceNSW Central West Division of General Practice LtdGeraldine Sealey, CarerHome and Community CareCentre for Rural & Remote Mental HealthParkes Police Rosanne Ward, Carer
Carers Mental Health Project Statewide Reference GroupNSW Department of Health & AgeingAustralian Government Department of Families, Community Services & Indigenous AffairsAlliance of NSW Divisions (General Practice)Nepean College of TAFEMental Health Association NSWNSW HealthAboriginal Health & Medical Research Council NSWRelationships Australia (NSW)ARAFMI NSWCentacareLifeline AustraliaNSW Consumer Advocacy GroupMental Health Coordinating CouncilSchizophrenia FellowshipNSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home CareMental Illness Education Australia Centre for Mental HealthEthnic Communities Council of NSW IncCommission for Children and Young PeopleNSW Institute of PsychiatryLaraine Toms, Pam Webster, Carers NSW Board membersNSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre
During this year Carers NSW’s partnerships with other organisations have continued and new partnerships have been formed.
Staff, board members and volunteers represent Carers NSW on various committees, forums and conferences. These provide important opportunities to raise public awareness of carers and ensure their issues are placed on the policy agenda. We also meet regularly with our major funders to alert them to emerging carer issues.
Australian Council on Health Care Standards - Mental Health Community Based Working Party
Indicators of Care
Carers Australia and the Network of Carer Associations - Executive Directors’ Forum
- Services Sub Committee
Carers CoalitionCarers ConsortiumCarers Support Project, Ethnic Child Care, Family & CommunityCommunity Care Coalition - NSWCommonwealth Carer Respite Centres Consultative GroupDepartment of Health and Ageing - Emergency Mental Health Access to Care
Working Group
- Aged & Community Care Liaison Group
Department of Veteran Affairs - State Planning Group
Disability Council of NSW
HACC Forum and HACC Issues HACC State Advisory CommitteeHealth Care Complaints Commission - Consultative Group
Labour Council AllianceMental Health Council of AustraliaMotor Accidents Authority - ‘Carers Linked in Caring’ Project
- Community Participation Project Reference Group
- Review of Attendant Care Guidelines
St George Migrant Resource Centre - Multicultural Carers Project
NCOSS - Chronic Illness Alliance
- Forum of Non-Government Associations
- HACC Issues Forum
- Health Policy Advisory Group
- NSW Aged Care Alliance
- Statewide Gathering Committee
NSW Alliance of Divisions of GP - Population Health Network
NSW Cancer Institute - Cancer Research Strategy Working Group
- Palliative Care Oncology Group
NSW Carers of People with a Mental Illness Advisory CommitteeNSW Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care - Planning for Later Life Forum
- Primary Care Consumer Group
NSW Ombudsman - Disability Roundtable
NSW Health - Aboriginal Dementia Awareness Project Training
(ADAPT)
- Chronic Aged Community Health Care Health Priority Taskforce
- NSW Carers Program Advisory Group
- Palliative Care Advisory Group
- Sustainable Access Health Priority Taskforce
NSW Health – Centre for Mental Health - Family and Carers Strategic Working Group
- Mental Health Priority Taskforce
NSW Mental Health Implementation GroupOffice of the Protective Commissioner - Community Reference Group
Social Policy and Research Centre - Negotiating Caring and Employment Research
St James Ethics CentreSydney University - Rehabilitation Studies Unit
University of Western Sydney - Carers of People with Cancer Project
- Male Carer Research Project
University of Wollongong (CHSD) - Long Term Care Study Advisory Group
Uniting Care Ageing – Sydney Region
Partnerships and Committees
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-200628 29
Financial Statements
Comonwealth Carer Resource Centre Advisory CommitteeAustralian Government Department of Families, Community Services & Indigenous AffairsSutherland Shire Carer Support ProjectNSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home CareAustralian Government Department of Health and AgeingNSW Health Pam McGillivray, Rural carerNorthern Beaches Neighbourhood CentreCentrelinkBenevolent SocietyPam Webster, Louise Gilmore, Carers NSW Board Members
Multicultural Carers AllianceGreek Welfare CentreSt George Shire Carer Support ProjectItalian Social Welfare Organisation of WollongongCan ReviveSt George Migrant Resource CentreMulticultural Disability Advocacy AssociationMuscular Dystrophy Association of NSWEthnic Child Care, Family & Community Service Co-op LtdEastern Suburbs Multicultural Access ProjectChinese Australian Service SocietyMulticultural Access & Referral ServiceDAISIAustralian Huntington’s Disease AssociationSydney West Area Health ServiceSydney Multicultural Community Service CentreDown Syndrome Association of NSW
Newtown Neighbourhood CentreAutism Spectrum Australia Ethnic Communities’ CouncilHeadway Adult Development Program IncTranscultural Mental Health
Polish Welfare and Information Bureau NSW
National Carer Counselling Program State Reference GroupCentacareCommonwealth Carelink Centre – Central CoastCommonwealth Carer Respite Centre – Far North CoastCommonwealth Carer Respite Centre – South East SydneyAustralian Government Department of Families, Community Services & Indigenous AffairsNSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home CareAustralian Government Department of Health & AgeingLifeline SydneyNSW HealthRelationships Australia
Young Carers Advisory CommitteeKatherine Armstrong, Young Carer Camp LeaderSean Challenger, Young Adult CarerNicole Cree, Young Carer WorkerUniversity of Western SydneyCarreen Dew, Young Adult CarerPatricia Dunn, Past Camp CoordinatorJohn Friedsam, CanteenJudith Krause, Young Carer WorkerAngei Malak, Young Carer
NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home CareMary Myers, Carer Support OfficerHeidi Newbery, Young Carer Camp LeaderTrevor Parkes, Young Adult CarerFelicity Purdy, Carers NSW Board MemberNiall Quinlan, Young Carer Camp LeaderHelen Reese, School Counsellor and TrainerAllison Robb, Young Carer Camp LeaderKathryn Wakeling, Young Carer Camp LeaderRotary Club of Hawkesbury
Young Carers Government Officers GroupCommunity Relations CommissionNSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home CareNSW Department of Community ServicesNSW Department of EducationAustralian Government Department of Families, Community Services & Indigenous AffairsAustralian Government Department of Health and AgeingNSW Health
Partnerships and Committees
The financial accounts include the balance sheet, a concise statement of income and expenditure general funds and the notes to and forming part of the accounts prepared from the full set of 2005/2006 audited accounts that are available on request or for inspection at the AGM
The following Government Departments have funded Carers NSW for a variety of different programs during 2005/2006: Australian Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing
NSW Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care
NSW Department of Health Centre for Mental Health
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-200630 31
Statement by the Board of Management
In the opinion of the members of the Board of Management:
a) the accompanying income and Expenditure Statement is not misleading and is drawn up so as to present fairly the results of the Association for the financial year ended 30 June 2006.
b) the accompanying Balance Sheet is not misleading and is drawn up so as to present fairly the state of affairs of the Association as at the end of the financial year.
c) At the date of this Statement there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Association will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due.
The accounts of the Association have been made out in accordance with accounting policies as set out in Note 1.
On behalf of the Board of Management:
President
Hon. Treasurer
Independent Audit Report
TO THE MEMBERS CARERS NEW SOUTH WALES INCORPORATED
We have audited the accompanying Financial Statements comprising of the Statement of Income and Expenditure and Balance Sheet of the Association in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards.
In our opinion, the Financial Statements are not misleading and present fairly the financial position of the Association as at 30 June 2006 and the results of the operations for the year then ended in accordance with the accounting policies and with the provisions of the Associations Incorporation Act of New South Wales 1984.
ACCRU FELSERS
Chartered Accountants
Michael Kersch
Sydney, 19 October 2006
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-200632 33
Statement of Income & Expenditure General Funds For the Year Ended 30 June 2006 2006 2005
$ $INCOME
Consultancy fees & room hire 44,017 4,764
Donations 214,843 26,297
Copyright distributions - 13,575
Interest received 61,932 65,912
Membership subscriptions 29,105 28,421
Newsletter advertising 400 298
NSW Women’s Golf 6,885 6,000
Sale of publications/merchandise 24,411 11,483
Transfer surplus from training activities 4,197 5,219
Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts For the Year Ended 30 June 2006
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
These accounts are special purpose accounts prepared in order to satisfy the requirements of the Associations Incorporation Act of New South Wales 1984.
The accounts are prepared on an accruals basis and in accordance with the historical cost convention.
The following specific accounting policies which are consistent with the previous period, unless otherwise stated, have been adopted in the preparation of the Association’s financial statements. The Board of Management has determined that the accounting policies adopted in Note 1 are appropriate to meet the needs of the members.
(a) Grants for the acquisition of fixed assets
Grants for the acquisition of fixed assets and equipment are recognised in the period when the related expenditure occurred. Fixed assets and equipment acquired from Grants received are expensed in the period of acquisition.
(b) Other Grants in advance
It is the policy of the Association to bring Grants Received to account during the period they relate, rather than the period in which they were received. However, certain Grants received during the year and in prior years, did not have an expiration date, or were not fully expended at 30 June 2006. The balance of grants outstanding/grants in advance at 30 June 2006 are listed in Note 4.
(c) Employee entitlements
Provision is made for the Association’s liability for Annual Leave and Long Service Leave arising from the services rendered by employees to year end.
(d) Income Tax
The Association is exempt from paying income tax due to its classification as a charitable institution under S50-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act (1997).
(e) Depreciation of Fixed Assets Depreciation has been charged on previously capitalised fixed assets at rates assessed to match the costs of the assets over their economic life.
2. AUTHORITY TO FUNDRAISE ‘Carers NSW Inc.’ did not participate in any fundraising activities under the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 during the financial year ended 2006.
Carers NSW Inc Annual Report 2005-200636
2006 2005
$ $
4. GRANTS IN ADVANCE
Unexpended grants at 30 June 2006
Department of Ageing, Disability & Homecare - 12,701 - HACC Grant
Department of Ageing, Disability & Homecare - 3,052 - Young Carer grant
Department of Health & Ageing - Palliative Care Project 12,758 24,751 stage 2
Connections & Koori Camps evaluation funds - 17,000
FACS Young Carers Project 6,176 275
Macquarie Bank - Ethics of Caring 100,000 -
Motor Accidents Authority - 941
NSW Department of Health - Peak Funding - 5,059
Salvo Care Line - 1,893
Thyne Reid Foundation 38,792 20,530
Uniting Care Project 25,079 10,936
182,805 97,138
In addition, certain Grants were received prior to their commencement date. These receipts have also been included in Grants in Advance as follows:
Department of Ageing, Disability & Homecare 109,800 - - one-off CALD printing & database
Department of Ageing, Disability & Homecare 70,000 1,840 - Carers Week & Hidden Carers
NSW Department of Health - Family & Carers Mental 240,000 6,999 Health Program
602,605 105,977
2006 2005
$ $
5. SUNDRY DEBTORS
Grant Funds and other outstanding debts not received prior to the end of the financial year for:
Bloomfield Hospital - Training - 435
Books and Publications 16,489 -
Carers Aust - reimbursements 820 78
Centre for Mental Health 4,368 -
Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres 2,883 -
Copyright Association - 13,575
Department of Ageing Disability & Home Care - 219
Greater Western AHS - 2,665
Hunter & New England AHS - 550
MAA - final grant payment 16,500 -
Membership owing 493 -
North Sydney, Central Coast AHS - 1,144
NSW Department of Health - 2,682
Reimbursements re Telstra Talk link programs 3,573 -
Spastic Centre of NSW - 409
The College of Nursing - 77
United Care - quarterly grants outstanding 25,549 -
70,675 21,834
Interest on Investments 3,130 11,736
73,805 33,570
Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts For the Year Ended 30 June 2006
