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NORTHERN TERRITORY COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE INCORPORATED
ANNUAL REPORT 2011
2
Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Introduction 3
2011 AGM Agenda 4
2010 AGM Minutes 5
President’s Report 7
Treasurer’s Report 8
Executive Director’s Report 9
Board Members for 2010/2011 11
NTCOSS Staff Members 12
A Tribute to Barry Hansen 13
NTCOSS History - 35 Years of Incorporation 14
Project Reports:- Central Australia 15
Sector Development 18
Media & Communications 20
Child and Family 21
Youth 22
Financial Reports:-
Statement by the Management Committee 27
Auditors Report 28
Financial Statements 30
Job Profit and Loss Statements 32
Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
33 Bayfield Road, Malak, NT 0812
PO Box 1128
Nightcliff NT 0814
Telephone: (08) 8948 2665
Facsimile: (08) 8948 4590
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ntcoss.org.au
Contents
3 Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
NTCOSS
The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) is a peak body for the Social and Community Sector in the NT, and an advocate for social justice on behalf of people and communities in the NT who may be affected by poverty and disadvantage.
Mission
The mission of the Council is to promote awareness and understanding of social issues through the NT community, and to strive for the development of an equitable and just society.
Objectives
To promote and assist the development of all aspects of social services throughout the NT.
To provide services and support to organisations, such as training, a resource base, research, and consultation relating to social issues.
To contribute to the debate on social issues.
To ensure the Council is representative on a sector-wide and regional basis in the NT, as well as representing the interests of members
To promote and make representations on behalf of socially disadvantaged groups and those disadvantaged in the NT community by policy decisions
To be the peak organisation providing a focal point for the community sector, and a reference point for government.
To provide advice and policy input to all levels of government and other appropriate organisations on behalf of the NT community sector.
To contribute an NT perspective to the national COSS network.
Introduction
26 Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Notice of the NTCOSS Annual General Meeting
To be held at the Salvation Army, Cnr Lee Point Road and Yanyula Street, Anula
13th October 2011 at 12 noon
AGENDA
Business to be transacted at the Annual General Meeting
1. Welcome by President Bernie Dwyer
2. Note apologies received
3. Previous AGM minutes for endorsement
4. President’s report
5. Treasurer’s report 6. Executive Director’s report
7. Appointment of Auditor for 2011/2012
8. Election/appointment of Board members
9. Election of Public Officer
10. Any other business
11. Presentation - The History of NTCOSS - 35 years of incorporation
Meeting close
All members and guests are welcome. Drinks and light refreshments available.
2011 Agenda
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Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc 5
Minutes of the NTCOSS Annual General Meeting
Held at the Salvation Army Headquarters, Cnr.Lee Point and Yanyula Roads, Anula
12 noon 13th October 2010
MINUTES
1. Welcome by President Bernie Dwyer
2. Apologies received from:- Robyn Wardle Family Planning, Sharon Mulholland Australian Red Cross, Tracey McNee ASYASS, Integrated Disability Action Inc., Anna Davis NT Working Womens Centre, Gordon Main Salvation Army, Helen Hazard, Senator Trish Crossin.
3. Present:- Strider, Bernie Dwyer (Amity), Barry White (NTCOSS), Wendy Morton (NTCOSS), Lava Kohaupt (NTCOSS), Graham Ring (NTCOSS), Ali Nur
(Melaleuca), Ian Fisher (Anglicare NT), Vicki O’Halloran (Somerville), Samantha Bowden (Ruby Gaea), Toni Vine-Bromley (NT Shelter), Janet Buhagiar (St.Vincent De Paul), Barry Hansen, Eileen Farrell (Total Recreation), Caitlin Perry (DCLS), Tracey Myles (Autism NT), Ron Mitchell (MCNT), Brad McIver (Mission Australia), Jane Vadiveloo.
4. Previous AGM minutes for endorsement
Previous AGM Minutes were endorsed
Moved Barry Hansen
Second Toni Vine-Bromley
Carried
5. President’s report
Bernie made special thanks to Wendy and the Board and to the funding bodies. Tabled and accepted
Moved Barry Hansen
Second Janet Buhagiar
Carried
6. Treasurer’s report
Barry explained the strong financial position of NTCOSS and how the significant new funding will strengthen NTCOSS’s position over coming years. Tabled and accepted
Moved Caitlin Perry
Second Toni Vine-Bromley
Carried
7. Executive Director’s report
Wendy made special thanks to Roma for her part in the move from Nightcliff to Malak and to Graham for his communications/media involvement. Special praise to Jonathan for his continued hard work in Central Australia.
Tabled and accepted
Moved Bernie Dwyer
Second Caitlin Perry
Carried
2010 AGM Minutes
26 Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
8. Appointment of Auditor for 2010/2011
The meeting decided to continue with the current Auditor, Sue Lee & Associates. Moved Bernie Dwyer
Second Vicki O’Halloran
9. Election/appointment of Board members
Bernie acknowledged the work done by outgoing Board members; Tracey Brand, Janet Buhagiar, Raquell Nicholls-Skene, Robyn Lesley and Abdul Khan
15 nominations to the Board were presented. All were appropriately declared elected.
Bernie Dwyer President Caitlin Perry Vice President Barry Hansen Treasurer Vicki O’Halloran Secretary
Ron Mitchell Ordinary Board Member
Ian Fisher Ordinary Board Member
Helen Hazard Ordinary Board Member
Ali Nur Ordinary Board Member
Garry Halliday Ordinary Board Member
Toni Vine-Bromley Ordinary Board Member
Tracey Myles Ordinary Board Member
Scott McConnell Ordinary Board Member
Jane Vadiveloo Ordinary Board Member
Garry Gardiner Ordinary Board Member
Marg Reilly Ordinary Board Member
10. Election of Public Officer
Wendy Morton was returned as Public Officer.
Moved: Bernie Dwyer
Second: Vicki O’Halloran
Carried
11. Any other business
Wendy elaborated on her Executive Director’s Report regarding the new positions at NTCOSS due to increased funding.
Meeting closed at 12.40
2010 AGM Minutes
6
7 Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
This year is the thirty fifth year of NTCOSS, a significant length of time. The Northern Territory was a very different place in 1976 and we have come a long way in some areas. This longevity is a testament to the commitment of many individuals who have been involved with the organisation over the years and I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all those who have been involved in NTCOSS.
Over the year the organisation has grown to be a strong voice of the sector and an advocate for those affected by disadvantage and poverty. Significant challenges remain in these areas for the Northern Territory and Australia. As recent reports show there remains enormous wealth gaps in Australia with the top wealthiest twenty percent having sixty percent of the wealth and the bottom twenty percent having one percent of the wealth.
The impacts that this sort of gap has on the capacity to meet the basic needs of families contributing to social disharmony, family violence, unemployment, poor health outcomes and substance abuse. This year there have been major attention aimed at better provision of child protection services. NTCOSS was critical of the previous systems failures and has participated in the public discussion in this difficult area. NTCOSS has been mindful not to be just a critic but a keen contributor to the re-design and changes required within the system. The new department of Children and Families has provided additional funding for positions within NTCOSS that will enable the sectors broader contribution in this area.
This year saw significant alcohol reforms brought in by the Northern Territory Government in an effort to reduce the harms associated with excessive alcohol use. Consultation with the alcohol and other drugs sector highlights that there is a need for and an absence of a peak body to contribute to policy development and better co-ordinate the sector. While the alcohol reforms are welcome what is needed is further changes in the cultural position of alcohol within our society. While the Northern Territory continues to drink well above the national levels, it will continue to see major problems in family violence, neglect, health and wellbeing, crime and overflowing prisons.
The additional funding from the Northern Territory government this year has enabled NTCOSS to increase its presence in Central Australia. This has required additional office space and infrastructure upgrades. I would like to thank the Alice Springs staff for their patience and persistence to rise to the challenge of maintaining the provision of a high level of service while the upgrade was going on.
Finally, I would like to thank all the staff of NTCOSS for their efforts in this year of service expansion, change and development. I would also like to acknowledge the board for their input and guidance and commitment to the organisation. I would also like to thank the Northern Territory government for their ongoing support of NTCOSS.
President’s Report
Bernie Dwyer
President
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Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Treasurer’s Report
The NT Council of Social Service is in a strong financial position having secured significant extra funding. During the 2011/2012 financial year, I expect the Council will own its own premises outright without any government money being put toward it.
Thank you to all the wonderful staff and board members of NTCOSS who I have worked with during my time on the board for their assistance and support.
Barry Hansen
Treasurer
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The past 12 months have been a time of significant change for NTCOSS. We successfully negotiated with now Department of Children and Families for a considerable increase in our funding for a 3 year period. After many years of hovering around 4 or 5 staff members, we now have a team of 11. The greatest impact of this has been felt in our Alice Springs office where we now have 4 staff. Other than creating some serious internal changes, it has increased our capacity and our ability to focus on identified policy and sector development areas.
As you read through this annual report you will see the changes and the new staff. As well as many changes, some areas of our work have remained constant. We now have a specific project which is looking at child protection issues in the NT but we continue to work on the many issues which impact on the safety and well being of children and their families in the NT such as AOD, housing, justice related issues and adequate levels of support.
As well as having a greater capacity in the policy area, we now able to work in the area of sector development. We have been able to provide a range of practical and useful supports to a wide range of organisations right across the NT. In particular the mentoring service has assisted over 40 organisations and many of these are small and consumer driven. The following are some of the key areas of work for the past 12 months.
Conference April 2011
NTCOSS held a 3 day conference, ‘Towards a Just NT’, at the Airport Resort in April. The first day was focused on Alcohol and other Drug issues whist the following 2 days covered a range of issues including income management, transport, youth, children and families, pay equity, asylum seekers and partnerships. Over 130 people attended each day and the feedback on the format and speakers was overwhelmingly positive. Our next conference is planned for Alice Springs in May 2012.
Pre-Budget Submission
Our pre budget submission was once again a major project for the year. Recommendations were made for 16 sectors. 2 of the biggest priorities were again identified as community sector wages and conditions and affordable accommodation.
Alcohol The past 12 months have seen the NT Government introduce significant changes to its approach to dealing with alcohol issues via the Enough is Enough reform. Throughout the past 12 months we have lobbied on many different aspects of alcohol usage particularly price and availability. We have conducted many media interviews both in Darwin and Alice Springs on alcohol related issues. It continues to be incredibly frustrating that the NTG continues to ignore the view of the sector that the priority issue for funding is the AOD peak body. A small grant was provided to NTCOSS to work with the AOD sector to further develop work on how an AOD peak would work and what to would look like. This information was fed back to government and the Health Minister. For how long must the NT continue to be the only state or territory without a funded AOD peak body? We all know the seriousness and enormity of alcohol related issues in the NT. While we continue to lack a peak body, we continue as a sector to be unable to adequately respond to policy, research and sector capacity issues. We also continue to lack adequate representation at a national level.
Pre Election Forum
NTCOSS partnered with the Environment Centre NT and NT Shelter to run a pre Federal election forum on the 11th August 2010 at Browns Mart. We had all 5 candidates from the Darwin based seat of Solomon and Clare Martin was MC for the event. Over 130 people attended and the forum received media coverage on ABC TV and radio, NT News and Channel 9.
Executive Director’s Report
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Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Executive Director’s Report
Weddell NTCOSS along with NT Shelter, COTA NT and the Environment Centre NT, contributed to discussion about the proposed new city of Weddell. From the outset we lobbied for issues for those who are most disadvantaged to be included in the consultation. We are pleased that these issues do seem to have been recognized in the planning to date and look forward to seeing the future plans for a new inclusive city
Income Management
NTCOSS continued to raise concerns regarding the continued rollout of income management. We remain concerned regarding the lack of evidence for income management as an appropriate tool for public policy and the high cost to taxpayers of the national roll out.
Support of Other Peaks
NTCOSS has continued to work closely with other funded peak bodies in the NT. We have worked on joint projects and campaigns with NT Shelter, COTA NT, NT Mental Health Coalition, NDS NT and the Environment Centre NT.
In July 2010, the NT Mental Health Coalition became an incorporated body after around 6 years of being auspiced by NTCOSS, although they continued to be co located with NTCOSS. We have continued to provide the NTMHC with a range of supports as well as being represented on their Management Board to assist in the smooth transition.
Pay Equity
We have continued to work closely with ACOSS and the ASU to support the pay equity case currently before Fair Work Australia. We have lobbied the NTG for them to support fair wages in the community sector by encouraging them to commit to funding the outcome of the pay equity case. It is time for workers in the community sector to be paid properly for the great work that they do. Adequate pay levels will lead to better outcomes for clients as organisations will be better able to recruit and retain experienced staff.
The new funding has enabled us to take a far greater role in many areas. In particular our work has increased in youth, children and families and sector development. All of these areas are covered separately in this report.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the NTCOSS Board for all of their support and guidance throughout the past 12 months. In particular I want to that the members of the executive who as always, have given me so much of their time. Our president, Bernie Dwyer has given so much support to the organisation and myself and I am very appreciative. Thank you to all the wonderful staff at NTCOSS. There have been moments when the changes over the past 12 months have hit bumpy roads particularly for those in Alice. Thank you for sticking with us. NTCOSS is very fortunate to have a team of such skilled and committed people. Thank you to Janine Sims for stepping in to the Executive Director role for 3 months at such short notice, doing such a great job and making it easy for me to return.
I want to end by making special mention of Barry Hansen who has given so much to NTCOSS as detailed further on this report. Personally, he has been a great support to me in my time here and taught me so much. Even though he is leaving the board, he may still be getting the odd call or two.
Wendy Morton
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Board Members
Executive Board Members
President
Bernie Dwyer, Amity Community Services
Vice President
Caitlin Perry, Darwin Community Legal Service
Treasurer
Barry Hansen
Secretary
Vicki O’Halloran, Somerville Community Services
Executive Director /Public Officer
Wendy Morton, NTCOSS
Board Members
Garry Halliday, Carers NT
Toni Vine-Bromley, NT Shelter
Scott McConnell, Ingkerreke Outstations Resource Services
Ron Mitchell, MultiCultural Council of NT
Jane Vadiveloo, Individual
Marg Reilly, Tangentyere Council Inc
Tracey Myles, Autism NT
Ian Fisher, Anglicare NT
Ilana Eldridge, Larrakia Nation
Ali Nur, Melaleuca Refugee Centre
Boar
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Staff Members 2010-2011
Executive Director
Wendy Morton
Office Coordinator
Roma Hill
Central Australian Coordinator
Jonathan Pilbrow
Sector Development Coordinator
Janine Sims
Child and Family Adviser
Lava Kohaupt
Media and Communications Officer
Graham Ring
Improved Services Project Officer
Barry White
Alcohol and Other Drug Peak Project
Christine Barry
Building an Indigenous Community Sector Workforce
Helen Beeby
Central Australian Policy Officer
Pru Gell
Youth Policy Officer
Tess Reinsch
Sector Development Officer
Jennifer McFarland
Central Australian Administration Officer
Kathy Satour
Conference Coordinator
Kerrie Taylor
NTC
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A Tribute to Barry Hansen
Barry Hansen - Social justice warrior
This year’s AGM marks the departure from the NTCOSS board of our former president and treasurer, Barry Hansen. Barry has contributed a lifetime of service to the community in many different guises. As a chartered accountant, he brought considerable expertise in juggling and crunching numbers to the boards deliberations , but perhaps his greatest asset is his passion for social justice.
Barry has also been treasurer of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), chair of the management committee of the Uniting Church in the NT, and president of the North Darwin Football Club. Amidst all of these responsibilities, Barry and his partner Judy have raised five children, while Barry carved out a successful career as a chartered accountant.
Barry has been a champion of the rights of Indigenous Australians since his early days working for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and is also passionate about child protection.” I became involved in community affairs because my wife, Judy and I have been foster-carers for many years” Barry explains. “ We made a conscious decision to no longer accept second-best from social welfare authorities. We wanted to try and improve the way that area was dealt with, and that broadened out and led to my involvement with the NT Council of Social Service. “
Hansen was born at Wangaratta in country Victoria but moved to Sydney to do his tertiary education at the University of New South Wales. He arrived in Darwin in 1970 and has been here ever since. Asked if this makes him a ‘local’, he will say only that he is “working on qualifications”. He grew up in an environment which predisposed him to an awareness of disadvantage in the broader community. “The family always had a strong involvement in community affairs. I had a Christian background on both sides of the family and we were taught to try and make the world a better place by helping other people.”
Barry assumed a national profile in prosecuting the case for greater public scrutiny to be applied to the worrying disparities in the Northern Territory government spending of Commonwealth Grants Commission funds. “It doesn’t mater how much window-dressing you put on it. In 2006/07 the CGC determined that Indigenous communities in the NT needed $217 million for equality of service with the rest of Australia. They gave this money to the NT government, and the government recorded that it had spent $110 million. You just can’t argue with those figures.”
When it comes to really important issues – like AFL football – Barry Hansen is one of the diehard Fitzroy Football Club supporters who didn’t transfer their loyalty to the relocated Brisbane Lions team. He’s also keen on his reading. “The last two books I read were a comedy and an economics text, so I’ve got a pretty wide range of interests.” he laughs.
Barry points out that working for the community is a two-way street. “I’d really encourage people to get involved with community organisations and community affairs” Barry says. “ You meet some great people, you have a good time - and it makes you feel good.” Wangaratta’s loss has been the Northern Territory’s gain. NTCOSS board members, member organisations and staff have all benefitted from Barry’s knowledge and commitment.
Thanks heaps Barry
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Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US – NTCOSS MILESTONES.
As NTCOSS celebrates its 35th birthday, Roma Hill has researched some of the major milestones in our long history…
NTCOSS incorporated in 1976 and was prominent in managing Crisis Line and promoting Amity House in its early days.
In 1979 NTCOSS was defunded and struggled on only through the generosity of the Australian Council of Social Service and the support of volunteers from the community. In 1987 our fortunes improved, with a grant under the Community Employment Program, which funded a full-time worker Marina Kirby - in a small office in Knuckey Street. 1988/89 saw NTCOSS expanding under the leadership of President Madonna McLaughlin, organising public forums, producing a monthly newsletter, and becoming involved in a range of policy areas.
In February 1994 Graeme Bull took over the reins as president, as NTCOSS struggled on unfunded, and a vigorous and motivated women’s movement began to take shape both inside and outside of NTCOSS.
In 1995 Toni Vine-Bromley took over as president during a period when NTCOSS auspiced the NT Service for Survivors of Torture and Trauma - a new project designed to support those who suffered any form of state-condoned violence before they arrived in Australia.
In 1997, NTCOSS is connected to the internet, but our funding remained parlous, and for a period it appeared that NTCOSS would have no alternative other than to close its doors.
In 2001, the NTCOSS Board develops a Strategic Plan and in November of the same year the NT Government advises that we will be funded for the following three years. At the October AGM Cassandra Goldie – currently CEO at ACOSS – is elected president. Our first pre-budget submission was developed in 2002. Over time this document, offering funding recommendations every year in the run-up to the NT Budget would become one of our major annual endeavours. The Alice Springs office is established in 2003 and the following year the NTCOSS conference Overcoming the Divide attracts over 270 people. It was about this time that stalwart, Jonathan Pilbrow, started work in the Alice Springs office.
In 2005 the NT Mental Health Coalition is established under the auspices of NTCOSS. The organisation takes an active role during the NT election campaign, and later in the year, the current Executive Director, Wendy Morton comes on board.
In 2006 significant federal government policy reforms in the employment and industrial relations policies guaranteed a busy year for NTCOSS as vulnerable Territorians felt the effects of these changes. Since then NTCOSS has continued to prosper through initiatives such as the Cross Sectorial Support and Strategic Partnerships Program, and the development of the well-received Workforce Toolkit, which was designed to assist community organisations in the recruitment and retention of staff.
In 2010 NTCOSS receives a significant funding increase form the Department of Family and Childrens Services and is also given seed funding from the NT Government to develop a model for an alcohol and other drugs peak body. The organisation continues to expand, with Alice Springs office now boasting four staff and Darwin seven. In 2011 NTCOSS runs a successful conference entitled “Towards a Just NT – Building the Future Together” and we look forward to making a further contribution to the NT community during the election year of 2012
NTCOSS History - 35 years of incorporation
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Central Australia 2010-11 has been an exciting, busy and eventful year. After over 6 years as a the sole NTCOSS employee in Central Australia, new funding, adding 3 positions to Central Australia (2 part time) was welcome news indeed. There have been a couple of office moves and it is great to now be settled into one location in the CBD. It was terrific to welcome Pru Gell (Central Australian Policy Officer), Tess Reincsh (Youth Policy Officer) and Kathy Satour (Admin Officer) on to the NTCOSS staff, in October 2011, followed by Jenny McFarland (Sector Development), from November to June). The additional staff has significantly increased the capacity of NTCOSS, particularly the ability to address issues in more depth and to be more proactive and less reactive.
NTCOSS, in conjunction with other peak bodies and organisations, continues to play a critical role in addressing the range of complex issues facing the Northern Territory, through highlighting and monitoring of policies which impact on low income and disadvantaged Territorians. The Central Australian office has been working hard in a range of areas to improve the wellbeing of children and families across the NT. There have been highlights and achievement and challenges over the past year:
Highlights & Achievements
The campaign for evidence based approaches to supply side restrictions on alcohol in Alice Springs received a significant boost with eight out of ten licensees effectively implementing their own ‘floor price’ on alcohol, significantly reducing the availability of cheap alcohol
There have been some improvements in public and remote and regional transport with an expansion of public bus routes in Alice Springs, and additional communities provided with transport into major centres. NTCOSS has campaigned on these issues for several years
Interest in the development of community transport models gathered some momentum as a result of the NTCOSS conference in April 2011
NTCOSS weighed into the debate about the Lasseter’s Casino seeking to install one hundred additional poker machines, but due to community concerns this number was revised down to 30 machines – which will go into a high rollers room and not on the general floor
The NTCOSS Conference was a highlight with all 3 central Australian policy staff presenting with Tess on youth, Pru on Income Management and Jonathan on transport - and generating significant discussion and interest
In conjunction with a number of other agencies, successfully lobbying the NTG to make appropriate provisions for people t to access ID, in light of its decision to discontinue the use of community cards (ID), with a very short lead in period, for the purchase of alcohol as part of the new alcohol reforms
Formation of a homelessness coalition, with involvement and interest from local, national and international organisations to lobby for 3 key goals, and supporting objectives, to promote and protect the rights of people who are homeless. One key objective is a social inclusion policy for the Alice Springs Town Council
Hosting a forum on Income Management at the ACOSS conference in Melbourne
Finalization of the a model for an Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) peak
Key Challenges
Responding to the NTG announcement in January 2011, regarding new measures to address crime and antisocial behavior, and addressing concerns about various aspects of the measures, in particular changes to the Bail Act, and the establishment of a Youth Detention Centre at the site of the adult prison. A facilitated forum (of NGO reps) led to the development of a report: “Better Strategies to Respond to Youth Issues in Alice Springs”
Responding to the national rollout of the new Income Management regime, and continuing to highlight the need for evidenced based approaches to social policy
Responding to the NTG’s ‘Enough is Enough’ Alcohol reforms, which generated a range of views across the sector, with general support for a number of the proposed reforms, but conditional on there being appropriate resourcing of the AOD service sector to address the expected increase in workload
Continuing involvement in a Tri-State Renal Alliance 'alliance’ of orgs from NT and SA campaigning around the need for patients from remote SA and WA to have dialysis as close to home as possible.
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Central Australia Despite an enormous amount of working having gone into the development of a model for an AOD peak,
and a submission to the NTG – nothing has resulted at this stage. While there have been some improvements in relation to transport – gaps still remain, such as in Tennant
Creek
The Alice Springs Alcohol Reference Panel (ARP), Key issues have included a proposal regarding the banning of full strength alcohol between 11.30 am and 2 pm, on weekdays, in public bars, unless accompanied by a meal. This issue generated much controversy and media attention – and ultimately did not get up
A well presented Pre-Budget Submission was completed – but yet again recommendations got little traction with the NTG – against a number of competing priorities. This has led to a revised format for the 2012-13 PBS, which will have fewer recommendations , but aim to be better targeted
Opportunities The reform of the child protection system presents an enormous opportunity for a new way forward for the
child protection system. Local Central Australian staff have worked closely with the Child and Family Development Advisor (NTCOSS) in her work across the region this has involved assisting linking to key stakeholder and assisting with local forums.
The announcement of a Review of the NT Youth Justice system has provided the youth sector with an opportunity to advocate for a number of required reforms which have been highlighted over the years – such as the separation of adults from young people in the criminal justice system
The announcement of the regional transport strategy provides some hope for improved transport options in growth towns, and towns like Katherine and Tennant Creek and we look forward to progressing real solutions in these areas
Presentations/Public speaking
‘Beyond Periphery’ Symposium (CDU) (Darwin) - on transport issues “Transporting the Territory” in Darwin (Jonathan) Hosting the ACOSS Pre-conference Forum (Melbourne) on Income Management (Pru)
Key relationship General networking has occurred with various meetings with NGO and Government representatives. Key relationships have been strengthened this year with the Department of Lands and Planning, around transport issues; the Department of Justice around family violence issues; the Department of Families and Children, in relation to the Youth Action Plan (including the Youth Coordination Committee). NTCOSS has also had the opportunity to further strengthen the strong working relationship with NT Shelter through an office sharing relationship with NT Shelter. This has enabled excellent collaborative working opportunities for both organisations.
Developing relationships with policy officers from relevant NGOs and research bodies in relation to work on the employment and the Working Future policy portfolios that focuses on service delivery and resourcing of remote communities, homelands as well as urban areas. These organisations include the Central Land Council (CLC), Tangentyere, APO NT, CRC Ninti One, NT Shelter And CAALAS.
Media Coverage
Media interviews throughout the year covered a number of issues including the Alice Springs By-Laws; Income Management, Public Transport in Alice Springs, Community transport, mandated treatment; alcohol floor price, fining parents (as a last resort) for continued truancy; and the ‘Better Strategies’ Youth report .
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Conclusion
Thank you to Wendy Morton (Executive Director) for your support and supervision in the past year, and to Janine Sims when you filled in as Executive Director when Wendy was on extended leave. And thanks to all staff in Central Australian and the Top End who have worked for NTCOSS in the past year. It has been a pleasure working with a highly energetic and productive team in Central Australia and across the NT.
We look forward to another fruitful year trying to improve the lives of low income and disadvantaged Territorians across the NT.
Jonathan Pilbrow
Coordinator, Central Australia
Central Australia
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Sector Development
The purpose of the NTCOSS sector development team is to value, promote, and strengthen the capacity of non government, not for profit, organisations that provide assistance to vulnerable Territorians. This is has been achieved over the last twelve month by providing direct support to community organisations, developing and distributing information and resources as well as lobbying for adequate funding and effective service agreements.
Delivering the mentoring service, with a specific focus on small community organisations and/or organisations delivering services to rural and remote areas, has been rewarding with with a total of 52 individual community sector organisation provided assistance between July 2010 and June 2011. The type of support provided during this reporting period includes but is not limited to research, fund hunting, job description development, interview question and referee check assistance, policy and procedure development, organisation structures and workforce planning, strategic planning and ongoing help with transition to the modern award.
Complementing the mentoring service there has been delivery of NT wide group training. Award Modernization, Advocacy and Board Roles and Responsibilities workshops have been delivered. A deep democracy conversation on partnerships between the NT Government and community sector organisations was also held at the NTCOSS conference with 120 participants. Numerous training opportunities from a variety of providers have also been promoted and the combined community sector and professional development online training calendar working group has been instigated.
Sector development staff has also been instrumental in the development and facilitation of sector networks. The Managers Skill Swap Network has continued to attract large numbers and has addressed such topic as managing a multicultural workplace, media, ochre card introduction and management, occupational health and safety, legislation changes and inclusive communities and workplaces. The NT Non Government Peak Body Network has been reinvigorated and in partnership with the NT Working Women’s Centre initial meetings to establish a NT Women’s Services Network have been held. Work was also undertaken to progress the establishment of an Alcohol Peak Body with a two day workshop held in Darwin. Sector development staff has also has also provided regional training to organisations in the establishment and facilitation of networks.
The sector development team has well developed relationships and shares resources with other peak bodies and organisations. Highlights over the last year have been assisted Human Services Training Advisory Council to fill productivity placements, joining with National Disability Services (NDS) to co host a ‘meet your minister ‘breakfast held in Alice Springs and planning with the NT Working Women’s centre to deliver organisational specific anti bullying in the workplace training. Sector development staff has also presented on workforce development issues at the Alice Springs Interagency Meeting, NDS Regional Forum in Katherine as well as the NT Shelter Homelessness Summit and the NT Department of Education Careers Advisory Day in Darwin.
Dissemination of information as well as encouraging and facilitating members to attend information sessions on implementation and implication of issues such as the Pay Equity Case, Paid Paternity Leave, Standard Chart of Accounts, the Modern Awards and the NT Government Standard Conditions of Funding has been ongoing work. On line sector development resources are continuing to grow and feedback suggest that members are making good use of the website. In response to requests for assistance, outside the capacity of NTCOSS, a local NT ‘consultant register’ has been established allowing organisations to confidently engage appropriate professionals. I would like to especially thank Roma Hill for her valuable work on maintaining the NTCOSS website and the production of the Community Sector Service Directory.
Under the sector development umbrella the Increasing Indigenous Workforce Participation in the Community Sector Project was also conducted over the last twelve months. Practical strategies were provided to participating organisations to increase their recruitment and retention of Indigenous workers. A seminar on Indigenous workforce issues was held in Darwin plus one on one mentoring sessions held with organisations
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23 Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Sector Development
in Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine. A comprehensive tool has also been completed and a booklet style resource for wider distribution developed with final reports and evaluations provided to the NT Department of Business.
Following much positive feedback on completion of this unique project I would like to thank, project officer, Helen Beeby for her work while at NTCOSS.
Another sector development project is the Improved Services Initiative or Cross Sectoral Support and Strategic Partnership Project or CSSSP which has continued between July 2010 and June 2011. The overarching objective of this project is to increase the capacity of Alcohol and Other Drug treatment agencies to manage clients who present with co-existing Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD), and mental health problems. CSSSP meetings were held between the five funded services of the capacity building project every second month. A developing model of integrated care has evolved from AOD and Mental Health network forums held in Darwin and Alice Springs and from a review of literature on best practice models with capacity building objective culminated with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the agencies and Top End Mental Health Services. The intent of the MOU will guide the integration of respective mental health and drug rehabilitation services as far as is possible so that clients are provided holistic and integrated screening, assessment, ongoing treatment and post treatment care and support.
Another CSSSP highlight was the pre NTCOSS conference AOD forum held in Darwin. This forum brought together over 100 delegates from all over Australia, representing AOD, mental health, community services, State and Territory Peaks, Clinicians, Researchers and Government. An evaluation report indicated that 81% of delegates expressed satisfaction in terms of relevance of content, and themes of keynote speakers. Other ongoing activities of the CSSSP include the continued dissemination of targeted AOD and Mental Health information to NT agencies, and sourcing appropriate training options. NTCOSS was also invited by Department of Health and Ageing to submit and was successful in gaining an extension of the CSSSP for a further twelve months ending 30th June 2012. I thank the CSSSP project officer, Barry White, for his high quality work and dedication to this project. The sector development team has also delivered one off project work for regional clients and internal processes for NTCOSS. Organisational structure and procedure documents have been produced, assistance with funding submission provided, secretariat services undertaken and a targeted policy and procedure manual developed. I would like to thank Donna Blackler for her ongoing contact work with NTCOSS and Jenny McFarland, sector development project officer based in Alice Springs who resigned from her part time position to take up another opportunity.
Coordinating the sector development team is extremely satisfying and I would like to acknowledge the vital contribution and support generously provided to me by my NTCOSS colleaques, the Executive Director, Wendy Morton, the NTCOSS Board and the numerous partners and member organisations. I am also grateful to the NTCOSS board for allowing me to further develop my skills with ongoing professional development and by providing me with the opportunity to backfill the Executive Director for a period of three months. The last twelve months have been an extreme period of change for NTCOSS and I believe an astonishing amount has been achieved due to quality staff, good governance, excellent relationships and clear guiding principles.
Janine Sims Sector Development Coordinator
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Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Media and Communications
Getting the word out
Communications Officer, Graham Ring, reports on an active year in the media for NTCOSS…
It has been a busy year in media and communications for NTCOSS as we continue to raise our profile in the wider community, while we lobby for more progressive public policy. We were instrumental during the year in seeing the NT Government reverse its decision to reduce visiting hours at Berrimah Prison, and we were also effective in the media as we continued to contribute to the vexed debate on alcohol policy in the Territory.
In late October 2010, the Department of Corrections announced their intention to limit private visiting hours at Darwin Correctional Centre (Berrimah Prison) to weekends and public holidays only. The government argued that the changes would allow more prisoners to undertake education and training programs. However the proposed changes would have dramatically reduced the ability of Aboriginal people from remote communities to visit family and friends in prison.
Agencies such as the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) expressed grave concern about the proposed reduction in visiting hours. NAJAA and NTCOSS issued a joint media release, pointing out that visits are vital for successful rehabilitation and calling on Corrections Minister Gerry McCarthy to consider a more flexible arrangement. The media release generated significant interest and led to NTCOSS drafting an open letter to the Minster asking him to review the decision.
The letter was co-signed by 19 key community organisations and was published in both the NT News and the Darwin Sun. Subsequently Jonathon Hunyor (Principal Solicitor NAAJA) and I were successful in getting a meeting with Minister McCarthy, who gave us a good hearing and indicated his willingness to seek a compromise on the issue of visiting hours.
Ultimately the Minister decided not to make the proposed changes to visiting arrangements, which was a great result for prisoners and their families. When the decision was made public, NTCOSS contacted the Minister’s office to express our appreciation for his willingness to meet with community organisations and to take their views into consideration.
The issue of alcohol policy remains a hot topic in the Northern Territory, particularly with the introduction of the NT Government’s ‘Enough is Enough’ legislation, which saw the introduction of the ‘banned drinkers list’ and included provision for people to be required by order to undergo alcohol rehabilitation.
NTCOSS, in close co-operation with Amity Community Services, was successful in gaining considerable media exposure on these issues. We sought to tread a fine line as we complimented the government for being prepared to take action on a serious issue, while at the same time noting that curbing the damage done by alcohol requires more than just a ‘law and order’ approach. We argued that further resources for rehabilitation, medical treatment, and community education were necessary for the problem to be fully addressed.
The NT goes to the polls in August next year and it seems likely that both major parties will run strong ‘law and order’ campaigns. NTCOSS will continue to be active in promoting the idea that achieving the ideal of a fair and inclusive community will require more sophisticated policies than simply being ‘tough on crime’. We will continue to craft a message which highlights the importance of governments developing policies which will address the needs of vulnerable Territorians.
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23 Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Child and Family
The position started in October 2010, just prior to the Board of Inquiry Report ‘Growing Them Strong Together’ being published. The objectives of the position followed the recommendations of the Growing Them Strong Together Report to build better relationships between the Department of Children and Families and the community sector. A focus was on engaging the community sector in the child protection reform, through information dissemination, consultation and building communication links between the Department of Children and Families and community services. The report also stressed the need for strengthening the community sector to take on a greater role in service provision in the family support and early intervention and prevention sphere.
Several community services forums were held, two in Darwin and two in Alice Springs as well as several workshops to allow for presentations from the Department and feedback from the non-government sector. There has also been a lot of consultation in remote communities and regional centres such as Katherine and Tennant Creek. Regular feedback has been provided to the DCF.
One of the main issues identified in the forums and in the individual consultations was the breakdown in relationships between the Department and the NGO sector, highlighting the need for better communication, building trust and understanding between the two sectors. Both sectors agree and are very clear on the importance of collaboration to achieve better outcomes for children and families. Joint case management, joint training, legislative changes to information sharing, a common assessment tool and a regular newsletter were some of the strategies mentioned to bridging the gap between the two different approaches to service delivery and organisational culture.
Another critical issue, though not solely the responsibility of the Department of Children and Families, is the difficulty of providing services in remote communities and regional towns when there is a lack of staff accommodation. In some of the growth towns many positions have stayed vacant due to the lack of accommodation or organisations had to reduce services to a fly in/fly out model, which is usually the least preferred and effective model.
Service providers also highlighted the need for workforce development and increased organisational capacity in particular in regional centres and remote areas. These issues will be the focus for the Child and Family project in the next financial year.
As part of providing input into government policy the Child and Family Development Advisor represents the sector as a member of several interdepartmental committees and working groups, such as the Child Safety and Wellbeing Directors Network, the Information Sharing and Legislative Reform Reference Group , the Integrated Family Services Working Group and the NT Children and Families Advisory Council.
The establishment of the NTCOSS Remote Services Working Group was another important step in developing communications and networks between government and the NGO sector, in this case in specifically around the ‘Local Implementation Plans’ in the growth towns; the main representation of government on this group is by the Regional Operation Centre under FAHCSIA.
Within the first 9 months of creating this position the sector has been provided with the relevant information and has engaged substantially with the child protection reform. I would like to thank everybody in the sector for their support and commitment to engage in these major changes. The position also worked closely with other positions within NTCOSS, such as the youth policy officer, the sector development positions and the Central Australian Policy Officer.
You can find more information about the interdepartmental working groups on our website.
Lava Kohaupt
Child and Family Adviser
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Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Youth
From October 2010, the Youth Policy Officer has been working at establishing this position as a useful and relevant addition to the NT community youth sector. While based in Alice Springs, the position works with youth service providers across the NT. The aim of this role is to be a channel through which the community youth sector can influence positive social policy for disadvantaged young Territorians and their families, and to assist and facilitate the sector to engage with the NT Government.
Highlights & Achievements
Central to the success of this role has been the building of strong relationships and transparent communication with the non-Government and Government youth bodies of the NT and engagement with national youth organisations. The sector’s willingness to work with NTCOSS continues to be a highlight for the role. Key relationships include: Regional youth network meetings across the NT, including coalitions such as Central Australia Youth
Justice (CAYJ). Sub-committee member of the NT Youth Affairs Network (NTYAN). NGO representative on the NT Office of Youth Affairs (OYA) Youth Policy Reference Group. NT representative on the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) Policy Advisory Committee,
including meetings with state/territory youth peak bodies.
In light of the current reforms of the child protection system, the Youth Policy Officer has worked closely with the Child and Family Development Advisor (NTCOSS) across the NT. Through information-sharing, joint consultations, and forum support, these two roles continue to work closely around issues impacting on children and families.
As a response to youth crime being in the Alice Springs headlines in early 2011 in, NTCOSS played a key role in contributing to a facilitated forum in Alice Springs from which the Better Strategies to respond to Youth Issues in Alice Springs paper was produced. This forum and subsequent paper assisted the community youth sector to have an informed and aligned voice in the Alice Springs public discourse. Similarly, NTCOSS assisted the Central Australia Youth Justice (CAYJ) committee to hold a strategic planning meeting that reinvigorated the committee, and developed a clear membership model and way of working, which has placed CAYJ in a strong position to inform the direction of the NT Youth Justice System. There has been a great deal of movement in the Youth Justice space over 2010-11, and it seems that the time is right for some much needed change, particularly in the realms of structural change within Government, youth-specific court locations and practices, and bail support programs.
Through the national Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network, support for an NT Multicultural Youth Policy Paper is being provided, and NTCOSS is working with Multicultural Youth NT and Melaleuca Refugee Centre to produce a policy document that can be used as an advocacy tool for this group in the future.
Challenges
Accommodation, alcohol and other drugs, and mental health issues across the NT impact heavily on the wellbeing of young people, particularly due to a lack of youth-specific services that focus on these needs. While the organisations that provide specialist youth services do comprehensive and necessary work, there is a far greater demand than can be serviced on current funding levels.
There are ongoing human rights and mental health issues raised by holding asylum seekers, particularly children and youth, in detention. Strong advocacy work around this issue is being led by the Darwin Asylum Seekers Support and Advocacy Network. Similarly, the experience of young refugee and newly-arrived migrants, particularly in Darwin, receives limited recognition and requires greater commitment.
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23 Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Youth
The public response to increased crime in Alice Springs over summer, while not new, presented a significant challenge to youth service providers. The ensuing media frenzy has been used to push some political agendas, most notably through the proposition of a youth curfew. NTCOSS is supporting the sector to meet the challenges raised by these debates, in continuing to promote best practice and evidence-based models.
There is a great need for equal and appropriate funding for remote youth programs. The concept of youth services as essential services in determining community health and wellbeing is backed by national evidence, but is not effectively addressed by current NT Government policy. NTCOSS is working with Central Australia Youth Link-Up Service (CAYLUS) and other remote youth organisations to draw attention to this gap. In this politically uncertain climate, and with policy around Strong Futures and Working Futures gaining momentum, the views of people living remotely, much less young people, continue to be notably absent. Ensuring that the needs of all young people are met involves listening to what they have to say, whether they are urban-dwellers, live in the regional towns, or on remote communities. Currently, this is a key challenge in all work focussed on youth policy.
Opportunities Opportunities to feed into Government policy formation exist, such as through the Youth Justice Review, the revised Office of Youth Affairs NT Youth Policy, and the Alice Springs Youth Action Plan. NTCOSS’ involvement with these processes ensures the voices of the community sector and young people are markedly present.
Presentations
A brief presentation was given at the 2011 NTCOSS Conference, during the session ‘Seen, Heard, Safe: Realising the rights of young people’, which also involved a speech by Antoinette Carroll (Central Australia Aboriginal Legal Aid Service) on the rights of young people in the criminal justice system. Connecting with the various youth sector networks, both in the NT and nationally, has provided a number of less formal forums through which to present on NTCOSS and the Youth Policy Officer position.
Conclusion Gratitude is due to the immense support of the NT youth sector, who have willingly given of their time, expertise and information to help guide the direction of this new role. Thank you also to youth peak bodies across Australia who have provided strong support. Most importantly, the formation and success of this role is due to the unwavering dedication of Wendy Morton and Jonathan Pilbrow who, for many years, have been consistently constructive, innovative and thoughtful in their approach towards youth policy, hand-in-hand with the motivating NTCOSS team. Thank you all.
While the nine months that this role has been in existence has not been without its challenges, NTCOSS has received encouraging feedback from the sector, and the work the Youth Policy Officer is involved with continues to prove fruitful, in terms of both sectoral coherence and positive social change.
Tess Reinsch
Youth Policy Officer
NORTHERN TERRITORY COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE INCORPORATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
23 Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
NORTHERN TERRITORY COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE INCORPORATED
SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL REPORT
for the period ended 30th June 2011
Financial Statements
26 Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
NORTHERN TERRITORY COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE INCORPORATED
SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL REPORT
YEAR ENDED 30 June 2011
CONTENTS
Statement by the Committee
Independent Auditor’s Report
Balance Sheet
Profit & Loss Report
Notes to and forming part of the Accounts
26
Financial Statements
23 Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Statement by the Management Committee
NORTHERN TERRITORY COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE INCORPORATED
STATEMENT BY THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
for the year ended 30th June 2011
In our opinion –
(a) the accompanying financial report as set out on pages 4-7 being a special purpose financial statement, is drawn up so as to present fairly the state of affairs of the Association as at 30th June 2011 and the results of the Association for the year ended on that date;
(b) the accounts of the Association have been properly prepared and are in accordance with the books of account of the Association; and
(c) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Association will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due.
We confirm as follows:
(a) The name of each committee member of the association during the relevant financial year were:
The principal activities of the association during the relevant financial year were:
The Northern Territory Council of Social Service Incorporated is a peak body for the Social and Com-munity Sector in the Northern Territory and a voice for people affected by disadvantage and inequality.
(c) The net surplus of the association for the relevant financial year was $25,555.13
Signed at Darwin on
President Treasurer
The accompanying notes form part of the financial report and are to be read in conjunction with the attached audit report
President Bernie Dwyer Vice President Caitlin Perry
Secretary Vicki O’Halloran
Treasurer Barry Hansen
Public Officer Wendy Morton
Other Board Members
Tony Vine-Bromley, Ron Mitchell, Scott McConnell, Ian Fisher Jane Vadiveloo, Ali Nur, Marg Reilly, Tracey Myles, Garry Halliday, Ilana Eldridge
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Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Auditors Report
INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTHERN TERRITORY COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE INCORPORATED
Report on the Financial Report I have audited the accompanying financial report of Northern Territory Council of Social Service Incorporated which comprises the balance sheet as at 30 June 2011 and the income and expenditure statement for the year ended on that date, a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes and the committee of management's statement.
Committee's Responsibility for the Financial Report \The committee of management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations). This responsibility includes establishing and maintaining internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies, and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.
Matters relating to the Electronic Presentation of the Audited Financial Report. This audit report relates to the financial report of Northern Territory Council of Social Service Incorporated for the year ended 30 June 2011. This audit report refers only to the statements. It does not provide an opinion on any other information that may have been hyper linked to/from these statements. If the users of this report are concerned with the inherent risks arising from electronic data communications they are advised to refer to the hard copy of the audited financial report to confirm the information included in the audited financial report.
Auditor's Responsibility/Scope My responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on my audit. I conducted my audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. These Auditing Standards require that I comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial report is free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial report. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the committee of management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.
SUE LEE & ASSOCIATES IS A CPA PRACTICE
Liability is limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation
PO Box 475 Mudgeeraba QLD 4213 100 Ryland Road Rapid Creek NT 0810
Tel 07 5530 6779 Tel 08 8985 2294
Fax 07 5530 7571 Fax 08 8985 3548
M 0418 897 757 E [email protected]
SUE LEE & ASSOCIATES C ERTIFIED PRACTICISNG ACCOUNTANTS
Registered Office Darwin
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23 Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Auditors Report
Independence
In conducting my audit, I have complied with the independence requirements of Australian professional ethical requirements.
Audit Opinion
1. In my opinion the financial report presents fairly in accordance with the accounting policies described in Note 1 to the financial report and the Associations Act, the financial position of the Northern Territory Council of Social Service Incorporated at 30th June 2011 and the results of its operations for the year then ended. The financial accounts are complete and accurate and the balances of grant funds remaining are identified and are recorded as Unexpended Grants in the balance sheet.
SUSANNE LEE, CPA
DATED: 24th August 2011
Registered Office Darwin
PO Box 475 Mudgeeraba QLD 4213 100 Ryland Road Rapid Creek NT 0810
Tel 07 5530 6779 Tel 08 8985 2294
Fax 07 5530 7571 Fax 08 8985 3548
M 0418 897 757 E [email protected]
SUE LEE & ASSOCIATES CERTIFIED PRACTICISNG ACCOUNTANTS
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30
Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Financial Statements
NT Council of Social Service Incorporated
Balance Sheet
June 2011
This Year Last Year
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash on Hand
Bendigo Bank Cheque A/C $440,190.15 $316,990.81
CBA Cheque Account $4,075.00 $4,074.59
TIO Cash Management Acc $79,145.40 $77,775.38
Petty Cash Float/Darwin $500.00 $250.00
Petty Cash Float/Alice Springs $250.00 $150.00
Overpayment Recoverable $0.00 $8,250.00
Total Cash on Hand $524,160.55 $407,490.78
Trade Debtors
Debtors $144,194.48 $298,900.06
Laptop Recovery $0.00 $654.72
Total Debtors $144,194.48 $299,554.78
Prepayments
Prepaid Fringe Benefits Tax $3,074.00 $1,851.00
Other Current Assets
Security Deposit, Suite 4 $2,687.27 $0.00
Total Current Assets $674,116.30 $708,896.56
FIXED ASSETS
Office Equipment at Cost $21,721.62 $14,309.09
Accumulated Depreciation -$15,300.14 -$14,309.09
Total Office Equipment $6,421.48 $0.00
Motor Vehicles at cost $72,216.58 $39,036.35
Accumulated Depreciation -$31,738.69 -$32,357.29
Total Motor Vehicles $40,477.89 $6,679.06
Property - Malak House $521,043.08 $521,043.08
Total FIXED ASSETS $567,942.45 $527,722.14
Total ASSETS $1,242,058.75 $1,236,618.70
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities
Trade Creditors $141,632.47 $125,080.74
Bendigo Bank Credit Card $9,471.76 $2,867.35
Bendigo Bank Credit Card $243.80 $27.75
Bendigo Bank Credit Card $270.89 $0.00
Provision for Auditors Remuneration $6,000.00 $5,000.00
Prepaid Consulting Fees $20,181.82 $7,500.00
Total Current Liabilities $140,475.84
Unexpended Grants
DOHA-AOD $96,526.36 $212,247.30
NTCOSS/Core $164.08 $0.00
DHF Bus Service Project $40,116.07 $0.00
Peak AOD $0.00 $31,193.12
Total Unexpended Grants $136,806.51 $243,440.42
Prior Years Unexpended Funds
Chief Ministers Grant $50,000.00 $50,000.00
DHCS HACC Training Funds $16,544.10 $16,544.10
Total Prior Years Unexpended Funds $66,544.10 $66,544.10
Total Funding Liabilities $203,350.61 $309,984.52 30
23 Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Financial Statements
NT Council of Social Service Incorporated
Balance Sheet
June 2011
This Year Last Year
LIABILITIES (cont)
Payroll Liabilities
Accrued Wage/Super Expenses $21,557.00 $11,076.70
Employee Benefits
Annual Leave Accrual $97,756.00 $59,836.00
LSL Accruals $33,645.00 $22,843.00
Total Employee Benefits $131,401.00 $82,679.00
LONG TERM LIABILITIES
Home Loan $366,929.81 $376,938.18
Total LIABILITIES $901,039.16 $921,154.24
Net ASSETS $341,019.59 $315,464.46
EQUITY
Accumulated Funds $315,464.46 $250,636.02
Surplus/Deficit Current Year $25,555.13 $64,828.44
Total EQUITY $341,019.59 $315,464.46
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Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Financial Statements
NT Council of Social Service Incorporated
Profit & Loss
July 2010 through June 2011
This Year Last Year
INCOME
Other Income $95,306.91 $68,594.93
GRANT INCOME
Bring in PYR Unexpended Grants $243,440.42 $232,120.04
Grant/DHF NTCOSS Core Funding $248,642.00 $248,682.00
Grant/DHF/Youth $160,942.00 $0.00
Grant/DHF/Child Protection $121,352.00 $0.00
Grant/DHF/CA Policy Officer $57,719.00 $0.00
Grant/DHF/CA Policy Manager $104,500.00 $0.00
Grant/DHF/CA Administration $42,965.07 $0.00
Grant/DHF/Workforce Development $259,229.93 $0.00
Grant/DHF/AOD Sector Forum $5,000.00 $0.00
Grant/Mental Health Program $0.00 $141,533.45
Grants/Conference $0.00 $57,500.00
Grant/DET Workforce Strategy $0.00 $329,091.00
Grant/Peak Model AOD $0.00 $50,000.00
Grant/DOHA AOD $127,306.35 $207,390.91
Grant/Wine Cask Submission $0.00 $2,000.00
Grant/ITEP $57,500.00 $0.00
Unexpended Grant Balance C/Fwd ($136,806.51) ($253,250.13) Total GRANT INCOME $1,291,790.26 $1,015,067.27
Total INCOME $1,387,097.17 $1,083,662.20
EXPENSES
Salaries and Wages $880,134.47 $577,782.41
Travel/Accommodation $92,380.78 $61,618.36
Communication Expenses $56,269.92 $37,830.54
Vehicle Expenses $25,087.77 $21,235.55
General Office Expenses $97,487.67 $41,041.53
Publicity & Marketing $11,901.45 $3,692.95
Program Expenses $67,765.18 $119,809.37
Rent & Office Overheads $54,289.42 $124,063.13
Financial Services $38,000.56 $31,370.83
Conference Expenses $49,588.46 $0.00
Website Upgrade-Including Registers $0.00 $4,480.00
Total EXPENSES $1,372,905.68 $1,022,924.67
OPERATING PROFIT $14,191.49 $60,737.53
OTHER INCOME
Profit on Sale of Motor Vehicle $11,363.64 $0.00
Profit on Sale of Office Equipment $0.00 $4,090.91
Total OTHER INCOME $11,363.64 $4,090.91
NET PROFIT/(LOSS) $25,555.13 $64,828.44
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23 Northern Territory Council of Social Service Inc
Financial Statements
33
NORTHERN TERRITORY COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE INCORPORATED
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 30 June 2011
1. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting policies adopted by the Association are stated in order to assist in a general understanding of the financial statements. These policies have been consistently applied except as otherwise indicated.
Reporting entity
The association is not a reporting entity because in the committee's opinion there are likely to exist users who are able to command the preparation of reports tailored so as to satisfy all of their information needs, and these accounts are therefore "special purpose accounts" that have been prepared solely to meet the requirements of the Constitution and the Associations Act.
Accounting policies
The financial report has been prepared under the historical cost conventions and does not take into account changing money values except to the extent that they are reflected in the revaluation of certain assets.
In order for the financial report to present fairly the state of affairs of the Association and the results of the Association for the year, Australian Accounting Standards have been adopted to the extent disclosed in this note.
Government Grants
Government grants are brought to account as income when the Association receives them. Unspent Grants are transferred to an appropriate liability account.
Assets
The current policy is to capitalise and depreciate purchases, on a straight line basis, that cost in excess of $5,000.
Employee Entitlements
The amounts expected to be paid to employees for their pro rata entitlement to annual leave, sick leave and long service leave are accrued annually at current pay rates.
Income tax
The Association is of the opinion that it is not subject to income tax.
2. LAND
33 Bayfield Road, Malak, Northern Territory 0812
Lot No.02147 Folio