“I know the road ahead is not always straight with a smooth surface; a well-defined centre line and clear well marked edges. However, with cooperation, dedication and persistence, we, our partners and our financiers can make a difference to the whole landscape in our region.”

Royce Bishop, ChairmanReef Catchments (Mackay Whitsunday Isaac) Limited

Another year draws to a close for Reef Catchments Mackay Whitsundays, and a successful and positive year it has been. Our many NRM programs have continued and we have added a few new ones, expanding our programs and business.

In my last annual report I spoke of Reef Catchments Management Committees desire to move the organisation to a company limited, this commitment has been progressed over the last twelve months and in the new financial year beginning July 2011 the new company will begin to trade. I have very positive feelings about this company and its board and what it can do for natural resources in our region. I take this opportunity to thank the committee and staff that helped this become a reality.

During the course of the year I have spoken a number of times about my ambition to establish a subcommittee of the new company board to advise and critique the board on all matters pertaining to natural resource. The establishment of this committee is well advanced and I expect we will be holding the first Partnership Committee meeting in mid-October 2011. I believe this committee has the potential to give the community a powerful and effective voice on whole of landscape issues directly to the new Board of Directors of Reef Catchments (Mackay Whitsunday Isaac) Limited.

Reef Catchments continues to successfully manage the Federal Government’s NRM program “Caring for Our Country”, delivering priority natural resource outcomes across our region. This program has completed its third year and has two more years of funding which our staff and board will continue to use to achieve strategic outcomes for our community. All Reef Catchments programs from Land and Water’s Reef Rescue, Paddock to Reef monitoring and Landcare facilitators to Biodiversity Coast and Marines coastal work with regional government, Island rehabilitation and island management planning, to name but a few, have engaged Mackay Whitsundays Isaac community, our members, our partners, our funders, our landholders in ways that have benefited our region’s water, soils, air and wellbeing.

Last year I spoke in my report about the pride and satisfaction I feel when I hear our staff speak of the many facts and figures associated with Reef Catchments many successes. This year that feeling of pride has not diminished but has grown with the many achievements that our dedicated staff and partners have been able to fulfil. I know the road ahead is not always straight with a smooth surface, a well-defined centre line, and clear well marked edges, however with cooperation, dedication and persistence we, our partners and our financiers can make a difference to the whole of landscape in our region. I encourage our funders, members, partners, staff and community to work with Reef Catchments in the pursuit of understanding and excellence in achieving NRM goals and outcomes for our community and region.

Again this year I pay tribute to the dedicated and hardworking Reef Catchments Management Committee and I would like to give my personal thanks for its continued support. A special thanks to the committee members leaving us this year and not seeking re-election, Geoff Bethel, Sue Buzer, Judith Wake, Peter O’Reiley, Anne Stunzner and Ross Walker. All have been valued and hardworking members of Reef Catchments Management Committee. The success or failure of any organisation hinges greatly on the performance or non-performance of its CEO and Reef Catchments is fortunate that it has a CEO such as Robert Cocco. I am personally thankful for Roberts’s leadership and dedication and offer him my congratulations on his exemplary service to our Association. Robert leads a team of professional staff that is second to none and I congratulate them all on a job well done, thank you all for your support in achieving the management committee strategic goals and targets.

I’m looking forward to the new challenges that the new company limited will pose for the new board and the company in general. I am confident that the directors and staff will meet these challenges with confidence and skills that will achieve results that will surpass our past success.

$11,197,930 $9,229,216 $1,968,714