2018 Annual Report
Our Mission. Create a fun and vibrant community that maximises the student experience.
Our Vision. To be the leading independent student-run organisation in Australia, which is highly valued by all of the university community, especially our members.
Our Values. Autonomy Student control of student affairs for the benefit of our members. Integrity Our behaviour builds trust. Diversity Valuing difference between people and standing for equity, equality and fairness.
Contents 1.
4.
7.
President’s Report
Education and Representation Activities
Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) Expenditure in 2018
Page 9
Page 15
Page 1
2. Managing Director’s Report
5.
Page 3
Student Services Page 11
3. 2018 Student Representatives Page 5
6.
Commercial Services Page 13
8. Grant Expenditure in 2018 Page 17
9. Financial Reports Page 18
President’s Report
Arts Fair
Finlay Nolan 50th Guild President
Guild O-Day: Semester 2
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Clubs Carnival
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
In 2018, the Curtin Student Guild continued to assert itself as one of the most successful, bold, and relevant student unions in Australia. Our Guild representatives and staff worked hard to future-proof the Guild, solidify its relationship with the student body, and to advocate strongly for students on a number of fronts. Because it’s important that all students feel safe and comfortable at university we introduced the “Quiet 30” to Orientation Day making the event accessible to students who would benefit from a low sensory environment. We lobbied the university about addressing name and gender changes in its records, and we pioneered a module to educate students about sexual assault and harassment in response to the alarming numbers of university students across the country who reported that they had experienced sexual assault and harassment within the university community. The Guild ran a number of campaigns and took stances on important issues. The “Stop the Trimonster” campaign proved to be one of the most significant campaigns in the Guild’s history. It prevented the implementation of a trimester model at the Bentley campus and engaged approximately 12,000 students. As well, we ran campaigns asking for the date of Australia Day to be changed and a “Bury the Bill” campaign protesting the government’s changes to HELP debts. In the lead-up to the Guild’s 50th birthday in 2019, we took action to ensure that the Guild would still be here to stand up for students on its 100th birthday. We restructured the Guild and introduced new regulations to ensure its efficiency and stability.
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
Most importantly, we continued to engage with the student body and maintain our strong relationship. We helped 1350 students through our Student Assist program, delivered a broad range of events, and supported 129 affiliated clubs; the highest number registered at Curtin. In the academic area, we successfully negotiated with the university to implement a fairer and more lenient late assessment policy, maintain the 50 per cent exam weighting cap, and create firm policy about the number and nature of assessments in units.
Moving forward in 2019. In the Guild’s 50th year, we will affirm our relevance and significance to the student body at Curtin and in the wider student union movement. We will make our voice heard on a national level, while also ensuring that we focus on the day-to-day issues that affect students. 2019 will be our biggest year yet, and I hope that you’ll engage with us along the way.
Finlay Nolan 50th Guild President
Chris Hall and Curtin students Stop the Trimonster Rally
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David Luketina Managing Director
Managing Director’s Report Vice Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry and 2018 Guild President Liam O’Neill at Main Café
Guild branded KeepCups available to purchase at Concept Café
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Main Café staff with a daily special
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
After a year of significant change in 2017, we breathed a collective sigh as we entered 2018 – the year of steady as she goes! However, this was not to be as sales at Guild outlets decreased, the University suddenly announced it was introducing trimesters, and getting new leases in place became slower than an escargatoire of snails travelling through peanut butter. Despite these challenges, I am proud to say that we emerged from 2018 in great shape. Our elected office bearers energetically tackled the introduction of trimesters and gained significant concessions. In addition, we have new leases in place giving the Guild security of tenure to keep providing our core services of representation and advocacy, student engagement, events, club development, student assistance, and discounted food and beverages. The decrease in food and beverage sales is part of a continuing trend due to competition from food vans and reduced spending on campus. We responded by engaging secret shoppers and focus groups and revised our offering (if you haven’t tried one of the $7.50 Main Café lunch specials prepared by our team of chefs you are missing out). To offset the financial impact of the decline in food and beverage sales we reduced staff costs through improved rostering and removing a layer of management. We were successful in getting our SSAF (student services and amenities fee) paid earlier. The final piece in our financial jigsaw
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
was outgoing President Liam O’Neill gaining a payroll tax exemption for the Guild.
improving IT infrastructure, the layout of the Vege Patch outlet, and adding a storage area and kitchenette to Club HQ.
The Financials.
The Guild continued with its strong focus on governance with a risk framework and risk management plan implemented during 2018.
The total comprehensive profit of $250,065 at 31 December 2018 includes the non-cash cost of $1,074,319 for depreciation and amortisation. The key components of the 2018 revenue were $9,624,418 from trading services and $3,620,679 from grants and SSAF. The main costs were $7,315,399 for staffing and $3,344,327 for the cost of sales expenses. Members received discounts of $363,888. Income of $215,138 resulted from the refund of payroll tax for the period July-December 2017 without this, the total comprehensive profit would have been $34,927. The Guild undertook numerous initiatives in 2018. We now have eco-friendly coffee cups, takeaway containers and cutlery sets and have largely eliminated single use plastics. Club HQ was relocated into the old copy centre, we became a Smartrider retailer, launched a new website, set up a new case management system for Student Assist, and put into action an electronic attendance and rostering solution for staff.
As I ref lect on 2018, it is clear that our elected office bearers and staff have worked with one passionate and dedicated focus - creating a fun and vibrant environment for Guild members so that they can enjoy and succeed. Whether this is a coffee served with a smile or assisting a student in need, we are all proud to do our role and excited to be part of the Guild’s 50th year in 2019.
David Luketina Managing Director
The changes made during 2018 mean that Guild spending is consistent with the income available. Overall, the 2019 Operating Budget projects an underlying net profit of $343k. The 2019 Capital Budget includes
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Executive
Pictured above (from left): Adam Parsons - Activities Vice President, Nicola Gulvin - Education Vice President, Liam O’Neill - President, Finlay Nolan - Chair of the Representation Board, Dylan Heywood - General Secretary.
Faculty Representatives
BUSINESS Vishal Thirumalaisami
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SCIENCE & ENGINEERING Hana Arai
HEALTH SCIENCE Jessica Covino
HUMANITIES Finlay Nolan
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
2018 Student Representatives Equity Departments
QUEER OFFICER Chris Hall
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES OFFICER Glen Luff
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS COMMITTEE PRESIDENT Shubhika Lal
INDIGENOUS OFFICER Kearyn Cox
POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS COMMITTEE (PSC) PRESIDENT Romana-Rea Begicevic
WOMEN’S OFFICER Lydia Berhan
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
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FINANCE & RISK COMMITTEE HEALTH & SAFETY ACTIVITIES COMMERCIAL SERVICES LEGAL
COMMITTEES
FIRST YEAR
GUILD EXECUTIVE
DISABILITIES INDIGENOUS WOMEN’S QUEER
REPRESENTATION
POSTGRADUATE INTERNATIONAL FACULTY STUDENT EXPERIENCE STUDENT ASSIST STUDENT ENGAGEMENT HR & SAFETY FINANCE TECHNICAL SERVICES
COMMERCIAL KITCHEN TAVERN & RETAIL FOOD & BEVERAGE
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STUDENT SERVICES
CORPORATE SERVICES
MANAGING DIRECTOR
COMMERCIAL SERVICES
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
The Guild Council is the governing body of the Curtin Student Guild and its powers are set out in Curtin University of Technology Act 1966 Statute No.4 - Student Guild.
GUILD PRESIDENT
GUILD COUNCIL
UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
*Organisational changes took place in 2018, and this diagram reflects the structure at the end of 2018. **Curtin Student Guild is in compliance with the State Records Act 2000.
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
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2018 Curtin Student Guild President Liam O’Neill (left) and Curtin University Vice Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry (right) Signing of the 10 year lease agreement
Education and Representation Activities
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10 Year lease agreement
Changes to Guild Regulations
The signing of a 10 year lease agreement with Curtin University has guaranteed the future of essential student services. The culmination of two years of negotiation, the new lease arrangements provide a footprint for support services, recreation space, food outlets and retail space.
The introduction of two year terms has delivered a balance of experienced and fresh-faced representatives on Guild Council. This change was designed to prevent the loss of institutional knowledge and to enable more effective representation and decision making. Establishing the Representation Board
as a separate body to Guild Council has enabled representatives from different autonomous groups to enjoy in depth collaboration, to have autonomy over the decisions made in the area of representation and allow Guild Council to focus on the policy and governance side of the Guild.
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
Curtin Student Guild representatives and Curtin students Stop the Trimonster Rally
Trimonster Campaign The Guild successfully campaigned against changes to the academic calendar which would have opened the door to the introduction of compulsory trimesters. The proposed changes meant a reduction in the amount of time students had to prepare for examinations and complete assignments; the compression of teaching times that threatened to compromise the quality of a Curtin education as well as added pressure for already stretched academics. The Guild engaged students and negotiated with the University to secure a workable compromise. New students arriving at Guild O-Day “Quiet 30” low sensory period
Changes to the Assessment and Student Progression Manual As a result of lobbying by the Guild’s Faculty Representatives, President and Education Vice President, penalties for late assessment were reduced from 10% to 5% for the first 24 hours, the 50% exam weighting cap was maintained, and a firm policy put in place for the number and nature of assessments allowed in units. Respect module Following the 2017 Human Rights Commission report into sexual harassment and assault at Australian universities, the Guild called on the University to introduce more effective measures to address reports of sexual harassment and assault on campus including appropriate channels for reporting and the investigation of allegations of misconduct. This has resulted in the development of a consent and appropriate behaviour education module for students and staff at Curtin University.
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
Quiet 30 Curtin Student Guild introduced a low sensory “Quiet 30” to Orientation Day making the event accessible to students who experience difficulties with access or heightened sensory environments. Support for changing the date of Australia Day For the second year, the Guild supported growing calls to change the date that our nation celebrates Australia Day. Celebrating what it means to be Australian on 26 January ignores the wounds of history that this date represents for many of Australia’s Indigenous people. Bury the Bill Standing with the National Union of Students (NUS) and the Council of
Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA), the Guild gave voice to the Bury the Bill campaign against Government changes to HELP debts that condemned lower-earning graduates to pay back their student loans sooner and the introduction of a lifetime student loan cap. Student accommodation rent increases The Guild railed against a 15% rent hike for students living on campus accommodation which resulted from the University’s decision to outsource the accommodation to a third party provider. Almost 1200 residents were affected by the decision – the majority of whom were rural, regional and international students with their rents increased by $30 a week.
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Curtin students arrive at Clubs Carnival
Student Services Supporting our Students. The Guild’s independent support service Student Assist increased its casework by 12 per cent in 2018 working with 1350 cases across a range of academic, financial and personal issues. Students benefitted from a range of initiatives including life skills and vocational training courses, a post graduate mentor program, a Tax Help service coordinated with the ATO and the provision of grants and emergency assistance.
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Student Assist Cases. Academic / University Related Issues (84.7%) Personal Issues (2.3%)
Financial Counseling (13%)
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
Grants and Programs. 170 Tax Help Appointments
Grants
Aid & Assistance Programs
Life skills and vocational training:
Childcare Assistance Grant (29%) Hardship Grant (32.3%) PhD Conference Grant (38.7%)
(1100) participants over (55) courses
Emergency Aid (66.2%) Laptop Loan Program (33.8%)
Clubs, Events, and Activities.
EE R F 6%
60,000 Attendees
The highest number of clubs ever registered at Curtin University.
1 CLU29 BS
75
TO TA L
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15 Major Events
1 ST 5,0 UD 00 EN + TS
Events & Activations
Major Guild events ranged from single day to week-long activities. They included: • Semester One and Two Guild Orientation Days achieved record attendance • Yokai & Djeran (Indigenous focused events) • End of Semester One and End of Semester Two Bash • Guild Ball • Arts Fair • Rollerama & Ice-a-rama (free pop up skate rinks) • Pasar Malam multicultural night market was celebrated by 12,500 students and community members
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
The Guild delivered a number of recurring events throughout the year including: • Fortnightly Promenade Markets • Fortnightly Grill The Guild - Free BBQs • Regular Free Wellbeing Breakfasts • G-Music fortnightly free lunchtime live acoustic music sets
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Kirribilli Catering grazing table at International Women’s Day.
Commercial Services In a commitment to reduce the environmental footprint of our commercial activities, the Guild introduced biodegradable products in 2018. We replaced plastic takeaway containers with carbon neutral packages made from sugarcane pulp, a renewable by-product of sugar refining. Plastic cutlery sets were swapped for biodegradable and compostable Forrest Stewardship Council certified Birchwood. Plastic straws were phased out in favour of paper straws and natural materials took the place of cold drink plastics containers.
Kirribilli Catering was once again named a finalist in the Savour Awards for Excellence and for the first time we catered the winter graduations as well as the summer ceremonies.
New Eco-friendly food packaging at Guild outlets.
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CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
Top sellers at a glance. 104,000 fresh, house-made donuts
820,000 shots of espresso drawn to produce 485,490 hot drinks.
101,600 SushiMe items - 290,918 sushi pieces - 45,312 hand rolls
Total hot meals sold (including 13,850 Main Café Daily Specials)
22,700 ol
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2,316
5,100 4,021 t ui fr
as kf ea
Br ui
H py H
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Fr
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Sa
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ts
s ab eb
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11,700
18,494 6,200
35,000
46,000
91,850
Fun Facts.
• Teriyaki chicken is the favourite sushi hand roll • Butter chicken is the favourite Main Café Daily Special • More students prefer Allens Milko Sticks to Allens Redskins at G Mart
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
• Artline Smoove is the most popular pen sold at G Mart • It took 16 people 2 hours each day to pack almost 7,000 gourmet food boxes for Winter graduations
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Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) Expenditure in 2018.
A traditional Indigenous performance during the Welcome Ceremony of Yokai, a celebration of Indigenous culture during the week of Djeran.
The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is used to provide a wide range of services and amenities to students and to support student-focussed initiatives such as sporting and recreational activities, employment and career advice, advocacy and support, financial advice and food services.
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CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
2018 SSAF * CURTIN UNIVERSITY
50%
50% STUDENT ACTIVITIES, ACTIVATION & CLUBS STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
STUDENT ACCESS TO CONVENIENT, QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD & BEVERAGE
12%
STUDENT SUPPORT, TRAINING & EDUCATION
35%
STUDENT REPRESENTATION & ADVOCACY
24%
26%
3%
*SSAF RECEIVED $2,870,679 CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
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A cultural performance during Pasar Malam
Grant Expenditure in 2018. Curtin University provided a grant of $750,000 to Curtin Student Guild with the expenditure as follows:
* *Includes support costs. **Paid to Curtin University.
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CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
Financial Reports. Financial Performance.* 2018 ($)
2017 ($)
9,624,418
10,951,982
Rendering of Services
332,794
286,063
Rental Income
121,378
127,139
9,876
14,346
Revenue Sale of Goods
Finance Income Other Income
4,189,943
4,007,706
14,278,409
15,387,236
Cost of Sales
(3,344,327)
(4,069,940)
Employee Benefits Expense
Expenses
(7,315,399)
(8,799,498)
Distribution Expenses
(642,494)
(965,248)
Marketing Expenses
(753,581)
(1,310,094)
Occupancy Expenses
(1,573,161)
(1,501,137)
(318,526)
(357,181)
(80,856)
(91,103)
(14,028,344)
(17,094,201)
250,065
(1,706,965)
Administrative Expenses Finance Costs
Operating Profit / (Loss) from Operations *The Guild’s financial year is from 1 January to 31 December
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
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Cash Flow Summary. 2018 ($)
2017 ($)
12,822,621
13,468,174
2,870,679
2,823,204
(13,882,470)
(16,677,380)
9,876
14,346
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,820,706
(371,656)
Net cash flows used in investing activities
(156,014)
(746,334)
Net increase / (decrease) in cash held
1,664,692
(1,117,990)
172,764
1,290,754
1,837,456
172,764
Cash flows from operating activities Receipts from students/customers Receipts from SSAF Payments to suppliers and employees Interest received
Cash at beginning of financial year Cash at end of financial year
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CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
Financial Position. 2018 ($)
2017 ($)
Current Assets
2,406,158
2,074,143
Non-Current Assets
2,531,709
3,452,851
4,937,867
5,526,994
(1,662,403)
(2,501,595)
3,275,464
3,025,399
Total Assets Total Liabilities Net Available Assets
Profit / (Loss) from operations has been derived from the following: 2018 ($)
2017 ($)
Administration
(390,015)
(1,941,735)
Representation Services
(189,903)
(876,663)
Student Services
145,893
109,732
Commercial
684,090
1,001,701
Operating Profit / (Loss) from operations
250,065
(1,706,965)
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018
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BUILDING 106F CURTIN UNIVERSITY / KENT STREET WA 6102 WWW.GUILD.CURTIN.EDU.AU / E: hello@guild.curtin.edu.au / P: (08) 9266 2900
CURTIN STUDENT GUILD ANNUAL REPORT 2018