Connect GV Annual Report 2013-2014

SEE

THE

P O S S I B I L I T Y,

NOT

THE

DISABILITY

2013-14 ANNUAL REPORT

www.connectgv.com.au

CONNECTGV STRATEGIC PLAN (2012-2015)

ConnectGV vision of the community: To be fully inclusive

ConnectGV mission: For ConnectGV to continuously develop, coordinate, and strengthen service options which connect people with disabilities to their local community

Values - ConnectGV believes in: • Individuality

Respecting the needs and opinions of individuals

• Accountability Through professional service delivery • Empathy

In the way we relate to participants

• Cooperation

Working effectively together

• Social Justice

And equity for all people

• Integrity

In conducting our service

CONTENTS

Board Members / Attendance......................................1 Board Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Report........2 Disability Services Manager Report..............................5 Occupational Health and Safety & Quality Report........6 Future Directions Manager Report...............................7 Outreach Program Report............................................8 Sharmaine’s visit to Community Radio.........................9 Sponsors & Board of Directors...................................10 ConnectGV Foundation.............................................11 Finance.....................................................................12

2013-14 ANNUAL REPORT

BOARD MEETINGS ATTENDANCE 2013-14

DIRECTORS

POSSIBLE ATTENDANCES

ATTENDED

APOLOGIES

12

12

0

5

4

1

Darren Hall

12

7

5

Janet Gill Kirkman

12

2

10

Barry Kruse

12

2

10

Cam Mangiamelli

12

0

12

Chris Mepham

12

3

9

Rob Oldfield (Appointed 27.11.13)

7

2

5

Russ Parker (Resigned 31.7.13)

1

0

1

Lou Perta

12

2

10

Carolyn Scott

12

5

7

Christine Anderson Jenny Cook (Appointed 26.2.14)

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Barry Kruse Board Chairman

Bruce Giovanetti Board Secretary / CEO

Darren Hall Treasurer

Christine Anderson Director

Jenny Cook Director

Cam Mangiamelli Director

Chris Mepham Director

Rob Oldfield Director

Lou Perta Director

Carolyn Scott Director

2013-14 ANNUAL REPORT

Janet Gill-Kirkman Director

BOARD CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

It is a pleasure that I once again present to you the Annual Report for ConnectGV now in our 60th Year. The year has been an interesting one by anyone’s standards.

There’s been a considerable change in the industry and a lot of uncertainty mainly surrounding the National Disability Insurance Scheme(NDIS).

ConnectGV is moving towards developing systems and procedures to encompass the changes that will occur with the introduction of the NDIS at some stage in the future.

We believe that by prior planning we will be able to set the directions of the organisation for many years to come. As with any business, change is inevitable whether it be the NDIS or whether it be changes in personnel or changes in the way funding is allocated. We are always in a state of change and it is something that the Board is very cognisant of, the Board ensure that when change occurs that we are ready to move with it.

One of the issues that has been of significant concern to the Board and the Supported Employees is the Human Rights Commission decision to make competency requirements of the Business Services Wage Assessment Tool (BSWAT) invalid.

This has created considerable angst within

the industry and also has had an effect on our supported employees which places them in a state of limbo at this point in time. We are currently looking at new wage assessment tools that are available and are approved by Human Rights Commission and Industrial bodies as they are deemed as non-discriminatory in relation to the competency standards that Supported Employees have to meet. We will continue to work towards developing new tools so that wage assessments can once again be commenced with the Supported Employees being paid an appropriate wage.

The legalities of the human rights decision is confusing for many of us within the Industry and we find that the Department of Social Services have taken an approach that the Supported Wage System is the preferred option for the government , this is not the preferred option of the Industry.

The Supported Wage System (SWS) has a minimum wage and if it is introduced to ADE’s such as ConnectGV would have a serious effect on the on-going viability of the programs. It is not something that we wish to have occur. We are talking about 57 Supported Employees gainfully employed throughout our organisation, our main focus is to ensure that these people have on-going employment and satisfactory working conditions.

We will continue to work with Government and NDS to ensure that our 57 Supported Employees continue in their employment and that decisions made by government and others to not adversely impact on them.

On a very positive note our independent living units that were constructed through a fundraising program some 18months ago are fully occupied and are operating effectively. We believe that this is an optimum style of residential accommodation for people who are capable of living with minimal support and the skills that they have developed by living in this environment has greatly assisted their involvement with the community as well as their own sense of achievement in living independently.

The respite units are being utilised far more than what they have been in the past. The partnership we have developed with the Verney Road School has proven to be an excellent arrangement whereby students from the school who have autism are regularly provided with respite in one of the units. Staff from the Verney Road School are employed by ConnectGV to provide this service and it is working extremely well. The demand is increasing on a regular basis which is exactly what we had hoped this respite unit would develop into.

The family respite unit has been used by two families over the past 12 months and has worked very effectively to provide accommodation for families and their sons or daughters with a disability in a new and well equipped facility pending transfer to other forms of full-time accommodation.

The Guys Group out at O’Connors test driving tractors

Wendy Donnan and her family at the presentation of the 2013 Cameron Gray Award

During the year we transferred the ownership of our Good Looking Lawns Program to GAME here in Shepparton.

The reason for this was that our Business was not large enough to financially sustain the number of supported employees that were working in that program and it made

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BOARD CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

sense to transfer the ownership over to Good Looking Lawns who have a larger client base and were able to employ our existing supported employees from the program into worthwhile and meaningful employment.

A number of the supported employees who worked in Good Looking Lawns chose not to move and they have been employed in the Billabong Propagation Nursery and are extremely happy with their decision. Our Billabong Nursery has had a very good year where sales have increased and the overall viability of both the Propagation and Retail sections of the Nursery have improved. We are expecting that this trend will continue into the future. We thank Tracy and her team for their diligence and efforts in improving the business.

During the year the Board felt we needed to increase our public profile more so than what we have had in the past. It was decided to appoint 4 Ambassadors to increase the public profile of ConnectGV. These people were chosen because of their community involvement and also their ability to influence others . We were fortunate that four high profile people from the Shepparton Community were prepared to undertake the role of Ambassadors.

Those who accepted to undertake the role are Chris McPherson who is the Managing Director of the Shepparton Newspapers, Chris’s father Don was one of the group of Community minded people who determined the need for a Disability Service back in 1952 and campaigned and raised funds to establish GV Centre Disabilities in 1954.

Professor Avni Sali a past resident of Shepparton and currently the Founding Head of the Graduate School of Intergrative Medicine, Swinburne University and prior to this appointment Professor Sali was head of the University of Melbourne, Department of Surgery.

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(CONT’D)

Adam Furphy from the famous Furphy family who has had significant community involvement throughout the Shepparton Community and is Managing Director and Chairman of J Furphy & Sons. The Furphy Company has had involvement with ConnectGV for well over 25 years by employing people from ConnectGV in their business.

Kate Palmer another local identity who is CEO of Netball Australia and who has transformed Netball Australia during her term in the role into a vibrant Organisation that has a high public profile. Kate is a Williamson Fellow, a Trustee pf the MCG, an International Netball Federation Director and Chair of the Victorian Institute of Sport.

We are extremely fortunate to have such high calibre people who were prepared to give their time to support ConnectGV .

The Ambassadors have made a number of Community Services TV ads supporting ConnectGV which has increased our profile in the Community.

One of the areas that the Board has been looking at is the existing Day Services Building in Bowehall Street. Parts of the building are 60 years old and although it’s been maintained to quite a reasonable standard from a practical point of view with the changes in programs it’s necessary now to look at how we can redesign the internal layout of the building and how we can add additional space for ever increasing number of clients.

A Facilities Redevelopment Committee has been initiated, comprising of staff and Board Members a number of meetings have been held where suggestions have been made dependant on the needs of the clients in that area. A master plan will be developed and presented to the Board of Directors in the near future looking at how we may improve the facilities both now and into the future.

Bethany Although Bethany has been accessing ConnectGV’s supported employment options for some time, she recently took up the opportunity to move into one of ConnectGV’s many modern and state of the art residential options. Having moved from out of town, where she lived with her family, into a ConnectGV independent living unit in February this year, Bethany is enjoying her independence. Bethany particularly enjoys the close proximately to the CBD, saying “I love that I live so close to the mall!’.

Being a self-confessed shop-a-holic, the independent living units are perfectly positioned close to transport, town and the shops enabling her to head out at her leisure to meet up with friends for some retail therapy! Bethany also enjoys her regular visits home to her family and their visits to her.

During the week she looks forward to working at ConnectGV Business Enterprises, Flower Power flower delivery service, packaging sweets at Billabong Sweets and Treats and within the Mooroopna Primary School canteen.

Bethany also participates in a certificated education program at ConnectGV and volunteers her time assisting with the weekly fishing and swimming programs that are just a couple of the many activities offered as part of Day Options. In her spare time Bethany enjoys hanging out with her friends and also often heads out with the other residents of the independent living units to Aquamoves for a swim.

Over the past few years we have had a priority to ensure that Parents and Family members have been kept up to date with changes within the industry, particularly pertaining to the NDIS. In July of 2013 we had a parent’s family forum where James O’Brien , Executive Officer from National Disability Services came and spoke to families about what has been transpiring in the Barwon Region with the introduction of the NDIS. Again in May 2014 we had James return as well and Steve Doran the CEO of RIAC to give his impressions of what has been occurring in the Barwon Region. At that meeting we gave an assurance to family members that we will continue to update them on a regular basis and will continue to provide support and training for parents to ensure that they have the necessary information and skills when they eventually meet with the NDIA to discuss their family members needs and level of service provision to be provided.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY REVIEW During the year we had a company come in and look at our Information Technology systems and it is fair to say that significant improvements can and should be made in the near future. We have looked at a number of different systems and will continue to look at others to provide a more grounded IT system for the whole organisation to be able to use. This will be an on-going process as IT needs change on a regular basis and we are hopeful that in the near future that we will have a vastly improved IT system so that we can supply timely information to parents and carers, staff and the Board.

As you will note from the front of the Annual Report it is ConnectGV’s 60th year of providing services to people with a disability from the Goulburn Valley region.

As part of the celebrations an Open Day will be held at the Centre with a number of activities being arranged. A committee

of staff representatives has been formed under the leadership of Caroline Young to not only provide a program of activities for the day but also to rejuvenate the garden areas of the organisation.

The Board greatly appreciate the efforts of all staff members associated with this project.

A fundraiser in the 2013/14 financial year was another huge success, an amount of $25,420.50 was raised from the night, with all proceeds going towards the operations of the Autism Respite Unit. We would like to thank at this stage Board Members, Staff and the Community for their support of this fundraiser and particularly like to thank Darren from Prominent Press who once again supplied all of the printing for booklets, brochures etc. that we used throughout the campaign. We would also like to thank the Shepp United Football club for allowing us to use their facility when the Golf Club was unavailable due to a fire within that building.

Throughout the year we have been looking for partnership opportunities from both Community and Disability organisations in the Region. We believe that to be sustainable into the future we need to increase the critical mass of ConnectGV to ensure that we can compete with other providers that may move into the area.

There have been a number of promising discussions with other agencies and we are hopeful that the arrangements put in place will transpire into more longer term arrangements.

During the year another fundraising opportunity appeared and that was with Collins Book sellers who gave us the opportunity to present two book launches one from Ray Martin and another from Roland Perry both were very successful and raised about $1000.00. We thank

Collins Book Sellers in Shepparton and the owners of Collins Booksellers the Sofra family for their support and assistance.

The Board has in past years has had ongoing Governance Training , this year it was conducted by Mr Ignatius Oostermeyer from Workplace Legal who presented an excellent over view of the roles of the Board earlier in this year. Ongoing Board training is a necessity for all Boards, and this is something that ConnectGV has been doing for quite some years.

We would like to welcome Rob Oldfield back to the Board of Directors. Rob has had a 2 years hiatus following his 10 year service on the Board. We welcome back his expertise and we also welcome the appointment of Jenny Cook a parent of one of our new clients who has joined the Board and we welcome and appreciate her advice and knowledge that contributes to the effectiveness of the Board.

In closing I would like to thank many people, our local Politicians, who provide us with support and advice whenever we require it.

I would also like to thank the Government Departments that fund ConnectGV , Department of Human Services and the Department of Social Services, particularly Darren Saunders and Kate McCrae from DHS and John Michie and Adrian Dyke from the Department of Social Services.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Board for their time, and expertise, Senior Management Team, Staff and Volunteers who have contributed so much to the well-being, employment and inclusion of ConnectGV’s clients.

BARRY KRUSE Chairman - Board of Directors BRUCE GIOVANETTI Chief Executive Officer

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DISABILITY SERVICES MANAGER

INDEPENDENT LIVING UNITS Part of the development on the vacant land at 13 -15 Middleton St during 2013 includes a four bedroom facility offering the opportunity for independent life skill development for the four ladies who reside there.

The rooms consist of a bed/sitter with ensuite, kitchenette and outdoor patio.

There is a shared larger kitchen, lounge and laundry. The ladies have developed their meal planning, shopping, cooking and general domestic skills taking care of their own room and the shared areas.

Staff are available for support for four hours per day or extra if needed for individual support for medical appointments.

The model of service has proven to meet the needs of this group in an economical and flexible manner.

FAMILY TRANSITION UNIT This two bedroom unit has so far provided a home to two families.

These have consisted of a mother and daughter combination and a grandmother and grandson. Each pair lived in the unit until circumstances led to changes and requirements for support.

RESPITE UNIT Another two bedroom unit in the same development has been allocated as a respite facility specifically for young people with autism. The age range of recipients so far is from 4 years to early 20’s.

Respite is offered overnight, during the day at the weekend and after school depending on the requirements of the family.

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2013-14 ANNUAL REPORT

The unit is also used by the youth group facilitated by Uniting Care Cutting Edge.

The staff support for respite and maintenance of the facility is possible thanks to the generous support from the community through the annual fund raising event held over the past three years.

NDIS PREPARATION Changes to how support is planned, provided and costed are being implemented in preparation for the new world of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Information sessions have given some insight to the trial in the Barwon region and highs and lows this has caused for people receiving supports.

The identification of support needs will be quite different and more goal focused so it is vital that clients and families are assisted to identify quite clearly what support is needed to enhance their life prior to their initial planning meeting in the new world.

Carolynne Young joined the ConnectGV team in January as Manager Future Directions to work with clients, families and staff in developing processes to ensure that ConnectGV remains competitive as a service provider into the future. Caz’s experience in the field and with DHS is highly valuable in this role.

Thank you to all stakeholders at ConnectGV and community partners, it has been an exciting year of change and everyone has shown commitment to ensuring that the best support possible is being provided.

Janine At the beginning of the year, Verney Road School students in their final year at the school visit the various local adult agencies to view the facilities, activities and the opportunities on offer to them. The parents of these students are then provided the same opportunity later in the year. Based on their individual needs and interests, families then decide which agency to transition to. The transition program commences mid-year and prepares students for the full time change of agency the following year. A number of students choose to take up this opportunity at ConnectGV which sees them selecting activities or employment options to attend one day per week.

Students participate in the one activity for five to six weeks then choose another activity.

Participation in the various activities over the six month period allows them to spend time in most areas of interest to them, resulting in an informed decision about what they would like to do the following year. The other benefits of the transition program include the opportunity to see past students, meet new people and to become familiar with ConnectGV staff and the different routines.

This is also a great opportunity for parents/ caregivers as they too have the opportunity to meet the staff, familiarise themselves with the different processes/routines and importantly to see if their child is happy in the ConnectGV environment and with the options available.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY & QUALITY

The past year has seen further changes in the disability sector which has made it a year of many changes to quality at ConnectGV. These changes will continue, as we move closer to the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. There has been a total review of the National Disability Standards which seen a new set of standards released at the beginning of 2014.

With new standards both Nationally and at State level has led to ConnectGV reviewing all its client policies to ensure that they are the meeting requirements of these standards.

Back in March, ConnectGV was successful in gaining its first certification against the Department of Human Services Standards (DHSS) while maintaining certification against both the National Disability Standards and ISO 9000:2008 Quality Management System.

SharePoint has continued to be effective in providing real time client information for those requiring it. SharePoint is being modified and updated to meet the changing needs of the various parts of the organisation.

The annual review of the Quality Management System demonstrated the effectiveness of the systems in place.

Service Improvement Requests continue to be logged to bring about change within the Quality system. The Supported Employee Representative group identified the need to update the information booklet issued to new supported employees so collectively we developed a new hand book for supported employees.

Once again it gives me great pleasure to report that there has been no serious injuries over the past year which ensures that ConnectGV remains under the industry average for work injuries.

Both Quality and OH&S has seen a considerable amount of changes which all staff have embraced. I would like to thank them for their ongoing support throughout these changes. It has been another successful year in both Quality and OHS&S and I look forward to another exciting year ahead LINDA GLOVER Quality/OH&S Coordinator

CONNECTGV GETS SOCIAL! In continuing with ConnectGV’s philosophy of being forward thinking and embracing new opportunities for the benefit of the ConnectGV community, it has developed its communication through social media, in particular Facebook.

Facebook pages for ConnectGV, Billabong Garden Complex and Billabong Sweets and Treats can now be found and followed. The pages are a valuable source of information, news and events, milestones and client achievements.

They provide the ConnectGV community and customers of the business’s pages with regular and timely information and the opportunity for them to interact and be a part of the conversations. All pages have been very well received and have a good following, if you haven’t done so already please visit the pages and be sure to ‘like’ them so you stay up to date.

We welcome your feedback, if there is something that you would like to see more of on the facebook pages please send a message via Facebook or email reception@connectgv.com.au, att: Kate.

Isiah Having transitioned to ConnectGV whilst in his final year at Verney Road School last year, Isaiah has been regularly accessing Day Options since the beginning of this year. Isaiah has chosen to participate in a variety of activities including gardening, art and craft, woodwork, computers, bowling, sport, Friday movies and the gym program. He has enjoyed the new options available to him since starting at ConnectGV and has made new friends and said “my best friend Sam” also started at ConnectGV this year.

His favourite activity is bowling; each week the group head into town and have some fun at the Ten Pin bowling lanes. Another favourite of Isaiah’s is woodwork, in this program participants have the opportunity to choose what they would like to make, when speaking to him, Isaiah was making himself a CD rack for home. In his spare time, he enjoys watching the footy, a Tigers fan, and helping his Mum with the shopping and jobs around the house.

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FUTURE DIRECTIONS MANAGER

Ten months have passed since I commenced at ConnectGV and I have enjoyed every minute of my time so far. The role of Manager Future Directions provides such diversity and has enabled me to apply many of the skills I have acquired over my years of working in the disability sector.

What does my day look like… Well… It usually starts something like this…. as I make my way to my desk ……“Morning Caz; what are you doing today Caz; do you like my haircut Caz; did you catch up with such and such for me Caz, I’m going here or there tonight Caz, Would you like to pop by for a cuppa after work Caz”.

I truly appreciate this start to my day and I often reflect on what an amazing community we have here at ConnectGV. These mornings ground me and remind me of what the purpose of my role is.

So what has been my role over the past months? I have worked closely with Irene Timm, our Day Options Manager reviewing operations and supporting individual’s to achieve goals set out in their plans. This year has been one of Day Options biggest intakes with 12 new participants transitioning into ConnectGV. A big thank you goes out to our Instructors who have made this as seamless as possible for our existing participants, new participants and their families.

One of our challenges can be developing pathways into the community to enable our participants the opportunity to experience valued inclusion. We have had some great success and formed or further developed our partnerships over the year. A thank you must go out to Everyday Supplies, Woollards and in recent times Marketplace KFC. A major focus for me has been on the NDIS and what this will mean in relation to our service provision and the current systems we have in place. I have attended a number of workshops and Conferences in order to draw on the experiences of other services that have been part of the rollout in Barwon.

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In a nutshell, to be NDIS ready, our business needs to be able to unit cost all components of what we do and our families need to be prepared for the planning phase of the NDIS to ensure their packages are going to meet their son/daughter or person in their care’s needs. These conferences have raised more questions than answers but all in all they have been a great exercise in reevaluating what it is we do and how we do it. Questions create reality!

We know that to play in the NDIS arena we are going to need to invest in systems, invest in training our staff to move into this new world, invest in service development, look at new innovative programs, look at our client outcome framework, and get our families NDIS ready. These are the things we have been plugging along with.

Over the last six months we have invested a considerable amount of time looking at software packages that others across the state are using that have the functionality of rostering group activities, cost analysis of programs as well making links back to each and every individuals own specific roster and funding schedule.

Our aim is to marry up this software package with our accounting systems to reduce duplication and create more seamless flow of data across our settings.

This no mean feat and there is no one software package fits all as we have found. After much deliberation in August of this year we purchased our new SASU software system. This manages information relating to day option services. SASU stores information regarding individual participants (clients), programs, rosters and costing (including funding data).

SASU consists of seven main functions: Participant information; Program; Transport; Absence; Funding/Costing and Reporting. Day Options will be the first phase of SASU implementation and in time we are looking at incorporating functions of Accommodation and Outreach into the system. We are at the stage of data entry. Along with this we are revising

our traditional quoting processes and developing a new service agreement for all of our participants in line with individualised funding and the NDIS. As most will know, the way in which our system has historically operated has been participant to service provider. The New NDIS world will introduce the NDIA as a third party to what has been a client and service provider relationship. Our goal is be prepared in order to narrow our potential points of friction and improve our systems to ensure open lines of communication between all parties. One comment from the Victorian NDS conference that stood out for me, was the mantra “strong views lightly held” in regard to our prototype. To successfully transition we must ebb and flow as new information comes to hand.

Some of the other things that have been occurring over the year have included organising a Parent Forum in relation to the NDIS. This took place in May and we had a good attendance of families who took the time to come along. The 60th anniversary has seen the coming together of ConnectGV staff in preparing for this celebration. The level of commitment from our ConnectGV staff in terms of wanting to inform our local community of what it is we provide, has been inspiring. I have become part of the ConnectGV fundraising committee this year as well as part of the Network of Disability Services (NODS). I have linked our participants into activities organised by Valley Sport and I have spent a lot of my time in planning meetings then following up requests that have arisen from individuals planning meetings.

In recent times my role of Manager Future Directions has taken on a clinical component to support our more complex participant needs. This takes me back to my roots of applied science and the neurobiology of complex trauma.

It has been a busy 10 months but I think a lot has been achieved.

OUTREACH PROGRAM REPORT

OUTREACH PROGRAM The ConnectGV Outreach Program supports a client base that has now extended to twenty-one, both male and female, ranging in age from their teens into their fifties that live either independently or with family members.

Each individual is supported, both in their home environment and within the community, in a dignified and respectful manner to apply strategies enabling them to cope successfully with a variety of different situations that they may encounter in their day to day life. The Outreach Program assists clients with completing daily living tasks as well as hygiene and health issues, also focuses heavily on issues such as drug and alcohol addiction, assistance in judicial matters, parental guidance, mental health issues and social inclusion. This is achieved by networking and accessing appropriate community support services.

The majority of the Outreach clientele display multiple and complex needs.

The objective for these clients is to develop a more effective and coordinated approach. This is achieved by combining several services to support individuals with these needs, so that they can achieve stability in health, housing, social connection and personal safety. The Outreach Program accomplishes this by the establishment

of a ‘Care Team’ that consists of multiple professionals from specific fields to support the needs of the client.

Over the past year, the Outreach Program has been required to source new staff to join the team. These staff have past experience, both locally and internationally, with clients who have vast complex needs.

Their experience has been used to enhance the individualised support we offer to each client based on their needs.

The challenges that have confronted the staffing body are, flexible and adjustable in their approach to managing the different emotional, psychological and cultural needs of the diverse personalities and intellectual disabilities of such a variety of individuals, each with their own specific needs. It is also imperative that the client feels comfortable with the support for personal goals to be reached. It has been obvious by the success of the program that this has been and continues to be achieved.

The Outreach program deals with specific areas of human development required for clients to successfully assimilate into the community and meet personal goals. Below is a list of programs that are implemented to achieve this objective:

Ethan hard at work on the interactive whiteboard

LIFE SKILLS Life Skills deals with areas such as: • Problem Solving • Anger Management • Assertiveness Training • Relaxation • Communication Skills • Human Development and Sexuality • Parental guidance • Law Program • Drug and Alcohol • Conflict Resolution • Social Inclusion • Activities of Daily Living

LOOKING FORWARD To contribute to individual and community wellbeing by increasing opportunities for alienated people to positively engage the community by reducing the impact of any social disadvantage they may face. Striving to find new ways and opportunities that effectively meets the needs of our clients and to provide support to clients where other services cannot. We must also strive to continually adapt to achieve positive outcomes in assisting clients to reach their desired goals.

DANIEL FALLA Outreach Manager

Luke, John & Bruce delivering kindling to the elderly as part of ConnectGV’s Community Participation Project

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SHARMAINE’S VISIT TO COMMUNITY RADIO

98.5 ONE FM Parkside Drive 3 March 2014

Studio 3… One of the studio’s where it all happens

John setting Sharmaine up to experience what it is like to be on air.

Sharmaine listening back to how her voice sounds on radio.

Sharmaine preparing to say something …

This is Jason Welsh. He is the Sales Manager at One FM. I’m going to meet back with him in a month to see if there might be a way I can contribute to community radio.

Scott

John Harbord who has been part of community radio for 25 + years. John showed Sharmaine how the studio works.

All the buttons that have to be pressed to make things come together and explained how timing is very important. John is a volunteer presenter on a Friday morning and helps out at other times as well. He is currently working on Community Radio’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.

Check out the on air light…. It’s on!

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2013-14 ANNUAL REPORT

Good Afternoon…. Its Sharmaine from Connect GV Shepparton I do 5 days a week I’d like to do the radio I do 1 day Flower Power now

Feelings after my meet and greet with One FM: • Nervous • I want to be part of radio • Excited at first time seeing inside a radio station.

SPONSORS AND BOARD COMMITTEE DIRECTORS OF MANAGEMENT OF MANAGEMENT

THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT SUPPORT CONNECTGV Over the past twelve months ConnectGV has received invaluable support. both financial and inkind from a large number of funding bodies and local businesses as follows.

GRANTS OBTAINED Organisation / business Program that support was provided to Community Fund Goulburn Valley Bicycle Program Thanks to DEACA for their ongoing support.

IN-KIND SPONSORS The Adviser Newspaper WIN Television The Bendigo Bank The Shepparton News SN Weekly Willprint Shepparton Goulburn Valley Media Centre PQP Pots AMGROW Glen Irvine Cleaves Garden Supplies Prominent Group

All areas All areas Billabong Sweets & Charity Fundraiser All areas All areas ConnectGV All areas Billabong Garden Complex Billabong Garden Complex Billabong Garden Complex Billabong Garden Complex Printing for Annual Fundraiser

PATHWAYS SUPPORTERS Everyday Supplies Woollards Smash Repairs KFC Marketplace Thank you to our sponsors Please support these sponsors who are assisting ConnectGV to provide a future of opportunities to people with a disability Congratulations to Cody Olsen who was awarded Trainee of the Year at this year’s Apprenticeship Awards.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT COMPANY SECRETARY TREASURER Mrs. Christine Anderson Mrs. Jenny Cook Mrs. Janet Gill-Kirkman Mr. Darren Hall Mr. Cam Mangiamelli Mr. Rob Oldfield Mrs. Carolyn Scott

AUDITORS Stubbs Wallace

LEGAL ADVISOR Camerons Lawyers

LIFE MEMBERS Mr. Barry Kruse Mr. Chris Mepham Mr. Bruce Giovanetti Mr. Lou Perta

Mrs. A. Ballinger Miss F. Cochran Mr. R. Stephens Mr. D. West Mrs. V. Banbrook Mrs. M. McNabb

Mr. G. Carmichael Mr. A. Levett Mrs. D. Walton Mr. B. Kelly Mr. J. Douglass Miss. E. Slender

SUB COMMITTEES FOR 2013-14 FINANCE & AUDIT L. Perta (Chairperson) C. Mepham B. Giovanetti C. Scott B. Kruse D. Hall S. Cloney

FUNDRAISING C. Mangimelli (Chairperson) D. Hall C. Mepham C. Anderson B. Kruse B. Giovanetti D. Comello L. Ross K. Smith

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If you agree to have your name recorded publicly, please print the name you wish to appear in the box below.

I wish to make an annual gift of $

I wish to make a memorial gift over $250.00 Please contact me to discuss inscription details

I wish to leave a bequest in my Will

Jim Carr

By giving to the ConnectGV Foundation you are helping build a fund that will grow each year and support the needs of current and future users with disabilities in the Goulburn Valley.

All gifts are invested to benefit ConnectGV and are fully tax deductable. Each year invested gifts will contribute to the programs and services provided by ConnectGV.

............................................................. Postcode...................

A foundation is a proven fundraising method where gifts are invested and the bulk of the capital is maintained in perpetuity. The interest from the investments is allocated by the Foundation Trustees to meet Connect GV’s needs.

request you, until further notice in writing, to debit my/our bank account the amount of (in words)

HOW CAN YOU HELP

DIRECT DEBIT - PERIODICAL PAYMENT AUTHORITY I/We of...................................................................................

............................................................................................. on the ................................................... day of each month.

Your bank:.............................................................................

Branch Address:.....................................................................

BSB:............................. Account No:........................................

AND CREDIT TO: ConnectGV Foundation Bendigo Bank Account, BSB No: 633-108 Account No: 133753756

Signed:..................................................................................

Date:.....................................................................................

REMEMBER: Donations over $2.00 are tax deductible.

Please make cheques payable to the ConnectGV Foundation Please send this form to: The Chief Executive Officer ConnectGV

PO Box 1666

Shepparton VIC 3632

011 11

Barry Kruse

2013-14 2013-14ANNUAL ANNUALREPORT REPORT

You can demonstrate your caring through a regular donation. After a death of a loved one on the anniversary of their passing, consider a gift to the foundation.

Donating to the foundation through a gift in your Will is generosity that continues long into the future. The care of ConnectGV service users is dependant on the thoughtfullness of today. A bequest is a commitment made now that will not affect your quality of life.

In recognition, all gifts will be recorded in perpetuity. Bequest and memorial gifts will be recognised with an inscribed tribute in a specially bound journal.

FINANCE

The Administration team continue to assist the ConnectGV organisation in the provision of quality care and support to clients and families throughout the financial year. The operating surplus for the financial year ended 30 June 2014 is representative of consistent monitoring of income and expenses, and the ConnectGV Balance Sheet provides appropriate cash reserves and assets sufficient to meet all financial obligations of the organisation.

Despite the strong financial position of ConnectGV, there continue to be significant financial challenges associated with the provision of supported employment. The ConnectGV Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE’s) include the Billabong Garden Complex, GV Sweets and Treats, Flower Power, and the Mooroopna Primary School Canteen operations. These ADEs provide supported employment for individuals living with a disability and operate as part of the broader ConnectGV organisation.

Scott Scott is new to ConnectGV, this year he moved into one of its many modern residential facilities and commenced participating in the various activities on offer within Day Options. Scott enjoys many activities at ConnectGV throughout the week including cycling, music, theatre,

Despite Commonwealth Government financial support, these ADE’s require significant resources to continue as going concerns, and the support staff and clients working in these businesses should be commended on their tireless efforts that ensure the ADEs remain viable.

The Board of Directors are committed to supporting the ConnectGV ADE’s, however it is important these businesses financial position be constantly reviewed, to ensure ConnectGV can maintain a quality and dedicated supported environment to all clients and families of ConnectGV. The Victorian State Government provides significant funding to clients and the organisation. This funding ensures ConnectGV, can continue to provide ongoing quality programs for the clients and families. Additionally this financial support allows ConnectGV to invest in quality residential accommodation.

The Board of Directors understand the importance of supported accommodation to clients and remain committed to continually cultivate these supported residential homes as funding becomes available.

The rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will require significant investment in back of office systems to ensure ConnectGV remains viable in the post NDIS environment.

There are real challenges ahead for the organisation and we have taken small steps in preparation for the new NDIS funding model.

The Administration, finance team and finance committee, would like to thank all internal and external customers, who have the supported the ConnectGV vision of a ‘fully inclusive community.’

THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE TEAM

men’s pamper, computers, cooking, Friday movies and fishing, although the elusive big catch is yet to come!!

When asked what his favourite activity was Scott’s face lit up when I mentioned cycling and although it was a cold and miserable day when I visited Scott, he couldn’t wait to take me outside to show me his bike and take it for a spin down the driveway!

Jean said that Scott had recently been home for a weekend visit and “he was happy to go back to work”, she said, which is a further indication that he is comfortable in his new home and with the new opportunities available to him.

ConnectGV’s residential facilities are spacious and provide a great place for families and friends to visit.

Having lived with his mum, Jean, all of his life, Jean said Scott has transitioned well and is enjoying his new home and the new opportunities available to him.

When she became ill last year, Jean said that Scott was moved between the various respite care options available which was very worrying for her and she said “we couldn’t believe our luck when a full time position become available at ConnectGV”.

When not enjoying the various activities at ConnectGV’s Day Options, Scott looks forward to the regular visits from his Mum and his pet dog Bella.

In his spare time Scott enjoys watching football, being an avid Kangaroos supporter and he and the other residents of the house look forward to heading out on weekends socialising and dancing.

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CONNECTGV CHARITY FUNDRAISER

THANKYOUCharityAuction

TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

This Sea Jay fishing boat and Seadoo will be auctioned on November 18th, at a fundraising dinner event to be held at The Aussie Hotel, Shepparton, as part of the ConnectGV / JG King Charity Home auction.

THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CONNECTGV FOUNDATION GALA DINNER AND GOODS AND SERVICES AUCTION. IT IS THE GENEROSITY OF THESE LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT CREATES GREAT COMMUNITIES. V Nose Nomad Discovery Sports 4.65mt Fishing boat

KEN MUSTON

• 60 hp Mercury 4 Stroke Electric Start Motor with Power Trim • Dunbier Trailer • Humminbird 570 x Fish Finder • Plumbed Live bait Tank • Boat & Trailer Registrations

Shepparton United Football / Netball Club

BACK

fold

FRONT

SEBASTIAN’S restaurant2011 Seadoo GTI SE 155

• 155hp Rotax Engine • Dunbier Trailer • Boat & Trailer Registrations

SHOP 11 HARRIS SCARFE PLAZA MAUDE STREET MALL SHEPPARTON VIC 3630 TELEPHONE 03 5831 4677

All proceeds from the profits of the sale of the fishing boat and Seadoo will be donated to the ConnectGV Foundation to be utilised to build independent living units for local people with a disability.

These units will enable people with a disability to live independently in the community with arrangements that are more appropriate to their individual needs. Residents within these units will still have access to daily outreach support and they will be able to live independently within a community setting that is close to transport, shops and community facilities.

Proudly Supporting

207 Numurkah Rd Shepparton Ph: (03) 5822 2108 www.boatsandmore.com.au

JOHN ANDERSON PHARMACY Boat and More & Connect poster 850 x2200mm.indd 1

Linda G LOVE R

INTERFLORA MEMBER “Deliveries around the corner or around the world”

Shane O’SULLIVAN

Danielle

COMELLO

Please2013-14 support these valuable sponsors who are assisting to provide respite services for local families of children with Autism.

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S E E T H E P O S S I B I L I T Y, N O T T H E D I S A B I L I T Y

www.connectgv.com.au

12 Bowenhall Street, Shepparton VIC 3630 Ph: 03 5821 2466 Fax: 03 5831 5474 info@connectgv.com.au www.connectgv.com.au