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DIRECTORS’ REPORT
The Directors present their report, together with the financial statements, on the company for the year ended 30 June 2021.
Directors
The following persons were directors of the company during the financial year and up to the date of this report, unless otherwise stated: DIRECTORS’ REPORT
Ian Schroen
BAppSc (Medical Radiations), Dip Medical Ultrasound (Vasc), M Medical Ultrasound
Ian’s career to date has been diverse and challenging, centred around ultrasound. Ian first gained a passion for vascular ultrasound during the 1990s and after a number of years in clinical ultrasound, he moved to a corporate role.
Well known for his work at Philips Healthcare, Ian returned to clinical ultrasound and completed the Masters of Medical Ultrasound.
Engaged in clinical ultrasound, research and teaching opportunities and has a passion for all aspects of ultrasound. Ian presents regularly in various forums across a range of clinical and nonclinical topics. He is currently site supervisor and senior sonographer within IMED Victoria.
Special Responsibilities
• President and Board Chair • Chair, Governance Committee • Member, Finance Risk and Audit
Committee
Anthony Wald
B Tech Cardiac, AMS GradDip Mgt GradDip ClinEd
Anthony qualified as a cardiac sonographer in South Africa. Since relocating to Melbourne almost 20 years ago he has spent the majority of his career in public health care. He was the chief cardiac physiologist for MonashHeart from 2004 until 2015, when he moved to his current role as a sonographer educator for the point of care program at Monash Health. He is currently finishing his Masters in Clinical Education with a research topic investigating the experiences of clinicians who undergo training in point of care ultrasound.
Special Responsibilities
• Vice President (appointed 21
November 2020)
Jennifer Alphonse
PhD, Grad.Dip.App.Sc. Medical Ultrasound, B.App.Sc (Medical Radiation Science) Nuclear Medicine, Ass.Dip Nuclear Medicine, AFASA
Jennifer is an accredited medical sonographer, specialising in obstetric and gynaecological (O&G) ultrasound at a tertiary private O&G practice in Sydney. Having completed her PhD in 2015, Jennifer holds an Adjunct Lecturer appointment at UNSW with extensive experience in research and is co-author on 18 scientific publications and is a regular reviewer for multiple local and international journals. In August 2020 Jennifer was appointed as a Senior Lecturer with CQ University having been a casual external marker since 2017. Jennifer has completed her Foundations of Directorship with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Jennifer has been a member of the ASA Board of Directors since 2015, was elected President in February 2017 before stepping down in November 2019.
Special Responsibilities
• Vice President (until 21 November 2020) • Member, Finance Risk and Audit
Committee
Alexandra Bell
(appointed 29 May 2021)
BSc Economics and Accounting with Law Fellow Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales Member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Alexandra is a Chartered Accountant and currently the Deputy Chief Financial Officer of Challenger, a large ASX listed investment manager with assets under management of $100 billion.
Alexandra leads a high performing team of 75 finance professional to deliver high quality reporting and decision support for the business. Alexandra has over 20 years’ experience in financial services with senior finance roles at Westpac, AXA and KPMG. Alexandra is a long-standing mentor of the UNSW Finance graduate programme and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Erika Cavanagh
(resigned 17 October 2020)
M Medical Sonography, GradDipAppSc Medical Ultrasound, GradCert Health Professional Education, BAppSc Medical Radiation Technology (Medical Imaging Technology)
Erika is a staff sonographer at the Mater Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine. Prior to this she was an Advanced Sonographer at Gold Coast University Hospital Maternal Fetal Medicine and was the Chief Sonographer at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney for nine years. Erika has a keen interest in sonographer education and advanced practice, and in 2016 completed a Masters of Sonography. She is currently a PhD candidate at QUT Mater Medical Research Institute.
Erika had been a member of the ASA Board of Directors since 2014 and was the Vice President 2017/18.
Sarah Colley
(resigned 17 October 2020)
Dip Medical Sonography, Cert Nuclear Medicine
Sarah is a general sonographer with extensive experience in the ultrasound industry and also in education and training. She is currently working on a casual basis teaching in emergency at RPAH.
Sarah was involved in the establishment of the postgraduate ultrasound qualification at Sydney University in 1990, where she returned in an Honorary Associate position teaching ultrasound to medical students until 2015. In addition, she has served as the Secretary of the Diploma of Medical Ultrasound Examination Board (1987–1990). Sarah had been a member of the ASA Board of Directors since 2013 and was the ASA’s Vice President in 2014/15.
Special Responsibilities
• Member, Finance Risk and Audit
Committee
Michele Dowling
GradDipAppSc Medical Ultrasound, BAppSc Diagnostic Radiography, Dip Radiography, Therapy
Michele is currently a senior sonographer at a Private Imaging Group in Sydney, having begun her career in London as a radiation therapy radiographer, and then as a diagnostic radiographer in Sydney, Australia.
She has extensive clinical management experience as a group practice Chief Sonographer, managing a large team of sonographers and students across nine locations.
Michele has been a member of the ASA Board of Directors since November 2016.
Special Responsibilities
• Member, Governance Committee
Rona Girdler
(appointed 17 October 2020)
BAppSc (MRT) DiagRad DMU General Ultrasound Dip Share Trading & Investment
Rona is a general sonographer with more than 17 years of experience having worked in the ultrasound field both clinically and administratively, along with experience in corporate finance in the disruptive area of blockchain and the not-for-profit membership sector. Currently focused on developing customer and user experiences utilising human centred design, Rona’s current project is working with a behavioural economist and blockchain strategist within the field of enterprise blockchain solutions. Rona also works as a freelancer to the alternative therapy sector creating strategic engagement opportunities for SME’s and is completing her Graduate Certificate in Customer Success Management at RMIT. Prior to this Rona was the Chief Sonographer at Royal North Shore Hospital (2006-2015) and part time Acting Assistant Chief (2014-2015). During this time, she also served on the ASA NSW committee (2011-2013) and on the ASA convening committee for the Special Interest Group Symposium held in Sydney (2010).
Special Responsibilities
• Interim member, Finance Risk and
Audit Committee
Kelly Griffiths
Australian legal practitioner, LLB Hons, BA, GradDip Intellectual Property Laws
Kelly is a Partner and Deputy Head of the Disputes and Investigations practice of Gadens, a leading Australian law firm. Prior to this role, Kelly was Head of Government Affairs and Policy and Chief Legal Counsel for GSK, one of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical companies, in Australia and New Zealand. Kelly has also formerly worked for top tier law firms and in enforcement at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Kelly advises companies operating in highly regulated industries, with particular expertise in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Kelly has served as a non-executive director on two not-for-profit boards; Youth Empowerment against HIV/Aids Ltd (including as company secretary) and Ranters Theatre Inc.
Kelly was appointed to the ASA Board in 2018.
Special Responsibilities
• Member, Governance Committee
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
Narelle Kennedy
(appointed 17 October 2020)
Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine) Graduate Diploma of Applied Science (Medical Ultrasonography) Bachelor of Applied Science Medical Radiation Technology (conversion) Diploma of Applied Science Medical Radiation Technology (Diagnostic Radiography)
Narelle is a Research Sonographer specialising in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Maternal Fetal Medicine Department at Nepean Hospital and as had over 25 years’ experience working in ultrasound in both private and public sector in both clinical and administrative positions. She completed her Philosophy Doctorate in 2018 completing her original research on obesity in pregnancy. She has extensive experience in research and is a member of the editorial board for Sonography and has reviewed manuscripts for several international journals. She continues her research as an affiliate of the University of Sydney with an honorary position of Research Fellow. Narelle is also a casual academic at Central Queensland University, mentoring and marking into two Sonography research subjects since 2018. In April 2021 she joined the ASA Sonography Policy and Advisory Committee.
Roger Lee
(appointed 17 October 2020)
GradDip in Medical Ultrasound Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging Certificate in Leadership and Management Roger is a Tutor Sonographer with over 10 years of clinical experience in both public and private sectors in Australia and abroad. He has a special interest in MSK imaging with a passion to expand the MSK skillset of general sonographers through presentations at several conferences and workshops.
Special Responsibilities
• Interim member, Finance Risk and
Audit Committee
Stephen Mackintosh
(resigned 17 October 2020)
BAppSc (Medical Radiations), Dip Medical Ultrasound, PG Dip HlthSc (MRI), PG Cert HlthSc (Clinical Research) MHSc
Stephen is a general sonographer and MRI technologist working for Pacific Radiology in Palmerston North, New Zealand. He has particular interests in musculoskeletal imaging and clinical education. Stephen is the first New Zealand member to be appointed as an ASA Director and has strongly supported the ASA’s expansion into New Zealand. In addition, he has been on the convening committees for the Special Interest Group Symposiums held in Wellington (2013) and Queenstown (2016). Stephen had been a member of the ASA Board of Directors since 2014 and was the ASA’s Vice President in 2016/17.
Special Responsibilities
• Member, Finance Risk and Audit
Committee
Silvano Palladino
(resigned 26 March 2021)
BSc (Med Sc), Dip Mgt, MHlthMgt, Fellowship of the Australian Society for Microbiology, Fellowship of the Faculty of Science (Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia), GAICD Silvano is a qualified medical scientist with experience in laboratory medicine and laboratory management. He was previously the Executive Director of PathWest Laboratory and an adjunct associate professor with the University of Western Australia’s Faculty of Medicine. Silvano has a strong interest in the professional and workforce matters affecting the health sector. He has worked with various national professional bodies such as the National Coalition of Public Pathology Providers and the Workforce Advisory Subcommittee of the Pathology Agreement Advisory Committee (PAAC) in promoting those issues to federal and state governments. He is also a Foundation Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia’s Faculty of Science, and was a member of the Faculty’s Foundation Committee. Silvano was appointed to the ASA Board in 2015.
Special Responsibilities
• Chair, Finance Risk and Audit Committee
Julie Toop
Australian Legal Practitioner Notary Public LLB, GradDip Notarial Studies Julie is currently the Lead for the COVID deferral response for Retail Products at ANZ. She has over 14 years experience in the financial services sector, having worked in a variety of both legal and business roles in the Commercial and Retail segments throughout her time at ANZ. Julie has considerable expertise in the health sector, having set up ANZ’s specialised Health segment in Business Bank in 2014.
Julie is a Notary Public and lawyer who has spent many years in private practice, including over 11 at top tier law firm Allens Linklaters. Julie has sat on a number of not for profit boards, and is presently the Chair of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.
Julie was appointed to the ASA Board in 2018.
Special Responsibilities
• Interim Chair, Finance Risk and
Audit Committee • Member, Finance Risk and Audit
Committee The following persons held the position of company secretary during the reporting period:
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
Tanya Tran
Experience: General Manager, Finance & Operations of Australasian Sonographers Association Ltd since January 2020
Principle activities
The purpose of the Australasian Sonographers Association Ltd is to foster a sonography profession that delivers high quality ultrasound with a vision of creating a healthier world through sonographer expertise. The company is a not-forprofit organisation, and is a registered charity working to advance the health of the public and to advance the education for those performing ultrasound. The principal activities of the company during the reporting period included advocating for the profession to become regulated for the health and safety of the public, to increase recognition of sonographers being experts in ultrasound as well as focussing on increasing sonographers’ professional development opportunities and supporting evidence-based research which will help to deliver better health care outcomes. No significant changes in the nature of the entity’s activity occurred during the financial year.
Strategic Intent and Short-term Objectives
A strategic plan was set for the period 2018 - 2020 with a new strategic plan set for 2021-2023 which was developed with four similar strategic objectives to be addressed: • Promote and advocate for the advancement of the sonography profession by positioning the sonographer as the expert and principal provider of diagnostic medical ultrasound, advocating and influencing the transition of the profession to the National Registration and Accreditation
Scheme in Australia for the safety and protection of the public, taking the lead in establishing a sustainable future workforce supply and clinical placement pathways in
Australia and New Zealand so that all patients can have access to sonographer performed ultrasound and ensuring sonographers are part of the conversation involving new and emerging technologies. • Drive the quality and standards of sonography practice by contributing to high quality professional practice through the development of recommendations for sonography, facilitating and promoting evidence-based practice within the profession, supporting and investing in research that assists in progressing and strengthening the profession as well as contributing to safe, appropriate, effective, and equitable care for all people from socially, culturally, and linguistically diverse, and disadvantaged backgrounds. • Facilitate comprehensive skills and professional development opportunities in ultrasound by providing a broad range of opportunities for sonographers to advance their professional knowledge, digital literacy, and careers as well as collaborating with key stakeholders to increase other
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
professions knowledge of ultrasound and advancing the education of those performing ultrasound particularly in less developed communities for improved health outcomes. • Innovate and evolve to deliver organisational sustainability, value, and member support by recognising and reward outstanding achievement in sonography, delivering and communicating practical and tangible value to members throughout their career, digitally transforming to provide members with a personalised, valuable, and useful experience, prioritising membership growth within the sonography profession, locally and internationally as well as actively growing our partnerships with aligned corporate partners that deliver value to members.
Long-term Objectives
The company’s long-term objectives are to continue to operate as the professional association furthering; the sonography profession, the interests of all sonographers and the health outcomes for their patients across Australasia by: • promoting and advocating for the advancement of the sonography profession; • supporting and disseminating research that contributes to the sonography profession’s body of knowledge; • positioning sonographers as the experts and principal providers of diagnostic medical ultrasound; • contributing to the quality and standards of sonography practice by developing recommendations for sonographers and the sonography industry; • engaging with Government and other health care providers to improve the quality and accessibility of sonography
services and the future supply of sonographers in the workforce; • facilitating professional development opportunities through conferences, meetings, workshops and online activities; • offering a broad range of opportunities for sonographers to advance their professional knowledge; • advancing the education of those performing ultrasound and other people involved in sonography, including in less developed communities for improved health outcomes; and • undertaking other actions or activities necessary, incidental or conducive to advance these objects.
Key Performance Measures
Each year Key Performance Indicators are set cross the business based on the strategic intent and the short-term goals of the organisation. Individual performance plans are agreed to by each staff member with clear performance and behavioural targets outlined in July, a half yearly review performed in December and a final appraisal performed at the end of the financial year.
Operating Results
The surplus of the company for the reporting period after provision for income tax and before other comprehensive income was:
2021 $
918,669
2020 $
328,583
Meetings of directors
The number of meetings of the company’s Board of Directors (‘the Board’) and of each Board committee held during the year ended 30 June 2021, and the number of meetings attended by each director were:
Board Finance Committee
Attended Held Attended Held
Jennifer Alphonse 5 6 2 2 Alexandra Bell - -
Erika Cavanagh 2 2 Sarah Colley 2 2 1 1 Michele Dowling 5 6 Rona Girdler 4 4 1 1
Kelly Griffiths 5 6
Narelle Kennedy 4 4 Roger Lee 4 4 1 1 Stephen Mackintosh 2 2 1 1 Silvano Palladino 3 4 1 1
Ian Schroen 6 6 2 2
Julie Toop 6 6 2 2
Anthony Wald 6 6
Held: represents the number of meetings held during the time the director held office or was a member of the relevant committee.
Significant Changes in the State of Affairs
In the opinion of the directors there were no significant changes in the state of affairs of the company that occurred during the financial year under review not otherwise disclosed in this report or the financial statements.
There are no matters or circumstances that have arisen since the end of the financial period that have significantly affected or may significantly affect the operations of the company, the results of those operations or the state of affairs of the company, in future years.
Likely Developments
Likely developments in the operations of the company and the expected results of those operations in future financial years have not been included in this report as the inclusion of such information is likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to the company.
Environmental Regulation
The company is not subject to any significant environmental regulation.
Members’ Guarantee
At the end of the reporting period Australasian Sonographers Association Ltd had 7,182 members. Australasian Sonographers Association Ltd is a company limited by guarantee. In the event of, and for the purpose of winding up of the company, the amount capable of being called up from each member and any person or association who ceased to be a member in the year prior to the winding up, is limited to $20, subject to the provisions of the company’s constitution. At 30 June 2021 the collective liability of members was $144,660 (30 June 2020: $136,360).
Auditor’s independence declaration
A copy of the auditor’s independence declaration as required under section 60-40 of the Australian Charities and Not-forprofits Commission Act 2012 is set out on page 41. This report is made in accordance with a resolution of directors, pursuant to section 298(2)(a) of the Corporations Act 2001.
On behalf of the directors
Ian Schroen Director
11 September 2021 Melbourne
Auditor’s independence declaration
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION
In accordance with the requirements of section 60-40 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012, I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, during the year ended 30 June 2021 there have been:
(i) no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the Australian Charities and
Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 in relation to the audit; and
(ii) no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.
DFK Kidsons Partnership
Robert Wernli Partner Melbourne 11 September 2021
