2021–22
ANNUAL REPORT
CONTENTS VISION, PURPOSE AND STRATEGIC INTENT 3 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 4 CEO’S REPORT 6 FINANCE RISK AND AUDIT CHAIR’S REPORT 8 PROMOTING THE PROFESSION 10 ADVOCATING FOR THE PROFESSION 12 DRIVING QUALITY AND STANDARDS 14 FACILITATING AND PROMOTING EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE WITHIN THE PROFESSION 18 FACILITATING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES 20 DELIVERING MEMBER VALUE & SUPPORT 24 NURTURING A GREAT ORGANISATION TO BELONG TO 26 RECOGNISING AND REWARDING OUTSTANDING SONOGRAPHERS 28 DIRECTORS’ REPORT 34 FINANCIALS 44 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 49
The ASA Strategic Intent 2021–2023 sets the direction and priorities for the association. The ASA is committed to fostering a sonography profession that delivers high quality ultrasound by promoting and advocating for the advancement of the sonography profession; driving the quality and standards of sonography practice; facilitating comprehensive skills and professional development opportunities in ultrasound; innovating and evolving to deliver organisational excellence, sustainability and value for members; as well as nurturing a great organisation to belong to.
OUR VISION
A HEALTHIER WORLD THROUGH SONOGRAPHER EXPERTISE
OUR PURPOSE
FOSTERING A SONOGRAPHY PROFESSION THAT DELIVERS HIGH QUALITY ULTRASOUND
VISION, PURPOSE AND STRATEGIC INTENT
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 | 3
It
is my privilege to present the Australasian Sonographers Association Annual Report for 2021–2022, as we end another challenging year. COVID-19 continues to place such disruption on all our lives. Yet I continue to be impressed by the commitment of sonographers to patient care and clinical excellence despite the many challenges.
I am immensely proud of the actions and efforts of all the ASA office team, led by our CEO Jodie Long, given the ongoing challenges of hybrid meetings, COVID-19 restrictions, as well as their own changing work conditions and restrictions such as working from home. Again, this financial year has required significant focus on the association’s planning and management of events to ensure financial stability. A huge thanks and congratulations to Jodie, the office team, and the ASA Board of Directors for this focus.
The financial report identifies the commitment to financial responsibility and oversight throughout the management team and the Board. Excepting the poor performance of the investment portfolio due to global forces, the ASA has performed exceedingly well while investing back to the membership and meeting our strategic aims throughout the year.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Promote and advocate for the advancement of the sonography profession
Jodie and the Policy Team continue to pursue our significant agenda of sonographer regulation with the ongoing and direct engagement of the Federal Health Department and Chief Allied Health Officers. These essential steps continue the development of a thoroughly critiqued proposition to be presented to the State Health Ministers.
In October 2021, the office team launched a consumer website enabling consumers to easily find information on ultrasound imaging, as well as details on the role and skills of sonographers.
Drive the quality and standards of sonography practice
Accomplishing a number of significant achievements in a range of portfolios, the ASA has built on the past strength of our member resources. Thank you to the many members involved in this work across a range of committees, such as the Sonographer Policy and Advocacy Committee and the Research SIG Committee. Thank you as well to Dr Kerry Thoirs, our Sonography journal editor, for the commitment to our flagship journal. These achievements include: n delivering a new ASA Code of Conduct n developing and publishing new position statements and clinical statements revisions
n awarding Research Grant 2021 – Jacqueline Roots (Host organisation: Queensland University of Technology) ‘Shear Wave Elastography to assess the change in stiffness of muscles in the acute stage post-stroke’
4 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22
Ian Schroen, President, ASA
n growing Sonography – Submissions to Sonography
showed a solid increase of 41.7% compared with last year. There were more than 110,000 downloads of articles from Sonography in 2021.
Facilitate comprehensive skills and professional development opportunities in ultrasound
You would have recognised how difficult planning and holding face-to-face events became over the past year due to the ongoing concerns of COVID-19. Therefore, we made the decision in August 2021 to cancel our face-to-face events and focus solely on the conference to be held in Melbourne in May 2022. This proved an outstanding decision with our largest conference ever of 2000 attendees split between online and in person. The 28th ASA Annual International Conference was a fantastic education event, demonstrating the engagement and enthusiasm of sonographers in our profession. At the conference, we were able to publicly recognise 10 Awards of Excellence winners, along with five ASA Fellows and award Michelle Fenech the Pru Pratten Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award.
Additionally, our CPD team introduced further innovative methods for diverse online learning via interactive modules and ongoing podcast episodes. The past investment in our new website and fully integrated learning management system proved invaluable to our members with over 35,000 ASA online CPD points issued throughout the year.
The ASA Board agreed to continue to extend our support for Radiology Across Borders (RAB) as a major partner. This partnership advances ultrasound education across less developed communities for improved health outcomes. This important commitment allows our members to make a significant contribution to global health.
Innovate and evolve to deliver organisational excellence, sustainability, and value for members
As indicated within the financial report, our commitment to member value is clear, and as we have grown our membership to over 7000 members, we have added to our member services and education team.
There has been significant value for members offered across many areas over the past year. In addition, the Board has approved the investment into research on examination times. This is a consistent question among sonographers on ultrasound examination scheduling. This project will review examination scan times along with ‘Do ultrasound examination times correlate with quality outcomes?’ Work is expected to commence in November 2022 and be completed by late 2023.
Nurture a great organisation to belong to
In our strategic planning meeting earlier in the year, the Board identified a gap in our strategic focus. We have added a new pillar – Nurture a great organisation to belong to. This is probably one of the most important aspects of the association for all members – our staff.
This pillar guides the Board and the organisation on the importance of our people and culture. It targets our employee health and wellbeing, and an inclusive, diverse, and caring culture. It is transparent to everyone and an important part of our values and what we aspire to as an organisation. As part of this pillar, the Board has added a new subcommittee to focus on people matters across our office team and Board Directors.
The ASA Board underwent significant change with the resignations of Dr Jennifer Alphonse and Rona Girdler as Board Directors. On behalf of all members, I would like to thank Jennifer and Rona for their dedication, wisdom, and investment of time into the Board and the governance of the association. Our Board and association are in a better position following your work.
To fill these vacancies, the Board undertook an expression of interest from members, and I would also like to acknowledge and thank Brooke Osbourne and Kosta Hellsmann, who have been casual Board Directors during the past year. They have both made a positive impact in a short time.
I would like to thank the ASA Board for their ongoing commitment to our strategy, for their expertise and skills, and for their integrity in leading the ASA forward in these challenging times.
Thank you to Jodie Long, who continues to provide the leadership, vision and management of our organisation and who worked tirelessly throughout the difficult past year, along with the entire office team.
I look forward to the continued growth of the ASA. Thank you to all our sonographer members for your dedication to our profession and the association.
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 | 5 PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Ian Schroen President, Australasian Sonographers Association
... our commitment to member value is clear, and as we have grown our membership to over 7000 members, we have added to our member services and education team
Jodie Long, CEO, ASA
Inlast year’s annual report, I spoke of the extraordinary resilience of the sonography profession, as well as the ASA staff and Board of Directors, and I have seen this continue over the last year in more trying times.
The ASA spent much of this year centred on nurturing a great organisation to belong to by taking care of its people and focusing on the health and wellbeing of its members, its employees, and volunteers. This year can be summed up in a message we received from a member. ‘The organisation continued to invest and reach out to its members to support them and reassure them. There’s an increased sense of belongingness when an organisation supports its team members as a family.’
Throughout the year we recognised and thanked sonographers for their outstanding hard work, dedication, and personal sacrifices in continuing to provide high quality ultrasounds for patients during very difficult and unrelenting times. This resonated with a large number of people, as our highest engaged social media post was, ‘We see you behind the mask’, posted in January when the Omicron wave was peaking, where we informed sonographers and the public that we recognised and understood the challenges and struggles they were facing.
As the wellbeing of sonographers is important to the ASA, we engaged a market research agency to survey sonographers on their workplace health and safety issues. The report
CEO’S REPORT
investigated sonographer workflow and their experiences with reporting of physical pain; aspects that impact on mental health and burnout (including discrimination and harassment); and the support systems that are in place. The report highlighted that 82% had experienced some form of sonographer-related pain in the last 12 months and suggested that there may be a high proportion of the workforce who are either experiencing burnout or potentially vulnerable to it, which is why the ASA will continue to invest in providing support in these areas.
The ASA also financially supported important research examining the impact of COVID-19 on sonographers, measuring the changes in scan numbers and sonographer work hours, changes to sonographic examination protocols and access to personal protective equipment, as well as sonographer professional, personal, and social wellbeing. Three articles from this research project have been published and were recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) with their inclusion in the Coronavirus Disease Database on the WHO website.
We faced uncertain times, having to constantly change or postpone our events and, as cancellation fatigue set in for the ASA team and our speakers, we made the decision in August 2021 to cancel most of our face-to-face events and focus solely on the conference to be held in May 2022, creating some certainty for everyone. While we couldn’t support sonographers in person, we moved to running a series of ‘Wellness Wednesdays’ webinars on resilience, motivation and how to take care of yourselves. In addition, we did hold several online events to support sonographer and student learning throughout the year. These events included a Cardiac Seminar, the introduction of
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a new Fundamental Ultrasound Seminar tailored for students and recent graduates, and a Trivia Night for Australasian Sonographers Day.
Self-directed online learning was again in high demand with over 34,000 online activities undertaken, which saw a 70% increase from the previous year. However, at the end of 2021, many sonographers were fatigued with webinars and online presentations. As such, we diversified our content by offering learning in bite-size pieces designed with the busy sonographer in mind. We introduced podcasts covering a range of topics beyond just scanning, as well as online learning modules that included activity components designed for an immersive and engaging experience across many different clinical areas.
Despite the continual challenges of running face-to-face events, we hosted the biggest and most successful ASA Annual International Conference to date in Melbourne, with 2000 attendees. The conference boasted 10 rooms running concurrently, with both lecture presentations and live scanning workshops spanning three days. We made the decision to run a fully hybrid experience so we could support the learning and development of those who could not attend due to restrictions, and through our outreach program partner Radiology Across Borders, we offered free online conference registration for health professionals in Tier Four countries.
The highlight of the conference was having so many people together again, networking, socialising, and interacting with each other. For the first time, the ASA honoured all award recipients at the Gala Dinner to celebrate the achievements of the standout sonographers for the year. With over 700 people in the room, and others online, it was truly an amazing night shining a light on those who go above and beyond in creating better healthcare outcomes.
At the ASA, we are driven by creating a healthier world through sonographer expertise, and as such we invested in supporting the community by launching the consumer website ultrasound. org.au where members of the public have access to easyto-understand, accurate information on what to expect from a scan performed by a sonographer, as well as the role of a sonographer.
We also worked tirelessly to create a finalised submission for sonographers to become regulated in Australia to ensure there are nationally consistent standards of practice and nationally consistent safeguards to assure patient safety and care. Having the finalised submission to present to Health Ministers is the first step towards achieving this.
We commissioned a new sonographer code of conduct, which underpins the practice of all sonographers in Australia and New Zealand, sets the benchmark for sonographer professional standards, and informs the community on what to expect from sonographers.
It is important that we not only drive the quality and standards across Australasia, but that we also advance the education of those performing ultrasound in less developed communities to improve their health outcomes.
This year, the ASA extended its major partnership with RAB, aiding and advancing education on ultrasound across the world. With border restrictions still in place, we worked with RAB to deliver content online, which has enabled us to reach many more health professionals across the world. The ASA extended free overseas membership to health professionals attending these events from Tier Four countries.
Being inclusive is extremely important, and this year, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement was added to our scientific journal Sonography to engage a diverse group of authors, readers, reviewers, and editorial board members. The past year has seen the journal increase by 42% in articles published.
As an organisation, we continue to transform digitally. The website continues to be a great source of information with close to 900,000 page views, which is a 15% increase in activity. We also relaunched the ASA App with additional features, providing members with the ability to receive the latest news, register for events and have access to ASA online, at their fingertips, anywhere, anytime.
Volunteers are the backbone of the organisation and without them the ASA could not provide this level of support. I would like to thank the Board of Directors for their hard work, dedication and support, as well as those who give up their time to serve on our committees. The ASA could not achieve all that it does without you.
Our corporate partners have continued to support us by working and adapting with us throughout the year as we navigated the changes and uncertainty together, and for this I am very grateful.
While enduring another year of lockdowns, working from home, being isolated from each other, constantly dealing with change and uncertainty, the ASA staff still achieved so much. I am immensely proud of the ASA staff and and how they have worked together and supported each other over the year, and I cannot thank them enough for their contribution and for always going above and beyond.
As we move now into a new year, we move into a new era of hybrid living where we find ourselves navigating to find a balance with combining online and face-to-face interaction. I am excited to be moving into this next chapter, where the ASA will continue to look to providing diverse content in new and innovative ways, with a combination of face-to-face and online activities.
With our dedicated volunteers, especially our Board of Directors, corporate partners and staff, the ASA is well placed to continue to create a healthier world through sonographer expertise.
Jodie Long CEO, Australasian Sonographers Association
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 | 7 CEO’S REPORT
‘The organisation continued to invest and reach out to its members to support them and reassure them. There’s an increased sense of belongingness when an organisation supports its team members as a family.’
The ASA delivered an operating surplus before investment movements of $71,603 for the year ended 30 June 2022. Poor investment performance, in line with challenging market conditions, reduced the net result for the year to a deficit of $108,904.
Many people have contributed to this solid operational result, including our members, corporate partners, the ASA staff and my fellow directors, and I thank everyone for their ongoing support.
Significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic persisted during the year. The unpredictable conditions required the ASA to continue to change and cancel events. The cornerstone annual conference in May 2022 was successfully delivered in a hybrid format for the second year running with the largest number of registrations to date (2000 in person and online delegates).
Revenue
The ASA’s revenue in 2022 was $4.4m, a decrease of 4.6% on the 2021 financial year. The variance was largely driven by lower event revenue (down 13.9%), as there were two conferences in 2021. Other contributing factors were the 1.7% decrease in membership fees earned due to the freezing of membership fees and a reduction in insurance premiums, as well as the cessation of the government cash boost stimulus, which was received in 2021 but not repeated in 2022.
FINANCE RISK AND AUDIT REPORT
Expenses
The ASA makes all expense decisions with the best interests of members in mind.
Expenses overall were up 14.4% on the previous year, largely due to costs associated with additional staff employed to better serve the organisation and our membership (including a new professional development manager, a new member services officer, and a new digital marketing coordinator).
The ASA also invested in new content and for it to be delivered in more diverse ways to our membership. This included a robust work health safety survey, with the results included in a special edition of Soundeffects news online magazine, a series of Wellness Wednesdays webinars for five weeks on topics such as resilience and mental support, the launching of a consumer website, the introduction of online learning modules, podcasts, relaunching of the ASA App, finalising the sonographer regulation submission, releasing the revised code of conduct for sonographers, as well as a number of revised clinical statements and position statements.
The association also extended our RAB major partnership and continued to allocate funds to the Sonographer Awareness Campaign, which promotes the expertise of sonographers to the public.
8 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22
Alexandra
Bell, Finance Risk and Audit Committee Chair, ASA
Investment performance
The 2022 financial year was a volatile one for investment markets with interest rates at all-time lows, making the generation of returns on investments particularly challenging. The ASA sought investment advice to reposition its portfolio out of direct share holdings into a diversified portfolio of managed funds to better safeguard these funds for member benefits. Unrealised fair value losses in the year were $297,039, which was the primary driver of the total investment loss result for the year of $180,507.
Assets and cash reserves
The ASA finished the year in a strong financial position with net assets of $3.0 million as at 30 June 2022. Following an International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) ruling in 2021, the capitalisation of software as a service (SaaS) intangible assets has been reassessed. This resulted in costs associated with the membership software systems being expenses in 2022 and the impact on 2021 being restated.
The ASA delivers valued services to members in a way which is sustainable through periods of uncertainty and change; it is financially set up to be able to continue to do this for many years into the future.
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 9
Alexandra Bell Director and Finance Risk and Audit Committee Chair Australasian Sonographers Association
Many people have contributed to this solid operational result, including our members, corporate partners, the ASA staff and my fellow directors, and I thank everyone for their ongoing support.
PROMOTING OF THE PROFESSION
Public
they do
knowledge and understanding of sonographers and what
is low. One of our aims at the ASA is to increase public awareness that sonographers are experts in ultrasound. The ASA continued its promotion of the profession in 2021–22 through social media and the launch of a new consumer website – ultrasound.org.au #proudtobeasonographer #supportingsonographers
Consumer Website
In 2021–22, the ASA launched its consumer website –ultrasound.org.au – specifically designed for the public audience. The website’s objective is for the public to have easy access to accurate information from a reputable source about what to expect from a specific scan, as well as what a sonographer is and what they do. The website formed a part of the Sonographer Awareness Campaign that ran for one week in October on social media, increasing public awareness of the sonography profession.
Social Media
In 2021–22, the ASA increased engagement on all social media platforms, building followers through social ‘stories’, highlighting exceptional sonographers, promoting events and thanking frontline sonographers for all the hard work they do through the pandemic. This enables the ASA to reach a broader public audience and increase public awareness of sonography.
Our social media audience engaged the most with posts that shone a light on the hard work, dedication and achievements of sonographers.
We See You Behind the Mask
COVID-19 severely impacted sonographers who are on the frontline. In January 2021, the Omicron variant caused a surge in cases causing governments and hospitals to react with a rare Code Brown alert. This alert brought many challenges for sonographers including cancellation of leave and being placed on standby. We used this post to let sonographers and the public know that we recognised and understood the challenges and struggles they were facing.
Conference International Speakers
The ASA’s Annual International Conference created a lot of buzz in early 2022, with the announcement of 18 international presenters. The conference is the largest gathering of sonographers in the southern hemisphere, and attracts speakers leading research, scientific advancements and technology from around the world. This post with exceptional expert speakers created a high level of engagement across all channels.
Awards and Recognition
Announcing Michelle Fenech as the 2022 Pru Pratten Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award recipient was naturally one of the biggest posts of the year. Michelle, along with our Awards of Excellence recipients and Fellows, are the shining lights of our profession who go above and beyond to deliver high quality care to patients.
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 | 11 PROMOTION OF THE PROFESSION
SONOGRAPHER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN OVER 1,500,000 IMPRESSIONS 3,000 NEW USERS to ultrasound.org.au over the one-week campaign SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT INCREASED BY 28% SOCIAL MEDIA INCREASE IN FOLLOWERS: LINKED IN 20% INCREASE IN FOLLOWERS FACEBOOK 21% INCREASE IN FOLLOWERS INSTAGRAM 33% INCREASE IN FOLLOWERS TWITTER 10% INCREASE IN FOLLOWERS
ADVOCATING FOR THE PROFESSION
The ASA is the trusted voice of sonographers advocating on behalf of the profession to highlight issues affecting sonographers and the public. These issues include increasing public safety through pursuing the regulation of Australian sonographers, ensuring the general public have timely access to high quality ultrasound performed by expert sonographers, including enforceable standards of practice and a sustainable workforce. The ASA met with government representatives, health and regulatory agencies and key stakeholders to raise awareness and advocate on these issues throughout the year.
Through finalising a submission for regulation in Australia
In 2021–22, the ASA continued its work for the profession to be added to the National Regulation and Accreditation Scheme in Australia for the safety and protection of the public. Throughout the year, the ASA team worked with government health departments, incorporating their feedback to finalise the submission against the six criteria used for assessing additional professions for inclusion in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS). The next step will be for the submission to be accepted to go on the agenda of the Health Ministers Meeting with a request for agreement that it be referred to the Health Chief Executives Forum (HCEF) for preliminary assessment.
Engagement
With COVID-19 an ongoing issue of concern for industry heads and health officials, the ASA was still able to participate in a total of 15 meetings to highlight and discuss issues facing sonographers.
THE ASA PARTICIPATED IN 15
STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS
THE ASA PARTICIPATED IN 6 INDUSTRY CONSULTATIONS
THE ASA PROVIDED
SUBMISSIONS TO GOVERNMENT
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 | 13 ADVOCATING FOR THE PROFESSION
5
DRIVING QUALITY AND STANDARDS
The ASA is committed to advancing the quality and standards of sonography. We achieve this by supporting and investing in clinical research, undertaking studies on the state of the profession, as well as supporting evidence-based research published in the ASA’s scientific journal Sonography. The ASA also sets the benchmark for sonographer professional standards through its Sonographer Code of Conduct and its production and endorsement of statements and guidelines.
Supporting and Investing in Research
The ASA has supported and invested in research that assists in progressing and strengthening the profession through:
Research Grants
Through the annual ASA Research Grant, funding of AU$30,000 is available to support one or more research projects each year. This grant encourages and supports sonographers to undertake new quality research that will lead to publications and contribute to the evidence-based practice of sonography. In 2021, the ASA funded one research grant to the value of $30,000.
The Research Grant Recipient 2021: Jacqueline Roots (Queensland University of Technology) Shear Wave Elastography to assess the change in stiffness of muscles in the acute stage post-stroke
AND
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Australasian Sonographic Community
The ASA has financially supported important research on examining the impact of COVID-19 on sonographers, conducted by the University of South Australia (UniSA). Researchers have surveyed Australasian sonographers at four different time points during the pandemic to measure the changes in scan numbers and sonographer work hours, changes to sonographic examination protocols, and access to personal protective equipment, as well as sonographer professional, personal and social wellbeing.
Australasian sonographers and Sonography journal were recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in June when the COVID-19 Global Literature on Coronavirus Disease Database included the UniSA’s initial research findings in three parts.
The initial findings from Survey One (parts two and three) were published in Sonography journal in July. Survey Two results were presented in a webinar by Dr Jessie Childs and hosted on the ASA website. Dr Childs presented the findings from Survey Three at the ASA’s Annual International Conference in May. The findings of the final survey on the Omicron outbreak are yet to be reported and published with the survey finishing in July 2022.
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 15 DRIVE QUALITY
STANDARDS
Australasian sonographers and journal Sonography were recognised by the World Health Organisation in June.
Sonographer Code of Conduct
Sonographer Code of Conduct
In 2021–22, the ASA commissioned a new Sonographer Code of Conduct for the profession. The Sonographer Code of Conduct underpins the practice of all sonographers in Australia and New Zealand and sets the benchmark for sonographer professional standards. It establishes the required standards of professional conduct, ethics and other principles for safe and effective practice by sonographers. It also outlines the standards of sonographer professional conduct to inform the community about what to expect from sonographers.
The ASA distributed the new Sonographer Code of Conduct to health departments across Australia and New Zealand to broaden the recognition of the standards of the sonography profession.
Sonographer Work Health and Safety
In late 2021, the ASA reported the results of the Work Health and Safety survey published in the September issue of Soundeffects news. Work health and safety (WHS) is an extremely important issue for ASA members because sonographers deal with a variety of physical and emotional pressures as a part of their everyday practice. The report highlighted that four in five sonographers (82%) had experienced some form of sonographer-related pain in the last 12 months and that many sonographers were uncomfortable raising WHS issues. The results suggested that there may be a high proportion of the workforce who are either experiencing burnout or potentially vulnerable to it.
Making Waves
Making Waves is a publication that provides a review of the most current sonography research worldwide. Research is reviewed by a member of our Special Interest Group Committees and presents findings and clinical applications in a more accessible format. In 2021–22, the ASA moved to hosting Making Waves on the digital platform Issuu in January, which made the publication easier to read, as well as providing busy sonographers with how long each article would take to read.
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Work Health& Safety SEPTEMBER 2021 soundeffects news ASA
Date of issue: Effective from March 2022. Last reviewed: May 2022. Level 2, 93-95 Queen Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 T: +61 3 9552 0000 www.sonographers.org May 2022 Making waves IN SONOGRAPHY RESEARCH
Developing Recommendations for Sonography
The ASA produced five important resources this year, building upon our work to advocate for the profession and to provide clinical guidance and standards for sonography issues. The ASA produces position statements to provide members and the public with the association’s view on topics and issues relevant to sonographers and sonography practice. ASA clinical statements form a vital part of the association’s dedication to promoting best practice in medical sonography.
Position Statements
n Sex determination by ultrasound
n Student sonographers paying
n Mitigating
Clinical Statements
n Disinfection
n
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 17 DRIVE QUALITY AND STANDARDS
in the first trimester
for clinical training placements
sonographer distractions in obstetric ultrasounds
of intracavity ultrasound transducers
Early pregnancy loss
The ASA produced five important resources this year, building upon our work to advocate for the profession and to provide clinical guidance and standards for sonography.
FACILITATING AND PROMOTING EVIDENCEBASED PRACTICE WITHIN THE PROFESSION
It is important for the ASA to continually improve and enhance the quality standards of ultrasound. We promote sonographic excellence through the publication of articles in our scientific journal Sonography to improve clinical sonographic/ultrasound practice, test new equipment/techniques and promote best sonographic/ultrasound practice within healthcare.
Sonography Journal
Sonography is the ASA’s international peer reviewed journal and seeks articles and manuscript submissions on all areas of diagnostic medical sonography from authors around the world. This year, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement was added to our scientific journal to engage a diverse group of authors, readers, reviewers and editorial board members.
41.7%
Abstracts
In 2021–22, the ASA received 73 abstracts for inclusion in the 28th Annual International Conference. Sixty-six were accepted for inclusion as part of the conference program –our highest number ever.
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 19 FACILITATE AND PROMOTE EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE
INCREASE IN SUBMISSIONS 42% INCREASE IN ARTICLES PUBLISHED TOP COUNTRIES READING SONOGRAPHY: USA 30% • CANADA 21 % AUSTRALIA 20 % UK 9 % • INDIA 8 % OVER 110 K DOWNLOADS SECOND HIGHEST IN THE JOURNAL’S HISTORY 66 ABSTRACTS
FACILITATING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The ASA continues to provide members with the largest selection of sonographer CPD opportunities in Australasia. With lockdowns, restrictions, the stress of COVID-19, and cancellation fatigue still impacting the way we delivered events, the ASA postponed all faceto-face events except the conference to next financial year. High quality CPD activities were added, including an online wellness series, which opened an opportunity to offer members something different and focus on mental health. ‘Wellness Wednesdays’ was born, a live seminar series covering themes of resilience, motivation and self-care from some of the top public speakers in the country.
ASA offers a broad range of opportunities for sonographers to advance their professional knowledge
28th Annual International Conference –ASA2022 Melbourne
In May 2022, the ASA hosted the biggest and most successful Annual International Conference to date in Melbourne. The conference boasted 10 rooms running concurrently with both lecture presentations and live scanning workshops spanning three days. On Saturday, the conference hosted a dedicated ‘Cardiac Day’, a program focused on cardiac presentations and live scanning.
Delegates had the opportunity to attend the conference online, with all lecture presentations live-streamed and available to all delegates for three months after the conference.
A special thank you to Guild Insurance for supporting five sonographers to attend the annual conference from rural and remote areas, including those affected by the floods – covering their flights, accommodation and conference registration to increase their knowledge to take back to their communities.
ASA2022 Conference Feedback
You are helping sonographers in more dire situations and circumstances is very kind. Just had to let you know.’
I am always amazed at the information gained from attending the conference. I was so pleased with the calibre of the presenters, their interesting topics and quality images.
ASA continues to be the best in providing sonographers with exceptional learning experiences.
ASA2022 was excellent! All-round, terrific presentations and speakers with highly informative and valuable content.
It was my first ASA, so seeing the enthusiasm for the profession (in the form of new research, new techniques) from all the delegates really excites me for the future of sonography.
The conference itself was an amazing learning opportunity. I particularly enjoyed the scanning workshops. As well as learning some new things, I was also reassured that my practice was similar to what was being presented.
The trade exhibition and social events were fantastic opportunities to meet other sonographers.
7
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS 18
SPEAKERS 338
PRESENTATIONS 85
WORKSHOP SESSIONS 471,000
VIRTUAL HOURS VIEWED
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 21 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2000 ATTENDEES
NATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
TOTAL
INTERACTIVE
ASA Online
In the absence of face-to-face events in 2021–22, the ASA supported our membership with their professional development through an extensive online offering. Namely, webinars, CPD tests, educational videos and modules, as well as the introduction of Wellness Wednesdays and a new podcast series. The total number of CPD points issued through ASA Online was close to 34,400.
‘So impressed with the support given by ASA to sonographers both from a professional point of view and from a health and wellness perspective ... shown so amazingly well over the last two years with Covid.’
‘I just wanted to thank you so much for the Wellness Wednesdays. They are amazing webinars and so incredibly uplifting and helpful when we are working under such difficult times with Covid and lockdowns. It has made my approach to working through and understanding myself so much easier and so helpful to be able to obtain the mental tools to cope better. It’s also been great to be able to offer empathy and better understanding towards others –our patients, our colleagues, our families at home who are also struggling through trying and anxious times. Your professional support in offering these webinars is highly commendable. I feel really lucky to belong to ASA.’
22 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22
34,400 CPD POINTS ISSUED 20,700 WEBINAR VIEWS 10,500 COMPLETED ONLINE TESTS 2,300 EDUCATIONAL VIDEO VIEWS 600 PODCASTS LISTENS 900 WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS REGISTRATIONS 1,000 ONLINE LEARNING MODULES COMPLETED
ASA Events
A number of online events supported sonographer and student learning throughout the year. These events included a Cardiac Seminar, the introduction of a new Fundamental Ultrasound Seminar tailored for students and recent graduates, and a Trivia Night for Australasian Sonographers Day. Between the restrictions we were still able to hold four branch events for over 130 members.
130
FUNDAMENTAL ULTRASOUND SEMINAR REGISTRATIONS 120
VIRTUAL CARDIAC SEMINAR REGISTRATIONS
Advance the Education of Those Performing Ultrasound, Particularly in Less Developed Communities for Improved Health Outcomes
In 2021–22, ASA continued its support of RAB by extending its major partnership for another two years. Partnering with RAB supports our vision of promoting ‘a healthier world through sonographer expertise’, by aiding and advancing the education of those performing ultrasound in less developed communities to improve health outcomes for their patients. This year, the ASA extended free overseas membership to health professionals from Tier Four countries and offered free ASA2022 Melbourne Conference online registration for health professionals in Tier Four countries.
140
AUSTRALASIAN SONOGRAPHERS
DAY TRIVIA NIGHT REGISTRATIONS
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 23 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
‘Thank you for extending access to the ASA 2021 Conference and providing extra CPD content and access to top speakers on subjects to help navigate life during the COVID-19 pandemic.’
‘So many great things you are planning and doing for sonographers … 100% classy and outstanding organisation to belong to.’
DELIVERING MEMBER VALUE & SUPPORT
Despite the challenges faced by our members and the profession throughout the year, the ASA continued to grow its membership. The ASA invested in innovative and diverse ways to deliver organisational excellence, sustainability and value for members.
Member Website
The ASA website continues to be the main platform members use to source their information. Members head to the ASA website to access their ASA Account to find all their membership information, including CPD tally and recent CPD Activity. Members also turn to our website to access our variety of CPD offerings, career and student information. ASA publications are also accessed via the digital platform Issuu including, Making Waves, Soundeffects news and our annual report.
884K
ASA App
The ASA App continues to provide members with easy access to the latest news, CPD tally, podcasts, event registration, and more. In 2021–22, the ASA App was downloaded over 1600 times by members.
Corporate Partnerships
The ASA corporate partners were committed to supporting the association through another tough year of lockdowns, restrictions and limited face-to-face events. Even in these difficult times, we increased the number of corporate partnerships to 48. Their continued support and investment in the professional development of sonographers is a testament to the strong relationships we have built. The ASA is extremely grateful to all our partners for their continued support.
Sonographer Employment and Salary Survey
In late 2021, ASA members took part in the biennial Sonographer Employment and Salary survey. The results will provide up-to-date information on sonographers’ employment conditions, entitlements and remuneration for both Australia and New Zealand. An industry report was generated from the findings and then provided to all corporate partners to assist with workforce planning and recruitment.
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 25 VALUE & SUPPORT
Digitally transformed: The ASA increased its member engagement across our digital channels
OVER
VISITS TO THE ASA WEBSITE 48 CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS OVER 1600 DOWNLOADS USERS 91K
NURTURING A GREAT ORGANISATION TO BELONG
The ASA is resourced by quality people made up of permanent staff, volunteers and contractors, with a diverse, inclusive and caring culture that enables our people to be their best.
TO
VOLUNTEERS
A huge thank you to all our volunteers for dedicating their time and expertise to the organisation. In addition to our ASA committees, our volunteers also include our speakers, student volunteers, and volunteer patients, who all contributed to supporting the ASA and its members over the past year.
The ASA is supported by volunteer committees and panels, including the ASA Board, the Sonographer Policy and Advisory Committee, Education Advisory Committee, Fellowships Panel, Sonography Editorial Board, Special Interest Groups, Branches and Conference Program Committees.
ASA STAFF
As the organisation has grown significantly in the last few years, and to better support members, the ASA has invested in creating a larger team, including an additional member services officer, two dedicated professional development managers and a digital marketing coordinator. These additions allow the association to deliver better member support, innovative and diverse CPD offerings, and expand our digital transformation.
BRANCH COMMITTEES
Alice Springs Chair Ashtyn Lee
Auckland-Waikato Chair Scott Allen Australian Capital Territory Chair Teri Carmody Central West NSW Chair Jacqueline Spurway Darling Downs Chairs Haidee Janetzki, Kristine Lawless Far North Queensland Chair Lara Andrews Gippsland Chair Tania Waixel
BOARD
Board
Chair Ian Schroen
Governance Committee Chair Ian Schroen
Finance Risk and Audit Committee Chair Alexandra Bell
ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Sonographer Policy and Advisory Committee Chair Anthony Wald
Education Advisory Committee
ASA Fellowship Panel Chair Jessie Childs
Sonography Journal
Editorial Board
Editor-in-Chief Kerry Thoirs
Annual Conference Program Committee
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
SIG General Chair Jane Keating
SIG Cardiac Chair Anthony Wald SIG Musculoskeletal Chair Michelle Fenech
SIG Paediatric Chair Cain Brockley
SIG Research Chair Afrooz Najafzadeh
SIG Vascular Chair Matt Adams
SIG Women’s Health Chair Sarah Srayko
SIG Sonographer Health and Wellbeing Chair Peter Esselbach
SIG Emerging Technologies Chair Caterina Watson
Goulburn Valley Chair Kristy Thomas Illawarra Chair Lauren Dwight Mackay Chair Ainslie Heinke Mid Central NZ Chairs Melissa Westwood Deb Mackintosh Amanda Radic
Moreton Bay Chair Chris Edwards Newcastle Chair Greg O’Connor New South Wales Secretary Sarah Skillen Queensland Chair Chris Gilmore Riverina Chair Simone Francis South Australia Chair Sandhya Maranna South West Western Australia Chair Natalie Clements Sunshine Coast Chair Jacinta Sporton Tasmania Chairs Emma Brodribb Kathryn O’Driscoll Zara Ramm
Victoria Chair Lynne Johnson Wellington Chair Paula Carryer
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 27
NURTURING A GREAT ORGANISATION TO BELONG TO
RECOGNISING AND REWARDING
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SONOGRAPHY
In late May 2022, Australasian sonographers were honoured by their peers at the Gala Dinner as a part of our Annual International Conference in Melbourne. In the first face-toface ASA conference in over two years, sonographers took the opportunity to reconnect with their colleagues and peers in what was a joyful celebration of the achievements of the standout sonographers for the year. The awards and recognition announced on the night included the Awards of Excellence, Pru Pratten Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award and the ASA Fellow inductees.
28 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22
FELLOWS
Fellowship is the highest grade of membership for the ASA. It is a significant professional achievement, and all ASA Fellows have made invaluable contributions not only to the ASA, but to the sonography profession. The ASA thanks all Fellows for their hours of dedication and effort over the years. This year, the ASA inducted a special group of prominent members into our Fellows honour roll.
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 29 RECOGNISING AND REWARDING
Alison Deslandes
Brooke Osborne
Chris Gilmore
Jennifer Alphonse
Debbie Slade
Paula Kinnane
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 31 RECOGNISING AND REWARDING
The Sue Caitcheon Memorial Award Volunteer of the Year Daniel Rae
Tutor/Clinical Supervisor of the Year Donna Oomens
Researcher of the Year Jessie Childs
Sonographer of the Year (ACT) Claire Kelso
PRU PRATTEN MEMORIAL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Pru Pratten Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a member’s significant contribution to the profession and the ASA over their entire career. The recipient of the 2022 Pru Pratten Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award is Michelle Fenech.
Michelle has made significant contributions to the ASA and the sonography profession over her career. She has a passion for extending her own knowledge, completing a Master of Medical Ultrasound, as well as a PhD, and teaching others.
Her dedication to sharing her knowledge with sonographers is extensive. She has presented over 35 times at international, national, and local events and conferences over the last 20 years and has numerous publications. She has volunteered her time on numerous ASA committees, as well as volunteering on international committees. She also has significant years of service on ASA branch committees, special interest groups and numerous program committees. Michelle enjoys empowering sonographers with improved knowledge in our neighbouring developing countries such as Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and the Solomon Islands. In 2016, she was invited by RANZCR to provide training to radiologists and sonographers from all over Fiji. She also brought sonographers and doctors who perform
sonographic examinations from Fiji, PNG, and the Solomon Islands to Australia for practical sonographic training for a week under her guidance. Michelle uses innovative teaching practices to enhance student learning, incorporating a constructivist approach using playful, interesting, socially driven, and memorable learning activities to enhance engagement and learning experience. This is evidenced by student feedback saying that she has a knack for explaining anatomy in her lectures in such a way that pulls you in and makes you want to learn more. She has incorporated this into all the units (over 15 of them), which she has developed and designed a curriculum for.
Michelle has received a number of teaching awards over the years, including Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy UK as well as a Fellow of the ASA. Her passion, love and dedication to teaching and giving back to the sonographic community sees her mentor others in becoming better teachers as well as improving and enhancing student learning to shape the next generation of sonographers.
The ASA is proud to bestow this prestigious award on Michelle and thank her for her continued service to the ASA, her peers and her profession.
32 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22
Michelle Fenech, 2022
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
The directors present their report, together with the financial statements, on the company for the year ended 30 June 2022.
Directors
The following persons were directors of the company during the financial year and up to the date of this report, unless otherwise stated:
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 Master 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 has been a board director since 2017 and the President of the ASA since December 2019.
Special Responsibilities
• President and Board Chair
• Chair, Governance Committee
• Member, Finance Risk and Audit Committee
Anthony Wald
B Tech , ACCP (Cardiac), AMS, PDM, MClinEd
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 Monash Heart from 2004 until 2015. From 2015 to 2022 he worked as an educator in the Point of Care Ultrasound program at Monash Health. He is now a member of the transition management team for the Victorian Heart Hospital, which opens in February 2023. He has been a board director since 2017 and the Vice President of the ASA since November 2020.
Special Responsibilities
• Vice President
Jennifer Alphonse
(resigned 27 October 2021)
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 held an Adjunct Lecturer appointment at UNSW (ceased 30th June 2022) 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 September 2015, was elected President in February 2017 before stepping down as President in November 2019, taking up the role of Vice-President.
Special Responsibilities
Member, Finance Risk and Audit Committee until October 2021
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 35 DIRECTORS’ REPORT
Alexandra Bell
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 recently joined KPMG as a Partner responsible for the Sydney CFO Advisory team which provides advisory and assurance services to CFOs across all sectors. Alexandra has over 20 years’ experience in financial services with senior finance roles at AXA, Westpac and Challenger. Alexandra is a longstanding mentor of the UNSW Finance graduate programme and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Alex was appointed to the ASA Board in May 2021.
Special Responsibilities
• Chair, Finance Risk and Audit Committee (appointed November 2021)
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
(resigned 17 January 2022)
BAppSc (MRT) DiagRad DMU General Ultrasound Dip Share Trading & Investment GradCertCustSuccMgt
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 the disruptive area of blockchain and the not-forprofit membership sector.
Currently the customer advocate working with a behavioural economist, tokenomics specialist and blockchain strategist to design blockchain business customer centric solutions for industry clients.
Prior to this Rona was the Chief Sonographer at Royal North Shore Hospital (2006-2015) and part time Acting Assistant Chief Radiographer (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). Rona was appointed to the ASA Board in October 2020.
Company Secretary
The following persons held the position of company secretary during the reporting period:
Anthony Wald
Appointed 11 September 2021
Tanya Tran
Resigned 23 June 2022
Special Responsibilities
• Interim member, Finance Risk and Audit Committee until January 2022
36 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22
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
Kosta Hellmanns
(appointed 18 February 2022)
Graduate Diploma Medical Ultrasound. Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging) with first class honours.
Kosta is a Specialist Sonographer and Radiographer at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) in Adelaide where he acts as one of the core paediatric specialists within the ultrasound department. Prior to this and over the last 10 years, he provided ultrasound and x-ray services at a number of medical imaging sites within South Australia’s public sector. During this time and beyond his clinical role, he has acted as Head Sonographer for the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH), has been involved in a number of non clinical workplace initiatives for the WCH and RAH, and has presented at a number of local ASA meetings. Kosta is passionate about both patient centred healthcare and sonography, so has used opportunities these positions have provided to improve the delivery and quality of imaging services, improve patient outcomes and support fellow sonographers. Kosta was appointed as a casual director of the ASA board in February 2022.
Narelle Kennedy
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 Senior Research Sonographer specialising in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at South Western Sydney District Obstetric Research unit at Liverpool Hospital and as had over 25 years’ experience working in ultrasound in both private and public sectors 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 national and international journals. She continues her research as an affiliate of the University of Sydney and the Ingham institute of applied medical research 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. Narelle was appointed to the ASA Board in October 2020.
Special Responsibilities
• Member, Governance Committee
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 37
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
Roger Lee
GradDip in Medical Ultrasound Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging Certificate in Leadership and Management
Roger is a Regional manager for Capital Radiology with a keen interest in the US profession and building a strong quality focussed culture in the sonography space. With numerous years spent as a tutor Sonographer and over 10 years of clinical experience in both public and private sectors he has a deep understanding of the industry both in Australia and abroad. He has a special interest in MSK imaging with a passion to expand the MSK skillset of general sonographers. Roger was appointed to the ASA Board October 2020.
Special Responsibilities
• Member, Finance Risk and Audit Committee
Brooke Osborne
SFHEA FASA (appointed 18 February 2022)
GradDipEd MMedSon BHlthSc(Hons) BMedRad PhD Candidate
Brooke is an accredited medical sonographer, with experience mainly in tertiary referral hospitals and specialising in obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound within a maternofetal medicine unit.
Brooke left clinical practice to complete an education degree, following which she started her academic career. Brooke is currently the Program Director for the medical sonography programs at the University of South Australia. Brooke is about to complete her PhD candidature which has focused on education research in the area of clinical skills development and continues to contribute to research and consultancy work across a range of ultrasound and allied health projects. Brooke was appointed as a casual director of the ASA board in February 2022.
Julie Toop Australian Legal Practitioner Notary Public
LLB, GradDip Notarial Studies
Julie is currently a Legal consultant. 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 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 (ceased November 2021)
• Member, Finance Risk and Audit Committee
38 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22
OBJECTIVES OF THE AUSTRALASIAN SONOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION
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 notfor-profit 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 to protect the public and prevent harm, increase the recognition of sonographers being experts in ultrasound as well as focussing on increasing sonographers’ professional development opportunities and supporting evidencebased 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
The strategic plan 2021-2023 was amended with four similar strategic objectives and an additional objective of nurturing a great organisation to belong to:
• 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 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 excellence, sustainability, and value for members by, delivering and communicating practical and tangible value to members throughout their career, adapting and collaborating to provide members with a personalised and valuable experience, prioritising membership growth within the sonography profession, locally and internationally as well
40 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–21
as actively growing our partnerships with aligned corporate partners that deliver value to members.
• Nurturing a great organisation to belong to by committing to living our values, being resourced by quality people, systems and operations as well as providing easily accessible resources to promote health, safety, and wellbeing, creating a diverse, inclusive, and caring culture that supports high performance for all and empowering and enabling our people to be at their best.
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
the company for the reporting
for income tax and before other comprehensive income
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–21 | 41 DIRECTOR’S REPORT
(deficit) / surplus of
period after provision
was: 2022 $ Restated 2021 $ (108,904) 887,178
For the year ended 30 June 2021, the restatement had the effect of reducing the surplus for the 2020-21 financial year by $31,491. Refer to Note18 to the financial statements.
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 2022, and the number of meetings attended by each director were:
Board Finance Committee
Attended Held Attended Held
Jennifer Alphonse 1 1 2 2
Alexandra Bell 5 6 3 3
Michele Dowling 6 6
Rona Girdler 2 2 2 2
Kelly Griffiths 3 6
Kosta Hellmanns 4 4
Narelle Kennedy 6 6
Roger Lee 6 6 3 3
Brooke Osborne 4 4 Ian Schroen 6 6 3 3
Julie Toop 4 6 2 3
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.
Matters Subsequent to the End of the Financial Period
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 7,194 members (30 June 2021: 7,233 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 2022 the collective liability of members was $143,880 (30 June 2021: $144,660).
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 43. 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
10th September 2022 Melbourne
42 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22
Auditor’s independence declaration
Level 6, 30 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3000
TELEPHONE +61 3 8899 6199 FACSIMILE +61 3 9650 5751 www.dfkkidsons.com.au
AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION TO THE DIRECTORS OF AUSTRALASIAN SONOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION LTD
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 2022 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.
Michael L Port Partner
Melbourne 10 September 2022
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation
A member firm of DFK International, a worldwide association of independent accounting firms and business advisers
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 43 DIRECTORS’ REPORT
FINANCIAL S
The financial statements cover Australasian Sonographers Association Ltd as an individual entity. The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is Australasian Sonographers Association Ltd’s functional and presentation currency. Australasian Sonographers Association Ltd is a not-for-profit unlisted public company limited by guarantee.
Registered office Level 2 93-95 Queen Street Melbourne VIC 3000
Principal place of business Level 2 93-95 Queen Street Melbourne VIC 3000
A description of the nature of the company’s operations and its principal activities are included in the directors’ report, which is not part of the financial statements.
The financial statements were authorised for issue, in accordance with a resolution of directors, upon the date of signing this report. The directors have the power to amend and reissue the financial statements.
AUSTRALASIAN
Notes 2022 $ Restated 2021 $
Revenue 3 4,337,737 4,545,741 Expenses
Employee benefits expense 1,815,828 1,471,329
Events and meeting expenses 921,232 850,748
Members insurance 410,968 391,594
Printing, stationery and industry journal 147,576 132,191
Office expenses 84,120 47,568
IT and Website 152,087 154,313
Software development costs 140,497 91,510
Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation of plant and equipment 7 47,621 45,152
Amortisation of right of use building asset 8 100,491 100,491
Amortisation of intangible asset 10,221
Grants, research and sponsorship 100,666 113,941
Professional fees 169,796 140,158
Subscriptions 73,485 66,026
Bank and merchant fees 36,587 40,745
Finance cost on lease liability 9,679 16,023
Marketing expenses 31,373 43,610
Other expenses 24,128 14,535
Total expenses 4,266,134 3,730,155
Surplus before investment movements 71,603 815,586
Investment gains / (losses)
Profit on sale of investments 116,532 1,970
Net fair value gains / (losses) on investments (297,039) 69,622
Total investments gains / (losses) (180,507) 71,592 (Deficit) / Surplus for the year (108,904) 887,178
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year (108,904) 887,178
Refer to Note 18 for details on the retrospective restatement
The above statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income
be
notes
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 45 FINANCIALS
SONOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION LTD STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022
should
read in conjunction with the accompanying
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Financial assets
3,859,340 3,222,717
51,646 24,736
2,067,796 2,082,715
Prepayments 96,963 65,940
Total Current Assets 6,075,745 5,396,108
Non-current Assets
Financial assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right of use assets
169,262 169,063
93,323 101,384
92,118 192,609
Total Non-current Assets 354,703 463,056
Total Assets 6,430,448 5,859,164
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions
423,519 241,728
95,122 106,761
Income received in advance 2,703,275 2,082,111
Lease liabilities 121,436 121,403
Total Current Liabilities 3,343,352 2,552,003
Non-current Liabilities
Provisions
71,628 61,521
Lease liabilities 121,268
Total Non-current Liabilities 71,628 182,789
Total liabilities 3,414,980 2,734,792
Net Assets 3,015,468 3,124,372
EQUITY
Accumulated surplus 2,805,468 2,914,372
Members indemnity insurance reserve
210,000 210,000
Total Equity 3,015,468 3,124,372
Refer
Note
above
details
the retrospective
46 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22
AT 30 JUNE 2022
to
18 for
on
restatement The
statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
Notes 2022 $ Restated 2021 $
4
5
6
6
7
8
9
10
10
11
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022
Accumulated Surplus $ Reserves $ Total Equity $
Balance at 1 July 2020 (restated)
2,027,194 210,000 2,237,194
Surplus for the year (restated) 887,178 887,178
Balance at 30 June 2021 (restated) 2,914,372 210,000 3,124,372
Balance at 1 July 2021 (restated) 2,914,372 210,000 3,124,372 Loss for the year (108,904) (108,904)
Balance at 30 June 2022 2,805,468 210,000 3,015,468
Refer to Note 18 for details on the retrospective restatement
The above statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 47 FINANCIALS
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR
Cash flows from Operating Activities
Note 2022 $ Restated 2021 $ Receipts from operations 5,377,989 4,458,425
Dividends received 50,365 56,470
Interest received 4,115 6,200
Interest paid on lease liabilities (9,679) (16,023)
Payments to suppliers and employees (4,289,889) (3,859,929)
Net GST paid (169,696) (202,830)
Net cash provided by operating activities 17 963,205 442,313
Cash flows from Investing Activities
Proceeds from investments 526,297 453,892
Payments for investments (692,084) (1,065,239) Payments for property, plant and equipment (39,560) (6,955)
Net cash (used in) / provided by investing activities (205,347) (618,302)
Cash flows from Financing Activities
Repayment of lease liabilities (121,235) (109,855)
Net cash used in financing activities (121,235) (109,855)
Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents held 636,623 (285,844)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year 3,222,717 3,508,561
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year 4 3,859,340 3,222,717
Refer to Note 18 for details on the retrospective restatement
The above statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes
48 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22
ENDED 30 JUNE 2022
Note 1. Significant accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
New, revised or amending Accounting Standards and Interpretations adopted
The company has adopted all of the new or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (‘AASB’) that are mandatory for the current reporting period. The adoption of these Accounting Standards and Interpretations did not have any significant impact on the company. The following Accounting Standards and Interpretations are most relevant to the company:
Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (Conceptual Framework)
The company has adopted the revised Conceptual Framework from 1 July 2021. The Conceptual Framework contains new definition and recognition criteria as well as new guidance on measurement that affects several Accounting Standards, but it has not had a material impact on the company’s financial statements.
AASB 1060 General Purpose Financial StatementsSimplified Disclosures for For-Profit and Not-for-Profit Tier 2 Entities
The company has adopted AASB 1060 from 1 July 2021. The standard provides a new Tier 2 reporting framework with simplified disclosures that are based on the requirements of IFRS for SMEs.
Basis of preparation
These general purpose financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards - Simplified Disclosures issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (‘AASB’), the Australian Charities and Notfor-profits Commission Act 2012 and the Corporations Act 2001, as appropriate for not-for-profit oriented entities.
Historical cost convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Critical accounting estimates
The preparation of the financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the company’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements, are disclosed in note 2.
Revenue recognition
The company recognises revenue as follows:
Revenue from contracts with customers (member subscriptions, sponsorship income, event revenue, advertising income, education registrations)
Revenue is recognised at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company is expected to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. For each contract with a customer, the company: identifies the contract with a customer; identifies the performance obligations in the contract; determines the transaction price which takes into account estimates of variable consideration and the time value of money; allocates the transaction price to the separate performance obligations on the basis of the relative stand-alone selling price of each distinct good or service to be delivered; and recognises revenue when or as each performance obligation is satisfied in a manner that depicts the transfer to the customer of the goods or services promised.
Variable consideration within the transaction price, if any, reflects concessions provided to the customer such as discounts, rebates and refunds, any potential bonuses receivable from the customer and any other contingent events. Such estimates are determined using either the ‘expected value’ or ‘most likely amount’ method. The measurement of variable consideration is subject to a constraining principle whereby revenue will only be recognised to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognised will not occur. The measurement constraint continues until the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Amounts received that are subject to the constraining principle are recognised as a refund liability.
Interest
Interest revenue is recognised as interest accrues using the effective interest method, which for floating rate financial assets is the rate inherent in the instrument.
Dividend revenue
Dividend revenue is recognised when the right to receive a dividend has been established.
Other revenue
Other revenue is recognised when it is received or when the right to receive payment is established.
Income tax
As the company is a charitable institution in terms of subsection 50-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, as amended, it is exempt from paying income tax.
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 49 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022
Note 1. Significant accounting policies
Current and non-current classification
Assets and liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position based on current and non-current classification.
An asset is classified as current when: it is either expected to be realised or intended to be sold or consumed in the company’s normal operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is expected to be realised within 12 months after the reporting period; or the asset is cash or cash equivalent unless restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other assets are classified as non-current.
A liability is classified as current when: it is either expected to be settled in the company’s normal operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is due to be settled within 12 months after the reporting period; or there is no unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other liabilities are classified as non-current.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, deposits held at call with financial institutions, other shortterm, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
Trade and other receivables
Other receivables are recognised at amortised cost, less any allowance for expected credit losses.
Financial Assets
The company classifies its financial assets between current and non-current assets based on the purpose for which the assets were acquired. Management determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition.
The company assesses at each balance sheet date whether a financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired. All financial assets except those measured at fair value through profit or loss are subject to annual review for impairment.
Impairment of financial assets
At the end of each reporting period the company assesses whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired. All financial assets, except those measured at fair value through the Statement of Profit or loss and other comprehensive Income, are subject to annual review for impairment.
In order to determine an appropriate fair value as at 30 June 2022 for its portfolio of financial assets, the company used the market value of investments held.
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Equity instruments (managed investment portfolio) that are held for trading as well as derivative instruments are classified as fair value through profit or loss.
Other financial assets are required to be measured at fair value through profit or loss unless they are measured at amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive income.
Property, plant and equipment
Plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.
Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to write off the net cost of each item of property, plant and equipment (excluding land) over their expected useful lives as follows: Office equipment 3 – 5 years
Leasehold improvements 5 years
The residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date.
An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when there is no future economic benefit to the company. Gains and losses between the carrying amount and the disposal proceeds are taken to the statement of profit or loss.
Right of use assets
A right-of-use asset is recognised at the commencement date of a lease. The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability, adjusted for, as applicable, any lease payments made at or before the commencement date net of any lease incentives received, any initial direct costs incurred, and, except where included in the cost of inventories, an estimate of costs expected to be incurred for dismantling and removing the underlying asset, and restoring the site or asset.
Right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset, whichever is the shorter. Where the Company expects to obtain ownership of the leased asset at the end of the lease term, the depreciation is over its estimated useful life. Right-of use assets are subject to impairment or adjusted for any remeasurement of lease liabilities.
Impairment of non-financial assets
Non-financial assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount.
Recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs of disposal and value-in-use. The value-in-use is the present value of the estimated future cash flows relating to the asset using a pre-tax discount rate specific to the asset or cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Assets that do not have independent cash flows are grouped together to form a cash-generating unit.
50 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22
Note 1. Significant accounting policies
Trade and other payables
These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the company prior to the end of the financial year and which are unpaid. Due to their short-term nature they are measured at amortised cost and are not discounted. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of recognition.
Employee benefits
Short-term employee benefits
Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, annual leave and long service leave expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the reporting date are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled.
Other long-term employee benefits
The liability for annual leave and long service leave not expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date are measured at the present value of expected future payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date using the projected unit credit method. Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service. Expected future payments are discounted using market yields at the reporting date on national government bonds with terms to maturity and currency that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows.
Defined contribution superannuation expense
Contributions to defined contribution superannuation plans are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.
Lease liabilities
A lease liability is recognised at the commencement date of a lease. The lease liability is initially recognised at the present value of the lease payments to be made over the term of the lease, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments comprise of fixed payments less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees, exercise price of a purchase option when the exercise of the option is reasonably certain to occur, and any anticipated termination penalties. The variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.
Lease liabilities are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The carrying amounts are remeasured if there is a change in the following: future lease payments arising from a change in an index or a rate used; residual guarantee; lease term; certainty of a purchase option and termination penalties. When a lease liability is remeasured, an adjustment is made to the corresponding right-of use asset, or to profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset is fully written down.
Fair value measurement
When an asset or liability, financial or non-financial, is measured at fair value for recognition or disclosure purposes, the fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date; and assumes that the transaction will take place either: in the principal market; or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market.
Fair value is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming they act in their economic best interests. For non-financial assets, the fair value measurement is based on its highest and best use. Valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, are used, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs.
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of associated GST, unless the GST incurred is not recoverable from the tax authority. In this case it is recognised as part of the cost of the acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense.
Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the tax authority is included in other receivables or other payables in the statement of financial position.
Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from investing or financing activities which are recoverable from, or payable to the tax authority, are presented as operating cash flows.
Commitments and contingencies are disclosed net of the amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the tax authority.
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 51 Note 1. Significant accounting policies
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022
Note 2. Critical accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Management continually evaluates its judgements and estimates in relation to assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, revenue and expenses. Management bases its judgements, estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on other various factors, including expectations of future events, management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The resulting accounting judgements and estimates will seldom equal the related actual results. The judgements, estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities (refer to the respective notes) within the next financial year are discussed below.
Estimation of useful lives of assets
The company determines the estimated useful lives and related depreciation charges for its property, plant and equipment. The useful lives could change significantly as a result of technical innovations or some other event. The depreciation charge will increase where the useful lives are less than previously estimated lives, or technically obsolete or non-strategic assets that have been abandoned or sold will be written off or written down.
Impairment of non-financial assets other than goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets
The company assesses impairment of non-financial assets other than goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets at each reporting date by evaluating conditions specific to the company and to the particular asset that may lead to impairment. If an impairment trigger exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined. This involves fair value less costs of disposal or value-in-use calculations, which incorporate a number of key estimates and assumptions.
Lease term
The lease term is a significant component in the measurement of both the right-of-use asset and lease liability. Judgement is exercised in determining whether there is reasonable certainty that an option to extend the lease or purchase the underlying asset will be exercised, or an option to terminate the lease will not be exercised, when ascertaining the periods to be included in the lease term. In determining the lease term, all facts and circumstances that create an economical incentive to exercise an extension option, or not to exercise a termination option, are considered at the lease commencement date. Factors considered may include the importance of the asset to the company’s operations; comparison of terms and conditions to prevailing market rates; incurrence of significant penalties; existence of significant leasehold improvements; and the costs and disruption to replace the asset. The company reassesses whether it is reasonably certain to exercise
an extension option, or not exercise a termination option, if there is a significant event or significant change in circumstances.
Incremental borrowing rate
Where the interest rate implicit in a lease cannot be readily determined, an incremental borrowing rate is estimated to discount future lease payments to measure the present value of the lease liability at the lease commencement date. Such a rate is based on what the company estimates it would have to pay a third party to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset, with similar terms, security and economic environment.
Employee benefits provision
As discussed in note 1, the liability for employee benefits expected to be settled more than 12 months from the reporting date are recognised and measured at the present value of the estimated future cash flows to be made in respect of all employees at the reporting date. In determining the present value of the liability, estimates of attrition rates and pay increases through promotion and inflation have been taken into account.
Lease make good provision
A provision has been made for the present value of anticipated costs for future restoration of leased premises. The provision includes future cost estimates associated with closure of the premises. The calculation of this provision requires assumptions such as application of closure dates and cost estimates. The provision recognised is periodically reviewed and updated based on the facts and circumstances available at the time. Changes to the estimated future costs for sites are recognised in the statement of financial position by adjusting the asset and the provision. Reductions in the provision that exceed the carrying amount of the asset will be recognised in profit or loss.
52 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 Note 2. Critical accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions
Note 3. Revenue / Note 4. Cash and Cash Equivalents / Note 5. Trade and Other Receivables /
Note 6. Financial Assets
Note 3. Revenue
2022 $ 2021 $
Member subscriptions 2,984,110 3,038,616
Sponsorship income 270,977 185,742
Event income 948,803 1,102,602
Advertising income 61,841 48,310
Education registrations 5,317 6,736
Interest income 4,115 6,200
Dividends and distributions 50,365 56,470
Government cash boost stimulus 50,000
Sundry income 12,209 51,065 4,337,737 4,545,741
Note 4. Cash and Cash Equivalents
Current
2022 $ 2021 $
Cash on hand 500 500
Cash at bank 3,858,840 3,222,217 3,859,340 3,222,717
Note 5. Trade and Other Receivables
Current
2022 $ 2021 $
Trade debtors 12,936 8,972
Other receivable 38,710 15,764 51,646 24,736
Note 6. Financial Assets
Current
2022 $ 2021 $
Managed investment portfolio 1,455,852 1,472,715
Term deposits 611,944 610,000 2,067,796 2,082,715
Non-current
Term deposits restricted * 169,262 169,063
* Term deposits are restricted assets in the form of bank guarantees held with the Bendigo Bank
Movements in carrying amounts
Movement in the carrying amounts for managed investment portfolio between the beginning and the end o f the current financial year:
Balance at 1 July 2021 1,472,715
Purchases during the year 689,941 Disposal (Proceeds) (526,297)
Net profit on sales 116,532
Net fair value gains / (losses) on investments (297,039)
Balance at 30 June 2022 1,455,852
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 53 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022
Note 7. Property, plant and equipment / Note 8. Right of use assets
Note 7. Property, plant and equipment
Non-current
2022 $ 2021 $
Leasehold improvements - at cost 171,014 162,602
Less: Accumulated depreciation (126,847) (93,999) 44,167 68,603
Office equipment - at cost 126,073 94,925
Less: Accumulated depreciation (76,917) (62,144) 49,156 32,781 93,323 101,384
Movements in carrying amounts
Movement in the carrying amounts for each class of property, plant and equipment between the beginning and the end of the current financial year:
Leasehold Improvements $ Office Equipment $ Total $
Balance at 1 July 2021 68,603 32,781 101,384 Additions 8,412 31,148 39,560 Depreciation expense (32,848) (14,773) (47,621)
Balance at 30 June 2022 44,167 49,156 93,323
Note 8. Right of use assets
Non-current
2022 $ 2021 $
Right of use asset – property lease 502,458 502,458
Less: Accumulated depreciation (410,340) (309,849) 92,118 192,609
Movements in carrying amounts
Movement in the carrying amounts of each right of use asset between the beginning and the end of the current financial year:
Property Lease $ Total $
Balance at 1 July 2021 192,609 192,609
Depreciation expense (100,491) (100,491)
Balance at 30 June 2022 92,118 92,118
54 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22
Note 9. Trade and Other Payables / Note 10. Provisions/ Note 11. Reserves
Note 9. Trade and Other Payables
Non-current
2022 $ 2021 $
Trade creditors 93,564 21,294
Accrued expenses 62,765 33,882
GST payable 209,041 146,679
Other payables 58,149 39,873 423,519 241,728
Note 10. Provisions
2022 $ 2021 $ Current
Provision for Annual leave 84,585 75,139
Provision for Long service leave 10,537 31,622 95,122 106,761
Non-current
Provision for make good - leased premise 42,200 42,200
Provision for Long service leave 29,428 19,321 71,628 61,521
Note 11. Reserves
Members indemnity insurance reserve 210,000 210,000
The Company established a reserve for future potential insurance premium increases.
Movement in reserves
Total Reserves
Opening balance at start of financial year 210,000
Closing balance at end of financial year 210,000
Note 12. Related parties and related party transactions
Directors’ compensation
The directors act in an honorary capacity and receive no compensation for their services other than honorarium claims.
2022 $ 2021 $
Short-term benefits – honorarium claims 3,150 4,550
Key management personnel compensation
The aggregate compensation made to members of key management personnel (other than directors) of the company is set out below:
Aggregate compensation 294,464 334,723
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 55 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022
Note 12. Reserves (continued) / Note 13. Related parties and related party transactions /
Note 14. Contingent liabilities / Note 15. Commitments / Note 16. Events subsequent to the end of the financial year
Transactions with related parties
Other than amounts paid to key management personnel there were no transactions with related parties during the current and previous financial year.
Receivable from and payable to related parties
There were no trade receivables from or trade payables to related parties at the current and previous reporting date.
Loans to/from related parties
There were no loans to or from related parties at the current and previous reporting date.
Note 13. Remuneration of auditors
During the financial year the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by DFK Kidsons Partnership, the auditor of the company:
Audit services – DFK Kidsons Partnership 2022 $ 2021 $
Audit of the financial statements 16,000 16,000
Note 14. Contingent liabilities
The company had no contingent liabilities as at 30 June 2022 and 30 June 2021.
Note 15. Commitments
Other commitments for expenditure (including journal publishing)
Payable – minimum payments 2022 $ 2021 $
Not later than 1 year 92,928 94,380
Between 1 and 5 years 15,072 94,380 108,000 188,760
Note 16. Events subsequent to the end of the financial year
No matters or circumstances have arisen since 30 June 2022 that has significantly affected, or may significantly affect the company’s operations, the results of those operations, or the company’s state of affairs in future financial years.
56 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22
Note 17. Reconciliation of result for the year to net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities / Note 18. Retrospective restatement
Note 17. Reconciliation of result for the year to net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities
2022 $ Restated 2021 $
Comprehensive result for the year (108,904) 887,178
Non-Cash Movements
Depreciation and amortisation 148,112 155,864
Unrealised (gain) / loss of financial assets 180,507 (69,622)
Movements in assets & liabilities
(Increase)/decrease in receivables (26,910) (19,786)
(Increase)/decrease in prepayments (31,023) 45,373
Increase/(decrease) in payables 181,791 (114,125)
Increase/(decrease) in prepaid income 621,164 (440,398)
Increase/(decrease) in provisions (1,532) (2,171)
Net Cash Inflow in Operating Activities 963,205 442,313
Note 18. Retrospective restatement
During the 2019-20 and 2020 21 financial years, the company capitalised software, configuration and customisation costs incurred in developing a membership software system as an intangible asset. Upon further review, as a result of an International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) ruling in March 2021, it was determined the membership software system is dependent on a third party licence to operate. Consequently, the company does not control the intangible asset previously recognised in the financial statements and costs should have been expensed as incurred.
As at 30 June 2020, the restatement has the effect of decreasing intangible assets and the accumulated surplus by $232,780 and increasing software development expenses by $232,780 for the 2019-20 financial year.
As at 30 June 2021, the restatement has the effect of decreasing intangible assets and the accumulated surplus by $264,271 and decreasing the surplus for the 2020-21 financial year by $31,491.
The comparative figures for 2021 have been restated as follows:
Statement of financial position – (extract)
2021 $ Adjustment $ Restated 2021 $
Intangible assets 264,271 (264,271)
Accumulated surplus 3,178,643 (264,271) 2,914,372
Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income (extract)
Software development costs 91,510 91,510
Amortisation of intangible asset 70,240 (60,019) 10,221
Surplus for the year 918,669 (31,491) 887,178
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22 | 57 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022
Directors’
In the directors’ opinion:
• the attached financial statements and notes comply with the Corporations Act 2001, the Australian Accounting Standards - Simplified Disclosures, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012, the Corporations Regulations 2001 and other mandatory professional reporting requirements;
• the attached financial statements and notes give a true and fair view of the company’s financial position as at 30 June 2022 and of its performance for the financial year ended on that date; and
• there are reasonable grounds to believe that the company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.
Signed in accordance with a resolution of directors made pursuant to section 295(5)(a) of the Corporations Act 2001.
On behalf of the directors Ian Schroen Director
10 September 2022 Melbourne
Alexandra Bell Director
10th September 2022 Melbourne
Declaration 58 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–21
Independent Auditor’s Report
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF AUSTRALASIAN SONOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION LTD Opinion
We have audited the financial report of Australasian Sonographers Association Ltd which comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2022, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies, and the directors' declaration.
In our opinion, the accompanying financial report of Australasian Sonographers Association Ltd, is in a ccordance with the Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission Act 2012, including:
(a) giving a true and fair view of the company's financial position as at 30 June 2022 and of its financial performance for the year then ended; and (b) complying with Australian Accounting Standards Simplified Disclosures and Division 60 of the Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission Regulation 2013.
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission Act 2012 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board's APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia . We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Responsibilities of the Directors for the Finan cial Report
The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards Simplified Disclosures and the Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission Act 2012 and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Company's financial reporting process
ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2020–21 | 59 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022
Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatement s can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisio ns of users taken on the basis of this financial report.
As part of an audit in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, wheth er due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design au dit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the directors.
• Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor's report to the related disclosures in the financial report or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor's report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.
• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the disclosures, and whether the financial report represents the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with the directors regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
We also provide the directors with a statement that we have complied with relevant eth ical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.
60 | ASA ANNUAL REPORT 2021–22
DFK Kidsons Partnership Michael L Port Chartered Accountants Partner Melbourne 10 September 2022
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