dalwallinu community resource centre annual report€¦ · •social enterprise approach as not...
TRANSCRIPT
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre ANNUAL REPORT
2015-2016
Proudly supported by
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre Annual Report 2015-2016 2
Contents Who We Are ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Our Vision ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Our Mission ............................................................................................................................................. 3
What We Do ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Chairperson’s Report .............................................................................................................................. 5
Manager’s Report ................................................................................................................................... 6
Social Highlights of the 2015-2016 Year ................................................................................................. 7
Amateur Photography ........................................................................................................................ 7
Westlink Simulcasts ............................................................................................................................ 7
Community Information Sessions ....................................................................................................... 7
Training Highlights of the 2015-2016 Year ............................................................................................. 8
Grant Funded Workshops ....................................................................................................................... 9
Grants for Women – Make Mine a Micro (Home Business) ............................................................... 9
Community Governance Development – Governance Support and How to Attract Volunteers ....... 9
Neighbourhood House Week – Eat Together, Grow Together; Strengthening Community Bonds
Through Gardening ............................................................................................................................. 9
Government Services ............................................................................................................................ 10
Government Access Point ................................................................................................................. 10
Dept of Human Services .................................................................................................................... 10
Videoconferencing Connections ....................................................................................................... 10
Westlink Satellite TV ......................................................................................................................... 10
Totally Locally ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Personnel Plan ...................................................................................................................................... 12
Financial Report .................................................................................................................................... 14
Attachments .......................................................................................................................................... 14
Audited Financial Statements ........................................................................................................... 14
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre Annual Report 2015-2016 3
Who We Are
The Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre (CRC) is a not-for-profit community managed
incorporated organisation that works to enhance life in the Dalwallinu district through a variety of
business, economic and social activities, as well as providing access to government information and
services.
Our income is derived from the sales of products and services, including our community newsletter
the Totally Locally, as well as Federal and State government contracts, one-off grants and student
commissions from our partnered Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).
The Dalwallinu CRC is open 5 days a week, from 8.30am to 4.30pm, enabling excellent community
access to our services, which include local and state government information via the Government
Access Point; Dept of Human Services (Centrelink, Medicare, Child Support, MyGov and ATO)
through a self-help Access Point; education and training via facilitated RTO courses; professional
business services including printing and copying and much more. We open our doors to the
community for out-of-hours events including simulcasts and workshops.
Working with our local community, Dalwallinu CRC has the flexibility to expand the range of services
as required. We pride ourselves on delivering high quality, professional services at all times. We are
proactive with key stakeholders, including the Shire of Dalwallinu.
The Dalwallinu CRC is incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (WA) and is a
member of Linkwest (peak body for CRCs). We offer a variety of membership types, including family
and personal, business, student and concession. We appreciate the support of these members and
welcome new members.
During the year we support thousands of residents and visitors to the Shire of Dalwallinu.
Our Vision
To be a sustainable and vibrant market leader facilitating growth in our community.
Our Mission
The Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre will provide community-focused training,
technology and professional services that respond to evolving customer needs.
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre Annual Report 2015-2016 4
What We Do
The Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre offers a wide range of services which can be grouped
into four categories: education and training; printing and office services; information and
communication; and community development. Each service also falls into one or more of the
following areas:
• Community social events
• Engagement with community via feedback, surveys and meetings with community stakeholders
• Communication stategies including local newspaper (Totally Locally), website and social media
Building community connections
• Social enterprise approach as not economically viable for local demand
• Local community newspaper
• Education and training including facilitated accredited courses
• Office services
• Equipment hire
• Telecommunications
Services and products
• Referral services to social support services
• Facilitate social development activities and seminars
• Information and support
Social development
support
• Referral services to business development and employment support services
• Facilitate business development activities and training courses
• Business support services
• Information and support
Econominc and business
development support
• Access to local and state government information and services through a Govt Access Point
• Access to Dept of Human Services information and services through a self-help Access Point
• Video-conference services
• Information and support
Access to government
services
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre Annual Report 2015-2016 5
Chairperson’s Report
Its Annual Report time again, when we take a look back and review what we have achieved
throughout the year and the changes implemented to provide a better and more community
focused service. It’s not been without challenges locally, as we all work to find ways to work
smarter with less funding to do more while meeting the requests from the community for
services. We have been fortunate at Dalwallinu CRC to have staff who have embraced changes
to expand our business with education and social events then actively gone out to the
community for their ideas and preferences.
This past year we have said farewell to one trainee, Amery Pangilinan and welcomed another, Corrina, Wu, both bringing a different set of skills to the role of trainee. Trainees make a valuable contribution to the CRC and the community, all while learning skills to further their employment opportunities. I believe as a CRC we have a responsibility to educate not only trainees, but the wider community formally with accredited courses such as the HR & MC driver training and First Aid, then informally with lifestyle and social events that have been popular this year.
Our overall financial position has declined this financial year, due to several factors, the decline in sales of the Totally Locally, (our consistent source of income), current funding arrangements and grants received, as well as adjusting all staff salaries to meet the correct awards. Additional was the decision made by the committee to purchase a wide format printer which was made after consultation with business and community as to their needs for this type of printing. Judging by the work to date this has been successful, it’s a long term investment to enable printing in this format to be done locally rather than the business going out of town.
CRC’s are no longer the local hub for all to access computer or internet services but have a greater responsibility to deliver government services that are not available in rural towns; this is demonstrated by the use of the designated Government computer by the people who access it for an even greater
range of services. There is also a high demand for printing, not only document type printing but the photo lab is in constant use most days. All this demonstrates the changing needs of the consumer and we must be ready to meet these demands. I must congratulate our staff and committee for having the vision to see the changing demands of the public and the courage implement these to meet the public demand.
During the year we have had two new committee members join the management committee, welcome to you both. Then as I write this report we are saying farewell to our current trainee Corrina, Wu and our Assistant manager Cherise Martin who is taking maternity leave, our best wishes to them both.
To all the committee, we couldn’t have managed without you, your support and wisdom has been invaluable, you all bring different skills and have contributed to the success of the Dalwallinu CRC individually and collectively.
Lastly to all our staff my sincere thanks you, you are the reason the Dalwallinu CRC is thriving and a pleasant place to walk into for help, advice or job to be done, sometimes under personal and time restraints but you all are always there with a helpful smile and a willing hand.
Irene Mills AM
Chairperson
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre Annual Report 2015-2016 6
Manager’s Report
The 2015-2016 year has provided its share of challenges to the Dalwallinu Community Resource
Centre, and to the wider community, as the changes to the economic climate within the State of
Western Australia are felt across the board. The impact of reduced government spending and a
tightening of budgets by businesses and consumers has seen the Dalwallinu CRC operate at a loss
for the first time in many years.
There are a variety of reasons for the loss, including the purchasing of new equipment to expand the business services, the impact of the reduced monies from the contract with the Dept of Regional Development (DRD) and the identifying of the correct award for the staff.
The requirement as part of the contract with DRD to facilitate and host 12 social events and 4 business events per year identified the staff as coming under the SCHCADS Award. This led to an increased strain on the operational budget and even though prices were reviewed and increased where necessary, the income received was not enough to recover full costs.
While the organisation has felt the monetary strain, the local and wider community has still been served with the same highly professional standard as expected. Both staff and volunteers are dedicated to the organisation, enabling the delivery of a wide range of services, products and events.
November 2014 saw a new trainee start with the CRC as we said goodbye to Amery, who had been with the organisation for 2 years. Amery had completed both Cert III and IV in Business Admin. She has stayed in the community, and now fills the role of receptionist / office admin for a local business. This is a wonderful outcome for the community, as the skills she learnt are being put to good work by assisting in the development of another business.
As I look back on the previous 12 months, I realise what has been achieved by the Dalwallinu CRC. Numerous social events have been held; accredited and non-accredited courses and trainings delivered; a wider variety of Govt departments utilising the hot office; and 3 grant funded events run. This is on top of the production of the local paper and the delivery of other services and products that form most of the walk-in business.
The grant funded events focused on women’s economic independence, governance and volunteering, and growing together as a community. The events were funded by Dept of Local Government and Communities, Dept of Regional Development and Linkwest. The funding was of benefit to many different community members, groups and organisations which learnt new skills.
Education and training is important to the community, and the CRC assisted with the provision of not just accredited courses, but some non-accredited and lifestyle courses as well. External students from 2 universities were able to sit their exams locally, overcoming the tyranny of distance. Local businesses had staff trained, as did primary producers through the provision of driver training in HR and MC licences. While some of the trainings had lower numbers, the variety of courses has proven to be popular.
The Hot Office was proven popular with both commercial and government users, being used on a weekly basis. The provision of this service meant that locals have access to skilled professionals, rather than having to travel themselves.
None of this would have been achieved without the support of the staff, Assistant Manager Cherise and trainees Amery and Corrina. Their professionalism, friendliness and dedication enabled the smooth operation of the organisation on a daily basis.
And lastly I would like to acknowledge the dedication of our Management Committee, who give strong strategic direction. Without such support, the CRC could not have functioned as well as it did, and I look forward to continue to work with them for the betterment of our community.
Sharon Bell, Manager
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre Annual Report 2015-2016 7
Social Highlights of the 2015-2016 Year
Social events facilitated and hosted by the Dalwallinu CRC targeted a range of demographics,
including parents, seniors, men, culture enthusiasts, amateur photographers and women. Over 135
people attended the events, which were held at a variety of times, including evenings and
weekends.
Amateur Photography During this year, the Dalwallinu CRC hosted 2 photography
events; an ABC Open workshop in July 2014, and a social
photography kickstart meeting in April 2015.
The keen photographers were eager to start a social
group, and following the April meeting the Dally Snappers
were formed. The group now meets on the 4th Thursday
of the month in the meeting room at the CRC – one of the
ways the CRC provides ongoing support.
Westlink Simulcasts Community members enjoyed a wide range of
cultural events through 4 Westlink simulcasts
during 2015-2016.
The events brought to the screen theatre from the
Black Swan Theatre Company and the Queensland
Theatre Company, opera from the Western
Australia Opera Company as well as music from the
WA Symphony Orchestra and Choir.
The cost of attending such events would be beyond the means of many community members, as it
would not just involve the cost of tickets, but also accommodation, meals, travel as well as time off
work.
Community Information Sessions The Dalwallinu CRC decided to focus on some
different demographic groups – targeting
parents in a Protective Behaviours workshop;
seniors in a Stay on Your Feet falls prevention
workshop; and primary family caregivers
(women) in 2 Girls Nights In, providing
information on Rural in Reach and Beyond Blue.
The information provided enabled community
members to feel more empowered in their decision making, allowing them to assess their situations
and to reach out and seek professional help if needed. In small rural communities, the provision of
information from professionals is vital to overcome the necessity of having to travel to the larger
regional centres or the metropolitian area to seek assistance.
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre Annual Report 2015-2016 8
Training Highlights of the 2015-2016 Year
Since 2010, the Dalwallinu CRC has greatly enlarged the number of
workshops and training courses that are facilitated for local businesses
and primary producers. While most of the courses are accredited and
delivered by trainers from Registered Training Organisations, some were
information sessions delivered by staff.
Dalwallinu has an expanding light manufacturing area, and with more
businesses moving to town there becomes a greater need for the
provision of training for staff. Well trained staff are an asset to any
business or organisation, and being able to send them to a course being
held locally also makes economic sense.
Dalwallinu CRC facilitated accredited courses in:
Forklift x 3
Asbestos Restricted Licence
HR-MC Licence training
First Aid x 4
Working at Heights
Information sessions delivered by Dalwallinu CRC staff included:
MailChimp
Marketing on Facebook
Small Business Superannuation Clearing House
Registered Training Organisations that we worked with during the year included:
CY O’Connor Institute (now Central Regional TAFE)
Busselton Advanced Driver Training
Australian Training Management
On average, 8 people attended each course. These figures mean that approximately 104 community
members were upskilled, either by their employers, or themselves seeking to better their
employment opportunities.
Local manufacturing businesses as well as the Shire of Dalwallinu now turn to Dalwallinu CRC to
organise trainings on an as-needed basis.
Local companies are turning
to the Dalwallinu CRC to
facilitate their training needs.
This growing trend is having
economic impact on the
businesses, as they no longer
have to pay for travel, meals
and accommodation for staff.
It also allows more productivity
– instead of taking 3 days to
do a 2 day course it can be
completed in the set time,
allowing staff to work the day
that would otherwise be spent
travelling.
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre Annual Report 2015-2016 9
Grant Funded Workshops
The Dalwallinu CRC was successful in facilitating three grant funded workshops during 2015-16, all
for community education. Both the Grants for Women and Community Governance Development
funding were received at the end of the 2014-2015 financial year, but were acquitted in the 2015-
2016 year, which did impact on this year’s finances.
Grants for Women – Make Mine a Micro (Home Business) The Dept of Local Government and Communities (DLGC) funded the Dalwallinu CRC to run a series of
3 workshops aimed at improving women’s economic independence. The 4 hour workshops ran over
3 weeks in August 2015, with each focusing on a different area to enable women to develop skills in
starting or improving a home business. Professional trainers were sourced, and resources and
workbooks provided. 14 women attended the workshops.
Action Planning – delivered by Solutions4Business
Financial Planning – delivered by Infocus Financial Planners
Marketing – delivered by True Blue Business Support
Community Governance Development – Governance Support and How to Attract
Volunteers A series of 3 workshops, funded by Dept of Regional Development (DRD), were delivered in October
2015 and March 2016. The workshops were open to community organisations to provide them with
the opportunity to develop good governance skills, and to attract and keep volunteers. The
governance workshop was 6 hours, and the volunteering workshops were 2 hours (evening) and 4
hours (morning). Professional trainers were sourced, and resources and workbooks provided.
Representatives from 16 local groups attended, covering emergency services, sporting organisations
and not-for-profits.
Governance Training for Community Groups – Andrew Huffer and Associates
Attracting and Retaining Generations X, Y and Boomers – Volunteering WA
Key Issues of Volunteer Management – Volunteering WA
Neighbourhood House Week – Eat Together, Grow Together; Strengthening
Community Bonds Through Gardening The 3 hour event was funded by WA’s
Neighbourhood Houses peak body
Linkwest, and had to be held during
Neighbourhood House week in May. The
funding had to provide a guest speaker and
a meal, and with a love of gardening in the
district, it was decided to have a lunch with
the Beyond Gardens team, who presented
a very informative session. The 2 course
meal focused on foods that could be easily
grown at home. 18 people attended the
event.
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre Annual Report 2015-2016 10
Government Services
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre provides most of the Shire of Dalwallinu residents with
access to government information and services, excepting local government services. No
government agencies are located within the town excepting licencing through the local Shire office;
some are provided in Moora, 100km to the south-west, others in Northam 175km south or Perth,
225kms away. Dalwallinu CRC holds contracts with the Dept of Regional Development and Dept of
Human Services to provide access to government information and services for our community.
Government Access Point The Government Access Point allows people access to online and printed resources for local and
state government agencies via a free computer and printer, as well as a comprehensive brochure
display. This service is available during our opening hours, as well as access via our wireless hotspot
to 10 free websites for those who visit outside of normal hours. 2015-16 saw over 160 clients access
this service.
Dept of Human Services The Dalwallinu CRC provides a self-help access point to Dept of Human Services clients via phone
and fax, as well as a small range of printed resources. All staff at the CRC are able to copy and verify
documents required by DHS, saving many clients having to travel to either Northam or Perth for
assistance. Over 200 clients accessed DHS services through the self-help access point during 2015-
16.
Videoconferencing Connections Through the BeingThere platform, Dalwallinu CRC provides access to high standard video-
conferencing in our private meeting room. All CRC staff are trained to assist customers to easily
access the service. While video-conferencing is not regularly used within the wider community, the
Shire of Dalwallinu utilised it to hold job interviews. It was also utilised by the Association of WA
CRCs for Board meetings.
Westlink Satellite TV Information sessions were provided to interested community members as well as the satellite
simulcasts. Dalwallinu CRC has participated in every simulcast since 2010, with increasing numbers
of attendees each year. There was a reduction in the numbers of people attending the simulcasts, in
particular the very popular Symphony in the City due to a longer harvest period than expected.
However, 40 people attended across the 4 simulcasts held.
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre Annual Report 2015-2016 11
Totally Locally
Local paper Totally Locally (TL) has produced for 40 years for the Dalwallinu and districts
communities, with the paper being produced by the Dalwallinu CRC for over 14 years. An aging
population and lack of volunteers saw the paper handed over to the CRC in early 2002. Since then,
production of TL has become an integral part of the services provided to the community.
The paper is produced 46 weeks of the year, going into summer hiatus from mid-December, with the
first edition of each year commencing the first week in February, coinciding with the beginning of
the school year. With many people taking advantage of the end of harvest and the summer holidays
to take their annual leave it is not viable to produce the paper during this time.
With changes to technology, the easy access to news and information via the web and social media,
and the formation of ‘For Sale’ groups on Facebook, TL has had to move with the times to continue
to be a vital source of information to the local community. Each year sees a reduction in the
numbers printed each week; however this is offset by the increase in subscriptions to the electronic
version of the paper, which is available from the Dalwallinu CRC website.
The role of TL coordinator is carried out by the Assistant Manager, who dedicates a full work day
each week to the compilation of the paper. An editorial committee, consisting of the Dalwallinu CRC
Chairperson, a TL volunteer and the TL coordinator deal with issues that may arise, including price
reviews of advertising rates and the sale price of TL.
Volunteers are a vital aspect of the TL, as
they not only form the backbone of the
paper collation, with a core group of 8
volunteers gathering on a Wednesday
morning, but also assisting with printing on a
Tuesday afternoon. Community members
also submit stories for the paper regarding
local events and happenings, all which help
make the TL truly ‘local’.
Summer Totally Locally Since January 2015 a summer edition of TL
has been produced. This edition is an A3 duplex document, and contains vital information regarding
events being held in January, including the Australia Day breakfast, as well as information on library
and aquatic centre hours, a diary of church and meeting dates and other community information.
200 copies are printed and distributed free around the district. There is no paid advertisements in
the paper, the total cost is carried by the Dalwallinu CRC. Summer TL is very helpful to new
residents to town, particularly those with children, enabling them to integrate into the local
community happenings easily, rather than waiting until the commencement of the school year.
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre Annual Report 2015-2016 12
Personnel Plan
The Dalwallinu CRC team is made up of a management committee and 3 staff members. The Trainee
is full time, with both the Manager and Assistant Manager being classified as part-time. Each
member of the team brings with them skills that enable the organization to achieve its outcomes to
the fullest extent.
NAME POSITION QUALIFICATIONS Irene Mills
Chairperson
Western District Health Advisory Council (Chair) Dalwallinu CRC Secretary (2006-2014) Officer Order of Australia AM RRR Reference Group Member (former) National Women’s Rural Coalition (former Chair)
Bill Carter
Vice Chairperson
Dalwallinu Shire Councillor (former – also serving as President and Vice President) Owner-operator of successful farming business Dalwallinu Lions Club
Karen McNeill
Treasurer
Office Manager/bookkeeper Agribusiness banker Justice of Peace Dalwallinu Shire Councillor (Current)
Kahlee Nankivell
Secretary
Trainee at Dalwallinu CRC 2011-2013 (Cert III & IV in Business) Customer Service Officer (Farmworks)
Pauline Mitchell
Committee member
Bachelor of Commerce Hospitality & Tourism Management Shire of Dalwallinu Admin Officer
Tanya Evans
Committee member
Customer Service Officer (Shire of Dalwallinu) Business Proprietor (Real Estate) Court Officer (Dept of Attorney General)
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre Annual Report 2015-2016 13
Cassie Harris Committee Member Education Special Needs Assistant Education Assistant Remedial Coordinator Dalwallinu District Tourism Home Business Proprietor
Russell Sinfield Committee Member Bachelor of Internet Sc & Tech GDipEd (Secondary, CompSci) Comp TIA+, MCP, MCSA Coordinator extra-curricular groups
Staff Sharon Bell
Manager
Manager since 2007 Dip Man, Dip Business Cert IV in Small Business Management MYOB Secretary AWACRC (2013-current)
Cherise Ellison
Assistant Manager
Assistant since 2009 Cert III in Business
Amery Pangilinan
Trainee
Cert III in Business Admin Cert IV in Business Admin (Completed January 2016)
Corrina Wu
Trainee
Cert III in Business Admin (Commenced November 2015)
Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre Annual Report 2015-2016 14
Financial Report
As the Dalwallinu CRC enters the 3rd year of the contract with DRD, the loss of $14,000 of income per
year is starting to have effect. This year saw a drop of over $20,000 in income compared to the
previous financial year. While some of this can be accredited to the fact that nearly $15,000 of grant
income was received in June 2014, and acquitted in the current financial year, there was also a drop
in income derived from the sale of products and services.
Over 55% of the 2015-16 income was derived from mainstream CRC services, with Totally Locally
bringing in 24% of income, compared to 18% last financial year. More work needs to be done by
staff and management to increase our income in the forthcoming year.
Attachments
Audited Financial Statements
15%
12%
4%
23%2%
44%
0%
Income 2015-2016 FY
Products & Services
Other Income
Courses
Totally Locally
Centrelink
DRD Contract
Grants
28%
1%0%3%
5%57%
5% 1%0%
Expenses 2015-2016 FY
Cost of Sales
Accounting & Bank
Advertising
Depreciation
Utilities & General Repairs
Employment Expenses