Annual ReportAnnual Report

20152015

CONTENTS 3 ................................................. About Us

5 ............................................... Our Values

7 ............................................ Who We Are

9 .................................... Chairperson and Coordinator’s Report

15 ................................ Treasurer’s Report

13 ............................................ Supporters

18 ................ Achievements, Partnerships, Awards & Recognition

20 ................................................ Mentors

Melissa Tapper Standing Tall Ambassador and first Australian Olympian to compete in both the Olympics and Paralympics. We wish her luck in Rio this year.

“I am proud to support such an amazing

program”

FRONT COVER: Iluka Resources Ltd continue their partnership with Standing Tall in Hamilton. Providing

executives to the Committee of Management, Volunteer Mentors and an annual financial donation.

Pictured here are mentors and their mentees touring the Iluka facilities.

About us... Standing Tall in Hamilton is a national award winning, not-for-profit, school based mentoring program that works one-to-one with children aged 11 to 18 years.

Mentoring provides positive guidance, support, routine and encouragement so that the student may develop a healthy connection to school and the opportunities that education provides. The Standing Tall Mentoring program works in collaboration with Baimbridge College and is supported by many local community groups, business and generous philanthropics.

Thirty students currently studying in Years 5 to 12, who fit the relevant criteria may apply to have a mentor. The program is currently able to accommodate 30 students and runs at capacity with a waiting list, with staff employed in a part-time capacity. As of 2015, Standing Tall in Hamilton has impacted change on the lives of over 200 children and their volunteer mentors.

Volunteer mentors are carefully screened and trained and meet with

their mentees for an hour a week. Activities include volunteering

together within the community, table tennis, games, art projects,

bike riding, talking walks, excursions, cooking and sharing hot

lunches. The careful matching of mentees to mentors allow for the

greatest program outcomes. The relationship continues for a

minimum of 12 months, however most choose to continue beyond

the first year.

Peter Gilbert Committee of Management Member and

Client Services Manager at the Mullaraterong Centre

“Mentors are like guardian angels helping kids to stay in education

and giving them the encouragement they need to achieve.”

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Growing Stronger and

Happier Communities

g iv ing back to the community. . .

Our mentees and together with their mentors have been involved in

volunteering at the Uniting Church together Argyle Shop in response

to their generous donations.

Pictured here are (L-R): Nicole, Robyn and Bailey.

Our Values... V is i on Students fulfilling their potential to live rich and rewarding lives and be valuable members of the community.

Miss ion The training of community mentors to support and encourage students to reach their full potential.

The Stand ing Ta l l Program. . . Provides training and support to members of the community who are willing to act as mentors to school students.

We Be l i eve . . . One of the greatest chances for a young person fulfilling their potential is to take advantage of educational opportunities offered in a school environment. There is a high price to be paid for the fact that a number of young people in our society are not taking advantage of the educational opportunities offered in a school setting. Optimal educational outcomes for young people are based on their wellbeing and sense of

connection with the school and community to which they belong. One of the most protective factors for a young person is the support and encouragement afforded

by a one-to-one relationship with a caring adult. The responsibility for the wellbeing of young people lies with the whole community, not just

schools. There is a latent goodwill in the community which can be tapped and realised to support schools

achieve the outcomes for which they are established.

Standing Tall in Hamilton works within the Australian Youth Mentoring Benchmarks, that fosters the growth of high quality youth mentoring programs.

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from rebu i ld to r ide . . .

Ethan and his Mentor Ian have spent mentoring sessions collecting old

parts and learning to rebuild a bike. They now enjoy mentoring

sessions riding together.

Who we are... Standing Tal l Committee of

Management Members

Phillip Gillin - Chairperson Phillip is the Risk Management Coordinator at the Southern Grampians Shire Council and has been a mentor in the program for four years.

Tom Blackwell - Deputy Chairperson Tom is a Project Manager at Iluka Resources and has been a mentor in the program.

Christine Elliott - Committee Secretary Christine is the mother of the youngest mentor in the program. Her background is in Quality Management systems auditing.

Rob Vecchiet - Committee Treasurer Rob is the Principal at Baimbridge College.

Fleur Calvert Fleur is a Director of the Western District Health Service. She is a solicitor and previous director of the not-for-profit Benjamin Andrew footpath library.

Peter Gilbert Peter is the Client Services Manager at the Mulleraterong Centre in Hamilton.

Graham Schroeder Graham brings his legal expertise to the program as a Lawyer and Partner from O-Keeffe Lawyers.

Marissa Vincent Marissa is an English/Literature Secondary Teacher at Baimbridge College.

Patron Dr Geoff Handbury AO

Dr Handbury is a strong supporter and ambassador of Standing Tall in Hamilton.

Ambassador Melissa Tapper Olympian

Community Champions Councillor Bruach Colliton Southern Grampians Shire Council Reverend Peter Cook Hamilton Uniting Church

Prog ram Founder Ms Jeanette Pritchard

Staf f Tracey McDonnell Program Coordinator Jane Crowe Program Administrator

L-R: Fleur Calvert, Peter Gilbert, Phillip Gillin, Graham

Schroeder, Christine Elliott, Rob Vecchiet, Marissa Vincent,

Tom Blackwell

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I AM HAPPY WITH WHO I AM

Before Standing Tall While involved with the program

100% of the children in the Standing Tall program are evaluated annually and these are some of the findings.

Farm excurs i on . . .

2015 was International Year of the Soil. Standing Tall took an

excursion to the historical property of Ardgarten to learn about

composting and farm life.

Chairman and

Coordinator’s Report

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Strengthening Communities with Real Relationships

“If we harness the energy of the youth in positive, productive ways, there is tremendous economic and social stability to be accrued. But if we don’t, there are some pretty

significant risks ahead in many countries.” Professor Susan Sawyer, Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne

Today’s generation of young people is the largest in history with a population of 1.8 billion. These children may not hold a job and may not own a house. For the first time in history, their outlook is bleaker than their parents. Communities need to work together to arm our youth with the skills and resilience they will need to successfully navigate their adult world. The national award-winning mentoring program, Standing Tall in Hamilton has a proven success in the space of early intervention mentoring programs. Over the past 12 years at Baimbridge College we have been building stronger and happier communities.

Celebrating Successes in 2015 As a small non-for-profit, part-time program, funding is limited and we rely on internal evaluations to measure the success of the program and make sure that we are delivering a best practice program. Awards and roles of leadership were received by many of the thirty children in the Standing Tall mentoring program. A measurable outcome of the program’s success. EJ (Ted) Kenna VC Scholarship: Yasmine Turner-Sumner Westvic Workforce VET Excellence Award: Amba Chace Hamilton District Pensioner’s Association Scholarship: Ethan Gray, Nicole Saunders and Aaron Carboon Year Level Endeavour Award: Tahlia Walker Year Level Achievement Award: Georgina Hunter, Georgia Farlech and Yasmine Turner-Sumner Year Level English Award: Georgia Farlech Year 7 Sport Scholarship: Tahlia Walker SRC Scholarship: Tahlia Walker The following Standing Tall students have been given leadership roles within the school and their form levels for 2016; Toby Saunders: Grade 6 Student Representative Council Representative Georgina Hunter: Grade 6 Form Captain Yasmine Turner-Sumner: Year 9 Form Captain Harley Addinsall: Year 9 Form Captain and Student Representative Council Representative.

Yasmine & Aaron with their awards.

A special congratulations went to our 2016 Peer Mentor, Amba Chace and previous mentee, Maddy Phillips on their graduation from Year 12. Success of the program is also measured in feedback from the mentees, some of the responses included;

Mentoring is “AWESOME” Toby, Grade 5

“AMAZING & FUN” Ethan, Grade 6 “MAKES ME FEEL GOOD” Chantelle, Year 7

All this fun is had while quietly one-to-one mentoring within the Standing Tall program is providing young people with the tools that they need to make responsible decisions for their future. Mentoring helps students stay focussed and engaged at school, achieve academic and personal goals, while reducing risky behaviours.

Some of this years highlights have included... Signing Olympian, Melissa Tapper on as our new Program Ambassador. Melissa has grown up in Hamilton and is a proud program ambassador. We look forward to cheering her on as the first Australian athlete ever to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio De Janeiro in 2016.

Melissa has joined us in thanking local sponsors for their generosity to the program this year.

Another highlight was being able to work with our friend and local artist Jacinta Wareham alongside the Tibetan Monks that visited Hamilton during Promenade of Sacred Music. We decorated the town with Prayer Flags that were hand printed, and Mentors and Mentees attended sand mandala workshops. We congratulated mentor, Mark James on receiving the Rotarian Community Police Award for his

outstanding commitment to the Standing Tall program. Mark has been mentoring Amba for the past four years, and has been a great support to both her and the program.

We celebrated National Youth Week with an excursion to Ardgarten, a property owned by Mentor, Min Youngman and her husband Harry. Being the International Year of the Soil, we spent time learning about composting and life on the farm.

Amba (left) & Maddy (right)

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Standing Tall Committee Members, Mentors and Mentees hosted an

afternoon tea to recognize the generous support of our Patron Dr Geoff

Handbury AO and local community supporters.

Embracing Social Media 2015 saw the launch of our new Facebook page. Find us at ‘Standing Tall in Hamilton’. We completed an upgrade to our webpage created with the support of the team at Circle Media in Geelong. You can find at: www.standingtallhamilton.com.au

Thank you We thank the Volunteer Standing Tall Committee, Mentors and the staff of Baimbridge College, who together with the Standing Tall staff, work tirelessly to support the program. We also acknowledge our Patron Dr Geoff Handbury AO for his ongoing generous financial contribution to the program and his personal interest and support. We also acknowledge the Philanthropic organisation

of the Estate of the Late Edward Wilson, who this year made generous contributions to the program. Iluka Resources Ltd continue to grow their interest in the program, offering volunteer executives to bring business acumen to the Committee of Management as well as volunteer mentors and a generous annual donation. Thank you Iluka. Generous community organisations and personal donations have also been received throughout

2015 to replace the loss of government investment. Nearly half of the funding mix is provided through an inkind funding stream How lucky we are to work every day in an environment enabling positive change with appreciative students and dedicated volunteer mentors. As Standing Tall moves into its thirteenth year, we look forward to continued work together with the community to build a robust best practise program. A program that identifies the changing needs of our young people and allowing them the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Phillip Gillin Committee of Management Chairman

& Tracey McDonnell Program Coordinator

Funding Mix

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Before Standing Tall While involved with the program

I FEEL POSITIVE IN MY RELATIONSHIPS

chocol ate , chats and community. . .

Tosca Brown’s Café supported Standing Tall by donating over $800

worth of coffee and cake vouchers to thank our volunteer mentors

during National Volunteer Week.

A happy and grateful group enjoy the Tosca Brown experience.

Platinum Dr Geoff Handbury AO and the

Geoff & Helen Handbury Foundation

Gold The Estate of the Late Edward Wilson

Silver Iluka Resources Ltd

Bronze Hamilton Uniting Church Argyle

Shop @Random Photography

Toyworld Hamilton

In kind Support Baimbridge College

Victoria Police Brophy Family & Youth Services Hamilton & District Skills Centre

Community Donors Hamilton North Rotary Club

Rotary Club of Hamilton Mrs Faye Gumley

Baimbridge College Workplace Giving

Supporters...

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Fleur Calvert Committee of Management Member and

Previous Director of the Benjamin Andrew Footpath Library

“I am constantly amazed by what a difference one hour a week makes in someone's life. With careful

pairing of mentors and mentees, really special, effective and transforming relationships are

formed.”

Before Standing Tall While involved with the program

I RESPOND WELL TO ADVICE

Explor ing a b it of loca l H i story. . .

Dane and his mentor Meg were amongst a number of people that

were welcomed into the Hamilton History House this year. Volunteers

at the centre helped children find information about the history of our

local area.

Treasurer’s Report STANDING TALL HAMILTON

2015 Budget 2015 Actual

Opening Cash Balance $ 17,424 $ 17, 424

REVENUE

Engage Funding $ 15,000 $ 15,000

Patronage (The Geoff & Helen Handbury Foundation) $ 30,000 $ 30,000

The Estate of the Late Edward Wilson $ 30,000 $ 30,000

Iluka Resources Ltd $ 10,000 $ 10,000

Grants $ 4,500

Other Gifts/Donations $ 7,265

TOTAL REVENUE $ 85, 000 $ 96, 765

EXPENSES

Salaries and Wages $ 54,000 $ 69,574

Workcover $ 821

Marketing & Promotional Materials $ 5,000

Office/Admin Expenses $ 1,000 $ 1,851

Mentor/Class Expenses $ 100 $ 414

Program Activities & Events $ 500 $ 1, 556

Meeting Expenses

Gifts $ 220

Transport & Accommodation $ 71

Sundry $ 85

Debit Card Deposit

Conferences/Courses/Seminars $ 173

TOTAL EXPENSES $ 55,600 $ 79,705

NET CASHFLOW $ 29,400 $ 17,060

CASH AVAILABLE $ 46,824 $ 34,484

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Rob Vecchiet Committee of Management Treasurer

Before Standing Tall While involved with the program

I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY ACTIONS

ce l ebrat ing our young peop le . . .

We celebrated National Youth Week with an excursion to historical

Ardgarten farm.

Pictured here (L-R): Rhylee, Ethan, Justin and Cordie explore the

historic Ardgarten Shearing Sheds.

k ind community donat ions . . .

Through the kind donations from local community member, Mrs Faye

Gumley, the program was able to purchase much needed equipment

for our mentoring room.

Aaron and his mentor, Pete used this donation as a lesson in building

and engineering.

Achievements,

Partnerships, Awards

and Recognition...

2015 Rotarian Community Police Award

Partnership with the Argyle Shop Hamilton & Toyworld Hamilton

We welcomed Olympian Melissa Tapper on board as our Ambassador

Southern Grampians Youth Achievement Award

2014 National Mentor of the Year - Australian Youth Mentoring Alliance

Southern Grampians Youth Achievement Award

2013 A published case study, based on the success of Standing Tall Mentoring was circulated internationally by the Australian Council of Educational Research

2012 Partnership with the Great South Coast established

Partnership with the Victoria Police

2011 Partnership with the Hamilton and District Skills Centre

2010 Finalist, Victorian Education Excellence Award for School Community Partnership

2009 Local Impact Award (National Australia Bank) based on the partnership with Iluka Resources Ltd

2008 RMIT Handbury Research Fellowship

2007 Partnership with the Uniting Church

2006 Powercor Business Achievement Award for Community Enterprise

2005 Partnership with Iluka Resources Ltd

2004 Patronage by Dr Geoff Handbury AO and Platinum partnership provided by the Handbury family trust

2005 Westfield Premier’s Award

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Before Standing Tall While involved with the program

I FEEL I HAVE A DIRECTION IN LIFE

Link ing into the community. . .

Each year, our mentees and their mentors are involved in fundraising for the Western District Health Service.

Shown here are (L-R): Nicole, Robyn, Chantelle, Yasmine, Aaron, Harley, Pete and Min.

2015 Mentors... Jan Addinsall

Darrell Agnew

Sally Beggs

Lynette Binney

Bob Cadden

Deb Dark

Robyn Dickie

Peter Dwight

Karyn Dyson

Peter Elsworthy

Amber Fitzpatrick

Keleigh Flavel

Catherine Fraser

Phillip Gillin

Murray Gunn

Mark James

Ian Johnson

Robyn Linke

Alan McConachie

Dean Menzel

Briana Picken

Margy Stevenson

Karen Watt

Meg Watson

Min Youngman

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The Standing Tall program was greatly saddened to hear of the passing of long term mentor and supporter of Standing Tall, Mr Arthur Stevens. Arthur was a vibrant part of our mentoring team and will be remembered for his tireless giving and willingness to contribute time and support to our young people. A recent comment from his son, “Arthur spoke very often regarding his mentoring and at times it was hard to work out who was getting the most out of it - his student or himself for feeling like a part of the community.” Standing Tall is very pleased to announce that Arthur’s mentee has recently commenced employment at Baimbridge College.

Arthur pictured here with his

mentee, Justin and a box kite they

had built together.

You make a good progr am gr e at ,

Thank You!

Notes...

Baimbridge College

85 Stephen Street, Hamilton VIC 3300

www.standingtallhamilton.com.au