Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre ANNUAL REPORT€¦ · •Social enterprise approach as not...

Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre ANNUAL REPORT

2015-2016

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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


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.


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


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


Access to government

services


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


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


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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)


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)


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

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