2018-19

Pitcher Partners Melbourne Charitable

Annual Report

ContentsChair’s report 1

About us 2

Supporting community 3

Corporate social responsibility 4

Pro bono & low bono 6

The Pitcher Partners Charitable Fund 8

Other initiatives 10

Creating change 12

Governance 12

The Pitcher Partners Charitable Committee 14

CSR Committee Members 15

Disclaimer: The material contained in this report is general commentary and pertains only to Pitcher Partners Melbourne. None of the material is, or should be regarded as advice. Efforts have been made to maintain accuracy at the date of publication. Pitcher Partners, it’s Principal and agents accept no responsibility for any error or omission, or for any loss arising from the use of this information.

Note: Pitcher Partners Melbourne is not a registered not-for-profit organisation. The activities outlined in this report form part of the firm’s corporate social responsibility program, and all financial contributions are made in conjunction with registered charities and not-for-profit organisations. Any use of the term Pitcher Partners refers to Pitcher Partners Melbourne.

Chair’s reportIt is a great pleasure to issue this inaugural annual report of the Pitcher Partners Charitable Committee for 2018-19. The Melbourne firm has set an ambitious target for our community involvement and investment, a target that will grow as the firm grows.

This report outlines our activities and achievements over 2018-19.

On behalf of the Committee, I acknowledge the energy, care and commitment that so many of our people have contributed throughout the year to growing and strengthening our positive presence in the community.

I also acknowledge the commitment and hard work of my fellow committee members, advisors to the committee and all members of the CSR Committee.

Great work everyone, and may we go on to another great year in 2019-20.

Sue DahnChair – Charitable Committee

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About us Pitcher Partners invests in project and enterprise initiatives that make a positive contribution to the community.

Vision Our vision is to earn and maintain Pitcher Partners Melbourne’s social license to operate as a firm of worth and integrity in the business community and to ensure a legacy of meaningful impacts in all the communities in which we operate.

Purpose Through the Pitcher Partners Charitable Committee (PPCC) we seek to drive initiatives, undertake fundraising activities, donate money and resources to worthwhile organisations and oversee and report on all of the firm’s community contributions on behalf of the partnership.

The role of the PPCC is to ensure all contributions are made within agreed operating principles and guidelines.

The scope of the PPCC includes oversight of all charitable contributions including:

• Pro bono and low bono engagements• Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives• Pitcher Partners Charitable Fund donations and grants• Other community support related programs

Our commitment

For every hour worked by Pitcher Partners Melbourne personnel, Pitcher Partners Melbourne contributes $1 to supporting

worthwhile community initiatives. The goal in 2018-19 was to contribute $1.2m.

Values As a firm and a Charitable Committee, our values drive everything we do:

CAREPut people at the heart

of everything we do

COURAGEMake brave choices and

challenge the status quo

ONE FIRMWork and

lead as one team

ENERGYFind a way and make it

happen

HONESTYBuild trust

and do what is right

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Supporting communityPitcher Partners invests in community projects and initiatives in a variety of ways, to contribute positively to those in need. Broadly, four key prongs facilitated the distribution of our charitable contributions which, over the 2018/19 financial year, equated to more than $1.1 million:

Pitcher Partners Charitable Committee (Melbourne)

Pro bono/ low bono

Corporate social responsibility

$935,000 $56,000Contribution Contribution

Pitcher Partners Charitable Fund

Other initiatives

$110,000 $74,000Contribution Contribution

428 volunteer hours

The above figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

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Corporate social responsibilityPitcher Partners provides financial support through donations to a range of organisations each year to encourage our firm activities to have a social conscience.

Our fundraising activities can be broken down into three key activities:

Hub coffeeFor every coffee purchased in

Pitcher Partners Hub Café, the firm donates an additional 50 cents to

the charities chosen by our people. With average coffee sales over

the seven months of operation of 6,455 per month in the reporting period, Pitcher Partners donated more than $22,593, an average of $3,228 a month, to chosen

charities during 2018-19

Casual clothes daysRaising up to $750 per month from

our people who choose to wear casual clothing on the first Friday

of every month

Internal eventsKey fundraising events are

supported internally such as Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, Buy a Bale, Prahran City Mission,

RUOK? Day and more

In addition, Pitcher Partners Melbourne matches all staff donations to eligible causes, dollar for dollar. In the 2018-19 year, this matching equated to around $6,000.

Corporate social responsibility comes in many other forms apart from volunteering or financial. During the 2018-19 financial year, our people contributed to donations of food, clothing, toys and more, including:

Clothing drivesOur people donated a total of 200 items of clothing across two key

organisations:

142 womenswear items for Fitted For Work

58 menswear items for Wear for Success

AppealsOur people donated 117 quality

goods to The Smith Family Toy and Book Appeal:

69 toys

48 books

Blood drivesOur people contributed to the Red Cross Blood Drive (Red 25), with

donations of whole blood and plasma that saved an estimated

129 lives during the 2018-19 reporting period

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In 2018-19, the following 37 organisations received donations raised through our CSR activities totalling more than $56,000:

Corporate social responsibility

Organisations and initiatives supported include:

Amaze My Cause

Australian Sports Foundation Oxfam

Buy A Bale Pancare

Cancer Council PANDA

CEDA Research Pets of the Homeless

Chain Reaction Pollinate

Charlie Teo Foundation Prahran Mission

Diabetes Victoria R U OK?

Edgar’s Mission Rural Aid

Everyday Hero The Salvation Army

Fitted For Work SCKC.org

Go Fundraise St Kilda Gatehouse

Helping Hoops St Vincent’s Hospital

HER Donation The Smith Family

Jared Dunscombe Foundation The Venny

JNF Environmental Fund Tour de Cure

Learning for Life – Autism Centre Victorian Homeless Fund

Cancer Council Longest Day White Bike Foundation

Muscular Dystrophy Australia

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Pro bono & low bono Our people are empowered to donate both their time and expertise through a range of initiatives including pro bono and low bono work. We provide free and heavily discounted (up to 90%) business and specialist advice of the highest standard to support organisations within our community.

During the 2018-19 period, Pitcher Partners Melbourne provided more than 6,000 hours of pro bono and/or low bono support services to 64 not-for-profit organisations valued in excess of $935,000.

Pro bono/low bono

Organisations and initiatives supported include:

Alannah & Madeline Foundation Play Australia

Amy Gillet Foundation  Pollinate Energy

Asia Pacific Business Coalition on Aids  Priceline Sisterhood Foundation

Australian Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta 

REIV Charitable Foundation

Bjarnek Dahl Trust Rhodes Scholarships in Australia

Cotton On Foundation  Royal Flying Doctor Services (Victorian Section)

E.Motion 21  Scleroderma Australia Incorporated

EB Research Foundation  Scleroderma Victoria

Economic Society of Australia: Victoria  Sea Shepherd Australia

Emily’s Wish  Shared Value Project

FareShare  Smiling Mind

Foodbank Australia  Start Foundation

FunFlight Limited  Streat Enterprise

FutureFish Foundation  Tee Up For Kids Children’s Foundation

Glenys & Tegan Saffigna Future Fund  The Bridge of Hope Foundation

Greenfleet Australia  The Hannah Foundation

Health Education Australia  The Ian Potter Foundation

Her Place Women’s Museum Australia  The Man Cave

Impact Capital Australia  The Peter Isaacson Foundation

Italian Australian Foundation The Pinnacle Foundation

Italian Australian Institute  The Salvation Army

Jim Stynes Foundation  The Stella Prize

Kids Like Us Australia  The Venny

Kids Under Cover Australia  The Victorian Homeless Fund

Kinfolk T The Wheen Bee Foundation

Lady Gowrie Child Centre (Melbourne)  Thriving Communities Partnership

Lee Liberman Charitable Foundation  Tour de Cure

Lighthouse Foundation  Twentieth Man Fund

Melbourne Press Club  Uncle Bobs Club

Mental Health Professionals Network  United Israel Appeal Refugee Relief Fund

Muscular Dystrophy Association  Wallara Australia Ltd

My Room Wind of Change International

Online Hate Prevention Institute Youth Junction

Pancare Foundation

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To cook over a million nutritious meals a year, FareShare needs a constant supply of quality ingredients. Pitcher Partners people take part in gardening initiatives to transform vacant sites into vibrant community assets and meet the growing demand for food from charities.

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The Pitcher Partners Charitable FundThe Melbourne partnership sought an appropriate vehicle through which it could reinvest in the profession that gave them such rewarding careers and opportunities. It determined that the best way to do this would be to assist talented members of our community who were at risk of dropping out of their tertiary education studies due to financial hardship.The Pitcher Partners Charitable Fund was established in 2014, as the vehicle to build capital to provide the funds to support aspiring individuals in obtaining qualifications in accounting and related professions. The scholarships are currently administered in conjunction with Deakin University. Up to three scholarships are made available each year with successful candidates being selected by a panel involving three partners from Pitcher Partners. The first two were awarded in the 2017-18 reporting period with a further three to be awarded in 2018-19.

Funding for the scholarship program is provided through:

• contributions by the Melbourne partnership• fundraising initiatives supported by the firm, clients and staff

In the 2018-19 reporting period, Pitcher Partners contributed a total of $110,000 to the fund.

“Pitcher Partners scholarship has given me the opportunity to turn my plan into reality.”

NGOC (CHLOE) LE,2018 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT, TELLS HER STORY

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Case study

Chloe’s story

I came to Australia 12 years ago with my family. When we first came to Australia, life had completely turned around. In the first year, we struggled to adapt to the new life in a new country. I was the only member of the family that could speak English well enough to find a job. I bought local newspapers and started applying for jobs two weeks after our arrival. I got my first job in a clothing shop in Cranbourne Central. After five years, I started applying for jobs in the service industry and got offered a technician position in a payment service company. Currently, I am working as a team leader for a company specialised in product support services.

As my financial situation has improved since I got the full-time position, I planned to go back to university to continue my studies. My dad always tells me study is the best investment. I decided to enrol in an online course. As I searched through all the online course options, I chose to enrol at Deakin. The reason is that Deakin offers flexible options that suits a fulltime worker such as me.

Secondly, my best friend graduated from Deakin and she recommended I study there. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. As a student studying online, I was worried that I may get stuck in my studies with nowhere to turn to. However, at Deakin, I get all the support whenever I need it. The administrative and teaching staff are so knowledgeable and helpful. I am completely overjoyed with my experience at Deakin University.

Since I was in high school, my objective has always been developing a career in the accounting industry. As life got tough, my study was interrupted. When I had the opportunity to go back to study and get a degree, I chose a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in accounting. I’m planning to study further after I complete my degree at Deakin University in the next 2 years. I have a strong desire to build a career in the accounting industry.

The scholarship from Pitcher Partners means a lot to me. Firstly, it shows that my efforts are recognised. Secondly, it gives me the financial security to follow my study plan. I am planning to enrol in an exchange program in this trimester 2 in 2019 to study in Korea. I am also saving the money offered from the scholarship for my third year when I do my internship and placement. Pitcher Partners' scholarship has given me the opportunity to turn my plan into reality.

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FareShare Red Cross – blood donation Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation Pollinate Energy Oxfam Trailwalker Foodbank Australia The Fred Hollows Foundation Other

Other initiativesPitcher Partners supports the community in additional ways through social procurement and volunteer work.

Community leave:All personnel are encouraged to take one paid day of community leave annually to donate their time and expertise to a range of eligible causes including FareShare, with Pitcher Partners responsible for the preparation of 10,000 meals over 2018-19.

During the reporting period, 89 employees from Pitcher Partners Melbourne dedicated more than 428 hours to support a range of causes. This equates to approximately $74,000 in billable hours.

Hours volunteered

65%5%2%

17%

2%2%

1%6%

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Support programs

Pollinate Energy

Pollinate Energy is a social enterprise bringing life changing products to millions of people living in poverty in India’s urban slums and across rural Nepal. Over seven years, Pollinate Energy has brought light to 58,000 of India and Nepal’s poor.

Each year, Pitcher Partners supports any staff member interested in applying for the Young Professionals Fellowship program – which sends candidates to India/Nepal to help them overcome the most pressing business challenges facing Pollinate Energy.

Pitcher Partners supports the fundraising efforts of staff to pay for the $3,800 program costs (which includes accommodation and most meals for the program’s duration) as well as paying for the flights and allowing one week of community leave.

This initiative was first offered to staff in 2016 and we have supported a participant each year. In the 2018-19 reporting period, this contribution equated to 75 community leave hours, with Benjamin Webster being supported in 2018 and Charlotte Pollock being supported in 2019. Both Benjamin and Charlotte continued to be paid their usual salaries while on the program.

"I worked with four other ‘fellows’ from Australia, New Zealand and India.

Our project was to assess the drinking water situation

in Bangalore’s slum communities, and determine

whether a new water filter product would be a viable option from a commercial perspective for Pollinate Group, as well as provide a genuine improvement to

the livelihood of those living within Bangalore’s slum

communities."

CHARLOTTE POLLOCK

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Creating changeImpact analysis

Below is an overview of Pitcher Partners Charitable Committee’s impact on the community.

Overview of financial support 2018-19

Charities and initiatives supported Contribution Impact

Pro/low bono $935,000 64 organisations supported 6,000 hours

CSR $56,000 Supported 20 charities

Pitcher Partners Charitable Fund $110,000 Assistance for 3 disadvantaged students

Other initiatives:• Community leave• Clothing drive• Appeals• Red 25 (Red Cross)

435 hours $74,000 billable hours

10,000 people fed200 people clothed117 families given toys/books129 lives saved

$1,175,000 $1,200,000 $25,000Pitcher Partners financial contribution to charities

and initiatives

Target set for 2018-19 Shortfall

For every hour worked by Pitcher Partners Melbourne personnel, Pitcher Partners Melbourne contributes $1 to supporting worthwhile community initiatives. The goal in 2018-19 was to contribute $1.2m.

GovernanceCommittee composition

The Committee comprises skilled and experienced individuals to govern the worth of the Committee to meet its purpose and obligations.The Committee includes seven partners drawn from Pitcher Partners Melbourne’s partnership. Other participants include Advisors drawn from the firm’s executive, including representatives from Finance, Client Experience and People Experience, as well as representatives from the firm’s CSR Committee.

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“During my three weeks in India with Pollinate Energy on the Young Professionals Program (YPP), I worked with 15 other young professionals from across the world to generate a lasting impact in the slum communities of Hyderabad.”

EDWARD, POLLINATE ENERGY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM

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The Pitcher Partners Charitable CommitteeMeet the team driving changeThe Pitcher Partners Charitable Committee is driven by a committee of experienced business professionals, drawn from the Melbourne firm’s partnership and senior management teams.

Sue DahnChairPartner – Investment Advisory

Matt WilsonMemberPartner – Consulting

Brendan BrittenMemberManaging Partner

Kellie DavidsonMemberPartner – Investment Advisory

Mark HarrisonMemberPartner - Business Assurance & Advisory

Liz JoyceAdvisorDirector – Client Experience

Aileen O’CarrollMemberPartner - Tax Consulting

Nick BullMemberPartner – Business Assurance and Advisory

Krithika HansenAdvisorDirector – People Experience

Steve MarcatoAdvisorDirector – Finance & Operations

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CSR Committee Members

Rebekah HallsMemberInternal Communications Advisor

Ashley PiperMemberManager - Tax Consulting

Rebecca KochMemberAnalyst

Robert McKieMemberPartner - Consulting

Elizabeth LennieMemberTeam Assistant / Marketing Administrator

Stephanie VoonMemberAssistant Manager - Tax Consulting

Emma GillMemberExecutive Assistant

Sarah WhelenMemberNational Communications Coordinator

Bela Attewell MemberMarketing & Events Coordinator

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Pitcher Partners teams help FareShare rescue food that would otherwise go to waste by cooking it into nutritious meals for those in need. The volunteer workforce cooks

more than 5,000 meals a day that are distributed to homeless shelters, soup vans, women's refuges, schools

serving disadvantaged communities and RSLs.

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pitcher.com.au

charity-committee_190916

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Pitcher Partners is an association of independent firms. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Pitcher Partners is a member of the global network of Baker Tilly International Limited, the members of which are separate and independent legal entities.

Thank youWe would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who work tirelessly on behalf of the firm for their energy and enthusiasm in helping us implement and drive our initiatives.And thank you to all our people, clients and alumni who give their time and resources to support our efforts.