Queensland Council of Social Service Annual Report 2014-15

1

Annual Report 2014–15

2

ContentsBoard of Directors 3

Chair’s report 4

Who we are 6

Message from the CEO 7

Highlights 9

Our work 14

HomeforGood 15

Energyadvocacy 17

CommunityDoor 19

IndigenousRemoteSupportCoordination 21

EMBRACE 23

BrightActions 25

Costofliving 27

Organisationalhealthcheck-up 28

IndigenousProfessionalSupportUnit 29

FootstepstoFinish 30

EmergingVoices 31

Multiculturalism 32

Anewpartnership 33

Waterworks 33

Ourmembers 34

Calendar of events 36

The written word 42

Funders and sponsors 45

Financial Report 47

Directors’report 49

Auditor’sindependencedeclaration 53

Statementofprofitorlossandothercomprehensiveincome 54

Statementoffinancialposition 55

Statementofchangesinequity 56

Statementofcashflows 56

Notestothefinancialstatements 57

Directors’declaration 70

3

Board of Directors

Mark Tucker-EvansChair

Richard Johnson

Peter Emery

Kevin Keeffe

Kate Tully

Gerry Weatherall Debra Malthouse

Geoff Walters

Peter Last

4

Chair’s report

Our vision is a Queensland free of poverty and disadvantage. Our purpose is to be the leading force for social change to eliminate poverty and disadvantage.

Atthistimeofyearitisparticularlyappropriateto

measureourperformanceagainstthereasonfor

ourexistence.

The2014-2015yearhasbeenanotherbusyyearand

oneofmanyachievements,yetwearestillalongway

fromachievingourvision.Currently14.8percentof

Queenslandersarelivinginpovertyandnearly20,000

Queenslandersareexperiencinghomelessness.Thecost

oflivingisrising,particularlythecostofessentialservices

and‘thegap’betweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenous

populationsisincreasingonsomanyfronts.

Leadinguptothestateelectionearlierthisyearwe

preparedandpresentedadocumentAchieving Social and

Economic Wellbeing for Queenslanderswhichoutlinedthe

keyactionsanelectedgovernmentwouldneedtotake

toovercomethesechallengesandachievethevisionof

theQueenslandpopulation–givingQueenslandersthe

opportunitytomakearealdifferenceaswell.

Byremainingfocusedonseekingtoinfluencepublicpolicy

forabetterQueenslandwehavebeenabletoworkwith

stategovernmentsofdifferentideologies.

Wehavecontinuedtoworkwithasectorthathasbeen

challengedbyreformandcontinuedfundingcuts.

Our2014QCOSSStateConferencesoughttobuildonthe

strengthsofthesector,withafocusonculture,outcomes

andindicators,innovation,andchildrenandfamilies

–allessentialtoassistintheeliminationofpoverty

anddisadvantageinourcommunities.

Wewerepleasedwiththefeedbackaboutthequality

ofthespeakersandthecontentandthisisguidingthe

preparationofthe2015StateConference.

TheBoardhasalsofocusedontheroleofQCOSS,our

relationshipwithotherpeaks,andthesectorasawholeto

ensurethatweworktowardsimplementingnewprinciples

ofco-designandamoreintegratedservicedelivery

system.Additionallywehavesoughttoexplorenew

fundingstreamstoenableQCOSS’sustainability.

WewerepleasedthatduringthepastyearQCOSS

hasbeensupportedbythevice-regalpatronageofHis

ExcellencytheHonPauldeJerseyAC.

OnbehalfoftheBoardItakethisopportunitytorecognise

andacknowledgetheextraordinaryworkofthededicated

QCOSSteam.Ialsothankmyfellowdirectorsfortheir

wisdomandsupportinguidingtheworkofQCOSSduring

thepastyear.

Mark Tucker-Evans

Chair

“ Currently 14.8 per cent of Queenslanders are living in poverty and nearly 20,000 Queenslanders are experiencing homelessness.”

5The QCOSS story as painted by members of the Indigenous Professional Support Unit

6

Who we are

The Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) is the state-wide peak body for individuals and organisations working in the social and community service sector.

Formorethan50yearsQCOSShasbeenaleadingforce

forsocialchangetoeliminatepovertyanddisadvantage.

WithmembersthroughoutQueensland,QCOSS

undertakesinformedadvocacyandsupportsastrong

communityservicesector.

QCOSS’keyactivitiesfocusonprovidingeffectivepolicy

advice,workingtostrengthenresponsivecommunity

servicesandhavingproductivepartnershipswiththe

communitysector,government,privatesector,academia,

mediaandthebroadercommunity.Thisworkisdoneto

buildaQueenslandwithsocialandeconomicwellbeing

forall.

QCOSS,togetherwithourmembers,providesacrucial

advocacyroleinabroadnumberofareas,including:

•communityservicepracticeandreform

•homelessnessandhousing

•preventionandearlyintervention

•costoflivingpressuresincludinglow-incomeenergy

concessionsandimprovedconsumerprotectionsin

essentialservices,and

•earlychildhoodsupportforAboriginalandTorres

StraitIslanderandculturallyandlinguistically

diversepeoples.

Our visionAQueenslandfreeofpovertyanddisadvantage

Our purposeTobetheleadingforceforsocialchangetoeliminate

povertyanddisadvantage

Our valuesQCOSSwillalwaysact

Courageously–leadingthecampaigntoend

povertyanddisadvantage

Collaboratively–workingtogetherwithour

membersandstakeholders

Creatively–exploringbetterwaystoachieveourvision

Knowledgeably–usingsoundevidencetoinformourwork

Inclusively–respectingthediversityofour

communitiesandsector

Weunderpinallthisbybehavingwithintegrity.

Werecognisethetraditionalcustodiansoftheland,

theimportanceofself-determinationandanendto

disadvantageforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslander

peoples.QCOSSstronglysupportsreconciliation.

QCOSSisamemberofthenationwidenetworkofstate

andterritoryCouncilsofSocialServiceandtheAustralian

CouncilofSocialService.

7

Message from the CEO

The QCOSS Board, staff and membership all share a common vision of a Queensland free of poverty and disadvantage and we know there are many ways this can be achieved.

Wealsoknowourprogresstowardsthevisionmeansthere

havebeengreatoutcomesforsomepeople,andthereare

manypeoplethatarestillexperiencinghighlevelsofpoverty

anddisadvantage.Weneedtoensurethattheneedsofall

vulnerableQueenslandersarebettermet.

QCOSShasbeencapturingtheavailableknowledge,the

dataandtheevidence.Wehavebeenestablishingstrong

frameworksandfoundationssowecancreatetheright

environmentforcommunityledanddrivenresponses

wherecommunitiescantakeresponsibilityfortheir

futures.Focusingonoutcomeshasbeenattheforefront

ofQCOSS’workduringthepast12months.

Queensland’scommunityservicessectorhascontinued

toexperienceitsshareofchallengeswhilesupporting

agrowingnumberofpeople,someofwhichrequirea

diverserangeofservicesandsupport,inatightening

financialenvironment.

Weexploredtheconceptofcommunityledanddriven

initiativesattheQCOSSStateConferencewhereweheard

fromMickGoodaabouttheamazingworkbeingdonein

Bourke,NewSouthWales,andJuneMcLoughlinregarding

DovetonCollegeinVictoria.

Theseareclassicexamplesofthecommunitycoming

together,usingnewapproaches,toimprovethesocial

andeconomicwellbeingoftheircommunities.

Bothexamplesrevealedhowbyenablingcommunitiesto

harnessthepoweroflocalpeople,tobetterunderstand

whatthecommunitywantsanditsindividualsneedand

desire,andtodeliverlocalsolutions,issuesthatonce

seemedimpossibletosolvecanbeovercome.Thishasseen

renewedenergy,increasedcommunityengagementand

governmentplayingmoreofanenablingroletoallowthe

communitytotakeownership.

Afantasticexampleofthestarttothisapproach

inQueenslandwastheHomeforGoodcampaign.

Acommunity-drivenprojectfundedbytheQueensland

Government,facilitatedbyQCOSSandablydriven

locallybyanumberofcommunitypartners,whowereall

centraltotheircommunity,inanefforttobreakthecycle

ofhomelessness,onepersonatatime.Registryweeks,

deliveredbylocalorganisationsandvolunteersand

supportedbyQCOSS,wereheldin17locationscapturing

auniqueanddetailedsnapshotofhomelessnessinthat

community,atthatpoint-in-time.QCOSSisproudto

haveworkedwiththoseorganisationsandseethatit

assistedfindingsafeandsecurehousingformorethan

300homelessQueenslanders.Whilefundingofthis

initiativeintothefutureiscurrentlyuncertainthebenefits

ithasprovidedarenot.Wewillcontinuetocapturerelevant

datasodecisionsrelatingtoinvestmentarebasedon

evidenceandneed.

QCOSS’engagementwithregionalQueenslandhas

continuedtoimproveandincrease.Duringthepast12

monthswehavedelivered144workshopsandinformation

sessionstonearly3,000peopleacrossthestate.

Topicsrangefromyouthreform,energyefficiencyand

concessions,rollingoutoftheHumanServicesQuality

Framework,outcomesworkshopsandorganisational

healthcheck-ups.QCOSSremainscommittedtoengaging

productivelywithourregionalmembersandthe

communityservicesectorwhichstretchesthelengthand

breadthofthestate.

Whilethevastnessofthestateisachallengewithour

resources,wehavetriedtovideoeveryBrisbaneeventand

postthemonStudioQortheQCOSSwebsitetokeepall

ourmembershipinformedandupdated.

Tobettersupporttheregions,forthefirsttimeQCOSS

delivereditsannualCost of Living Reporthighlighting

thefinancialdifferencesoflivinginsixregionalcentres

acrossQueensland.TheregionswereMountIsa,Cairns,

Rockhampton,Kingaroy,GoldCoastandBrisbane.

8

Thereporthighlightedhowdifficultitcanbeforsome

low-incomehouseholdstomeetabasicstandardofliving,

simplybecauseofwheretheylive.

OurworkinQueensland’sever-changingenergyspace

continuestogrowasdoestheneedforsupportand

protectionsforlow-incomeandvulnerablehouseholds

strugglingtocopewithincreasingenergybills.Thesector

hasclearlyindicatedthatthisremainstheareaofhighest

demandforfinancialsupportandinterventiontodealwith

compoundingbillsandthethreatofdisconnection.The

QueenslandGovernmentagreedtoholdoffonderegulation

forafurther12months,arecommendationofQCOSS,to

ensurethattheresponsetothisoverly-complexmarket

wasdoneinaresponsibleandconsideredmanner.Our

messageremainsthatallconsumers–butparticularlythose

whoareconsideredvulnerable–areaffordedtheright

consumerprotectionstoensuretheyhaveequalaccesstoa

fundamentalandessentialservicesuchaselectricity.

Anotherareaofworkwhichcontinuestoexpandisour

involvementintheearlyyears’space.Ourfocushasbeenon

AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderearlyyears’educators

andmainstreamkindergartenexperiencesforchildrenfrom

AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderandculturallyand

linguisticallydiversebackgrounds.Itiswellacceptedthatthe

firstfiveyearsofachild’slifeisacriticaltimeinwhichtolay

thefoundationsforasociallyandeconomicallysuccessful

future.Understandingtheculturalbarriersthatexistfor

manyQueenslandchildrenandembracingthosedifferences

assomethingtobecelebratedhasbeenatthecoreof

muchofQCOSS’work.SupportingAboriginalandTorres

StraitIslandereducatorsingainingandretainingtheright

qualificationstodelivernationalstandardeducationtochildren

inremotecommunitieshasbeenchallengingduetothe

barriersthatexist.Ithashoweverbeenincrediblyrewardingfor

allinvolvedinthatareagiventhesuccesstodate.

Ourfocusonpreventionandearlyinterventionremains

paramount,andwearekeentoremainengagedwiththe

governmentregardingthesignificantinvestmentinfamilies

andcommunitiesannouncedduringtheStateBudgetin

2014.Thisinvestment,duringthenextfiveyears,iscritical

ifwearetoshifttheemphasisfromreactingtocrisesand

investingintherightservicesandprogramstosupport

familiesandindividualstohaveasociallyandeconomically

prosperousfuture.Wewillcontinuetobeinvolvedinthis

areaandtheimplementationofsupportstoensurethebest

outcomesforchildrenandfamilies.

Thepasttwofederalbudgetshaveleftmanypeople

struggling.Fortunatelythevoiceofthebroadercommunity,

alongsidethecommunityservicessector,calledforamore

appropriateresponsefromgovernmenttosupportfamilies

andindividualswhowerestrugglingthemost.Therewere

someminorwinswithmeasurestosupportvulnerable

pensionersandsingleworkingparentshoweverthere

arelongtermconsequenceslikelytoflowfromthisshort

termapproach.

QCOSSremainscommittedtobuildingontheworking

relationshipwithgovernment.Thisiscriticalifweareto

shareandamplifythevoicesofthosemostinneedof

support.Itiscriticalsowesupportcommunitiestodeliver

thebestpossibleoutcomesforallQueenslanders.

Iwanttothankandacknowledgethesupportandenergy

ofQCOSSmembers,Boardandstaffwhocontinuetodrive

theorganisationforward.Therearemoreopportunities

thanchallengesandIlookforwardtoworkingwithyouinto

thefuture.

Mark Henley

ChiefExecutiveOfficer

“ During the past 12 months we have delivered 144 workshops and information sessions to nearly 3,000 people across the state. ”

9

July 2014

New12monthNationalPartnership

AgreementonHomelessnesssigned.

QueenslandGovernmentconfirmed

pre-paymentmetercustomersin

remotecommunitiesareeligiblefor

theElectricityRebate.

August 2014

EssentialServicesTeampresented

attheParliamentaryCommittee

investigatinglegislationtointroduce

electricitypricederegulationinSouth

EastQueenslandin2015.

QCOSSCEOannouncedasoneof

15QueenslandPlanAmbassadors

andappointedtotheQueensland

Government’sWaterQStrategic

AdvisoryCommittee.

HomeforGood-acommunity-

drivenprojecttacklinghomelessness

-launchedinGympie,Bundaberg,

MoretonBay,theSunshineand

FraserCoasts.

Fundingsecuredforapilotproject

–theIndigenousRemoteSupport

Coordination(IRSC)program–with

DepartmentofEducationandTraining

tounderstandhowbesttoundertake

trainingandprofessionaldevelopment

supportforearlychildhoodeducators

indiscreteAboriginalandTorresStrait

Islandercommunities.

September 2014

QCOSS’IndigenousProfessional

SupportUnit(IPSU)facilitatedtwo

regionalforumsintheNorthern

PeninsulaAreaandTorresStrait

attendedbyAboriginalandTorres

StraitIslanderearlychildhood

educators.

IPSU’sMenofSteelmetovertwo

daystoencouragemorementoget

involvedinearlychildhoodeducation.

Positivechangesfortheelectricity

industryannouncedbythe

governmentasaresultofQCOSS’

advocacywork.

Highlights

10

October 2014

Issue2oftheCost of Living Report -

Special Edition: The cost of living and

age pensioner householdsreleased

onInternationalDayofOlderPersons.

Thereportrevealedthatlow-income

pensionersrentingprivatelyare

unabletoaffordabasicstandardof

living.

QCOSScontinueditsinvolvement

withAnti-PovertyWeek,generating

state-widemediacoverage.CEO

MarkHenleyspokeatanumberof

publicevents.

HomeforGoodregistryweekteams

inCairns,Bundaberg,Gympie,

MoretonBayandontheFraserand

SunshineCoasts,beganworkingwith

localservicestobuildasnapshot

ofwhathomelessnesslookslikein

eachregion.

QCOSS’Stretch Reconciliation

Action Plan 2015-2017finalised,

recommittingtheorganisationand

stafftowalkingalongsideAboriginal

andTorresStraitIslanderpeoples.

Morethan300participantsand20

speakersattendedthe2014QCOSS

StateConferenceonbuildingstrength

inindividualsandcommunities.

LaunchedtheOutcomesWorking

Group,bringingtogetheradiverse

mixofgovernmentandnon-

governmentorganisationstodraft

andtestasuiteofprogramlevel

outcomesandmeasureswhich

community-basedorganisations

mayusealongsidetheirservice

agreements.

CommunityDoorredesignunveiled,

basedonuserfeedback,makingit

moreintuitiveandeasiertouse.

FirstroundofEmbracingCultural

DiversityinKindergartenworkshops

staged,withastrongturnoutof

educatorskeentolearnhowto

increasekindergartenparticipation

forchildrenfromAboriginaland

TorresStraitIslanderandculturally

andlinguisticallydiverse(CALD)

backgrounds.

November 2014

HomeforGoodcampaigncontinued

withregistryweeksinCairns,Mount

IsaandontheGoldCoastand

communitybriefingsinCaboolture,

theSunshineCoast,Gympieand

Bundaberg.

EmbracingCulturalDiversityin

Kindergartentrainingcompletedin

theLoganandInalaareas.

AnnualGeneralMeetingincludeda

discussiononwhatconstitutesgood

publicpolicyandhowQCOSScan

influencepublicpolicyoverthenext

threetofiveyears.

FootstepstoFinish,IPSUand

IRSChostedaweek-longintensive

residentialinCairnstoprovide

trainingsupportforeducatorsfrom

remoteAboriginalandTorresStrait

Islandercommunitiesinpartnership

withregisteredtrainingorganisations

(RTOs).

More than 300 participants and 20 speakers attended the 2014 QCOSS State Conference on building strength in individuals and communities.

11

December 2014

Firstregional Cost of Living Report

releasedhighlightingdifferences

inthecostoflivinginsixregional

centresacrossQueensland.

PartnershipformedwithChamberof

CommerceandIndustryQueensland

toworkwithhouseholdsandsmall

businessestohelpthemunderstand

andbetterrespondtotheelectricity

market.

Multicultural Data Index - Migrants and

Refugees in Queensland publishedto

supportpolicyandserviceplanning.

Multicultural Resource Book for

disability service providersreleased,

toassistinsupportingpeoplewitha

disabilityfromnon-englishspeaking

andCALDbackgrounds.

January 2015

QCOSSstateelectionplatformissued

callingonallpoliticalpartiesto

committosixactionsplusresources.

Relaunchede-newsletterasFocal

pointaswellasSpotlight on…series

toshowcaseworkinthesector.

Productivemeetingwiththestate

governmentwithagreementto

commenceaco-designprocess

forservicesystemdevelopment

andsupporttobeco-facilitatedby

QCOSS.

FirstOutcomesWorkingGroup

meetingheld(firstof10monthly

workshops,includingfourregional)

toestablishasuiteofoutcome

measures,toolsandguidancefor

gatheringevidence.

February 2015

Morethan2000HomeforGood

surveysnowcompletedcovering

morethan3000individuals.Atleast

50peoplesurveyedduringregistry

weekslastyearnowsettledinto

suitableaccommodation.

QCOSSstafftravelledthroughout

regionalQueenslandtosupport

organisationswithyouthrenewal

andenergyconsumerawareness

workshops.

Regionalenergyliteracyworkshop

seriescommencedwithsessionsin

MountIsaandCairnstoassistthe

sectorandgetfeedbackonkey

regionalenergyissues.

IPSU,FootstepstoFinishandthe

IRSChostaDirectorsandMentors

GatheringinCairnstoprovide

professionaldevelopmentandpeer

supportforthoseworkinginremote

anddiscreteAboriginalandTorres

StraitIslandercommunities.

12

March 2015

HostedCouncilofSocialServices’meetinginBrisbane.

Jointstatementreleasedcallingonfederalgovernment

toreverseitsdecisiontoslashupto$1billionin‘savings

measures’fromAustralia’scommunityservicessector.

MeetingswithDepartmentsofPremiers,Treasury,

Communities,HousingandPublicWorks,aswellasthe

Premier,MinisterforCommunitiesandMinisterforEnergy

andWaterSupply,highlightingtheworkQCOSS

isundertakingtobettersupportthesector.

OpenlettersenttoQueenslandMPsaskingwhatthey

coulddotoClosetheGap.

Numeroussubmissions,workshopsandmeetingswith

sectorrepresentativestocontinuethepushforstrong

consumeradvocacyandprotectionsforvulnerable

customers,concessionsreformandstatefundingfor

financialcounselling,literacyandlegalsupporttoassist

peoplestrugglingwithenergybillsandrisingcostofliving.

HomeforGoodcampaignhasnowseen204people

housedasaresultoflocally-ledsurveysandefforts.

FootstepstoFinishandtheIRSChostedaweek-long

intensiveresidentialinCairnstoprovidetrainingand

practicumforeducatorsfromremotecommunitiesin

partnershipwithRTOs.

April 2015

EmergingVoicesprojectcommencedwith12participants

interestedinbeingmoreinvolvedinshapingpublicpolicy.

200peopleattendedtheQCOSSBreakfastwith

theMinisterHonShannonFentimanMP,Ministerfor

Communities,WomenandYouth,MinisterforChildSafety

andMinisterforMulticulturalAffairs.

QCOSSsignedanopenlettertothePrimeMinisterabout

theneedforcontinuedfundingformentalhealthservices.

OutcomesWorkingGroupscontinuedinMarchandApril.

ReduceYourJuiceprogramlaunchedinpartnershipwith

CitySmarttohelpyoungadultrenterslearnhowtoreduce

theirenergyuseandsavemoneyonenergybillsthrougha

smartphoneapp.

EmbracingCulturalDiversityinKindergartenprofessional

developmenttrainingundertakeninBundabergandCairns.

FinalfourHomeforGoodregistryweeksconductedin

Longreach,Mackay,CooktownandRockhampton.

Youthworkshopswrappedupwithdataproviding

aninsightfulpictureofthesector’sneedsandwants

regardingyouthreform.

13

May 2015

EmbracingCulturalDiversityin

Kindergartentrainingcompleted

inBrisbane.

Federalbudgetdeliveredminorwins

withmeasurestosupportvulnerable

pensionersandsingleworking

parents,butsadlylackedanyreal

long-termfocusandpolicytoprotect

peopleexperiencingpovertyand

disadvantage.

FifthOutcomesWorkingGroup

meetingheld.

Registrationsforfirst‘wave’

ofReduceYourJuiceprogram

closed.Fantastictakeupwith366

participants,exceedingtheinitial

target.Programcommenced1June.

June 2015

HumanServicesQualityFrameworkinformationsessionsandorganisational

healthcheck-upsessionsheldacrossthestate.

EnergyliteracyworkshopseriescontinuedthroughoutregionalQueensland

receivingverypositivefeedbackandinteractionfromthesector.

EmbracingCulturalDiversityinKindergartentrainingcompletedinIpswich.

QCOSSandtheChamberofCommerceandIndustryQueenslandjointlyhosted

thefirstQueenslandEnergyConsumerReferenceCommitteemeetingbringing

togetherbusinessandcommunitygroupstodiscusscollaborativeadvocacy

andstrategiesforlowerelectricityprices.

HomeforGoodteamhasnowrecordedmorethan300housingoutcomes

acrossthestateforfamiliesandindividualssurveyedduringtheregistryweeks.

IRSChostedaweek-longintensiveresidentialinCairnsinpartnershipwith

RTOsandotherstakeholdersforeducatorsfromremoteAboriginalandTorres

StraitIslandercommunities.

14

Our work

15

Home for GoodThis year, following on from the success of the 500 Lives, 500 Homes collective impact project in Brisbane, QCOSS was contracted to coordinate registry weeks in 17 regional locations throughout Queensland.

ThepurposeofHomeforGoodwasmanifold–itsought

toengagewithpeopleexperiencingchronicandhidden

homelessnessandprioritisethemaccordingtotheir

vulnerability.Itbroughtkeystakeholderstogetherto

developpartnershipapproachestoengagingwithpeople

experiencinghomelessnessandbrokeringsolutionsfor

them.Finally,itsoughttogenerateasnapshotshowing

thecharacteristicsofhomelessnessineachlocation,which

couldbeusedbyservicesandgovernmenttoidentify

gapsanddeepenourunderstandingofneed.

Duringthecourseoftheyear,datawasgatheredon

morethan4000peopleexperiencingoratriskofchronic

homelessness.QCOSSpartneredwithmorethan150

organisationsacrossregionalQueenslandtomanagethis

feat,withanother60orsoorganisationssupportingthe

workbydonatingvariousresources.Whilethemajority

oforganisationsinvolvedwerespecialisthomelessness

servicesorhousingproviders,weknewthattogetthe

bestoutofthisworkwehadtoengageanyonewitha

stakeinhomelessness.

Ourpartnersincludedfaith-basedorganisations,

flexischools,youthservices,mentalhealthservices,

governmentagencies,domesticviolenceservices,

AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderservices,vocational

educationandtrainingorganisations,jobservices

providers,emergencyreliefagencies,disability

services,volunteeringorganisations,localgovernment,

neighbourhoodcentres,multiculturalservices,and

counsellingservices.

AsofJune2015,morethan300individualsand

families,whowerepreviouslysleepingroughorcouch

surfing,hadbeenhousedinsafe,stableandaffordable

accommodationwiththeappropriatesupports.

QCOSSthanksourHomeforGoodpartners,andin

particularourleadagenciesandlocalchampionswho

gavesomuchtimeandenergytoanewinitiative.

TheHomeforGoodinitiativeprovidedQCOSSstaffwith

aninvaluableopportunitytorollupoursleeves,work

alongsideourmembersandthebroadersectorand

reinvigorateourcommitmenttothesector.

16

The resultsImagine this. It’s 5.30am in the morning. You have been sleeping in a tent for the past three months after life took a detour and you found yourself without a place to call home. You feel the fear rising, not knowing the faces behind the torchlight and always expecting the worst.

Howeverinthiscase,53-year-oldSharon’searlymorning

visitors“wereanabsoluteblessing”andprovidedthe

singlemum-of-twowiththechancetochangeherfuture

andbreakthecycleofhomelessness.

Sharon’svisitorswerefromChurchesofChristCare,who

ledtheHomeforGoodcampaigninIpswichinNovember

lastyear,andtheywantedtohearherstory.

Afteraseriesoffamilyandhealthcomplications,Sharon

andherbelovedpupCasperfoundthemselveswith

nowhereelsetogootherthantoborrowdaughterStef’s

tentandsetup“home”attheIpswichShowground.

Sharonsaysshewasoftenscaredsleepingroughbut

foundwaystomakethemostofhercircumstances,

drinkingcoffeeoutdoorsandenjoyingthecompany

ofCasper.

AspartoftheHomeforGoodsurveyprocess,itwas

discoveredthatSharonhadbeenblacklistedfromthe

privaterentalmarketduetoapreviousmisunderstanding

andthatshewaskeentorentapropertywithher

daughterratherthangoingintocommunityhousingon

herown.

ChurchesofChristCarehousingcoordinatorArleneLewis,

whovisitedSharonthatmorningandhassinceprovided

ongoingsupportandresources,wasabletoarrangefor

advocacysupportforSharontohavetheblacklisting

removed,applyforbondloanandrentalgrant,andfind

asuitablenewhomeallbeforeChristmaslastyear.

Sharonisnowhappilyreconnectedwithhersonand

daughterandisworkingtogetherhealthbackontrack

also.“TheHomeforGoodprogramwaslikeatreereaching

outwithallthedifferentservicesandpointsofhelp,with

meatthebase,”shesaid.

Sharon with her beloved dog Casper

17

Energy advocacyQCOSS’ Essential Services team have continued to support and advocate for low-income and vulnerable Queenslanders struggling with the cost of living and particularly rising electricity prices.

Abigfocusfortheteamduring2014-15wastowork

withtheQueenslandGovernmenttoensurevulnerable

householdswouldbebetterprotectedandempowered

aheadofasuiteofenergylegislationbeingintroduced

from1July2015.QCOSS’advocacyworkledtoa

numberofpositiveoutcomes,includingthe12-month

delaytothederegulationofelectricitypricesinSouth

EastQueensland,followingcallsfromQCOSSand

otherconsumergroups.Anotherpositiveoutcomefor

Queenslanderswasconfirmationofacapof$20onexit

feesandtherequirementforenergyretailerstoprovide

customerswith10days’advancednoticeof

priceincreases.

QCOSSalsoparticipatedintheAustralianEnergy

Regulator’sNetworkRevenueDeterminationprocess,

whichsetstherevenueselectricitynetworkbusinessescan

recoverthroughelectricitypricesforthenextfiveyears.

Householdsarefacinghighercostsinlargepartdueto

thesignificantrevenuesrecoupedbynetworkbusinesses.

QCOSSscrutinisedtheproposalsputforwardbyErgon

EnergyandEnergextoargueforlowerrevenuesand

lowerpricesforstrugglingQueenslandhouseholds.

Theoutcomesofthisreviewwillbereleasedin

October2015.

Anothersignificantwinwastosecurebetteroutcomesfor

powercardcustomersinremotecommunities.InAugust

2014,QCOSSreleasedaresearchreportEmpowering

Remote Communitieswhichputforwardanumber

ofrecommendations.

Asaresultofthisworkanumberofimprovementshave

occurred,includingconfirmationpowercardcustomers

canreceivetheElectricityRebate,improvedconsumer

protectionsandanewgovernmentandstakeholder

workinggrouptocollaborativelyaddresselectricityissues

inremotecommunities.

QCOSS’effortstopromoteinformationandprograms

toassistclientswithenergybillshasalsocontinued,

includingworkinginpartnershipwithorganisationssuch

asCitysmarttopromotetheReduceYourJuiceprogram.

QCOSShasalsodevelopedasuiteofenergyfactsheets

andonlineresourcesonCommunityDoor,andestablished

anewonlineEnergyandWaterNetworkSpacefor

communityorganisationstoshareinformationandstay

up-to-dateonnewinformationandresourcesinthe

energyspace.

QCOSSalsoranaseriesofenergyliteracyworkshops

insevenregionallocations,coveringhowtoreadan

electricitybill,energyefficiencytips,andadviceon

accessingconcessionsandhardshipassistance.

Theteamalsoengagedwidelywithcommunity

organisationsthroughanonlinesurveytoidentifythe

issuespeoplearefacinginrelationtoenergystatewide.

Thefeedbackandstoriesgatheredrevealedacommon

themeofstrugglinghouseholdsandtheurgentneedfor

moreresourcestosupportthecommunitysectortoassist

clientswithenergybills.Theteamislookingforwardto

deliveringmorecommunityworkshopsacrossthestatein

thecoming12months.

18

The resultsThe impact of rising electricity prices in recent years is no doubt being felt by all Queenslanders, but particularly by low-income households who regularly have to make the decision of whether to put food on the table or pay their energy bill.

KarenDenhamisGoodShepherdMicrofinance’s

NoInterestLoanScheme(NILS)StateCoordinator,

Queenslandandisalsoanavidsupporterofthework

QCOSSisdoingintheenergyspaceacrossQueensland

andthepositiveoutcomesbeingachieved.

KarensaidNILSoffersloanstopeopleonlow-incomes

topurchaseessentialitems,with35percentofloans

inQueenslandbeingusedtobuyenergy-efficient

whitegoodssuchaswashingmachinesandfridges.

“TheregionalenergyliteracyworkshopshostedbyQCOSS

havebeenfantastic.Theyareanexcellentexampleofhow

toempowercommunityservicesectorstafftoprovide

theirclientswithpracticaladviceandusefulinformation

onhowtoreducetheirenergybillsandwhereandwhen

toseekfinancialsupporttogetthemthroughtough

times,”shesaid.

“Ourclientsareoftenunawareofhowmuchenergytheir

oldappliancesuse.Theseworkshopshavehelpedour

stafftoassistclientsmorebroadlybydoingenergybill

assessmentsandhelpinglow-incomehouseholdsbetter

understandwheretheymightbeabletomakesavingsor

changetheirenergyusetoreducecosts.”

Karenisalsoinvolvedinanumberofenergy-related

referencegroupsfacilitatedbyQCOSS,whichshesaysare

agreatexampleofthesectorpullingtogethertorespond

totheneedsoflow-incomeanddisadvantagedfamilies

andhouseholdsinQueensland.

“Thereferencegroupsareanimportantmeanstoensure

householdsandpeopleonlow-incomesareprotected

andsupportedwhendealingwithQueensland’scomplex

energymarket,”shesaid.

GoodShepherdMicrofinanceisanationalorganisation

withcorporatepartnershipswithNAB,TheGoodGuys

Commercial,SuncorpandAIGInsurance.

Good Shepherd Microfinance NILS State Coordinator Karen Denham

19

Community DoorCommunity Door is a one-stop portal of news, information and resources for those working in the community service sector.

Thesitecontainsawealthofcontentacrossfourdifferent

platforms–theCommunityDoormainsite,Network

Spaces,StudioQandeTraining.

Overtheyearsthiscontenthasexpandedandoutgrown

itsoldskin.Feedbackfromusersshowedthatwhilemost

peoplefoundthecontentvaluable,theyfoundithardto

findandrelocatetheinformationorresources.

In2014/15thefocusforCommunityDoorwasto

redesignallfoursitestomakethemeasiertouseand

moreaccessibleforall.Surveysandfocusgroupswere

conductedtounderstandwhatusersofthesitesvalued,

whatworkedandwhatneededtobedonebetter.

Thenewdesignofthefoursitesisnowwellunderway.

Ithasbeenanenormousexercisebringingtogetherthe

resourcesandpagesacrossallplatformsandisexpected

tobefinishedinlate2015.

Navigationandpresentationisnowbeingmadeconsistent

acrossallsites.Thestructurehashelpedtoimprove

performance,makethesitesmoreflexibleandresponsive,

andmakeiteasiertofindrelevantinformation.

Thesiteshavealsobeenupdatedtomeettheindustry

standardWebContentAccessibilityGuidelines2.0which

definehowtomakesitesaccessibleforpeoplewith

disabilities.Changesarebeingprogressivelyimplemented

tobringthesitestoatleastaLevelAAstandardand

improvetheexperienceforallusers.

Asthesechangesarebeingmade,contentisbeing

regularlyupdatedtoreflectsectorreformsandkeepusers

up-to-datewithwhat’shappeninginthesectorthrough

blogsandnewsarticles.Anumberofvideos,interviews

andpodcastshavealsobeenaddedtoStudioQ,including

theSpotlight on…serieswhichfeaturesinterviewswith

leadingfiguresinQueensland’scommunityservicessector.

ThefreeCommunityDooreTrainingsitehasseena

threefoldincreaseinusers,aswellastheaddition

oftwonewtrainingmodulesincollaborationand

culturalintegrity.Subscriberstothepopularfortnightly

newsletterCommunityNewshasmorethandoubled

throughouttheyear.

TheCommunityDoorteamhasalsobeenoutandabout

inthesectorshowcasingournewdesigntonetworks

andcommunitygroupsaroundQueensland.While

2014/15hasbeenabusyyear,2015/16lookstobe

evenbusier,withnewcontent,resourcesandongoing

supportforthesector.

20

The resultsCollaboration can produce great outcomes, but it can also end in failure if the right considerations and choices are not made at the start of the process, according to the co-creator of a free and easy-to-use online collaboration tool.

Thecollaborationdecision-support

tool,whichisavailableonQCOSS’

CommunityDoorwebsite,is

designedasastep-by-stepguide

tohelporganisationsdetermineif

collaborationisinfacttherightroad

togodown.Thetoolisinformedby

astrongevidencebasedrawnfrom

researchandpracticeandprovides

examplesofsuccessfulcasestudies

andcollaborativepracticemodels.

ProfessorRobynKeastandDr

DanChamberlainfromSouthern

CrossUniversityco-createdthe

onlinetoolinajointprojectwith

QCOSS,andRobyniskeentosee

thetoolembracedbyQueensland’s

communityservicessector.

Interestinthetoolhasbeenreceived

fromfarandwide,includingthe

UnitedStates,Canada,Europe,New

ZealandandaroundAustralia.

“Thesectorhasalwaysbeen

collaboratingasameanstosurvive,

buttoomanyorganisationsand

servicesthinkthatiftheycollaborate,

justlikemagiceverythingwillwork

outforthebest,”Dansaid.

“Itisaveryintensewayofworking

andrequiressignificantinvestment

upfrontintermsofplanningand

strategising,butthebenefitsare

equallyenormousforboththeservice

andultimatelytheclientstheyserve.”

Robynsaidthecollaboration

decision-supporttoolaimedtohelp

facilitatetheindividualorcollective

conversationswhichneededto

happenintheinitialstages,and

ensurethatadequateconsiderationis

giventowhethertherightpeople,the

rightsystems,andtherightcontacts

areinplacetoencouragepositive

outcomes.

“Asuccessfulcollaborationneedsto

besystematicandbasedonshared

visionsandvalues;withoutcleargoals

andcarefulplanning,collaborating

organisationsriskcreatingmore

problemsthansolutions,”shesaid.

“Thistoolisaboutstepping

back,determiningwhatformof

workingtogetherisneededandif

collaborationisthewayforward,

assessingwhatyouhaveand

whatyouwillneedtomakeyour

collaborativerelationshipwork.”

Professor Robyn Keast and Dr Dan Chamberlain

21

Indigenous Remote Support CoordinationThere is no doubt that quality early childhood education programs have the potential to change a child’s life for the better, as it can lay the foundation for their future success and contribute to improved outcomes in long-term learning, employment and health to name just a few.

QCOSSiscommittedtosupporting

AboriginalandTorresStraitIslander

childrenthroughoutQueenslandto

enjoythesamequalityofcareand

thebestpossiblestarttolifeasnon-

Indigenouschildren.Thiscommitment

nowcontinuesintheformof

theIndigenousRemoteSupport

Coordination(IRSC)pilotprogram

whichisdesignedtoempower

AboriginalandTorresStraitIslander

educatorstobethebesttheycan

anddeliverthebestoutcomesforthe

childrenandfamiliestheysupport.

TheIRSCwasinitiatedinresponse

totheintroductionofcontestability

tothetrainingmarketinSeptember

2014.TheQueenslandGovernment

recognisedtheuniquechallenges

facedbyearlychildhoodeducators

livinginremoteAboriginaland

TorresStraitIslandercommunities

inundertakingstudyorprofessional

development,alongsidean

acknowledgementthatanysupport

providedneededtobecost

effectiveandefficient.Theaimof

theIRSCistoensurethateducators

receivedthesupporttheyneeded

tobecompetentandqualified,and

thatservicesareabletomeet

theirlegislativerequirements.

Theprojectwasexpandedtoinclude

broaderearlyyearsservices,witha

developmentalfocusonworkand

studyreadinessandgovernance.

Thekeyobjectivesoftheprojectare

todevelopamodelforcoordinating

earlychildhoodeducationandcare

trainingdelivery,toimplementatrial

ofthemodel,andtoevaluatethetrial.

Arangeofstrategieshavebeen

designedinpartnershipwithservices,

communitiesandpartneringagenciesto

achievetheseobjectives.Theyhavebeen

developedtakingintoconsideration

arangeofleveragingopportunities

fromcurrentlyfundedQueensland

andAustraliangovernmentprograms.

ProgramssuchastheIRSCplayan

essentialroleinfacilitatingculturally-

safeprofessionaldevelopment

opportunitieswithrelevantandreal

outcomesthatdirectlyimpacton

theup-skillingofearlychildhood

educators,andultimatelythequality

ofcareandeducationforchildren

andfamiliesinAboriginaland

TorresStraitIslandercommunities

throughoutthestate.

22

The resultsJacqui Tapau is the Director at Gundoo Day Care Centre in Cherbourg and has been involved with QCOSS for many years both as a student and a teacher.

SheisconsideredastrongleaderinthebroaderCherbourg

communityandatthecentre.Jacquiprovidesapowerful

voiceforhercommunityandisastrongadvocateforthe

importanceofearlychildhoodeducationineverychild’s

lifelonglearningjourney.

JacquihasbeeninvolvedwiththeIRSCprogramsince

itsinceptionthroughtheoperationaladvisorygroup,

providingvaluablerepresentationandavoiceforservices

inremotecommunitiestohelpshapetheprogramand

itsdirection.

Oneofthemainstrategieswastoprovideamechanismto

supportdirectorssuchasJacquibybringingthemalltogether

forface-to-faceleadershiptrainingandmanagementsupport.

“ComingtogetherwithsomanystrongIndigenousleaders

hasbeenveryrewarding,andIhavereallyenjoyed

learningwitheveryoneandbeingabletopasson

adviceandmypersonalexperiencestosomeofthenew

directors,”shesaid.

Jacquiisastrongadvocateforongoingtrainingand

professionaldevelopmentforstaff,andhasalways

encouragedherstafftoparticipateintheresidentials.

Shehasmodelledthiscommitmentbybeingcloseto

finishingherBachelorofEarlyChildhoodTeaching

throughMacquarieUniversityinNewSouthWales,

thankstothepracticalandfinancialsupportoftheIRSC

program,includingtravelfundsandbackfillstaffing

arrangementsattheGundooDayCareCentre.

“Beingabletostepawayfromthecentre,knowingthey

aren’tbeingdisadvantagedbymyabsence,andhave

thespaceandsupporttostudyandfinishmyassignments

hasbeenamazingasitcanbequitedifficultto

achieveallofthisathomewheretherearesomany

competingpriorities.”

Jacquiwasalsoabletoprovidebackfillarrangements

onYorkIslandintheTorresStraitfortheTagaiCollege

pre-prepprogramforateachertoattendapracticum

inCairnsaspartoftheirstudyrequirements.

“Thiswasagreatexampleofthewonderfulopportunities

andoutcomesofthisprogramwhicharehelpingtoshare

culturesacrossremotecommunities,sharepractices

andexperiences,andultimatelycreatequalitylearning

experiencesforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslander

childrenthroughoutallofQueensland,”shesaid.

(R-L) Gundoo Day Care Centre Director Jacqui Tapau with management committee member Elvie Sandow and staff member Jeffrey Dynevor

23

EMBRACEAll children have the right to participate in a quality kindergarten program that is culturally safe, culturally inclusive and culturally appropriate.

ThisistheunderlyingvisionoftheEMBRACE—Culture

inKindyprogramwhichaimstoincreasekindergarten

enrolmentandparticipationratesforfamiliesfrom

AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderandculturallyand

linguisticallydiversebackgrounds.Theprogramhasa

particularfocuson14priorityregionsidentifiedbythe

QueenslandDepartmentofEducationandTraining.

OneofthemajorstrategiesadoptedbytheEMBRACE

teamovertheprevious12monthswastoenhancethe

capacityofkindergarteneducatorsandfamilysupport

workerstoprovideculturallysafeandappropriate

programstomeetthediverseculturalandlearning

needsofchildren,withinthecontextoftheirfamiliesand

communities.Theteamdeliveredeight‘EmbracingCultural

DiversityinKindergarten’professionaldevelopment

packagesfor185participantsthroughoutQueensland.

Theprogramwasdesignedtoincreasecultural

competenceandcross-culturalcommunicationskills

withanemphasisondevelopingself-awareness,building

trustingrelationships,workingwithinterpretersand

bilingualeducators,andworkinginpartnershipwith

familiesandcommunities.Programevaluationhas

indicatedincreasedlevelsofskillandconfidenceto

embedculturaldiversityintoearlychildhoodprograms,

andmoreoverhasincreasededucatorcapacitytoengage

successfullywithfamiliesfromAboriginal,TorresStrait

Islander,migrantandrefugeebackgrounds.

TheEMBRACEteamhasalsobeenworkingcloselywith

familysupportserviceproviderstoassistthemtoidentify

andincreaseopportunitiesforfamiliestoparticipate

inkindergartenprograms.Indoingso,anumberof

barrierstokindergartenparticipationforfamiliesfrom

culturallydiversebackgroundshavebeenidentifiedand

opportunitiesarenowbeingexploredtoaddressthese

throughtheEMBRACEStakeholderWorkingGroup.

Theteamhaveenjoyedabusy12monthsdeliveringa

numberofconferencepresentations,informationsessions

andcommunity-basedchildren’sactivitydays.Strategic

planningmeetingshavebeenheldacrossthestate,

resultingindirectcollaborationwithstakeholderstoboost

engagementinQueenslandkindergartens.

Anecdotalfeedbackhasindicatedthatengagementin

kindergartensforchildrenandfamiliesfromAboriginal

andTorresStraitIslanderandculturallyandlinguistically

diversebackgroundshasincreasedovertheperiodofthe

programasdirectresultofEMBRACE.Welookforwardto

usingtheinformationanddatagatheredduringthistime

asastrongevidence-basedfoundationforthefuture.

The results “Good morning Miss Lari”… these four words may not seem so remarkable but if you could have seen the smiling boy who said this and known how impossible this simple statement seemed only months earlier, you would smile too.

KingstonEastNeighbourhoodGroupKids4Kindy

ProgramCoordinatorLariStojevskahasseenfirst-hand

thepositiveimpactaqualityearlychildhoodeducation

canhaveforchildrenfromAboriginalandTorres

StraitIslanderandculturallyandlinguisticallydiverse

backgrounds.Shehasseenmanychildrenblossomand

developgiventherightsupport,understandingand

encouragementintherightenvironment,likethelittleboy

whogreetedhersohappilythatmorning.

LariworkedinpartnershipwiththeEMBRACEteamto

hostthe‘EmbracingCulturalDiversityinKindergarten’

professionaldevelopmentprogramforeducatorsand

familysupportworkersintheLoganarea.

“Theprogramgaveusallafreshperspectiveofwhatit

meanstoprovideaculturallysafeenvironmentforchildren

fromdiversebackgrounds,whichoftenincludeschildren

fromrefugeeandmigrantfamiliesinourarea,”shesaid.

“Theprogramcertainlyincreasedourculturalcompetence

andremindedusthatit’snotjustabouthavingtheright

culturalresourcesinourrooms,buthowweusethose

toolsinoureverydayinteractionsandconversationswith

childrenandfamiliesfromdiversebackgrounds.”

“OurworkwiththeEMBRACEteamhascertainlyhelped

ustobuildstrongbridgesbetweeneducatorsandfamilies

andwillnodoubthelptokeepfamiliesengagedlonger

andensuretheircontinuedparticipation”.

Larisaidmostparentswereawareofthepositivebenefits

oftheirchildrenattendingkindy,buttherewerealsomany

barriersthatneededtobeovercometomakethishappen,

withcostandtransporttwoofthemainissues.

“Theimpactofstrengtheningandbroadeningourcultural

competencyisnotonlyhelpingthechildren,butalso

theirparentsandfamiliesandultimatelythebroader

community.Byhelpingone,wearehelpingsomany,”

shesaid.

24

Kingston East Neighbourhood Group Kids 4 Kindy Program Coordinator Lari Stojevska

25

Bright ActionsBright Actions is a community services program helping people from a refugee background to use less electricity in their home and save money on electricity bills.

Electricitypriceshaveincreased66percentoverthelast

fiveyearsinQueenslandcreatingsignificantunmetneed

inthecommunityforhelp.Thereareveryfewprograms

inQueenslandthatassistlowincomepeopletomanage

theirelectricitycostssowhenfundingbecameavailable

toaddressthisissue,QCOSSenteredintoaconsortium

withMDALtdandMorelandEnergyFoundationand

obtainedfunding.

BrightActionsispartofabroadertrialofenergy

efficiencyprogramsandisfundedbytheCommonwealth

Governmentasoneof20smallscaleprogramsacross

thecountry,knownastheLowIncomeEnergyEfficiency

Program(LIEEP).TheLIEEPtrialsareapplyingnew

andinnovativeapproachestoassistlowincomeand

vulnerablehouseholdstoovercomebarrierstoenergy

efficiencyandtobettermanagetheirenergyuseand

costs.QCOSSisinvolvedintwoofthethreeQueensland

LIEEPtrials–BrightActionsandReduceYourJuice

(aprojectfocusingondigitalengagementofyoung

peoplebeingledbyCitysmart).

BrightActionssupportsQCOSS’commitmenttoachieve

improvedoutcomesintheaffordabilityofenergyforlow

incomehouseholds.Italsosupportsourcommitmentto

buildastrongevidencebaseofenergyissuesimpacting

lowincomeanddisadvantagedQueenslandersbycapturing

andanalysingdataandinformationtoinformfutureenergy

efficiencypolicyandprogrammeapproaches.

By30June2015theBrightActionsteamhadprovided

energyhomevisitsto1042refugeehouseholdsand

energyworkshopsto2,289peoplefromarefugee

background.Theteamalsodeliveredsevenclinicstoassist

peoplefromarefugeebackgroundapplyforloansthrough

theNoInterestLoanSchemetopurchaseenergyefficient

majorappliances,whichresultedin10approvedloans.

Bright Actions supports QCOSS’ commitment to achieve improved outcomes in the affordability of energy for low income households.

26

The resultsBright Actions Energy Project Worker Rose Karlo is changing the lives of newly-arrived Queenslanders, one light bulb at a time.

Rose’sroleistoconductworkshops

andhomeenergyassessmentsfor

peoplewitharefugeebackground,

helpingthemtounderstandtheir

energybills,theirenergyappliances

andwhatassistancemightbe

availabletohelpthemdealwith

everydaycosts-of-living.Thismight

notsoundlikelife-changingassistance,

butforindividualsandfamilies

whohavefledtheirhomesand

theircountriesduetowar,violence

andpersecution,itishelpingthem

tobetterunderstandtheirnew

environmentsandresponsibilitiesand

regainsomecontroloftheirfuture

andfinances.

Mohammad(nothisrealname)was

borninEritrea,andliveswithhis

sisterandtheirelderlymotherin

AcaciaRidge.Thefamilywasliving

inarefugeecampinSudanprior

toarrivinginAustralia,wherethey

didnothaveelectricityorrunning

water.Facingaquarterlyelectricity

billof$500,andalreadystruggling

tomakeendsmeetwiththerent

dueandincreasingmedicationcosts,

MohammadcametotheAcacia

RidgeCommunityCentreseeking

emergencyrelief.Whiletherehe

connectedwiththeBrightActions

teamandwasabletoreceiveahome

energyassessmentconductedby

Rose,whichreallyhelpedtochange

thefamily’sfuture.

Sincemovingintotheirrental

property,thefamilyhadbeenliving

withouthotwater,astheywerenot

awaretheywereentitledtothisinthe

house,sotheyhadbeenboilingthe

kettleandwashingthemselvesfroma

bucket.Thefamilywerealsounaware

ofhowcostlyitwastorunasmall

heaterandleavethelightsonatnight

fortheirelderlymother.

Rosewasabletoassistinsorting

outanewhotwatersystemviathe

landlord,teachthemaboutenergy

efficiencyoftheirappliances,arrange

forbackdatedandongoingenergy

concessions,advisethemwhereto

purchasecheapergroceries,and

assistintheestablishmentofa

paymentplanfortheiroutstanding

energybilltoensurethefamilywere

notdisconnected.

BrightActionsisn’tjustabout

teachingfamiliesabouttheir

rights–whichcanbeasbasicas

understandingthatyouhavetheright

toaccesscleanandhotwaterinyour

home–itisaboutpreventingfurther

crisesandensuringtheydonot

remainmarginalisedandalienatedin

theirnewlife,”Rosesaid.

“Thehomeenergyassessments

becomequiteaneventwithextra

familyandfriendsturningupwith

theirenergybillsintheirbagsand

platesoffoodtoshare.

“Thisprojectishelpingfamiliesimprove

theirqualityoflifeandsavemoney

alongtheway–itisaboutmythbusting

andprovidinghands-onpracticaladvice

theycanusestraightawaytochange

theirlivesforthebetter.”

BrightActionsisacollaboration

projectbetweenQCOSS,MDALtd

andMorelandEnergyFoundation,

fundedbytheFederalDepartmentof

IndustryandScience.

Bright Actions Energy Project Worker Rose Karlo

27

Cost of livingQCOSS’ Cost of Living Reports continue to provide a valuable snapshot of the current environment and how individuals and families on low-incomes are coping.

Inthepast12monthsQCOSSreleasedtworeports,the

secondeditionofthePensioner Cost of Living Reportand

anewreportexaminingcost-of-livingpressuresinvarious

regionalcentresthroughoutQueensland.

Thepensionerreportreaffirmedthedifficultiesfacedby

olderQueenslandersinmeetingday-to-daylivingcosts

whenrentingintheprivatemarket.Thehighcostof

rentinginBrisbanemeansthatolderpeoplesurvivingona

fullpensionarefacedwiththetoughchoiceeveryweekas

towhichessentialitemstoforegoinordertokeeparoof

overtheirheadandfoodonthetable.Thereportreveals

thatasinglepensionerrentinginBrisbanewouldreceive

$13perweeklessthanwhatisneededtomeetabasic

standardofliving,andapensionercouplewouldreceive

$59perweekless,puttingsignificantstressandstrainon

thesehouseholds.Whilepensionerscouldoptforcheaper

housinginalternativelocations,thisoptioncanbring

aboutmoreproblemsthanitsolvesbyincreasingsocial

isolationfromfamilyandfriendsandlimitingaccessto

basicservices.

TheCost of Living Report: Regional Report Issue 1 revealed

thatasingleunemployedpersondoesnothaveenough

incometomeetabasicstandardoflivingineachofthe

sixregionalcentresprofiled–Brisbane,GoldCoast,Cairns,

MountIsa,RockhamptonandKingaroy–despitefacing

lowerlivingcostsinareassuchasKingaroy,Cairnsand

Rockhampton.Thissituationiscompoundedbythelack

ofjobopportunitiesintheseareasforcingmanytobe

reliantongovernmentpensionsandallowances.Inmining

areas,suchasMountIsa,thesituationforlow-income

householdswasfurthercompoundedbyhigherthan

averagelivingcosts.

Bothreportsrecommendedthatgovernmentpensions,

allowancesandconcessionsarebettertargetedtoensure

assistanceisprovidedtotheQueenslanderswhoneed

itmost.

“... a single pensioner renting in Brisbane would receive $13 per week less than what is needed to meet a basic standard of living...”

28

Organisational health check-up QCOSS has enjoyed working closely with Queensland organisations to support a responsive and thriving community services sector.

Itisevidentthatthesectorisundergoingsignificant

transformation.Thesectorhasdemonstratedexpertise

inidentifyingandrespondingtoclientandcommunity

need,butisnowfacingnewchallenges,suchasanageing

population,workforceshortages,sector-widereforms,

technologicaladvancesandeconomicuncertainty.

Topreparefortheservicedeliveryandworkforceimpacts

ofthesereforms,communitysectororganisationswill

needtocriticallyexaminetheirbusinessmodel.Inmany

casesthiswillrequireorganisationstoadjusttheirmodel

tosupporttheirfutureoperationsandensuretheycan

continuetomeettherequirementsofthecommunityand

maintainviability.

QCOSShasdeliveredawidevarietyoftrainingand

educationalworkshopsduringthepast12months,with

topicsincludingyouthservicesrenewal,humanservices

qualityframeworkandorganisationhealthcheck-ups.

InMayandJune2015,theQCOSSSectorCapacity

teamdelivered11organisationalhealthcheck-up

workshopstomorethan170peopleacrossthestateto

assistorganisationsprepareforfuturesuccess,identify

opportunitiestobuildfuturecapabilityandincrease

theirviabilityandsustainability.Theskillsandknowledge

gainedduringtheseworkshopshavehelpedtobuild

thecapacityoforganisationstodelivercrucialservices

andimprovedoutcomesforvulnerableQueenslanders

experiencingpovertyanddisadvantage.

Feedbackfromparticipantsrevealedahighsatisfaction

rateandincludedcommentssuchas“wellpresented,

greatinformation”,“thoughtprovoking,greattoolstouse

andopportunitytoreflect”,and“greatpresenter,good

examples,funactivitiesthatfacilitatedlearning”.

“The sector... is facing new challenges...an ageing population, workforce shortages, sector-wide reforms, technological advances and economic uncertainty.”

29

Indigenous Professional Support UnitQCOSS’ Indigenous Professional Support Unit (IPSU) has had a busy 12 months working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood educators in 74 services throughout the state.

QCOSShascontinuedtosupportBudgetBasedFunded

(BFF)earlychildhoodeducationandcareservicesto

developtheirQualityImprovementPlans(QIPs)asa

requirementforfurtherfunding.Intensivesupportwas

providedtoservicesindevelopingtheirinitialplan,with

thenextstageofsupportinvolvingaseriesofworkshops

toensureservicescanmeettheirfundingrequirements.

TheIPSUteamfacilitatednetworking,informationsharing

andcapacitybuildingopportunitiesforAboriginaland

TorresStraitIslanderearlyyears’educatorsfromaround

Queensland,includingconferences,coordinator’snetwork

andtrainingmeetings,andweek-longresidentials.

Eachoftheseopportunitiesprovidedtheeducatorswith

opportunitiestosharetheirexperiences,learnfromothers,

andincreasetheirknowledgebaseandexpertiseintheir

field.ThiswillultimatelyimproveoutcomesforAboriginal

andTorresStraitIslanderchildreninthefirstfiveyearsof

theirlife.

TheMen’sYarningCircle,anongoingIPSU-ledproject,

hasalsocontinuedtothrivewithanadditionalgroupof

mennowhostingtheirownyarningcirclebackintheir

owncommunity.JeffreyDynevor,akeyearlychildhood

educatorfromGundooChildCareCentreinCherbourg,

hasestablishedalocalyarningcircleinvolvingfathers

fromthecentre,Eldersfromthecommunityandlocalhigh

schoolstudents.Theyarnshavefocusedonhowtoget

fathersandmenmoreinvolvedintheirchildren’slivesand

childcareservice,aswellasexplorelocalfutureworkforce

strategiesandopportunities.

“... this will ultimately improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the first five years of their life...”

30

Footsteps to FinishIn 2013 QCOSS developed the Footsteps to Finish program, funded through the Department of Education workforce initiative.

Continuingin2014-15,thisprojecthasdeliveredinvaluable

supportandmentoringtoeducatorsinBudgetBased

Funded(BBF)earlychildhoodeducationandcareservices

throughoutQueensland.

Theprogramisdesignedtoassisteducatorstogain

minimumqualificationsinCertificateIIIandDiplomaof

EarlyChildhoodEducationandCareinordertomeetkey

elementsoftheNationalQualityStandards(NQS),staff

qualificationrequirements,andstaff-to-child-ratios.

Itdoesthisbyprovidingpracticalsupporttoeducators

andhelpingtotransformtheoryintopracticebackintheir

servicesincommunity.Theprogramembracesaflexible,

capacitybuildingapproach,andinvolvesthedeliveryof

tailoredtrainingstrategiestoassistinthedevelopment

ofahighlyskilled,culturallycompetentandsustainable

workforce.Akeystrategyhasbeenidentifyingand

supportingcommunitymentorstobecomestrongrole

modelsforparticipants.

FootstepstoFinishalsousesaserviceexchangemodel

todemonstratetoeducatorsinremotecommunitieswhat

bestpracticelookslikeinotherservices,andtoincrease

educators’professionalnetworksandrelationshipsoutside

theirowncommunity.Thementorsplayakeyroleinthe

successofthisstrategy,byassistinginthehostingof

educatorsfromotherservices.

Theprogramalsousesaresidentialmodelthattakes

studentsoutoftheircommunitiesforanintensivestudy

componentinagroupenvironment.Theseresidentials

havebeencontinuedthroughthedevelopmentofthe

IndigenousRemoteSupportCoordination(IRSC)program.

TheFootstepsprogramwasconcludedinJune2015,

howevermanyoftheelementshaveinformedtheIRSC

modelofsupportwhichwillcontinuetodeliverlong-term

positiveimpactsforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslander

childrenandcommunities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educator’s forum on Thursday Island

31

Emerging Voices The QCOSS Emerging Voices project has brought together a group of 12 young people from a diverse range of backgrounds for an initial orientation to the Queensland social service system and some skill building in systems thinking and social innovation processes.

Theprojectisaprototypeactivityforbringingcitizens

closertothepolicydecisionmakingtableinQueensland.

Afteraninitialweekoftraining,thegroupparticipated

inafour-daysocialinnovationlearningvillageonMount

Tambourinewith50otherparticipants,topracticetheir

newskillsonsocialchallengesofcommonconcern.

Topicsexploredincludedhowtoimprovetheexperience

ofyoungpeopleinthecriminaljusticesystem,creative

responsestohomelessness,andhowtostrengthen

toleranceofdiversityfromanearlyage.

Attheendoftheweek,participantswereinvitedto

presentapitchforaninnovativeproductorprototype

tobeintherunningfor$5,000seedfundingtohelp

progresstheiridea.Thewinningpitchcamefromtwo

EmergingVoicesparticipants–Amelia(aresearcher

workingwiththeMurriCourt)andBryony(asolicitor

workingwithBasicRights).

Theactionresearchprojecttheyproposedwillprovide

freetravelandamealforpeoplegivennoticetoappear

incourt,toavoidtheconsequenceofanovernightstayin

custodyasaconsequenceoffailingtoappear.

TheskillsandconfidencegainedbytheEmergingVoices

teamwillbeutilisedoverthenextyearasthegroup

becomeinvolvedincommunityengagementaround

arangeofkeypolicyissuespertainingtocommunity

servicesinQueensland.

The QCOSS Emerging Voices team

32

MulticulturalismWith one in five Queenslanders born overseas, and approximately one in 10 speaking a language other than English, Queensland remains a vibrant and culturally diverse community.

QCOSS’multiculturalpolicyworksupportsanevidence

basedapproachtoensuresocialpolicyandplanning

incorporatesandenrichesthelivesofculturallyand

linguisticallydiverseindividuals,familiesandcommunities

inQueensland.

Duringthepast12monthsQCOSShasmadeanumber

ofsubmissionsinpartnershipwithourmember

organisationsandotherstakeholderstothestateand

federalgovernmentstoensurethatmulticulturalhistory

andcontextareconsidered.Topicscoveredincludemental

healthreviews,thedevelopmentoflanguageservicesto

meetQueensland’sprioritiesforinterpretingservices;

theimpactofthefederalbudgetonmigrantandrefugee

communities;theneedforlawenforcementauthorities

andcourtstoengagecredentialedinterpretersaspartof

criminalandcivilproceduresrelatedtodomesticviolence;

andmulticulturalpolicyframeworksforguidingprogram

andpracticedevelopmentinsocialservices.

Aspartofitsroleinmulticulturalpolicy,QCOSSalso

convenedtheQueenslandAccessingInterpretersWorking

Group(QAIWG)andfacilitatedaroundtableofnational

andstaterepresentativesfromacrossthelanguage

servicesindustrytodevelopablueprintforaQueensland-

basedlanguageserviceprovider.

Theblueprintoutlinesthemanyvaluesoftheservice,

includingbettermeetingthegrowingneedforlanguage

servicesinQueenslandandincreasedjobopportunities.

QCOSSandQAIWGalsoundertookasurveyofregional

andruralnon-governmentcommunityserviceprovidersto

identifythelanguageserviceneedsofAboriginal,Torres

StraitIslander,migrantandrefugeewomenandwomen

withadisabilityaspartoftheworkinggroup’sbroader

strategyinadvocatingforimprovementsininterpreting

servicesacrossthestate.

“...QCOSS has made a number of submissions...to ensure that multicultural history and context are considered.”

33

A new partnership In 2014-15 QCOSS commenced a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) to jointly represent the interests of households and small businesses in energy reform across the state.

Thisprojectrecognisesthatagrowingnumberof

householdsandbusinessesarestrugglingtomanage

highelectricitycosts.

Whilevulnerableandlow-incomehouseholdscontinue

tostruggletopaytheirbillsandremainatriskof

disconnection,therearealsonowpotentiallybroader

impactsoneconomicactivityandemploymentandsocial

cohesionformanyQueenslandcommunities.

ThisworkisfundedbytheDepartmentofEnergyand

WaterSupplyandwillinvolveQCOSSandCCIQproviding

avoiceforresidentsandsmallbusinessesinenergypolicy

andreform,aswellasdevelopingcommunityworkshops

andresourcestoassisthouseholdsandbusinesseslooking

forwaystomanagetheirenergybills.

Toinformandsupportthiswork,QCOSSandCCIQ

areworkingwithareferencecommitteecomprising

representativesfromadiverserangeoforganisations

throughoutthestate,includingtheQueensland

ConsumersAssociation,COTAQueensland,EnergyUsers

AssociationAustraliaandClubsQueensland.

Water works A safe, secure and reliable water supply and sewerage service are essential if all Queensland households are to enjoy positive and healthy lifestyle outcomes.

Householdsgenerallyspendlessonwaterandwastewater

comparedtootheressentialservicessuchashousingand

energy,howeverthissituationischanging.QCOSShas

notedanumberoftrendsinrecentyearsaffectingwater

consumers,includingrisingwaterpricesinSouthEast

Queenslandsince2008,andwaterutilitiesreformingtheir

tariffstructures,movingtolowerfixedchargesandhigher

usagechargesinsomecases.

Alsoofconcernistheincreasingnumberoflandlordsand

propertymanagerswhoarepassingonthecostofwater

usagetotenants.QCOSSremainsconcernedaboutthis

issueandtheimpactontenantsastheyarenotafforded

thesameprotectionsandrightsasotherwatercustomers.

ThisissuewashighlightedbyQCOSSintwosubmissions

ontheSouthEastQueenslandWaterandWastewater

Code,andcontinuestobeapriorityinourdiscussions

withtheQueenslandGovernmentinordertosecurebetter

outcomesfortenantspayingforwateruse.

QCOSSwaspleasedtonotethatthedraftCode,

releasedinApril2015,hasincorporatedanumberof

ourrecommendations.Therearestillareaswherethe

Codeneedsstrengthening,especiallyaroundimproving

practicesfordealingwithpeopleinfinancialhardshipand

makingpaymentoptionssuchasCentrepayavailableto

vulnerablepeopleseekingtobettermanagetheirbills.

QCOSSwillcontinuetoworkwiththeDepartmentof

EnergyandWaterSupplyonthesematters.

Inadditiontoworkingwithgovernment,QCOSSisalso

collaboratingwithanumberofwaterutilitiestoinfluence

theirinternalpoliciesandpracticestoprotectvulnerable

waterusers.QCOSScontinuestoactivelyengagewith

communityorganisationstoprovideinformationand

resourcesforclientswhomaybestrugglingwithwater

costs.Thisyear,QCOSSjoinedGoldCoastWaterto

presentwatertipsandadvicetocommunitysector

volunteerworkersontheGoldCoastandalsoreleased

aseriesoffactsheetsprovidingusefuladviceonwater

topicswhichhouseholdsandcommunitysectorworkers

candownloadonline.

34

Our membersQCOSS is a member-based organisation and the state-wide peak body for individuals and organisations, both large and small, working in the social and community service sector.

QCOSS–togetherwithourmembers–continuestoplay

acruciallobbyingandadvocacyroleinabroadnumber

ofareasinthesocialservicefield.Westrivetorepresentthe

interestsofpeopleexperiencingpovertyanddisadvantage

andtosupportourmemberstobettermeettheneedsof

thecommunity.

TheannualQCOSSmembersurveysplayanimportantrole

inshapingtheorganisation’sfuturedirection,itsfocusand

operationalplanningprocesses.

Theresultsofthe2015QCOSSmembersurveyreceived

92separatesubmissions,withthemajorityofthesefrom

non-governmentorganisations.Nearlyhalfidentifiedas

smallorganisationswithfewerthan20full-timeemployees

andwerelocatedinSouthEastQueensland.

Manycommentswerereceivedinresponsetotheopen-ended

questionssuggestingstrongengagementwithQCOSS

andthesurveybyrespondents.

Respondentsindicatedtheyweremorethanlikelyto

recommendQCOSSmembershiptoanothercommunity

servicesorganisation.

Membersstatedthatwhattheymostvaluedabouttherole

ofQCOSSwasinformation;advocacyanditsroleasapeak

body.WhenaskedwhatQCOSScoulddotobettersupport

organisationstothriveinthecurrentenvironment,anumber

ofcommonthemesemerged:advocacy;governmentand

sectorrelatedinformation;education,trainingandnetworking

events;andpersonalcontact.

ManyrespondentsfeltthatQCOSS’rolewillneedtochange

inthefuturewithregardstotheever-changingpolitical

environment,reformsandpositioningofthesector.

QCOSSiscommittedtoprovidingavaluableserviceto

members,andgreatlyappreciatestheinsightsandfeedback

providedbymembersthroughtheannualsurveys.

“The annual QCOSS member surveys play an important role in shaping the organisation’s future direction...”

2014 QCOSS State Conference scholarship winners

35 2014 QCOSS Conference keynote speaker Peter Kenyon

36

Calendar of events

37

July 2014

15 MeasuringOutcomesUsingResultsBased

AccountabilityTM(RBA)Workshop–MoretonBay

16 MeasuringOutcomesUsingRBATMWorkshop

–Brisbane

24 EssentialServicesWorkingGroup–Brisbane

24 CommunityDoorinformationsession–Chinchilla

September 2014

3-5 IPSUMen’sYarningCircle–MagneticIsland

9-10 RBAworkshopco-hostedwithResults

LeadershipGroup–Brisbane

11 NFP-employersofchoice-featuringDrAnthonyMann

-QCOSSandTheSmithFamilyjointforum-Brisbane

23 EssentialServicesWorkshopwithAGLEnergy–Brisbane

October 2014

2 CommunityDoorinformationsession–Brisbane

6 HomeforGoodRegistryWeeks

–SunshineCoastandGympie


9 EssentialServicesWorkshopwithEnergyAustralia

–Brisbane

13 HomeforGoodRegistryWeeks

–BundabergandMoretonBay

13 Embracingculturaldiversityinkindergarten–Inala

14 Embracingculturaldiversityinkindergarten–Logan

17 QCOSSStateConference2014–Brisbane

20 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–FraserCoast



27 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–Cairns


27 AnintroductiontooutcomeswithRobertPenna

-QCOSSandCSIAjointforum-Brisbane


28 HomeforGoodCommunityBriefing–MoretonBay

31 HomeforGoodCommunityBriefing

–SunshineCoast

November 2014

3 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–MountIsa

3 Embracingculturaldiversityinkindergarten

–Inala


–Brisbane

6 EssentialServicesWorkshoponQueensland

ElectricityNetworkRevenueDeterminations

–Brisbane

6 Creatingnotwaiting–Townsville


10 UnderstandingtheClientExperience–Beenleigh

12 UnderstandingtheClientExperience–Toowoomba

12-13 Embracingculturaldiversityinkindergarten

–Toowoomba

17 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–Townsville

17 HomeforGoodCommunityBriefing–Bundaberg

18 HomeforGoodCommunityBriefing–Gympie

18 Creatingnotwaiting–Cairns

24 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–Ipswich

24-28 FootstepstoFinishresidential–Cairns

25 Buildingthefinancialsustainability

ofyourorganisation–SunshineCoast

26 HomeforGoodCommunityBriefing–FraserCoast

26 QCOSSAnnualGeneralMeeting–Brisbane

27 Buildingthefinancialsustainabilityofyour

organisation–Brisbane

27 AnintroductiontotheHumanServicesQuality

Framework–Brisbane

38

December 2014

1 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–GoldCoast


organisation–Townsville


organisation–Mackay

10 HomeforGoodCommunityBriefing–Cairns

15 HomeforGoodCommunityBriefing–Townsville

January 2015


–Logan

February 2015


5 EssentialServicesWorkshoponQueensland

ElectricityNetworkTariffReform–Brisbane

10-12 IndigenousRemoteSupportCoordination(IRSC)

DirectorsandMentorsGathering–Cairns

16 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–LockyerValley

23 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–Toowoomba

24 Supportingculturalawarenessinformationsession

EMBRACE–Kedron

25 EnergyLiteracyWorkshop–Cairns

25 RenewalofYouthServicesWorkshop–Cairns

26 QCOSS/LAQAnti-Discrimination&CivilLaw

NetworkForum–Brisbane

27 RenewalofYouthServicesWorkshop–MountIsa

27 EnergyLiteracyWorkshop–MountIsa

27 OutcomesWorkingGroup–Brisbane

March 2015

2 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–Mackay



9 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–Longreach

16 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–Gladstone


17 RenewalofYouthServicesWorkshop

–Toowoomba

17 EnergyLiteracyWorkshop–Toowoomba

18 RenewalofYouthServicesWorkshop–GoldCoast

23-27 IRSCandFootstepstoFinishresidential–Cairns

23 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–Rockhampton

23 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–Gladstone

24 RenewalofYouthServicesWorkshops–Townsville

24 EnergyLiteracyWorkshop–Townsville

25 LegalAid/QCOSSjointforum–Brisbane


–Cairns

26 RenewalofYouthServicesWorkshop–Mackay

26 EnergyLiteracyWorkshop–Mackay


30 IPSUBringingFamiliesandCommunityinto

YourService(Men’sYarningCircle)–Cherbourg

31 RenewalofYouthServicesWorkshop–Brisbane

39

April 2015

13 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–Longreach

14 EmergingVoicesintroductorydinner–Brisbane

14 CommunityDoorandNetworkSpacesinformation

session–Gatton


–Bundaberg

14-16 TorresStraitIRSCresidential–ThursdayIsland

16 CustomerExperiencesserviceproviderworkshop

–Brisbane

17-18 TorresStraitIRSCDirectorsGathering

–ThursdayIsland

20 HomeforGoodRegistryWeek–Cooktown

23 CustomerExperiencesserviceproviderworkshop–

Townsville

24 OutcomesWorkingGroup–Ipswich

27-30EmergingVoicesCapabilityBuildingworkshop

–Brisbane

29 BreakfastwiththeMinisterShannonFentiman

–Brisbane

May 2015


–Kedron

5 CommunityDoorinformationsessions–Mackay

5-8 IPSUInServiceResidential–Woorabinda

5-8 EmergingVoicesSocialLearningInnovationVillage

–MountTambourine


–Kedron


session–Brisbane



–Kedron


session–Brisbane


–Kedron

25 Organisationalhealthcheck-upworkshop–Brisbane

25 HSQFinformationsession–Brisbane

28 HSQFinformationsession–Toowoomba

28 Organisationalhealthcheck-upworkshop

–Toowoomba

29 Organisationalhealthcheck-upworkshop–Ipswich

29 HSQFinformationsession–Ipswich


29-31IPSUSouthWestQueenslandcoordinatorsand

educatorstrainingandnetworkingevent

–Brisbane

40

June 2015


–Kedron


–Ipswich

2 Organisationalhealthcheck-upworkshop–Cairns

2 HSQFinformationsession–Cairns


–Townsville

3 HSQFinformationsession–Townsville

5 Organisationalhealthcheck-upworkshop–Mackay

5 HSQFinformationsession–Mackay


–Maroochydore

9 HSQFinformationsession–Maroochydore


–Ipswich

10HSQFinformationsession–Caboolture


–Maryborough

12 HSQFinformationsession–Maryborough

14 HomeforGoodCommunityBriefing–Ipswich


–MountIsa

15 HSQFinformationsession–MountIsa

15 EnergyLiteracyWorkshop–Roma

16 EnergyLiteracyWorkshop–Rockhampton


–Ipswich

17 MeetQCOSSseniormanagers’session–Townsville

22-26 IRSCresidential–Cairns


–Beenleigh


–Ipswich

23 HSQFinformationsession–Beenleigh

26 Organisationalhealthcheck-upworkshop–Brisbane

26 OutcomesWorkingGroup–Cairns

26 HSQFinformationsession–Brisbane


–Ipswich

42

The written word

43

Submissions

Jul 14

SubmissiontotheReviewoftheMentalHealthAct2000

Jul 14

Crimeprevention:Submissiontotheinquiryon

strategiestopreventandreducecriminalactivityin

Queensland

Jul 14

SubmissionontheSEQWaterPricingPrinciplesdraft

positionpaper

Jul 14

SubmissiontoQCALongTermRegulatoryFramework

forSEQWaterEntities

Jul 14

SubmissiontoEnergyandWaterOmbudsmanNSW

DiscussionPaperonPrepaymentMeters

Aug 14

SubmissiononthedraftQueenslandPlanBill2014

Sep 14

SubmissiontoProductivityCommission’sDraftReport:

InquiryintoChildcareandEarlyLearning

Oct 14

SubmissiontotheQCAInterimconsultationpaper:

2015-16reviewofregulatedelectricityprices(regional

Queensland)

Oct 14

IssuesPaper:Developingaframeworkforthe

implementationinQueenslandoftheAustralian

Government’sregionaldispersalpoliciesforthere-

settlementofrefugeesinregionalAustralia

Oct 14

SubmissionfromtheQAIWG:BlueprintforaQueensland

LanguageServicesProvider

Nov 14

JointCouncilofSocialServiceNetworkSubmissionto

CompetitionPolicyReview

Nov 14

SubmissiontotheTranslatingandInterpretingSector

RoundtableDiscussion

Nov 14

Changingperceptionsofculturaldiversity:Submission

toChallengesinGloballearning:internationalcontexts

andcross-disciplinaryresponse,Darwin

Dec 14

Achievingsocialandeconomicwellbeingforall

Queenslanders:TheQCOSS2015QueenslandElection

Platform

Dec 14

SubmissionfromtheQAIWGtothePremier’sSpecial

TaskforceonDomesticandFamilyViolence

Jan 15

Understandingthelongterminterestsofelectricity

customers:SubmissiontotheAER’sQueensland

electricitydistributiondetermination2015-2020

Feb 15

SubmissiontoErgonEnergyonitsfuturenetworktariffs

Feb 15

HomeforGoodregistryweeksacrossQueensland:

SubmissiontoQShelterConference

Mar 15

ResponsetotheFrameworkforInformation,Linkagesand

CapacityBuildingNationalDisabilityInsuranceScheme

Mar 15

SubmissiontotheQCADraftDeterminationElectricity

PricesinRegionalQueenslandfor2015-16

Mar 15

SubmissiontoEnergexonitsfuturenetworktariffs

Mar 15

Dealingwithcross-culturalissuesandbiasinthecourts

Mar 15

Findinghibiscusinthegardenofmyculturalidentity:

SubmissiontoTadpolesEarlyLearningCentre

Conference,Caloundra

Apr 15

ResponsetotheNDISQualityandSafeguards

Framework

May 15

ReviewofSouthEastQueenslandCustomerWaterand

WastewaterCode:SubmissiontotheDraftCode

May 15

MulticulturalIssuesPaper:Developingmulticultural

indictorsofwellbeingforchildren,womenandfamilies

May 15

Children,womenandfamiliesfrommigrantandrefugee

backgrounds–anannotatedbibliography

May 15

SubmissiontoCOAGEnergyCouncilReviewof

governancearrangementsforAustralianEnergyMarkets

May 15

SubmissiontotheMentalHealthBill2015

44

May 15

SubmissiontotheParliamentaryInquiryintothe

adequacyofexistingfinancialprotectionsfor

Queenslandseniors

May 15

Findinghibiscusinthegardenofmyculturalidentity:

SubmissiontoQueenslandEarlyEducation&Care

Conference,Brisbane

May 15

Positiveculturalidentity:storiesfromtwoparents

(IndianandIranian):SubmissiontoQueenslandEarly

Education&CareConference,Brisbane

May 15

HighereducationpathwaysforIndigenouseducators

researchproject

May 15

Cross-culturalcommunication:Submissionto

QueenslandEarlyEducation&CareConference,

Brisbane

May 15

Languageserviceneedsofwomeninregionalandrural

Queensland–surveyfindings

Jun 15

DiscussionPaper:Bi-culturalworkersandinterpreters–

professionalrolesandboundaries(QAIWG)

Jun 15

DiscussionPaper:Dealingwithlinguisticdiversityin

courtsandtribunals(QAIWG)

Jun 15

Cross-culturalcommunication:Submissionto40thECTA

AnnualEarlyChildhoodConference

Jun 15

Cross-culturalcommunication:Submissiontothe

JournaloftheEarlyChildhoodTeachers’AssociationInc.

Brisbane

Jun 15

SubmissiontoQCAFurtherConsultationPaperon

RegulatedElectricityPricesforQueensland2015-16

Newsletters

QCOSSeNews–weekly(Jul2014toDec2014)

QCOSSFocalpoint–fortnightly(Jan2015toJun2015)

CommunityNews–fortnightly(Jul2014toJun2015)

IPSUNews–quarterly(Jul2014toJun2015)

Publications

Jul 14

ServiceAgreement:Standardterms–thingstoponder

beforesigning

Aug 14

EmpoweringRemoteCommunities:Experiencesof

AboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercustomersusing

electricitypre-paymentmeterinQueensland

Aug 14

InclusivePolicies:Aguideforanalysingtheimpactof

governmentpoliciesonculturallydiversecommunities

Oct 14

CostofLivingReport–SpecialEdition:Thecostofliving

andagepensionerhouseholdsIssue2,2014

Oct 14

MulticulturalDataIndex:MigrantandRefugee

CommunitiesinQueensland

Oct 14

QCOSSAnnualReport2013/14

Nov 14

MulticulturalResourceBookfordisabilityservice

providers–jointpublicationbyQCOSSandAMPARO

Advocacy

Nov 14

StretchReconciliationActionPlan2015-2017

Dec 14

CostofLivingReport:RegionalReportIssue1,2014

May 15

Directoryofmigrantandrefugeewomen’sgroups

Jun 15

QAIWGAnnualReport2014-15

Fact sheets

Energysavingtips Feb15

Can’tpayanenergybill Feb15

Gettingabetterelectricitydeal Feb15

Electricityinformationfortenants Feb15

Energyinformationforon-supplycustomers Feb15

Rebateforpowercardcustomers Feb15

Can’tpayawaterbill Feb15

Concealedwaterleaks Feb15

Waterinformationfortenants Feb15

45

QCOSS funding breakdown 2014/15

QueenslandGovernment

AustralianGovernment

Membership

Other

Major funders

QueenslandDepartmentofCommunities,

ChildSafetyandDisabilityServices

QueenslandDepartmentofEnergyandWaterSupply

QueenslandDepartmentofHousingandPublicWorks

QueenslandDepartmentofEducationandTraining

AustralianDepartmentofIndustry

AustralianDepartmentofSocialServices

EnergyConsumersAustralia

Major sponsors (conference and events)

HESTA

UnitingCareCommunity

AustralianRedCross

LifeWithoutBarriers

SupportLink

Unitywater

QueenslandUrbanUtilities

MissionAustralia

LegalAidQueensland

bankmecu

MyCommunityDirectory

Bequests and other donations

EstateofVeraRaymer

Sincere thanks to our generous sponsors and supporters. We appreciate your energy and commitment. We thank you on behalf of the community service sector.

Funders and sponsors

QCOSS acknowledges and thanks the funders and sponsors who have supported us in 2014/15.

48

Financial Report

49

In brief Directors

The following persons were directors of the company during the whole of the financial year and up to the date of this report, unless otherwise stated:

GeoffWalters

GerryWeatherall

KateTully

KevinKeeffe

MarkTucker-Evans

PeterEmery

PeterLast

RichardJohnson

(Appointed 26 November 2014)

SharonLarge

(Resigned 26 November 2014)

SelwynButton

(Resigned 11 August 2014)

DebraMalthouse

(Appointed 27 August 2015)

Objective

A Queensland free of poverty and disadvantage.

Principal activities

QCOSSisthestate-wideorganisation

forindividualsandorganisations

workinginthesocialandcommunity

servicesector.Keyactivitiesduring

thefinancialyearfocusedonproviding

effectivepolicyadvice,workingto

strengthenresponsivecommunity

servicesandhavingproductive

partnershipswithcommunities,

thecommunityservicessectorand

government.Thisworkisdonewith

aQueenslandfreeofpovertyand

disadvantagefrontofmind.

Strategy for achieving the objectives

-Apolicyagendatoeliminate

povertyanddisadvantagethrough

informedadvocacy

-Innovative,effective,valued

communityservices

-Mutuallybeneficialrelationships

withourstakeholders

-Astrong,sustainableandeffective

organisation

Operating result

Thesurplus/(deficit)afterproviding

forincometaxamountedto$346,867

(2014surplus:$243,718).

Performance measures

-Amembershipthatseesvaluein

QCOSSmembership

-QCOSSseenbykeystakeholders

astheleadingauthorityon

issuesrelatingtopovertyand

disadvantage

-Adviceandresearchtoinform

policy,programandservice

designforimprovedsocialand

economicoutcomesissoughtand

acknowledged

-Advocacyoutcomesforaccess

toabasicstandardofliving

andessentialservicesforall

Queenslanders

-Collaborationisfacilitatedbetween

serviceproviders,governmentand

communitiestoimproveoutcomes

forpeopleexperiencingpoverty

anddisadvantage

-Communitysectororganisationsare

preparedforkeyreformsimpacting

thesector

-Appropriateorganisational

resourcesandstructuresinplaceto

supportdeliveryofkeyinitiatives

Directors’ report

50

Information on directorsMark Tucker-Evans Director (Chair)

Qualifications and experience:

MarkisQCOSSChairandamember

oftheGovernanceCommittee.Mark

isChiefExecutiveofCouncilonthe

Ageing(COTA)Queensland,Chair

ofHealthConsumersQueensland,

DirectorACOSSandCheckUp

AustraliaandanExecutiveMember

oftheQueenslandClinicalSenate.

PreviouslyMarkhasheldCEOroles

withinresearch,media,industryand

professionalassociationsinNSW

andQueenslandanddeveloped

significantexpertiseinissues

relatedtoconsumerandcommunity

engagementandage-friendlycities

andcommunities.

Peter Emery Director

Qualifications & experience:

BA, LLB, Grad Dip Mgt, FAICD, FFin,

FAIM, FGIA, FCIS

PeterchairstheBoard’sGovernance

Committee.Hehasover36years

experienceinmanagementasa

lawyer,investmentbanker,general

manager,companydirectorand

consultant.PeteriscurrentlyChair

ofTransitCare,ChairofHelloSunday

MorningandboardmemberofArtius

Group.Heisafacilitatorforvarious

AustralianInstituteofCompany

Directorseducationprograms

includingtheCompanyDirectors

CourseandTheNotforProfitBoard

andisaconsultanttoHynesLegalin

theirNFPpractice.

Debra Malthouse Director


Bachelor of Community Welfare and

Advanced Diploma in Community

Sector Management.

Debrahasspentoverthirty-four

yearsworkinginAboriginaland

TorresStraitIslanderaffairsatalocal,

regionalandstatelevelinboththe

communityandgovernmentsectors.

Asacommunitywelfarepractitioner

workinginthecommunitysector,

Debrahasbeenresponsibleforthe

deliveryofdirectclientservicesto

individuals,familiesandgroupsina

numberofareas,includingdomestic/

familyviolence,childprotection,and

housing.Herexperienceworkingin

governmenthasincludedanumber

ofyearsintheadministrationarmof

theCommonwealthDepartmentof

HealthandAgeingandQueensland

DepartmentofCommunities.

Thisworkprimarilyinvolved

communityengagement,community

developmentandtheimplementation

ofgovernmentpolicyinAboriginal

andTorresStraitIslander

communitiesacrosstheCairnsand

CapeYorkPeninsularegion.Debrais

currentlytheChiefExecutiveOfficer

oftheWuchopperenHealthService

Limited,anAboriginalandTorres

StraitIslandercommunitycontrolled

healthorganisationinCairns.

Kevin Keeffe Director


Dip T, BA (Hons), ANU

Kevinhasalongbackground

andexperienceinIndigenous

communitiesinNQandCentral

Australia,includingpublishingmany

articlesandtwobooksonindigenous

issues,especiallyeducationand

curriculumdevelopment.Kevin

hasworkedinseniorAustralian

GovernmentrolesintheNativeTitle,

Reconciliation,Environmentand

Heritageareas,includingseveralroles

inInternationalEnvironmentalPolicy

organisationsincludingtheOECD.

KevinreturnedtoQueenslandin2010

tobecometheStateManagerof

theAustralianGovernmentFamilies,

Housing,CommunityServicesand

IndigenousAffairsandthenjoined

RedCrossasExecutiveDirectorin

December2011.

The directors present their report, together with the financial statements, on the company for the year ended 30 June 2015.

51

Peter Last Director


B.Bus (HRM), M. Health Services

Management, RN, CCRN.

PetercurrentlyworksforBlueCare

asanIntegratedServiceManager

forRedlandswhichincludestwo

residentialagedcarefacilities,

communityagedcare,respiteand

hospitalinthehome.Peterisalso

aboarddirectorofSpinaBifida

HydrocephalusQueenslandandhas

beenapastboarddirectorofthe

AlloraDistrictCooperativeHospital

inToowoomba.Peterhasmorethan

30yearshealthindustryexperience

includingpublicpolicy,statewide

andlocalhealthserviceplanningand

clinicalgovernance.Peterworkedfor

sixyearsasaseniorconciliatoratthe

formerHealthRightsCommissionand

wasDirectorofRegistrationServices

attheOfficeofHealthPractitioner

RegistrationBoards.

Geoffrey Walters Director


MBA, B.Bus (Finance), FCPA

GeoffchairstheFinanceand

AuditCommittee.Geoffhashad

adistinguishedbusinesscareerin

Australiaandoverseasfocusing

onfinance,strategydevelopment,

newbusinessacquisition,

corporategovernanceandgeneral

management.Morerecentlyhehas

workedasCEOandChairofUnited

SynergiesLtd;aSunshineCoast

basedservicesupportingyoung

people,familiesandcommunities

aroundAustralia.

Kate Tully Director


M Bus, Grad Cert Bus (Philanthropy

& Nonprofit Studies), Cert Gov Prac,

BA (Comm).

Kateisanexperiencednonprofit

governanceprofessionalandher

particularareasofinterestinclude

governance,strategyandchange

management.Katehasbeenan

activememberofgoverningand

advisorybodiesformorethan20

years,includingtheAustralianYoung

BusinessandProfessionalWomen’s

Committee,EthicsReviewCommittee

ofRoyalPrinceAlfredHospital,

PremiersCouncilforWomen(NSW),

andManagementCommitteeofYWCA

DownsandSouthWestQueensland

andhasmanagedbusinessesinthe

privateandnotforprofitsectors.Kate

iscurrentlyCEOofYWCAQueensland.

Gerry Weatherall Director


Dip Electronics & Communications

GerryistheDirectorofMissionfor

ChurchesofChristQueensland

responsibleforresourcing,equipment,

supportingandbringingtoaffectthe

missionofChurchesofChristQld.

ChurchesofChristisservingover

33,000clientsincareservicesthrough

200pluspresencesinthecommunity

including70churchcongregations.

Gerryhashadsignificantexperience

incorporateleadership–previously

servingontheBoardofChurchesof

ChristinQueenslandandEDMILtd,

InternationalCompanylisted

inSingapore.

Richard Johnson Director


BSocSci, BCouns, MCouns.

RichardtrainedasaRegistered

Nurse,hasadegreeinSocialScience

andaMasterofCounsellingandhas

over30yearsexperienceworking

foranumberofcommunityservices,

non-governmentorganisations

includingseniorexecutivepositions

inUnitingCareCommunityand

morerecentlySuncareCommunity

Services.Havingspentmostofhis

careerworkinginregionalQld,along

withhisroleinprovidingsenior

leadershipincommunityrecovery

activities,Richardisacutelyawareof

manyoftheissuesfacingindividuals,

familiesandcommunitiesthroughout

regionalareasofQueensland.

Selwyn Button Resigned 11 August 2014


SelwynwasformerlytheChief

ExecutiveOfficeroftheQueensland

AboriginalandIslanderHealth

Council.Selwynhasworkedin

avarietyofgovernmentpolicy

developmentroleswithinthe

DepartmentofEducationand

TrainingandQueenslandHealth.Heis

aqualifiedteacherandhasserviceas

aPoliceOfficerwiththeQueensland

PoliceService.Selwyn’smainpriority

istheachievementof‘anempowered

andsustainableAboriginalandTorres

StraitIslandercommunitycontrolled

healthsectorinQueensland’.

Directors’ report

52

Sharon Large Resigned 4 October 2014


Dip Community & Human Services,

Dip Bus Mgmt, Dip Community

Service Coordination, Grad Dip

Mediation/Dispute Resolution

Sharonhas20yearsexperiencein

thesocialandcommunityservices

sectorincludingservingonthe

Boardsofneighbourhoodcentres

anddomesticviolenceservicesandis

currentlyChairfortheCairnsHousing

Network.Sharon’scurrentroleisthe

ServiceManagerofShelterHousing

ActionCairns(SHAC)providing

crisissupportedaccommodationfor

familieswhoarehomelessoratrisk

ofhomelessnesswithintheCairns

RegionandisaleaderinFNQin

deliveringFinancialLiteracySupport

andMicrofinanceProductstopeople

onlowincomesandlivinginpoverty.

Company secretary

JulieCouperholdstheroleof

CompanySecretary.Julieisa

graduateoftheAustralianInstituteof

CompanyDirectors,holdsaGraduate

CertificateManagementandhas

morethan20yearsofexperience

inoperations;servicemanagement

andgovernancegainedinthenotfor

profitandfinancialservicessectors.

Meetings of directors

Thenumberofmeetingsofthecompany’sBoardofDirectors(‘theBoard’)and

ofeachBoardcommitteeheldduringtheyearended30June2015,andthe

numberofmeetingsattendedbyeachdirectorwere:

Full BoardFinance & Audit

CommitteeGovernance Committee

Attended Held Attended Held Attended Held

SelwynButton 0 0 -- -- -- --

PeterEmery 9 9 -- -- 6 7

RichardJohnson 7 7 2 3

KevinKeeffe 8 9 -- -- 1 2

SharonLarge 2 3 -- -- -- --

PeterLast 4 9 2 2 -- --

DebraMalthouse 0 0

MarkTucker-Evans 9 9 7 7

KateTully 9 9 5 5 -- --

GeoffreyWalters 7 9 5 5 -- --

GerryWeatherall 9 9 -- -- 4 5

Held

Representsthenumberofmeetingsheldduringthetimethedirectorheld

officeorwasamemberoftherelevantcommittee.

Contributions on winding up

Intheeventofthecompanybeingwoundup,ordinarymembersarerequired

tocontributeamaximumof$10each.Thetotalamountthatmembersofthe

companyareliabletocontributeifthecompanyiswoundupis$5,540based

on554currentordinarymembers.

Subsequent Events to Reporting Period

Therearenosubsequenteventstobenoted.

Auditor’s independence declaration

Acopyoftheauditor’sindependencedeclarationasrequiredunderAustralian

Charities and Not for Profits Commission Act 2012andtheCorporations Act

2001issetoutpage53.

Thisreportismadeinaccordancewitharesolutionofdirectors,pursuantto

section298(2)(a)ofthe Corporations Act 2001.

Onbehalfofthedirectors

Mark Tucker-Evans & Geoff Walters

The directors present their report, together with the financial statements, on the company for the year ended 30 June 2015.

53

Auditor’s independence declaration

54

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Statement of profit or loss & other comprehensive income

NOTES 2015 ($) 2014 ($)

Revenue 2 6,995,926 6,319,786

Employeebenefitsexpense (3,918,455) (3,733,623)

ContractedProgramDelivery 3 (838,863) (845,565)

Depreciationexpense 4 (13,960) (18,182)

Computercosts (82,704) (106,152)

Conference/seminarcosts (310,066) (316,443)

Consultancyfees (450,240) (254,095)

Travelandaccommodation (403,114) (400,653)

Printingandstationery (58,704) (26,983)

Rent 4 (232,243) (47,712)

Postage (6,991) (8,755)

Telephone (42,277) (44,085)

Writeoffofproperty,plantandequipment - (4,525)

Otherexpenses (291,442) (269,295)

SURPLUS BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE 346,867 243,718

Incometaxexpense 1 - -

SURPLUS AFTER INCOME TAX EXPENSE

FOR THE YEAR 346,867 243,718

Othercomprehensiveincomefortheyear,

netoftax- -

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEAR 346,867 243,718

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements

55

As at 30 June 2015

Statement of financial positionNOTES 2015 ($) 2014 ($)

CURRENT ASSETS

Cashandcashequivalents 5 3,437,371 3,037,598

Tradeandotherreceivables 6 114,015 133,000

Othercurrentassets 7 55,566 40,702

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 3,606,952 3,211,300

NON CURRENT ASSETS

Property,plantandequipment 8 20,275 33,775

TOTAL NON CURRENT ASSETS 20,275 33,775

TOTAL ASSETS 3,627,227 3,245,075

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Tradeandotherpayables 9 1,732,678 1,672,394

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,732,678 1,672,394

NON CURRENT LIABILITIES

Long-termprovisions 10 54,173 79,172

TOTAL NON CURRENT LIABILITIES 54,173 79,172

TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,786,851 1,751,566

NET ASSETS 1,840,376 1,493,509

EQUITY

Retainedsurpluses 1,840,376 1,493,509

TOTAL EQUITY 1,840,376 1,493,509


56

As at 30 June 2015

Statement of financial position

For year ended 30 June 2015

Statement of changes in equity

Statement of cash flows

RETAINED SURPLUSES ($) TOTAL ($)

BALANCE AS AT 1 JULY 2013 1,249,791 1,249,791

Surplusafterincometaxexpensefortheyear 243,718 243,718

OtherComprehensiveIncome,netoftax - -

TotalComprehensiveIncome 243,718 243,718

BALANCE AS AT 30 JUNE 2014 1,493,509 1,493,509

Balanceasat1July2014 1,493,509 1,493,509

Surplusafterincometaxexpensefortheyear 346,867 346,867

OtherComprehensiveIncome,netoftax - -

TotalComprehensiveIncome 346,867 346,867

BALANCE AS AT 30 JUNE 2015 1,840,376 1,840,376

NOTES 2015 ($) 2014 ($)

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Receiptsfromgovernmentgrants,membersandclients 6,837,511 7,432,924

Paymentstosuppliersandemployees (6,524,318) (7,010,415)

Interestreceived 95,022 94,902

Netcashprovidedbyoperatingactivities 14(b) 408,215 517,411

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Paymentforproperty,plantandequipment 8,442 (16,541)

Netcashusedininvestingactivities 8,442 (16,541)

Netincreaseincashandcashequivalents 399,773 500,870

Cashatbeginningoffinancialyear 3,037,598 2,536,728

CASH AT END OF FINANCIAL YEAR 14(a) 3,437,371 3,037,598


57

Notes to the financial statement

58

Note 1: Statement of significant accounting policies

General information

ThefinancialstatementscoverQueenslandCouncilof

SocialServiceLtdbyguaranteeasanindividualentity.

ThefinancialstatementsarepresentedinAustralian

dollars,whichisthecompany’sfunctionaland

presentationcurrency.

QueenslandCouncilofSocialServiceLtdisa

not-for-profitunlistedpubliccompanylimitedby

guarantee,incorporatedanddomiciledinAustralia.

Itsregisteredofficeandprincipalplaceofbusinessare:

GroundFloor

20PidgeonClose

WestEndQld4101

Adescriptionofthenatureofthecompany’soperations

anditsprincipalactivitiesareincludedinthedirectors’

report,whichisnotpartofthefinancialstatements.

Thefinancialstatementswereauthorisedforissue,in

accordancewitharesolutionofdirectors,on17September

2015.Thedirectorshavethepowertoamendandreissue

thefinancialstatements.

Basis of preparation

Thesegeneralpurposefinancialstatementshavebeen

preparedinaccordancewithAustralianAccounting

StandardsandInterpretationsissuedbytheAustralian

AccountingStandardsBoard(‘AASB’),the Australian

Charities and Not for Profits Commission Act 2012(ACNC

2012),asappropriatefornot-for-profitorientedentities.

ThesefinancialstatementsalsocomplywithInternational

FinancialReportingStandardsasissuedbythe

InternationalAccountingStandardsBoard(‘IASB’).

Historical cost convention

Thefinancialstatementshavebeenpreparedunderthe

historicalcostconvention.

(a) Revenue

Revenueisrecognisedwhenitisprobablethatthe

economicbenefitwillflowtothecompanyandthe

revenuecanbereliablymeasured.Revenueismeasuredat

thefairvalueoftheconsiderationreceivedorreceivable.

Sales revenue

Events,fundraisingandmembershiparerecognisedwhen

receivedorreceivable.

Donations

Donationsarerecognisedatthetimethepledgeismade.

Grants

Grantsarerecognisedattheirfairvaluewherethereisa

reasonableassurancethatthegrantwillbereceivedand

allattachedconditionswillbecompliedwith.

Deferred Income

Deferredincomerepresentsgrantsreceivedinadvancefor

nextfinancialyearorunexpendedgrantsofcurrentyear,

whichunderthetermsofagreementwiththegrantors,are

refundable.

Interest

Interestrevenueisrecognisedasinterestwhenitisearned.

Other revenue

Otherrevenueisrecognisedwhenitisreceivedorwhen

therighttoreceivepaymentisestablished.

59

(b) Income Tax

Asthecompanyisacharitableinstitutionintermsof

subsection50-5oftheIncomeTaxAssessmentAct1997,

asamended,itisexemptfrompayingincometax.

(c) Current and non-current classification

Assetsandliabilitiesarepresentedinthestatement

offinancialpositionbasedoncurrentandnon-current

classification.

Anassetiscurrentwhen:itisexpectedtoberealisedor

intendedtobesoldorconsumedinnormaloperating

cycle;itisheldprimarilyforthepurposeoftrading;itis

expectedtoberealisedwithintwelvemonthsafterthe

reportingperiod;ortheassetiscashorcashequivalent

unlessrestrictedfrombeingexchangedorusedtosettle

aliabilityforatleasttwelvemonthsafterthereporting

period.Allotherassetsareclassifiedasnon-current.

Aliabilityiscurrentwhen:itisexpectedtobesettledin

normaloperatingcycle;itisheldprimarilyforthepurpose

oftrading;itisduetobesettledwithintwelvemonths

afterthereportingperiod;orthereisnounconditional

righttodeferthesettlementoftheliabilityforatleast

twelvemonthsafterthereportingperiod.Allother

liabilitiesareclassifiedasnon-current.

(d) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cashandcashequivalentsincludescashonhand,deposits

heldatcallwithfinancialinstitutions,othershort-term,

highlyliquidinvestmentswithoriginalmaturitiesofthree

monthsorlessthatarereadilyconvertibletoknown

amountsofcashandwhicharesubjecttoaninsignificant

riskofchangesinvalue.

(e) Trade and other receivables

Tradeandotherreceivablesarerecognisedatamortised

cost,lessanyprovisionforimpairment.

(f) Plant, plant and equipment

Plantandequipmentisstatedathistoricalcostless

accumulateddepreciationandimpairment.Historicalcost

includesexpenditurethatisdirectlyattributabletothe

acquisitionoftheitems.

Depreciationiscalculatedonastraight-linebasisto

writeoffthenetcostofeachitemofproperty,plantand

equipmentovertheirexpectedusefullivesasfollows:

Class of fixed asset Useful lives Depreciation basis

MotorVehicles 4years StraightLine

OfficeEquipment 4to5years StraightLine

Furniture,Fixtures 10years StraightLine

andFittings

Library 10years StraightLine

Theresidualvalues,usefullivesanddepreciationmethods

arereviewed,andadjustedifappropriate,ateach

reportingdate.

Anitemofproperty,plantandequipmentisderecognised

upondisposalorwhenthereisnofutureeconomicbenefit

totheCompany.Gainsandlossesbetweenthecarrying

amountandthedisposalproceedsaretakentoprofitorloss.

(g) Impairment of non-financial assets

Non-financialassetsarereviewedforimpairmentwhenever

eventsorchangesincircumstancesindicatethatthe

carryingamountmaynotberecoverable.Animpairment

lossisrecognisedfortheamountbywhichtheasset’s

carryingamountexceedsitsrecoverableamount.

(h) Trade and other payables

Theseamountsrepresentliabilitiesforgoodsandservices

providedtothecompanypriortotheendofthefinancial

yearandwhichareunpaid.Duetotheirshort-term

naturetheyaremeasuredatamortisedcostandarenot

discounted.Theamountsareunsecuredandareusually

paidwithin30daysofrecognition.

60

(i) Employee Benefits

Short-term employee benefits

Liabilitiesforwagesandsalaries,includingnon-monetary

benefits,annualleaveandlongserviceleaveexpected

tobesettledwithin12monthsofthereportingdateare

recognisedincurrentliabilitiesinrespectofemployees’

servicesuptothereportingdateandaremeasuredatthe

amountsexpectedtobepaidwhentheliabilitiesaresettled.

Other long-term employee benefits

Theliabilityforannualleaveandlongserviceleavenot

expectedtobesettledwithin12monthsofthereporting

datearerecognisedinnon-currentliabilities,provided

thereisanunconditionalrighttodefersettlementofthe

liability.Theliabilityismeasuredasthepresentvalue

ofexpectedfuturepaymentstobemadeinrespectof

servicesprovidedbyemployeesuptothereportingdate

usingtheprojectedunitcreditmethod.Consideration

isgiventoexpectedfuturewageandsalarylevels,

experienceofemployeedeparturesandperiodsofservice.

Expectedfuturepaymentsarediscountedusingmarket

yieldsatthereportingdateonnationalgovernmentbonds

withtermstomaturityandcurrencythatmatch,asclosely

aspossible,theestimatedfuturecashoutflows.

(j) Fair value measurement

Whenanassetorliability,financialornon-financial,

ismeasuredatfairvalueforrecognitionordisclosure

purposes,thefairvalueisbasedonthepricethatwould

bereceivedtosellanassetorpaidtotransferaliabilityin

anorderlytransactionbetweenmarketparticipantsatthe

measurementdate;andassumesthatthetransactionwill

takeplaceeither:intheprinciplemarket;orintheabsence

ofaprinciplemarket,inthemostadvantageousmarket.

Fairvalueismeasuredusingtheassumptionsthatmarket

participantswouldusewhenpricingtheassetorliability,

assumingtheyactintheireconomicbestinterest.For

non-financialassets,thefairvaluemeasurementisbased

onitshighestandbestuse.Valuationtechniquesthatare

appropriateinthecircumstancesandforwhichsufficient

dataareavailabletomeasurefairvalue,areused,

maximisingtheuseofrelevantobservableinputsand

minimisingtheuseofunobservableinputs.

(k) Goods and Services Tax (GST) and other similar taxes

Revenues,expensesandassetsarerecognisednetof

theamountofassociatedGST,unlesstheGSTincurred

isnotrecoverablefromthetaxauthority.Inthiscaseit

isrecognisedaspartofthecostoftheacquisitionofthe

assetoraspartoftheexpense.

Receivablesandpayablesarestatedinclusiveofthe

amountofGSTreceivableorpayable.Thenetamount

ofGSTrecoverablefrom,orpayableto,thetaxauthority

isincludedinotherreceivablesorotherpayablesinthe

statementoffinancialposition.

Cashflowsarepresentedonagrossbasis.TheGST

componentsofcashflowsarisingfrominvestingor

financingactivitieswhicharerecoverablefrom,orpayable

tothetaxauthority,arepresentedasoperatingcashflows.

Commitmentsandcontingenciesaredisclosednet

oftheamountofGSTrecoverablefrom,orpayableto,

thetaxauthority.

(l) Leases

Leasesoffixedassets,wheresubstantiallyalltherisksand

benefitsincidentaltotheownershipoftheasset,butnot

thelegalownership,aretransferredtotheCompanyare

classifiedasfinanceleases.Financeleasesarecapitalised,

recordinganassetandaliabilityequaltothepresent

valueoftheminimumleasepayments,includingany

guaranteedresidualvalues.Leasedassetsaredepreciated

onastraight-linebasisovertheirestimatedusefullives

whereitislikelythattheCompanywillobtainownership

oftheasset,oroverthetermofthelease.Leasepayments

areallocatedbetweenthereductionoftheleaseliability

andtheleaseinterestexpensefortheperiod.

Leasepaymentsforoperatingleases,wheresubstantiallyall

therisksandbenefitsremainwiththelessor,arechargedas

expensesintheperiodsinwhichtheyareincurred.

Leaseincentivesreceivedunderoperatingleasesare

recognisedasaliability.Leasepaymentsreceivedreduced

theliability.

61

(m) New, revised or amending Accounting Standards and Interpretations adopted

Thecompanyhasadoptedallofthenew,revisedoramendingAccountingStandardsandInterpretationsissued

bytheAustralianAccountingStandardsBoard(‘AASB’)thataremandatoryforthecurrentreportingperiod.

Anynew,revisedoramendingAccountingStandardsorInterpretationsthatarenotyetmandatoryhavenot

beenearlyadopted.

AnysignificantimpactontheaccountingpoliciesofthecompanyfromtheadoptionoftheseAccountingStandardsand

Interpretationsaredisclosedbelow.TheadoptionoftheseAccountingStandardsandInterpretationsdidnothaveany

significantimpactonthefinancialperformanceorpositionofthecompany.

ThefollowingAccountingStandardsandInterpretationsaremostrelevanttothecompany:

AASB 2012-3 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards - Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

ThecompanyhasappliedAASB2012-3from1July2014.Theamendmentsaddapplicationguidancetoaddress

inconsistenciesintheapplicationoftheoffsettingcriteriainAASB132‘FinancialInstruments:Presentation’,byclarifying

themeaningof‘currentlyhasalegallyenforceablerightofset-off’;andclarifiesthatsomegrosssettlementsystemsmay

beconsideredtobeequivalenttonetsettlement.

Thestandardalsochangedthedefinitionofshort-termemployeebenefits,from‘dueto’to‘expectedto’besettled

within12months.Annualleavethatisnotexpectedtobewhollysettledwithin12monthsisnowdiscountedallowingfor

expectedsalarylevelsinthefutureperiodwhentheleaveisexpectedtobetaken.

(n) New, revised or amending Accounting Standards and Interpretations adopted

NEW/REVISED PRONOUNCEMENTS

NATURE OF CHANGEAPPLICATION DATE TO THE COMPANY

IMPACT TO THE COMPANY

AASB9Financial

Instruments

(December2014)

TheAASBhasissuedthecomplete

AASB9.Thenewstandard

includesrevisedguidanceonthe

classificationandmeasurement

offinancialassets,includinga

newexpectedcreditlossmodel

forcalculatingimpairment,and

supplementsthenewgeneral

hedgeaccountingrequirements

previouslypublished.This

supersedesAASB9(issuedin

December2009-asamended)and

AASB9(issuedinDecember2010).

30June2019 AASB9mayhaveapotential

increaseintheCompany’sloans

andadvancesprovisioning.

However,thecompanyhasnotyet

fullyassessedtheimpactofAASB

9asthisstandarddoesnotapply

mandatorilybefore1January2018.

AASB15Revenue

fromContractswith

Customers

Thestandardcontainsa

singlemodelthatappliesto

contractswithcustomersand

twoapproachestorecognising

revenue:atapointintimeor

overtime.Themodelfeaturesa

contract-basedfive-stepanalysis

oftransactionstodetermine

whether,howmuchandwhen

revenueisrecognised.

30June2018 TheCompany’shasnotyet

assessedthefullimpactofthis

Standard.

62

(o) Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments

Thepreparationofthefinancialstatementsrequiresthe

useofcertaincriticalaccountingestimates.Italsorequires

managementtoexerciseitsjudgementintheprocessof

applyingthecompany’saccountingpolicies.Theareas

involvingahigherdegreeofjudgementorcomplexity,or

areaswhereassumptionsandestimatesaresignificantto

thefinancialstatements.

Estimation of useful lives of assets

Thecompanydeterminestheestimatedusefullivesand

relateddepreciationandamortisationchargesforits

property,plantandequipmentandfinitelifeintangible

assets.Theusefullivescouldchangesignificantlyasa

resultoftechnicalinnovationsorsomeotherevent.The

depreciationandamortisationchargewillincreasewhere

theusefullivesarelessthanpreviouslyestimatedlives,or

technicallyobsoleteornon-strategicassetsthathavebeen

abandonedorsoldwillbewrittenofforwrittendown.

Note 2: Revenue

Note 3: Contracted program delivery

Note 4: Expenses

2015 ($) 2014 ($)

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

QCOSSprojectfunding 6,514,778 5,743,168

Otherincome 386,126 481,716

TOTAL 6,900,904 6,224,884

NON-OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Interest 95,022 94,902

TOTAL 6,995,926 6,319,786

2015 ($) 2014 ($)

DISBURSEMENT TO GRANT PARTNERS 838,863 845,565

Duringtheyearthecompanyenteredintoformalarrangementswithotherorganisationstodelivergrantoutcomes.

SURPLUS BEFORE INCOME TAX INCLUDES THE

FOLLOWING SPECIFIC EXPENSES:2015 ($) 2014 ($)

Depreciationofnoncurrentassets 13,960 18,182

Rentalexpenseonoperatingleases:

Minimumleasepayments–property232,243 47,712

63

Note 5: Cash and cash equivalents

Note 7: Other current asset

2015 ($) 2014 ($)

Cashonhand 1,565 954

Cashatbank 787,518 349,833

Depositsatcall 2,648,288 2,686,811

TOTAL 3,437,371 3,037,598

2015 ($) 2014 ($)

AccruedInterest 12,481 13,452

Prepaymentsandotherreceivable 14,794 10,489

Deferredincome 28,291 16,761

TOTAL 55,566 40,702

Cash and Cash Equivalents include $826,355 deferred grant monies and not yet expended (2014: $842,782).

Note 6: Trade and other receivables

2015 ($) 2014 ($)

Tradereceivables 114,015 133,000

64

Note 8: Property, plant and equipment2015 ($) 2014 ($)

(A) OFFICE EQUIPMENT

Atcost 108,176 114,174

Lessaccumulateddepreciation (90,813) (84,589)

17,363 29,585

(B) OFFICE FURNITURE AND FITTINGS

Atcost 14,228 14,228

Lessaccumulateddepreciation (11,316) (10,038)

2,912 4,190

TOTAL PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 20,275 33,775

FURNITURE AND

FITTINGS ($)

OFFICE

EQUIPMENT ($)

MOTOR

VEHICLES ($)TOTAL ($)

2015

Balanceatthebeginningoftheyear 4,190 29,585 - 33,775

Additions - 8,442 - 8,442

Disposals - (7,982) - (7,982)

Depreciationexpense (1,278) (12,682) - (13,960)

Carryingamountatendofyear 2,912 17,363 - 20,275

2014

Balanceatthebeginningoftheyear 5,613 34,328 - 39,941

Additions - 16,541 - 16,541

Disposals - (4,525) - (4,525)

Depreciationexpense (1,423) (16,759) - (18,182)

Carryingamountatendofyear 4,190 29,585 - 33,775

Reconciliation

Movementinthecarryingamountsforeachclassofproperty,plantandequipmentbetweenthebeginningandtheend

ofthecurrentfinancialyear.

65

Note 9: Trade and other payables2015 ($) 2014 ($)

Tradepayables 158,668 166,181

GSTPayable 150,000 113,371

Annualleave 224,953 157,444

Accruedexpenses 143,765 117,612

Longserviceandotherleave 87,517 67,633

Deferredincome 967,775 1,050,153

1,732,678 1,672,394

Note 10: Provisions

Note 11: Capital and leasing commitments

NON CURRENT 2015 ($) 2014 ($)

Employeeentitlements–Longserviceleave 54,173 79,172

OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS 2015 ($) 2014 ($)

Non-cancellableoperatingleasescontractedforbutnot

capitalisedinthefinancialstatements

Payable—minimumleasepayments

—notlaterthan12months 145,809 50,000

—between12monthsand5years - 50,000

145,809 150,000

Therearetwopropertyleases.Botharenon-cancellablewithrentpayablemonthlyinadvance.Contingentrental

provisionswithintheleaseagreementrequirethattheminimumleasepaymentsshallbeincreasedforCPI.

Oneleasewillexpire31December2015andthesecondleaseexpires30June2016.

66

Note 12: Contingent liabilityBendigobankhasprovidedarentalguaranteeonbehalf

oftheCompanyof$13,750(2014:$13,750).

Note 13: Related party transactionsTherewerenorelatedpartytransactionsduring2015

financialyearorintheprioryear.

Key management personnel –disclosuresrelatingtokey

managementpersonnelaresetoutinnote16.

Note 14: Cash flow information2015 ($) 2014 ($)

(a) RECONCILIATION OF CASH

Cashattheendofthefinancialyearasshowninthecash

flowstatementisreconciledtotherelateditemsinthe

balancesheetasfollows:

Cashonhand 1,565 954

Cashatbank 787,518 349,833

Atcalldepositswithfinancialinstitutions 2,648,288 2,686,811

3,437,371 3,037,598

(b) RECONCILIATION OF CASH FLOW FROM

OPERATIONS WITH PROFIT AFTER INCOME TAX

Surplusbeforeincometaxexpense 346,867 243,718

Noncashflowsinprofit:

Depreciation 13,960 18,182

WriteoffofProperty,plantandequipment 7,892 4,525

Changesinassetsandliabilities:

Decrease/(increase)inreceivables 18,985 126,122

Decreaseinothercurrentassets (14,864) 3,211

Decreaseinpayables (7,514) (14,816)

Increase/(decrease)inaccrualsandprovisions 125,178 69,178

Increase/(decrease)indeferredincome (82,379) 67,291

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS 408,215 517,411

67

Note 15: Financial instruments(a) Risk Management

TheCompanyisexposedtothefollowingrisksfromtheiruseoffinancialinstruments:

-MarketRisk

-CreditRisk

-LiquidityRisk

TheDirectorsoftheCompanyhaveoverallresponsibilityforriskmanagement.TheDirectorshaveestablishedrisk

managementpoliciesdesignedtoidentifyandmonitorrisksfromfinancialinstrumentsandensureanyadverseeffects

fromtheserisksareminimized.TheDirectorsmeetonaregularbasistoreviewcompliancewithriskmanagementpolicy

andtoanalysefinancialriskexposureinthecontextofthecurrenteconomicenvironment.

(b) Interest Rate Risk

Interestrateriskistheriskthatafinancialinstrument’svaluewillfluctuateasaresultofchangesinmarketinterestrates.

Interestrateriskarisesonbalancesofcashandcashequivalents.Theentityminimisesthisriskbyusingatermdeposit

facility.TheCompanyisexposedtointerestrateriskandtheeffectiveweightedaverageinterestratesonclassesof

financialassetsandfinancialliabilities,isasfollows:

(c) Credit Risk

Creditistheriskthatonepartytoafinancialinstrumentwillcauseafinanciallossfortheotherpartybyfailingto

dischargeanobligation.

Creditriskarisesontradeandotherreceivables.Theobjectiveoftheentityistominimiseexposuretocreditrisk.The

maximumexposuretocreditrisk,excludingthevalueofanycollateralorothersecurity,atbalancedatetorecognised

financialassetsisthecarryingamountofthoseassets,netofanyprovisionsfordoubtfuldebts,asdisclosedinthe

statementoffinancialpositionandnotesthefinancialstatements.

TheCompanydoesnothaveanymaterialcreditriskexposuretoanysingledebtororgroupofdebtorsunderfinancial

instrumentsenteredintobytheCompany.

(d) Liquidity Risk

Liquidityriskistheriskthatanentitywillencounterdifficultyinmeetingobligationsassociatedwithfinancialliabilities.

TheCompanyislargelydependentongovernmentfundingforgrantstocontinueitsoperationsduringtheyear.Ithas

alwaysbeentheCompany’sprioritytomaintainagoodrelationshipwithallgovernmentdepartmentsandensureall

contractualobligationshavebeenmeteachyear.

Remaining contractual maturities

ThefollowingtablesdetailtheCompany’sremainingcontractualmaturityforitsfinancialinstrumentliabilities.Thetables

havebeendrawnupbasedontheundiscountedcashflowsoffinancialliabilitiesbasedontheearliestdateonwhichthe

financialliabilitiesarerequiredtobepaid.

WEIGHTED AVERAGE FIXED INTEREST RATE MATURING

Effective Interest Rate Floating Interest Rate Within 1 Year 1 to 5 Years

FinancialAssets: 2015(%) 2014(%) 2015($) 2014($) 2015($) 2014($) 2015($) 2014($)

Cash 2.79 2.57 639,083 349,833 2,798,287 2,686,811 - -

TotalFinancialAssets 639,083 349,833 2,798,287 2,686,811 - -

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TradeandOtherPayablesareexpectedtobepaidasfollows:

30 June 2015 ($) 30 June 2014 ($)

Lessthan6months 1,136,314 1,068,596

6monthsto1year(50%ofannualleave

&deferredincomenotexpensed)596,364 603,798

TOTAL 1,732,678 1,672,394

(e) Net Fair Values

Thenetfairvaluesoflistedinvestmentshavebeenvaluedatthequotedmarketbidpriceatbalancedateadjustedfor

transactioncostsexpectedtobeincurred.Forotherassetsandotherliabilitiesthenetfairvalueapproximatestheir

carryingvalue.Financialassetswherethecarryingamountexceedsnetfairvalueshavenotbeenwrittendownasthe

Companyintendstoholdtheseassetstomaturity.

Theaggregatenetfairvaluesandcarryingamountsoffinancialassetsandfinancialliabilitiesaredisclosedinthe

statementoffinancialpositionandinthenotestothefinancialstatements.

(f) Sensitivity Analysis

TheCompanyhasperformedasensitivityanalysisrelatingtoitsexposuretointerestrateriskatbalancedate.

Thissensitivityanalysisdemonstratestheeffectonthecurrentyearresultsandaccumulatedfundswhichcould

resultfromachangeinthisrisk.

Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis:

At30June2015,theeffectonprofitandequityasaresultofchangesintheinterestrate,withallothervariables

remainingconstant,wouldbeasfollows:

CHANGE IN PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE

TO MEMBERS:

Year Ended

30 June 2015 ($)

Year Ended

30 June 2014 ($)

-Increaseininterestrateby1% 34,373 30,376

-Decreaseininterestrateby1% (34,373) (30,376)

Note 16. Key management personnel disclosuresCompensation

TheaggregatecompensationmadetothemembersofkeymanagementpersonneloftheCompanyissetoutbelow:

Year Ended 30 June 2015 ($) Year Ended 30 June 2014 ($)

Short-termemployeebenefits 642,254 585,486

Long-termbenefits 11,587 371

Postemploymentbenefits 64,632 57,952

TOTAL 718,473 643,809

Related party transactions: Related party transactions are set out in note 13.

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Note 17. Remuneration of auditorsDuringthefinancialyearthefollowingfeeswerepaidorpayableforservicesprovidedbyBDOAuditPtyLtd:

Year Ended 30 June 2015 ($) Year Ended 30 June 2014 ($)

Auditofthefinancialstatements 30,000 29,000

Note 18: Capital risk managementTheentity’sobjectiveswhenmanagingcapitalaretosafeguardtheirabilitytocontinueasagoingconcern,sothatthey

cancontinuetoprovidebenefitsforstakeholdersandmaintainanoptimalcapitalstructuretoreducethecostofcapital.

Inordertomaintainoradjustthecapitalstructure,theentitymaysellassetstoreduceitsdebts.

Consistentwithothersintheindustry,theentitymonitorscapitalonthebasisofthenetgearingratio.Netdebtis

calculatedastotalborrowingslesscashandcashequivalents.

Note 19: Economic dependenceTheCompanyisdependentonreceivinggovernmentgrantsforthemajorityofitsrevenueusedtooperatethebusiness.

AtthedateofthisreportthedirectorshavenoreasontobelievetheCompanywillnotcontinuetoreceivegrantsfrom

thegovernment.

Note 20: Events subsequent to balance dateTherearenoeventssubsequentto30June2015.

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Directors’ declaration

In the directors’ opinion:-theattachedfinancialstatementscomprisingthestatementofprofitorlossandothercomprehensiveincome,

statementoffinancialposition,statementofchangesinequityandstatementofcashflowsandaccompanynotes,are

inaccordancewiththeAustralianCharitiesandNotforProfitsCommissionAct2012;

-complywithInternationalFinancialReportingStandardsasissuedbytheInternationalAccountingStandardsBoard

asdescribedinnote1tothefinancialstatementsandAustralian Charities and Not for Profits Commission Regulation

2013(ACNC Regulation 2013);

-theattachedfinancialstatementsandnotestheretogiveatrueandfairviewofthecompany’sfinancialpositionasat

30June2015andofitsperformanceforthefinancialyearendedonthatdate;and

-therearereasonablegroundstobelievethatthecompanywillbeabletopayitsdebtsasandwhentheybecomedue

andpayable.

Signedinaccordancewitharesolutionofdirectorsmadepursuanttosubsection60.15(2)oftheACNC Regulation 2013.

Onbehalfofthedirectors

Mark Tucker-Evans

Chair

17 September 2015

Brisbane

73

River Tower, Ground Floor, 20 Pidgeon Close, West End QLD 4101. PO Box 3786, South Brisbane QLD 4101.

RECEPTION (07) 3004 6900 FAX (07) 3004 6999 EMAIL [email protected] ABN 11 781 477 447 ACN 169 502 032

www.qcoss.org.au

Our vision:A Queensland free of

poverty and disadvantage.

QCOSS will always act:

courageously, leading the campaign

to end poverty and disadvantage.

collaboratively, working together with

our members and our stakeholders.

creatively, exploring better ways

to achieve our vision.

knowledgeably, using sound evidence

to inform our work.

inclusively, respecting the diversity

of our communities and sector.

We underpin all of this by

behaving with integrity.

We recognise the traditional custodians of the land, and the importance

of self-determination and an end to disadvantage for Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander peoples. QCOSS strongly supports reconciliation.

Queensland Council of Social Service Annual Report 2014-15

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Transcript of Queensland Council of Social Service Annual Report 2014-15