CEO Report

Dear Friends,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to CareSouth’s 2015 – 2016 Annual Report.

This year we achieved tremendous results and faced many challenges. We undertook a range of independent program reviews in preparation for the changing landscape of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Early Intervention and Out-of-Home Care. Whilst it is recognised this work is essential to meet the future directions of the sector, it must also be acknowledged that the challenges and impact for staff were significant.

Leading an organisation through change can be difficult, however, it is made less so when surrounded by a supportive Board and positive visionary leaders. I have the greatest admiration for our staff and carers who throughout the year remained unwavering in their commitment to the work they do and stood stoic in the face of adversity.

I am proud to report in 2015/16 CareSouth worked across five regions, expanding our reach by 49% in Deniliquin, 33% in Griffith, 41% in the Southern Tablelands and 8% on the South Coast. We have provided increased support to more communities than ever before. In the last financial year CareSouth has connected with more than 12,500 individuals comprised of families, children, young people and carers from across a range of our programs.

Moving forward I am encouraged by the promise of tomorrow and CareSouth’s aspirations for the future; a future that inspires leaders at all levels of CareSouth, builds on a culture of learning and acceptance, allows for mistakes and places a greater focus on the application of our learnings.

This year CareSouth’s annual report truly reflects the incredible work undertaken by staff across our footprint working in line with our strategic direction, values and vision. I continue to be inspired by the courage and determination of those we support, their stories and the challenges they face in pursuit of a positive future.

Our CEO

Chairman’s Report

Another year has passed in the life of our organisation.  Once again there have been lots of challenges, many achievements, some real difficulties, but through it all we have stuck to our main goal – to do our very best to provide the support our clients need to achieve a better life.  The Board is constantly amazed and grateful that our management team, led by a great CEO in Deb Tozer, continues to guide and manage so effectively, ably supported by staff who are so passionate in their work.

At no time has there been a more high profile intense and public scrutiny of the welfare system and we welcome this transparency and openness.  It does seem sometimes that there is very little acknowledgement of the larger number of positive outcomes in the sector.  We work in a very difficult area where the very essence of human strengths and weaknesses has such an impact on the work we do and the outcomes we are seeking.  The challenges give us strength and help us move forward and we should never forget this.

So on behalf of the Board I would like to thank you all for the great work you do – for yet another year of dedication and perseverance.

Jim McEwan – Board Chairman