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MDAS ANNUAL REPORT 2018 1

Mallee District Aboriginal Services

ANNUAL REPORT2018

ABOUT MDAS1 AboutUs3 OurOrganisation4 BoardofDirectors5 KeyMilestonesin2017–2018

REPORTS11 Chairman’sReport13 CEO’sReport15 HealthandClinicalServicesReport17 FamilyandCommunityServicesReport19 GovernanceandQualityReport21 SocialandEmotionalWellbeingReport23 PeopleandCultureReport25 EarlyYearsReport27 SwanHill29 Kerang

MDAS AT WORK33 Elders–OurConnectiontoHistory,CountryandDreamtime35 MDASSocialandEmotionalWellbeing-OvercomingAddictions36 HealthServices–Innovatingtogethealthmessagesheard37 RobinvaleMen’sProgram38 WiimpatjaHealingCentreCal-Lalpilotproject39 KooriWomen’sDiversionProgram41 PeopleandCulture42 CoolamonsandPossumSkins–creatingaculturalconnection43 WiimpatjaHealingCentre2017-18

FINANCIALS45 CorporateServicesReport47 StatementofProfitorLoss48 StatementofFinancialPosition49 StatementofCashFlows50 StatementofCertification51 IndependentAuditReport52 Auditor’sIndependenceDeclaration

MDAS TEAM53 OurPartnersandSupporters54 ThankYouTeam!55 OurServices

CONTENTS

WARNING:AboriginalandTorresStrait

Islanderpeoplearewarnedthisdocument

maycontainimagesofdeceasedpersons

Photographycourtesy:NewsAlertPR,

OneIdea,LukeGange,SunraysiaDaily,

LisaMilne,JacintaMartinandBelindaDay

MDAS ANNUAL REPORT 20181

SYMBOLISM OF OUR LOGO

OurlogoisbasedonadesignbySharonKirby

OUR VISION

Generationsofvibrant,healthyandstrongAboriginalcommunities.

OUR VALUES

Ourvaluesdriveourculture,arecentraltohowwemakedecisionsandensureservicesaredeliveredinasocially-responsibleway.

OUR FOUR VALUES ARE

Optimism

Community

RespectforCulture

Compassion

OUR OFFICES

OurMalleecommunitiesareservicedbyMDASofficesinMildura,SwanHill,RobinvaleandKerang.

Mildura (administration) 120MaddenAvenue,MilduraPOBox5134Mildura3502Phone(03)50184100

Swan Hill 70NyahRoad,SwanHillPhone(03)50325277

Kerang 9NolanStreet,KerangPhone(03)54503019

Robinvale Lot1,McLennanDrive,RobinvalePhone(03)50261848

ABOUT US

WewishtoacknowledgethelandandriversystemsoftheMalleeDistrictandpayourrespectstothetraditionalcustodians.

We are the proud and strong descendants of the oldest living culture in the world.

MalleeDistrictAboriginalServiceswishestopaytributetoallcommunity

memberswhohavepassedawayintheMalleethisyear,aswellasthose

inothercommunitieswithafamilyconnectiontoMDASmembers,staffor

communityasawhole.

ABOUT MDAS

Setting our sights on the future…MDASisaproudAboriginalCommunityControlledOrganisation(ACCO)thathasa

30-yearhistoryofdeliveringsustainable,democratic,grassrootsservicesandprovidingthelocalcommunitywithavehicleforself-determination.Webelievetheimpositionof

structureswithoutcommunitycontrolasacentraltenetwillfail.

AsAboriginalAustralians,wearebest-placedtodecideandimplementtheprogramsandservicesthatworkforourcommunities.

WithMDASandthecommunityworkingtogether,weknowwecanpositivelyenrichthelivesofallAboriginalpeoplelivingandworkingalongthemanyriversystems

acrosstheMalleeDistrict.


OUR ORGANISATION

MalleeDistrictAboriginalServices(MDAS)delivershealth,familyandcommunityservicestoapotentialclientbaseofnearly5000Kooripeople.MDASservicesareprovidedfromoffices

inMildura,SwanHill,KerangandRobinvaleunderthefollowingorganisationalstructure:

ABOUT MDAS

BOARD

COMMUNITY

CEORudolphKirby

OFFICE COORDINATOR, SECRETARIAT

JaneCapogreco

DIRECTOR FAMILY SERVICES

RossHampton

MANAGER FAMILY SERVICES

(SWAN HILL & KERANG)

MichelleGadsby

EARLY YEARS

JacintaMolloy

HEALTH SERVICES (SWAN HILL)

JodyCroft

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL AND WELLBEING

RaeleneStephens

SENIOR MANAGER FAMILY SERVICES

(MILDURA & ROBINVALE)

AndyCharles

MANAGER WIIMPATJA

HEALING CENTRE (MALLEE)

KeithHampton

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

KarenHensgen

HOUSING/ FLEET

FrankRodi

FINANCE MANAGER

GuglulethuNcube

PEOPLE & CULTURE MANAGER

KellyMasters

QUALITY & GOVERNANCE

LetitiaRobinson

KeithHampton(Chairman)DennisMitchell(ViceChairman)

JoshKirby(Director)MelanieLane(Director)NicolaPerry(Director)

PamMcCormack(Secretary)ColinClark(Treasurer)

PERSONAL ASSISTANT

TamikaJenkins

PERSONAL ASSISTANT

JenniferLaurie

HEALTH SERVICES MANAGER (MILDURA)

JodieMcMutrie

DIRECTOR – HEALTH & CLINICAL SERVICES

DanielleDougherty

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

KEITH HAMPTONChairman

PAM MCCORMACKSecretary

COLIN CLARK Treasurer

JOSH KIRBYDirector

MELANIE LANEDirector

NICOLA PERRYDirectorSwanHill

ABOUT MDAS

DENNIS MITCHELL ViceChairman

MDASANNUAL REPORT 2018 4


ABOUT MDAS

JULY 2017

A review by consulting firm Rapid Impact looked at the outcomes since the Mallee District Aboriginal Services laid down its first strategic plan in 2013. Itfounda33percentincreaseinthenumberofclientsreceivinghealthserviceswithMDAS,withalmost4000individualclientsnowregisteredatMildura,SwanHillandKerang.FamilyServicesdeliveredbyMDAShadalsogrownfromunder2000clientcontacthoursin2013toalmost9000hoursin2017.

A study commissioned by MDAS highlighted the extent of problem gambling in the Mallee’s Aboriginal community – and identified possible strategies and solutions. Thestudy,publishedbyLaTrobeUniversityinconjunctionwiththeVictorianResponsibleGamblingFoundation,wascompiledfrominterviewsconducted

with26communitymembersacrosstheMildura,SwanHillandKerangregion.It’sbeingusedasaspringboardtoopencommunitydiscussionontheissueofproblemgambling.

Record crowds attended NAIDOC celebrations across Mallee communities in July and August. The large calendar of events in Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang to honor Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander culture has become truly a community-wide celebration.NAIDOCweekcommemorationsnowincorporateanamazingarrayofeventsacrosstheMallee,includingacorroboreeatMildura,flagraisingceremoniesandcommunityevents,schoolceremonies,morningteasandluncheswithpartnerorganisationsandIndigenousRoundfootballandnetball.

AUGUST

Recruitment got underway for a ground-breaking program to test a new mental health treatment model for Aboriginal people in contact with the justice system.MDASistheleadagencyforatwo-yeardemonstrationprojectinpartnershipwithMilduraBaseHospitalandMalleeFamilyCare.TeamleaderPaulHogarthandkeyclinicalstaffwereappointedtodelivertheprogramduringthelatterpartof2017.

KEY MILESTONES IN 2017 – 2018

33 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS RECEIVING HEALTH SERVICES WITH MDAS


Census figures showed the number of Aboriginal people in the Mildura region increased from 1434 to 2183 in the five years to 2011 and that growth was continuing.MDASworksintheknowledgethattheAboriginalpopulationislikelytodoubleintheMalleewithinadecade,andclearlythatwillhaveimplicationsforservicedelivery.OurcontinuedmessagetoGovernmenthasbeenthatweneedtomakesignificantandsustainedinvestmentupstream,inareaslikeearlyyears,ineducationandinhealth,wheretheinvestmentdeliverslong-termoutcomes.

Community members visiting the MDAS Kerang arrived to a more professional environment with more confidentiality for consultations from August 2017.Clientnumbersforhealthserviceshavegrown68percentinSwanHillandKerangoverthepastfouryears,withadditionalclinicdaysscheduledwithaGPandextraclinicianservicestomeetthecommunity’sneeds.ButitmeanttheKerangfacilitieswereinadequateandupgradingworkcreatedanextraconsultationroomandanotheroffice.

Work started on a massive half million-dollar upgrade of the MDAS Swan Hill site.Theworkincludedcreationofasinglebrand-newentranceandreceptionarea,moreclinicalconsultingrooms,canopywalkwaysinstalledtolinktoareasofthehealthservice;renovationstoconsultingrooms;relocationoftheplayground;andrepairstoroofingandguttering.TheupgradeworkwasfundedthroughtheAustralianGovernment’sDepartmentofHealthIndigenousAustralian’sHealthProgramandalignswiththeNationalIndigenousHealthPlan.

SEPTEMBER

We’ll do whatever it takes to encourage people to take the first step to better health and to start Spring, on September 1, MDAS made the move to close the Mildura office for the day and instead offer services and staff at Nowingi Place at a Community Engagement Day.Itwasalsothefirstofficialappearanceof“OldNico”MDAS’sveryownquitsmoking“badguy”.Thelarger-than-lifecharacterisaimedathelpingkidsunderstandtheharshrealitiesaboutthedamagesmokingdoesandisavailableforschoolprogramsandhealthandcommunitydays.Healsohashisownwebsitewithgamesandinteractivetoolsatoldnico.com.au

A new program linking young Koori people with business and community-member mentors was launched at Swan Hill, with the aim of building the skills and resilience of participants and breaking down community barriers.Havingtheguidanceofamentor,orseveralmentors,issoimportanttoeveryyoungpersonwhoisfindingtheirwayinlife,buttherealityisthatsortofsupportisnotsomethingthat’sreadily-availabletoeveryyoungperson.TheMDASMentoringProgramaimstosupportyoungpeoplebypartneringthemwithindividualswhocanofferguidance,supportandencouragement.


OCTOBER

Mildura’s Mallee Tigers Aboriginal football team broke a 10-year drought by taking out the Division Two premiership at the weekend’s Victorian NAIDOC Football Carnival at Ballarat.Thesmokes,alcoholanddrugfreecarnivalhasgrownintoanimportantplatformtopromoteholistichealthandwellbeingamongAboriginalVictoriansandbroughttogether3000participantsfromacrossVictoria.

MDAS became a signatory agency to the Mallee’s new Family Violence Support and Safety Hub, to help women and children experiencing family violence.Thehubconnectspeopledirectlytoservicesandprovidesacoordinatedresponsetoarangeofdifferentneeds.Whererequireditwillsupportawhole-of-familyresponseincludingholdingperpetratorstoaccount.TheestablishmentoftheSupportandSafetyHubswasakeyrecommendationoftheRoyalCommissionintoFamilyViolenceandtheRoadmaptoReform.

NOVEMBER

MDAS and Mallee Family Care were again the beneficiaries of the ABC Radio Mildura Swan Hill Giving Tree Appeal.It’sbeenafabulouspartnershipovertheyearsandevery

yearitmakesChristmasalittlebrighterformanychildren.Thegenerousdonationsreceivedthisyearweregiventochildren,youngpeopleandfamilieswhohavesufferedfromfamilyviolenceandabuse.

The number of community members accessing Kerang’s MDAS facilities continued to grow with a 60 percent increase in clients.It’spartlyinresponsetotheprovisionofagreaterrangeofservicesbutalsobecauseoftheprofessionalandfriendlyteamatMDASKerang,withstaffwhoarewillingtocollaborateandpartnerwithotherlocalagencies.Duringtheyear,MDASKerangwaspartof:FiveWaystoWellbeing,acommunityconnectinghealthpromotion,incollaborationwithlocalAgencies;YouandMeCanStopHIVcommunityinformationsession;UnderstandingDementia,communityinformationsessionswithlocalagencies;GannawarraGoesOrangeFamilyViolenceAwarenessMorningTeaincollaborationwithlocalAgencies;andLGBTI“CelebratingtheYesVote”MorningTeawithlocalagencies.

MDAS Swan Hill was selected by the Commonwealth Department of Health for the installation of a Retinal Camera after completing a National Eye Care Equipment Inventory Project survey (conducted by Fred Hollows Foundation).TheAustralianCollegeofOptometry(ACO)workedinpartnershipwithanationalconsortiumoforganisationstoprovidethecamerasandtraining.TheconsortiumpartnersareBrienHoldenVisionInstitute,ACO,AboriginalHealthCouncilSouthAustralia,OptometryAustraliaandCentreforEyeHealth.

THE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACCESSING KERANG’S MDAS FACILITIES CONTINUED TO GROW WITH A 60 PERCENT INCREASE IN CLIENTS.


FEBRUARY 2018

Two new playgroups were established to boost parenting and education support for families.TheKoorieSupportedPlaygroupsatMilduraandSwanHillwereestablished

withfundingfromtheVictorianGovernmentaspartofitseffortstocontinuebuildingAboriginalparticipationratesinkindergartens.TheKoorisupportedplaygroupsareaimedatbuildingconfidence,skillsandsupportnetworksamongAboriginalfamilies.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissioner June Oscar visited the Mallee, having a conversation with women and girls as part of her “Women’s Voices” consultations.Thecommissioner’ssessionsovertwodaysinMilduragaveeveryoneanopportunitytolisten,havetheirsayandsharetheirthoughtsontheworktosupportandencouragewomenandtoprogresswomen’sissues.Therearesomeverypositive,veryproactivewomenemerginginourcommunity,bothyoungwomenandElderswhowereexcitedaboutbeinggivenavoiceintheprocess.(PhotographcourtesySunraysiaDaily)

New board-member Melanie Lane was appointed to the board to represent the Kerang community. Melanie is a Yorta Yorta woman and well known through her role as an Aboriginal Health Worker and as coordinator at MDAS Kerang.Butsheisalsoextremelywell-connectedinthewidercommunitywithinvolvementsonboardsandorganisationsincludingKerangDistrictHealth,theLungCancerAdvisoryCommitteeforCancerAustraliaandCancerVictoriaonaWomen’sHealthprojectonCervicalCancerandscreening.MelaniereplacesformerKerangboardmemberLloydMurray.Thanks,foryourserviceUncleLloyd.

DECEMBER

Koori men got out on the fairways to experience the physical and mental health benefits of a social game of golf, as part of the first ever Mildura Koori Men’s Health Day.Women’s

PamperDayshavebeenasuccessfulvehicleforconnectingKooriwomentoMDAShealthandfamilyservicesprograms,butthe“ManUp”eventwasthefirstaimedspecificallyatmen,aged16andover.

A new four-year strategic plan was launched that identified family, community and culture as the key elements to continue the strengthening of the Mallee Koori community.ThenewblueprintisfromacomprehensivereviewofthefirstfouryearsofMDASandconsultationsaroundthefuturedirection.Thestrategicplanidentifieschallengesforthenextfouryearsincluding:liftingthenumberofMDASclientshavinganannualhealthcheckfrom35percentto60percent;increasingthenumberofAboriginalchildreninoutofhomecarecase-contractedwithMDASfrom30percentto100percent;andensuring80percentofMDASCommunityHousingapplicantsareaccommodated(upfrom30percent).


MARCH

A new Family Well Being Program began at MDAS Swan Hill.Communitymembersareinvitedtocomeinforayarnfrom11am,withfreelunch,freechildcareandfreesupportandideasonrelationships,emotions,griefandloss,parentingchildrenandteenagers,caringforyourselfandotherissuesrelatingtofamilywellbeing.

It’s impossible to miss the Smoke Free message at Mildura Central after the implementation of a partnership between MDAS and the shopping centre.Brightslip-oncoversoverthebollardsbegandelineatingtheSmoke-Freezoneattheshoppingcentreentrances.ItwasagreatpartnershiptotaketheSmoke-Freemessagetothecommunity,bothIndigenousandnon-Indigenousandmeans4000peopleadayareexposedtothequitsmokingmessageandMDASprograms.

APRIL

Deadly Choices arrived in the Mallee in April. An initiative of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health in South East Queensland, Deadly Choices aims to empower people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families – to stop smoking, to eat good food and exercise daily.DeadlyChoicesalso

encouragesourpeopletoaccessMDAStocompleteanannual‘HealthCheck’.TheprogramwaslaunchedwithcommunitydaysinMilduraandSwanHill,withactivitiesforallages,fromYogaandMeditationtoIndigenousGamesandtouchrugby.DeadlyChoiceambassadorPrestonCampbellattendedtheMilduralaunch.

The MDAS Swan Hill Aboriginal Youth Hub began operating twice a week for youth aged between 8 and 24 years.Inadditiontotheusualweekdayactivities,theyouthhubisbusyinschoolholidaystoo,withboys’andgirls’youthcampsheldatMeneraStation,socialdays,basketballday,swimmingandbootcamp.

MAY

MDAS Health Quality and Clinical Governance Officer Samantha Brennan was appointed as Aboriginal Researcher in a partnership between MDAS and Monash University that will be a breakthrough for the future of health provision for Aboriginal communities.OurgoalistoestablishMDASasaCentreforExcellenceinAboriginalResearchandthisisamajorsteptowardsthatvision.Thepartnershipisachancetomoveforwardonknowledgeabouthowtoworktogetherasacommunityandashealthprofessionalstoachievethebestoutcomes.

DEADLY CHOICES AIMS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES – TO STOP SMOKING, TO EAT GOOD FOOD AND EXERCISE DAILY.


KERANG ELDER AUNTY ESTHER KIRBY WAS HONOURED IN THE 2018 QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY AWARDS.

SamisastrongleaderandadvocateforimprovingtheculturalconnectionofAboriginalhealthservicesandhascommunitytrustthroughhermanyyearswiththeMDAShealth.

An innovative Mallee District Aboriginal Services program that strengthens relationships between Koori parents and their babies before and after birth was showcased at an international symposium in May.Theproject,“Wonderingfromthewomb:Antenatalyarningfrombub’sperspective”,wasdevelopedbytheMDASEarlyYearsteamandlocalCommunitymembersovertwoyearsandworkstostrengthenbondingbetweenababyanditsparentsbytakingababy’sperspectiveondevelopment,learningandexperiences.MDASleadpractitionerKathyCrouchdeliveredthreepresentationsonthesuccessfulprogramanditsassociatedwork,atthe17thWorldCongressoftheWorldAssociationforInfantMentalHealth(WAIMH)inRome.

A first-aid program for dads and a new pram walking group were some of the initiatives implemented by the maternal and child health team at Mallee District Aboriginal Services, aimed at bringing new families on-board.MDASSwanHillwasselectedbytheVictorianGovernmentasasiteforaKoori-specificmaternalandchildhealthservicetoaddresslowlevelsofengagementbyKoorifamilieswithmainstreamservices.MDASMaternalandChildHealthNurseRobynHowarthandMaternalandChildHealthAssistantNikitaMorgansonaretheenergeticteamrollingouttheinitiativeandareflexibleinthewaytheywork,withhomevisits,drop-invisitsandchattingoverthephoneifneeded.TheyarepartoftheMDASEarlyYearsteam,whichalsoincludesamidwifetoassistfamiliesintheantenatalperiod.

JUNE

One of our strong MDAS and community leaders, Director of Family Services Ross Hampton, retired at the end of June 2018.PriortojoiningMDASin2015RosswaszonedirectorwiththeNSWAboriginalLandCouncilWesternregionandformerCEOofMurdiPaakiRegionalHousing.Hehadalsoworked

asanExecutiveDirectorinAboriginalAffairsanddirectorattheStateAboriginalHousingOffice.We’vebenefittedgreatlyfromRoss’sexperience,generosity,leadershipandmentoring,andwe’regratefulfortheknowledgehehassharedwithhisteamandtheorganisation.

Kerang elder Aunty Esther Kirby was honoured in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Awards.AuntyEstherreceivedanOAMforherservicestotheAboriginalcommunity,whichincludesasaformerMDASboardmember,ontheKerangEldersCommitteeaswellastheSwanHillRegionadvisorygroupandtheGannawarraShire’sBushKinderProgram.ShealsochairstheKerangLocalEducationConsultativeGroup.

Kerang’s Senior Aboriginal Health Worker (and MDAS board-member) Melanie Lane knows more about cancer care than most.NotonlyissheaSeniorAboriginalHealthWorkerprovidingsupporttocommunitymemberswithacancerdiagnosis,Melhashadherowncancerjourney.Melhadtheentiretoploberemovedfromherleftlungfouryearsagobutisnowcancer-free.Melsharesherinsightandexperiencesonnumerouscommitteesandorganisations,withtheaimofensuringbettercancercareinfutureforAboriginalpeople.SherecentlypresentedattheCancerAustraliaNationalLungCancerSummitaspartofapanellookingat“Strengtheningarealongthecancerpathway”.MelalsositsontwoworkinggroupsforCancerAustralia:theLungCancerAdvisoryGroupandtheExpertWorkingGroupworkingtowardsOptimalCarePathwaysforcancerinAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderPeople.


REPORTS

THIS IS THE FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF MALLEE DISTRICT

ABORIGINAL SERVICES – A MILESTONE I AM PROUD OF AND THAT

HAS GIVEN ME A NEW LEASE OF LIFE IN TERMS OF CONSIDERING

THE FUTURE FOR OUR ORGANISATION AND OUR MOB.

ItwasapleasuretowelcomeMelanieLanetotheboardthisyear.MelaniehasalwaysbeenaproudandstrongadvocateforherKerangcommunityinparticular,andtheMalleeKooricommunitygenerally.Thisisbothatboardlevelandmorewidely,throughherinvolvementsinnationalhealthbodiesandherinputatboardlevelisvalued.

Althoughfiveyearsisarelativelyshorttime,wehavetakengreatstepsforwardsincethefirstyearsofexistenceofMDAS.WehavebuiltanorganisationthatisnowseenasaleaderinVictoria,evennationally,intermsoftheprogramsweputinplace,ourgovernancestructuresandoursuccessesforcommunity.

Iamproudofwhatwehavedonetogethersofarasaboardandasanorganisation.Butafterfiveyears,itisalsotimetoreflectandidentifyareaswherewecoulddothingsbetter.

Aschairman,Iamoneofthosewithresponsibilitytobuildanorganisationthatnotonlyprovidesimportantservicestoourcommunity,butalsothatbecomesself-sustainingthroughthestrengthsitbuildsinitsmostimportantresource–itspeople.

YouwillseefromourreportsthepracticalprogressMDASismaking.OurcommunitycontinuestoengagewithusingreaternumbersandmoreofteneachyearinKerang,SwanHill,RobinvaleandMildura.Wedelivergreatprogramsthatsupportandserviceourcommunityinaculturally-appropriatemanner,whichthecommunity-membersfindrelevanttotheirneeds.

WhenIthinkaboutourroleasanorganisation,Ilookatthepeoplewhoaredeliveringourservices.Wehavemorethan200staff,andIamproudoftheirenthusiasm,theirmotivationandtheirprofessionalism.MDASprovidesgreatpathwaysforadvancementincareerandcommunity,andit’sexcellenttoseesomecommunity-memberstakingupthoseopportunitiesandsteppingintoleadershiproles.

Theexamplesaremany–AdaPeterson,whoisnowtheAboriginalPracticeLeaderattheCommunitySupportandSafetyHub;JodyCroftandMichelleGadsby,whoaremanagersatMDASSwanHill;MelanieLane,ourSeniorAboriginalHealthWorkeratKerang;SimoneSpencer,ourCommunityEngagementOfficerandPamMcCormack,ourTeamLeaderofCustomerServiceatMDASMildura.

Mostnotably,AndyCharleshasrecentlysteppeduptotheroleofactingDirectorofFamilyServices,aftermentoringtowardsthisgoalundertheguidanceofourformerdirector,RossHampton,whohasnowretired.

Ofconcern,though,isthatAndyisoneofthefewmeninourcommunitywhohasactivelyaspired,andworkedtowards,aseniorleadershiprole.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Keith Hampton Chairman


Iamproudthatourwomenaresteppinguptothechallengesinfrontofthem.Iseeiteveryday,ourwomenembracingtheopportunitytoleadandplaytheirroleinchange.

Whatdoesconcernme,though,isatendencyamongourmennottoaspiretothatnextlevel.Atendencytoworkinajobandtobesatisfied.Eventoreachmiddlemanagementinmid-careerandnottoreachforthenextgoal.

ItisourmenthatIwanttochallenge–tochallengethemselves.Tonotbesatisfiedwithjust“doingtheirjob”,buttoaspiretodomoreforthemselvesandourcommunity.

Weneedstrongleaders.Bothmenandwomen.Itismyhopethatmeninourcommunity,inparticular,whoreadthiswillthinkaboutwaystheycanstepuptotheplateandtakeonthechallengesinfrontofthem.

IamconcernedaboutwhowillreplaceourElders-thelikesofUncleColinClark;UncleLloydMurray;UnclePeterPeterson;UncleBoondyWalsh;UncleRickKirby;UncleWillieHannah;UncleIvanJohnson;UncleJoshKirby;UncleGeorgeMcGee;andUncleRupertClark,tonameafew.TheseEldersareactiveintheMalleeandDistrict,whereMDASdeliversservicesto.

Opportunitiesatboardlevelareoneexampleofawaytostepoutofyourcomfortzoneandtocontributebyleading.WenowhaveinplacecommunityadvisorygroupsatbothSwanHillandKerang.Thisisanotherchancetotakeonanewchallengeandto“giveback”.Forourstaff,therearealwayspathwaysforprogressionandleadership,andtheorganisationisalwayswillingtosupportpeoplewhowanttoworkhardtoadvancethemselvesandtheircareers.

Iamfortunatetohavetheinsightandsupportofatalentedandcommittedboardwhoiscommittedtopushingeveryonetobethebesttheycanbe.

Ihope,overthenextyearandintothefuturewewillseemoreofourmobintheirlate20s,30sand40ssteppingup.

Ihope,especially,toseemoreofourmenpushingthemselvespasttheshame,orthefear,orwhateverisholdingthemback,steppingoutoftheircomfortzoneandfollowingtheexampleofourwomentoleadwithinourorganisationandourcommunity.

Wewillbebetterandstrongerasacommunityifyoudo.

WE NEED STRONG LEADERS. BOTH MEN AND WOMEN. IT IS MY HOPE THAT MEN IN OUR COMMUNITY, IN PARTICULAR, WHO READ THIS WILL THINK ABOUT WAYS THEY CAN STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE ON THE CHALLENGES IN FRONT OF THEM.


REPORTS

2017-18 WAS A PERIOD OF ROBUST REVIEW

AND DETAILED PLANNING FOR MDAS.

Aforensic,organisation-widereviewbytheconsultingfirmRapidImpactevaluatedourorganisation’sperformanceagainstthestrategicgoalssetdownwhenMDASwasestablishedin2013.

Robustgrowthinclientnumbersandstrongercommunityengagementwerethekeyachievementsorganisation-wide.

Inhealthservices,a33percentincreasewasrecordedinthenumberofclientsreceivinghealthservices,withalmost4000individualclientsnowregisteredatMildura,SwanHillandKerang.ThenumberofAboriginalHealthChecksdonebyMDASincreasedfrom656(2016-17)to1018(2017-18).

FamilyServicesdeliveredbyMDAShadalsogrownfromunder2000clientcontacthoursin2013toalmost9000hoursin2017.

Amongotherhighlightsinthereview:

• A50percentgrowthonprogramsdelivered

• DevelopmentofanewEarlyYearsModel,withexceptionaloutcomes

• 200percentincreaseinAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderhealthchecks

• 96percentgrowthinepisodesofservicewithinhealth(68%SwanHillandKerang;115%Mildura)

• 45%increaseinthenumberofKooriStaff

• Improvedboardgovernance,withMDASanationalfinalistintheNationalIndigenousGovernanceAwards

However,reviewingthepastwasonlyonepartoftheequation–thebiggerchallengeistolooktothefuture.

Ournewfour-yearstrategicplanidentifiesfamily,communityandcultureasthekeyelementstocontinuestrengtheningtheMalleeKooricommunity.(Thenewfour-yearStrategicPlanisavailableontheMDASwebsiteatwww.mdas.org.au)

Wehavebuiltasolidfoundationandneedtoconsolidateonwhatprogramsandserviceswedelivertothemobacrossoursitesnowandintothefuture.

ThegrowthwithinourprogramareasoverthenextfouryearswillchallengeustobuildonourAboriginalemploymentstrategysowecandeliverprogramsprofessionally,aswegrow.

We’vealreadyincreasedAboriginalemploymentatMDASby45percentoverthepastfouryears,butweneedtobecomeevenmoreactiveinbuildingAboriginalemploymentacrossalloursites.

ThenewStrategicPlanplacesfamily,cultureandcommunityatthecentreofMDASoperations.

Untilnow,alotofourefforthasgoneintogettingourstructuresandsystemsrighttoensureweareanorganisationwithstronggovernanceandaccountabilityprocesses.

OurworkinthatareahasbeenrecognisedintermsoftheGovernmentandcommunitypartnershipswe’vebeenabletobuild,andtheconfidencethecommunityhasinouroperations.

CEO’S REPORT

Rudolph KirbyChiefExecutiveOfficer


ButourfocusisnowverymuchonourpeopleandthestrategicplanisbuiltaroundtheprincipleofsupportingourcommunityfromconceptiontoDreamtime.

OurStrategicPlanincludeskeytangiblegoalsincluding:

• LiftingthenumberofMDASclientshavinganannualhealthcheckfrom35percentto60percent

• IncreasingthenumberofAboriginalchildreninoutofhomecarecase-contractedwithMDASfrom30percentto100percent

• Ensuring80percentofMDASCommunityHousingapplicantsareaccommodated(upfrom30percent)

OurfutureisinourhandsandIamproudthatourpeoplearefeelingtheyhaverealchoicesabouttheirfuture.

Wearemoving,asanorganisation,towardsmoreeconomicindependenceandgrowingthecapacityofourworkforceandtheyaregoodthingsforlong-termsustainabilityofourcommunity.

Butatacommunitylevelwe’realsogettingbetteratdevelopingstrongrolemodelsandrecognisingourachievements,sopeopledofeeltherearemorepathwaystoachievingtheirowngoals.

Ourachievementsandthegoalswearesettingourselvesforthefuturearetheprincipleofself-determinationinaction.

Itisourmobchoosingthepathtomeetingoursocial,culturalandeconomicneeds,innovatingandidentifyingourownsolutionstothechallengesweface.

Theoutcomesofourorganisationalreview,andthevisioninourstrategicplanisshowingwhattheoutcomesofself-determinationlooklike.

Oursuccessesarecomingfromourabilitytoworkinpartnershipandcollaboration,toinnovateandcompromise.

Ourcommunity-drivensolutionsarehavinganimpact,butissuesandproblemsthathavebeendecadesinthemakingcannotberesolvedovernight.

Ilookforwardtocontinuingourworktowardsfuture“generationsofvibrant,healthyandstrongAboriginalcommunities”.

SIGNS OF GROWTH

HEALTHY MOB

%ofMDASclientscompletingAboriginalHealthCheck

LOOKING AFTER OUR KIDS

%ofAboriginalchildrenoncontractibleorderstransferredtoMDAS

A ROOF OVERHEAD

%ofhousinginquirieswhereATAR&SAAPclientshoused

35% 53% 60%

2017 CURRENT 2021

30% 50% 100%

2017 CURRENT 2021

30% 40% 80%

2017 CURRENT 2021


REPORTS

THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN ANOTHER EXCITING AND

CHALLENGING TIME FOR ALL AREAS OF MDAS’S HEALTH

AND CLINICAL SERVICES WITH THE RAPID GROWTH AND

EXPANSION OF PROGRAM AREAS AND INCREASED

INVESTMENT FROM GOVERNMENT TOWARDS ACTIVITIES

AIMED AT CLOSING THE GAP.

MDAS’scommitmenttowardsClosingtheGapisnolongerlimitedtohealthservicesfocusingonlifeexpectancyofAboriginalpeoplebutalsosupportingpeopletolivelonger,happiermoreconnectedlives.Asaresultofthiscommitment,allservicesaredeliveredinawaythatsupportsholisticwellbeingconsideringeachindividual’sphysical,emotional,social,spiritualandculturalneedswithconnectiontocountryandcommunitybeingacentralpartofthiswellbeing.

Toallowustoworkinthisway,MDAShasbeencommittedtoensuringallprogramsareconnectedtosupportholisticserviceprovision.Withthisinmind,theteamswithinHealthandClinicalServiceshavebeenensuringallserviceprovisionisintegrated,meaningthatthereisano-wrong-doorpolicy,allservicesrequiredandofferedtoeachindividualandthattheseservicesworktogethertoensureclientsaresupportedinallareasofneed.

Tosupportthiswork,Mildura’shealthserviceshavebeenfocusingonbuildingateamofcoordinatorsacrosstheClinic,alliedhealth,healthpromotionandagedanddisabilityservices.Thisteamhasbeenworkingonsystemsthatsupportallclientsreceivingthemaximumamountofpreventativehealthcarerequired,includingAboriginalHealthChecks,GPManagementPlansandcyclesofcareforthosewithadiagnosedchronicillness.

TheMDASEarlyYearsServiceshavehadanotherhighlysuccessfulyearwiththeWonderingfromtheWombprogramgettingattentionatanationalandinternationallevel.Someofthisworkhasbeenpublishedininternationaljournalsandbooksaswellastheearlyyearsprogramsbeingpresentedatanumberofinternationalconferences.TheworkbeingdonebytheEarlyYearsserviceswaspresentedattheWorldCongressforInfantMentalHealthinRomeinMaythisyearandwasalsoacceptedtotheInternationalTraumaConferencetobeheldinMelbourneforthesecondtime.ThevisionofkeepingAboriginalchildrensafeathomecontinuestodrivetheworkoftheEarlyYearsteamandissupportedbytheintensive,keyworker,wraparoundmodelwhichkeepschildrenandtheirfamilyatthecentreofalldecisions.TheMDASEarlyYearsServiceshassupportedfamiliestostaysafeandtogetheroverthepastsixyearsandcontinuestogrowtoprovidethisvitalservicetocommunitiesacrosstheMallee.

ThisyearhasbeenatimeofincrediblegrowthfortheSocialandEmotionalWellbeingteamwithinvestmentfrombothVictorianStateGovernmentandCommonwealthinvestmentthroughthePrimaryHealthNetwork.ThisinvestmentisallowingtheSEWBteamtosupportthosecommunitymemberswithacutementalillnessandkeepingthosepeoplesufferingwithongoingmentalillnessandaddictionwell.Itisthevisionofthisteamtosupportpeopleintheirholisticwellbeingaswellaskeepingthemconnectedtoculture,countryandcommunity.

HEALTH AND CLINICAL SERVICES REPORT

Danielle Dougherty DirectorHealth,ClinicalServicesandEarlyYears


AlthoughanuncertaintimeforallAgedandDisabilityServiceswiththechangestoserviceprovisionataCommonwealthlevel,MDASremainscommittedtoadvocacyandsupportforallEldersandKooripeoplewithadisabilityacrossourcommunities.Servicesprovidedtotheelderlyanddisabledallaimtokeeppeoplewellathome,connectedtocountryandcommunityandthrivingaskeymembersofeachcommunityacrossourregion.MDAScontinuestoworktowardswaysofensuringtheyarebestplacedtoprovidetheelderlyanddisabledwiththebestqualitycare,ensuringthereisadvocacyonbehalfofindividualsandwithintheservicessystemaswellasadvocatingatagovernmentandpolicylevel.

TheyearaheadcontinuestopresentchallengesandopportunitiesforallareasofMDASHealthandClinicalServices.ThecommittedteamsacrosstheseareascontinuetoworktowardtheMDASStrategicPlanandwiththeclearofvisionofachieving“Generationsofvibrant,healthyandstrongAboriginalcommunities”.


REPORTS

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ACROSS THE MALLEE

CONTINUES TO GROW AND HOLISTICALLY SUPPORT ABORIGINAL

PEOPLE, FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN ALL AREAS OF

NEED INCLUDING, CULTURAL ADVOCATE SUPPORT, FAMILY

SUPPORT SERVICES, HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS SUPPORT,

FAMILY VIOLENCE AND YOUTH SERVICES.

ThenumbersofclientsandhoursofsupportprovidedtocommunityhassignificantlyincreasedwhichhasresultedinmorecollaborationacrossallMDASprogramareastocontinuetoprovidewraparoundservicesandsupports.Allofthisworkcouldnotbedonewithoutthetirelesshardwork,dedicationandpassionforhelpingcommunityofthestaffwithinFamilyServicesacrosstheMallee,whocontinuallystrivetoachievepositiveoutcomeswiththeirindividualAboriginalclients,families,childrenandyoungpeoplenomatterhowcomplex,direordifficultthesituationattimesmaybeinmovingforward.

The2017/2018yearofgrowthacrosstheFamilyandCommunityServicesprogramareasfollowsonfromthe2016/17financialyearinlinewiththeRoadtoReforminitiativessupportedthroughtheVictorianStateGovernment.

ThepriorityareasthathavehadsignificantgrowthincludeKinshipCare/TransitionofAboriginalChildreninCare.

Growth Area: Transition of Aboriginal Children in OOHC projected total

TRANSITION OF ABORIGINAL CHILDREN IN OUT OF HOME CARE

AsofDecemberof2017,therehasbeenincreasedgrowthofKinshipplacementsfromDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicestoMDASaspartoftheRoadtoReforminitiatives,whichalsoincludesthetransitionofAboriginalChildreninOutofHomeCareplacementsfromotherCommunityServiceOrganisationswithinthecommunity.InthenameofSelf-DeterminationforourAboriginalcommunityandAboriginalCommunityControlledOrganisations,thismeansthatbyDecemberof2021allAboriginalChildrenwillbeplacedwithandsupportedbyMDAS.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES REPORT

Andy Charles ActingDirector–FamilyandCommunityServices

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Dec 2017(30%)

Dec 2018(80%)

Dec 2021(100%)

Jan 2018(50%)


KINSHIP CARE

Withthiscontinualgrowth,addedemploymentopportunitieshavearisenwithintheChildren’sPlacementServicesteamacrosstheMallee,includingmultiplenewKinshipcaseworkerrolesandtraineeships.WiththishasalsoseenthatourcurrentinfrastructuretosupportFamilyServicesprogramsareasisnearingcapacitywhichwillmeanfurtherreviewandplanningwillneedtobedoneinordertobeabletosupportourpotentialnewfutureprogramareas.OtherexcitingOutofHomeCareareasthathavebeennewlyfundedtosupportkeepingAboriginalchildren,youngpeopleandfamiliesconnectedandtogetherincludetheFirstSupportsandKinshipReunificationprograms.ThesealongwithexistingOutofHomeCareprogramswillhelpstrengthenthecurrentMDASmodelofWraparoundsupportservicesforourAboriginalcommunity.

FUTURE STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND FOCUS

AsoutlinedwithinthenewMDASstrategicplanwewillcontinuetoworktowardscreatingmorehousingsupportsolutionsforcommunity.WewillcontinueafocusondevelopinganewleadershipprogramtofurthersupportIndigenousyouthbecomingournewfutureleaders.Otherpriorityareasinclude:buildinguponournetworkofFosterandKinshipcarersincludingrespitesupports;analternativeResidentialCaremodel;andtakingonfullauthorisationofSection18inlinewiththeRoadtoReformGovernmentinitiatives.


VACCHO CONFERENCE

ManagerGovernanceandQualitypresentedatVACCHOconferenceMovementforImprovementonMay2018inrelationtoQualityandhowthishasbeenembeddedintoMDASoverthepastfiveyears.

TherewaspositivefeedbackonsharingtheJourneyofhowMDAShasimbeddedqualityintoeverydayfunctionsoftheorganisation.TheCoreBusinessmodelcreatedalotofdiscussionandthesystem-basedapproachwehaveadoptedplacesusasleadersininnovationandcreativitytomeetcommunityneeds.

REPORTS

ACCREDITATION AND AUDITING 2017-18

Thefollowingaudit/accreditationprocessesarerelevanttothereportingperiod:

• CommonwealthAgedandDisabilityAccreditationSiteVisit3May2017

• FosterCareSpot(MilduraandSwanHill)Audit,sitevisitconductedbyDHHSComplianceandGovernanceunit

• DHHSFosterCareSwanHillreview23-26March2018

• DHHSTherapeuticResidentialCareFacilityAudit23-26March2018

• AGPALSwanHillSelf-AssessmentApril2018

• AGPALMilduraSelf-AssessmentJuly2018

DHHSconductedaSpotauditofResidentialCareUnitandFosterCareProgramareaonthe23-26March2018.Overallthefeedbackwaspositivewithacknowledgmentthattheareashadimprovedsignificantly.DHHSalsoconductedaspotauditonFosterCareprogramforSwanHillandActionplanwaspreparedandsubmittedtoDHHSComplianceandQualityUnit.

TheMDASTherapeuticResidentialCareprogramactionplaniscompleted.TheFosterCareActionplansarebeingimplementedandqualityimprovementsincorporatedintoservicedeliverytomeetcomplianceobligations.

GOVERNANCE AND QUALITY REPORT

Letitia Robinson Manager,GovernanceandQuality


RISK MANAGEMENT

RiskmanagementsystemsareinplacewithinMDASandhaveveryrobustoverarchinggovernancestructurestoreducetheriskthroughmitigationstrategiesandcontrolmeasures.ARiskandAuditcommitteehasbeenestablishedtooverseetheRiskfortheorganisationandisasub-committeetotheBoard.

AUSTRALIAN CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION

MDAShasgoneintopartnershipwiththeAustralianChildhoodFoundationandsubmittedaself-assessmentforreviewbytheACF.TheACFhasprovidedfeedbackinrelationtotheself-assessmentandMDASCorporatedivisioniscurrentlyworkingthroughtherecommendations.AspartofthepartnershipaninterpretativeguidewillbedevelopedforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoplesasaguidetoimprovingunderstandingoftheACFStandards.

FEEDBACK (COMPLAINTS)

MDAShasimproveditsoverallresponsetoFeedbackComplaintstoensurearobustsystemthatrecordsandactionscomplaintsinatimelymanner.ReviewofCHARMFeedbacksectiondemonstratesthattherecordedactionstakentoresolvecomplaintshasimprovedsignificantly,overthepastfiveyears.

Feedback Actions to resolve Complaints

INCIDENT REPORTING

MDAShasbeenworkingtowardsimprovingincidentreportingprocesses-andasdisplayedinthediagram(right)themajorlevelofincidentshavenoinjurybutarereportsONLY.Anintensivereviewofincidentshasassistedstaffina“noblame”systemofreportingsothatnearmissescanbereviewedandstrategiestoimprovesystemswithinMDASareincorporatedintodailypractice.

Incident Report – Trends

IncidentbyRiskratingshowsasignificantdecreaseincriticalincidentoverthepastfouryearswithanincreaseinreportingofnearmissandmediumincidentstoshowthatpreventativemeasuresareeffectiveinreducingriskassociatedwithincidentsacrosstheorganisation.ThisisanexcellentresultforMDASwithanincreaseinreportingbutadecreaseinseverityofriskassociatedwithincidentsneedingreviewandinvestigation.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

MDASKnowledgeManagementsystemsarerobustwithlotsofdiscussionfromfrontlineservicedeliveryleveltoExecutiveManagement.

DocumentControlWorkingGrouphasarobustengagementfromalldivisionsofMDASwithdocumentsbeingratified,consultedanddiscussedtoensuretheymeetlegislativerequirementsandarepracticaldocumentsfortheorganisation.

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

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2015 2016 2017 2018 Total


Continuingstronggrowthinclientnumbersisbeingsupportedbyincreasingstaffnumbers,althoughalimitedpoolofappropriately-qualifiedstaffpresentssomerecruitmentchallenges.TheSEWBteamnowconsistsof27staff,16ofwhomareIndigenous.Ourgrowthhasnecessitatedalargefocusonrecruitment,trainingandsuccessionplanning.

Regularprogramactivitiesinclude:

• WorkersattendingKooricourttwicefortnightly

• Ladiesdays(basketweaving,sewing,andmeditation)ishavingpositiveoutcomesforsixclientsattendingregularlywithpositivebehavioralchangesobservedbyclients,familymembersandworkers

• Men’sgrouphasgrownwitheightmalesattendingregularly

• TwoAODStaffoneCounsellorandoneAODnursevisitsWiimpatjaHealingCentreonceaweekandassistswithdevelopingsupportplansandeducationsessionsforclientsaswellasIndividualAODcounselling.

• SeniorMentalhealthcaseworkervisitsonceperfortnight,assessingclientsMHissuesandstartingtheProcessofcompletingMHcareplansforeligibleclients

OurgoalandfocusinSEWBistoengage,supportandstrengthenAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopleaffectedbySocialandEmotionalWellbeingissuesinordertoimprovetheirhealth,wellbeingandparticipationinthecommunity.

REPORTS

THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL TEAM HAS HAD A HUGELY

PRODUCTIVE YEAR HIGHLIGHTED BY THE OPENING OF THE

SEWB HUB IN MILDURA.

ThehubinOrangeAvenueoffersofficespaces,awaitingarea,artroomandthreeprivatecounsellingroomsandisinresponsetoclearcommunitypreferenceforadiscrete,confidential,safeplacetocomeforsupport.

CoincidingwiththeopeningofthehubwastheintroductionoftheMentalHealthDemonstrationProject.ThisisagroundbreakingventurewhichestablishedpartnershipswiththeMilduraBaseHospitalMentalHealthServicesandMalleeFamilyCareCommunityMentalHealthSupportServices.Thetwo-yearprojectistestinganewmentalhealthtreatmentmodelforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoplewithmoderatetoseverementalhealthdisorderswhofallbetweenthegapsduetothenatureoftheirmentalhealthandsocialsupportneeds.Thisprojecthasrecentlybeengivenanother12-monthextension.

Client Contacts

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING REPORT

Raelene Stephens ManagerSocialandEmotionalWellbeing

2016 – 2017 2017 – 20180

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MENTAL HEALTH DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

MHDPhasreceived74referralsandarecurrentlysupporting48Clients.Waittimefromreferral,intake&assessmentandallocationofworkerisfivedays.ReferralsbeingreceivedfromKWDP,MHS,MDASAODandself-referral,withalargenumberofself-referralsoccurringinthefinalmonthsoftheyear.

GAMBLER’S HELP

SinceJuly2017thegambler’shelpteamhasbeenreferredatotalof13clients,11ofwhomwereconcernedabouttheirowngamblingandtwoaboutsomeoneelse’sgambling.ClientsengagewithaGamblershelptherapeuticpractitionerinsessionssuchasfinancialliteracy,gamblingeducation,copingstrategiesforstressandhowtouseotherhobbiesinplaceofgambling.

PHN CLIENTS

Thisyearhasbeencharacterisedbyasteadyincreaseofclientsand52clientswereseenorcontactedbyourPHNworkersinMilduraandSwanHillovertheyear.Theyhadanaverageageof14andoneofthemainissuesthattheyweredealingwithwasthatofanxiety.Ourworkerswereabletoconductsomeinterventionsintheformofeducationandprovidedgeneralcounsellinginordertoidentifyandlearnsomerelaxationstrategies.

BRINGING THEM HOME/SEWB

NewBTHworkerswereappointedinSwanHill(GlendaNicholls)andinMildura(JustineBowden)whohavemadegoodinroadsonrecruitingnewclientsandre-engagingwithformerclients.JustinehasdeliveredpresentationstonumerousexternalagenciesandworkedwithEldersfromtheHACCProgramatarttherapyworkshopsattheMilduraArtsCentretohelpwithhealing.HighlightsincludedonefamilyreunionatSwanHillandaStolenGenerationperformanceof"Hart"atthe-MilduraArtsCentre.OveralltheBTHteamhasseenorcontacted49communitymembersduringthereportingperiod.

REFLECTING AND RECONNECTING

TheBringingThemHometeamhostedacommunitycelebrationinMilduratoreflectthe10-yearanniversaryofSorryDay.Theeventbroughttogether200communitymembersandEldersmemberswithpositivefeedbackaboutasharing,informativeexperiencethatprovidedabroaderunderstandingoftheeffectsofintergenerationaltraumaaswellasallowingcommunitymemberstosharetheirstoriesandexperiences.Itallowedallcommunitymembers,Indigenousandnon-Indigenous,tocometogether,reflectonthepastandtoworktogethertobuildamuchstrongerandvibrantfuturefortheyoungergeneration.


REPORTS

PEOPLE AND CULTURE REPORT

Kelly Masters People&CultureManager

PEOPLE

MDAS is now the largest single employer of Aboriginal people in Victoria. Our workforce currently comprises 50 percent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees across the organisation.

OurworkfocusesnotonlyonincreasingthenumbersofIndigenousemployeesatworkwithinMDAS,butalsoindevelopingthedevelopmentandlearningopportunitiesrequiredforexistingstafftogrowandlead.

ThecreationofaLearningandDevelopmentroleinNovember2017andtheappointmentofKylieHendersonintotherolehasallowedafocusonaMDASLearningandDevelopmentFramework.

Theframeworkaimstosupportandempowerallemployeesthroughmeaningfullearninganddevelopmentinitiatives,withparticularemphasisonourAboriginalWorkforceDevelopmentinitiative.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE COORDINATORJenniferByrnes

PEOPLE & CULTURE MANAGERKellyMasters

PEOPLE CULTURE

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

KylieHenderson

CULTURAL FACILITATOR

TamaraHandy

PEOPLE & CULTURE TRAINEE

AngelaPryor

MALLEE ABORIGINALEMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

KoshaShanahan

SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR

JoanneMitchell

CULTURAL ENGAGEMENTOFFICER

SimoneSpencer

HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

SamanthaFalconer

PEOPLE AND CULTURE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE JUNE 2018

InFebruary2018theMDASHumanResourcesTeambecameknownasPeopleandCultureandthenewnameandanewstructurewerethehighlightof2017-18forourteam.

ThetransitiontothenewmodelallowsPeopleandCulturetomoreeffectivelymeetorganisationalandcommunityneeds.


WehavesuccessfullysecuredDHHSfundingforthisinitiative,allowingustofocusonupskillingourIndigenousemployeesandmentoringandsupportingourtrainees.

ItalsoallowsustoworkwithourAboriginalstafftodevelopandstructurepathwayandprogressionplansthatwillmeetourorganisationalsuccessionplanningmodels,aswellasdevelopingstrongfutureleadersforMDAS.

CULTURE

Theadditionoftwonewroles-CommunityEngagementOfficerandCulturalAwarenessFacilitator–allowedthecreationofaCulturalunit,whichcomplementstheHRspaceandprovidesaculturallenseonallHumanResourcesmatters.

TheculturalFacilitatorandcommunityengagementofficerworkinunisonandensurecommunityisengagedinMDASprogramdeliveryandthatcommunityeventsaremarketedappropriately.TheirmissionistoensurecultureiskeptaliveandthatMDASislisteningtothevoiceofthecommunity.

Community Engagement Officer: Simone Spencerhitthegroundrunninginthecommunityengagementroleandbegantoattendcommunityforums,meetingsandcommunityengagementopportunities.Simonewasresponsible

fororganisingNAIDOC2018andpulledtogetherthecelebrationthroughthevariouscommunityeventsincludingtheNAIDOCball.

TheculturalandcommunityengagementteamhasdevelopedaculturalsafetyculturalrespectbrochureandhasbeenfacilitatingtrainingwithEldersforbothMDASstaffandexternalstakeholdersandorganisations.CulturalAwarenessTrainingisnowpartofMDASmandatorytrainingandisnowbeingmarketedtoattractawideraudience.AspartoftheculturalcapacitybuildingprojecttheculturalAwarenessprogramwillengageyouthtoparticipatewiththeEldersinordertotransferculturalknowledgeandensurelongevitytotheculturalawarenesstrainingpackage.

TheculturalunitalsoworksproactivelytoidentifyandfacilitateemploymentopportunitiesforAboriginalpeoplethroughtheMalleeAboriginalEmploymentProgram.

Latein2017-18PeopleandCultureappointedatrainee,AngelaPryor,whowillcompleteaCertificateThreeinBusinessAdministrationandfollowasuccessionplan,workingtowardsacareerintheP&Cteam.AngelawilllearnallfacetsofgeneralistHumanResourceManagementandwillbeactivelyinvolvedinallP&Cinitiatives.

Casual10

Casual8

Part Time23

Part Time31

Full Time84

Indigenous/TSI

Full Time160

Part Time54

Casual18

Total242

Full Time76

Ethnicity

Other

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Workforce Demographic


SomeofthemorerecentadditionsinourspaceincludetheAMCHIprojectinSwanHillwhichcommencedonNovember17for12months.TheprojectisfundedbyDepartmentofEducationandTrainingandaimstoincreaseAboriginalchildren’sparticipationinKeyAgesandStages(KAS)withMaternalandChildHealth.NikitaMorgansonisworkingasourIndigenoussupportworkertoassistwithengagementandtoprovidelocalculturalknowledge.NikitahasassistedinthedevelopmentofKASremindercardsthathavebeenpaintedbylocalartistSandraKropinyeri.

KooriSupportedPlaygroupscommencedatbothsitesinMarchhavingreceivedfundingforthefirsttimein2018.ThisopportunitygivesustheabilitytoassistinincreasingtheschoolreadinessofAboriginalchildreninourcommunities.MataHaveaandMalindaLoatsareleadingthesePlaygroupsandaredevelopingarealculturalfocusbyhavingAboriginalsongsandstoriesasthebasisforeachgroup.

REPORTS

THE MDAS EARLY YEARS TEAM HAS CONTINUED TO GROW

DURING 2017-18. WE HAVE HAD A 30 PERCENT STAFF INCREASE

IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND NOW HAVE A TOTAL STAFF OF 30.

PlaygroupsintheHubandatKunawaaarethrivingandhavehadover250participants.Theyprovidewonderfulplacesforfamiliestolearnandplay.TheFamilySupportstaffareworkingwitharound70familieswhichisanincreaseof40percentfromthepreviousfinancialyear.Theycontinuetowalkalongsidethefamiliesthroughboththeinternalandexternalservicesystem.HIPPYcontinuestobesuccessfulwitha50%increaseintutorsandacohortof16four-year-oldsactiveand10five-year-olds.FionaTurner,whohasaBachelorofEducation,wasemployedinSeptemberasTeamLeaderofHIPPYandKPSAandwiththiseducationbackgroundhasbeenabletosupportourtutorswithknowledgeandtraining.OurKooriePre-SchoolAssistanthasdeliveredaculturalprogramtoDETfundedkindergartensintheLGA.TheKPSAprogramsupportsandworkstoempowerEarlyYearseducatorstodeliverculturallyappropriateeducationandattendsservicesinanareaborderedbyWerrimull,Merbein,NangilocandMurrayville.

OurclinicalteamofKooriMaternityServicesandMaternalandChildHealthhavecontinuedtoprovidehighqualityevidencebasedanteandpostnatalcareandeducation.Ourimmunisationratesinthe0-5yearsagearecloseto100%.Onehundredandsevenwomenhavebeenprovidedwithantenatalcareandtherehavebeenfifty-fivebirths.

EARLY YEARS REPORT

Jacinta Molloy ManagerEarlyYears

THE FAMILY SUPPORT STAFF ARE WORKING WITH AROUND 70 FAMILIES WHICH IS AN INCREASE OF 40 PERCENT FROM THE PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR.


EarlyYearssuccessfullysecuredaLearningSystemsgrantthisyearwhichenablesustoworkalongsidetheleadersinNewBornObservation(NBO)fromtheRoyalWomen’sHospitalinMelbourne.ThisgivesustheopportunitytobuildinfrontlinesupportsforparentsofnewbornchildrenintheMallee.WehavebegundevelopingresourcesandtrainingmaterialsthatareAboriginalspecificthatbestmeettheneedsofthelocalcommunity.ThiswillensurethattheEarlyYearsteamatMDAScanreallyhelpnewbornbabiesandtheirparentssharemeaningfulmessages.

MDASandEarlyYearspresentedinRomeattheWorldAssociationofInfantMentalHealth(WAIMH)congress.ThishadMalleecommunitiesbeingwellshowcasedfrom

infancy.IthasgeneratedinterestintheEarlyYears’capacityforcreativity,wonderandinnovationthatisrichinculturalwisdomandbest-practicetheories.Mostimportantlyitistheworkbeingdonebythefrontlinestaffthatisbeingcelebrated.Healing-informedcaseworkaroundbabiesandfamiliesistobecelebratedandbetween2016–2018,over50MDASemployeeshaveparticipatedinanorganisation-createdlearningprogramforfrontlinestaff.Asourmostvaluableresourceandasset,frontlinestaffacrossMDASareengaginginreflectivelearningopportunitiesandsharingtheirinsightsandskillswitheachotherandcommunity.


REPORTS

SWAN HILL

THE COMPLETION OF A HALF MILLION-DOLLAR RENOVATION

OF MDAS SWAN HILL WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF 2017-18.

THE WORK ALLOWS IMPROVED COMMUNITY ACCESS, MORE

CONSULTING ROOM AND MORE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

DELIVERY AREAS FOR THE SWAN HILL TEAM. IT’S CREATING

MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTEGRATED CARE AND HELPING

TO MEET THE GROWING DEMAND FOR HEALTH SERVICES

FROM COMMUNITY.

HEALTH SERVICES

Wecontinuetoworkcloselywithpartnersandothercommunityagenciestoensurethecommunityhasaccesstotheservicesandsupportsrequired.

WesecuredagreementonprovisionofAlliedHealthServices(speechtherapy)withRuralWorkforceAgencyVictoriaandSwanHillHealth(SpeechTherapy)andweareworkingcloselywithSouthernMalleePrimaryCarePartnershiparoundinputtocommunityservices,specificallyaroundhealthpriorities.AlsoimplementedduringtheyearwaswelcomecollaborationbetweenSMPCP,BendigoHealthandMDASSwanHillonMentalHealthServices(ATSIMentalHealthcommittee).

Ourcommunityeventswerehighlysuccessful.ThemajoreventwasourCommunityDay,attendedbyaround150people.OthereventsincludedBreastscreening(Women’sDay),PapandPamperDay,WhiteRibbonDay,YoungLove(Healthyrelationships)andSisters’DayOut.

Intheyearahead,highlightswillincludethefullrolloutoftheDeadlyChoicesprogram.Therewillbemorecommunityeventsaroundhealthandwewillcontinueapplyingforprojectswhichreflectimportantcommunitypriorities,suchasaBowelScreeninitiative.

AccreditationwithAGPAL(GeneralPractice)willbeamajorundertakingandworkwillcontinueinthechallengingspaceofstrengtheningthehumanresourcesofthehealthteam,includingrecruitmentofafulltimeGPorGPs,afterwefarewelledourtwolong-standingGPsduringtheyear.

FAMILY SERVICES

Ourfamilyservicesteamthisyearmovedintospacepreviouslyoccupiedbytheheadspaceprogram.Thishasprovidedgreaterscopeandappropriatespaceforprojects,programdeliveryandagreaterfocusoncommunityengagement.

Amajorfocusfortheyearwasanincreaseincommunityeventstoreachnewcommunitymembersandstrengthenourengagementandrelationshipwithcurrentclients.OurregularFridaylunches,organisedbyFamilyServices,wereapopularopportunityforayarnandforinformalaccesstoMDASstaffwithmorethan30communitymembersattendingregularly.

Theyearhasincludedmanynewinitiativesforyou,includingfivesuccessfulyouthcampsatMeneraStation.TheYouthHubisoperatingonTuesdaysandThursdaysandisprovidingimportantopportunitiestoengageandsupportouryoungpeople.

Jody Croft ManagerHealthServicesSwanHill

Michelle Gadsby ManagerFamilyServicesSwanHill


A MAJOR FOCUS FOR THE YEAR WAS AN INCREASE IN COMMUNITY EVENTS TO REACH NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STRENGTHEN OUR ENGAGEMENT AND RELATIONSHIP WITH CURRENT CLIENTS.

Animportantadditiontotheexpansionofthereceptionspacewastheculturaldisplaycabinetwhichwillsafelyhouseculturalartefactsandimportantmemorabiliaforcommunityandvisitorstosee.

Wecontinuetoworkoncommunitypartnerships,including,thisyear,awelcomecollaborationwiththeSalvationArmytosecureChristmashampersandtoysforcommunityinneed.

Weareproudwiththeachievementsof2017-18bytheMDASSwanHillteam.Congratulationsandthankyoutoourcommittedandprofessionalstaff,whocontinuetogoabove-and-beyondtoachievegreatresultsforourcommunity.


Melanie Lane KerangSeniorAboriginalHealthWorker

REPORTS

KERANG

IT’S BEEN A BUSY YEAR OF EXPANSION AND INCREASED

ENGAGEMENT WITH OUR KERANG COMMUNITY.

Keranghasexpandeditsstaffingbasethisyearwithalocally-basedHealthPromotionsOfficerappointedtoKorrinKorrinBalitDjak,WorkingTogetherforHealth.WealsowerefortunatetoreceiveCIPfundingfromtheDepartmentofJusticefora.4position.

FundingwasalsoreceivedforaWorkingTogetherforHealthposition.

Theadditionalresourcesallowedustotakeanincreasedfocusoncommunityhealtheventsthisyear.Theyincludedamajorcommunityday,ReconciliationWeekMarch,apoolday,“YouandMeCanStopHIV”,BiggestMorningTea,aWhiteRibboneventandAutismSpectrumworkshops.

WecompletedminorrenovationstotheKerangofficeduringtheyear,butweareexcitedthatanewservicecentrehasbeendesignedforoursiteandfundingforcapitalworkssubmittedtotheCommonwealthDepartmentofHealthtobuildanewclinic.

Wecontinuetoworkcloselywithpartnersandothercommunityagenciestoensurethecommunityhasaccesstotheservicesandsupportsrequired.WehaveworkedsuccessfullywiththeLoddonGannawarraHealthServicesExecutiveNetworkforfundingforaHealthyHeartsandLungProject,andthiswillcontinue.

WesecuredagreementoncontinuedprovisionofAlliedHealthServiceswithRuralWorkforceAgencyVictoriaandweareworkingcloselywithSouthernMalleePrimaryCarePartnershiparoundinputtocommunityservices,specificallyaroundhealthpriorities.AlsoimplementedduringtheyearwaswelcomecollaborationbetweenSMPCP,BendigoHealthandMDASSwanHillonMentalHealthServices(ATSIMentalHealthcommittee).

Outsideofhealthservices,wecontinuetoworkoncommunitypartnerships,including,thisyear,awelcomecollaborationwiththeUnitingChurchtosecureChristmashampersandtoysforcommunityinneed.

Intheyearahead,highlightswillincludetherolloutoftheDeadlyChoicesprogram.Thesuccessofoureffortsincommunityeventsthisyearensuresourfocuswillcontinueonthisarea.Therewillbemorecommunityeventsaroundhealthandwewillcontinueapplyingforprojectswhichreflectimportantcommunitypriorities,suchasaBowelScreeninitiative.

WE CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH PARTNERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES TO ENSURE THE COMMUNITY HAS ACCESS TO THE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS REQUIRED.


AlthoughKeranghasexperiencedacriticalGPshortageacrosstheentirecommunity,SwanHillstaffcontinuetooutreachhere,providingmuch-neededandvaluedservicestocommunity.Wearegratefulfortheaccesstomedicalservicesweareabletoachievethroughtheuseoflocums,but,asinSwanHill,thelossisbeingdeeplyfeltfromthedepartureofthetwotrustedandlong-servingGPsweshared,whotookuppositionselsewhereduringtheyear.

Wecontinuetosearch,throughanationwiderecruitmentcampaign,foraGP.Thisisamajorchallengeandopportunityforus,becausesuccesswillallowustoexpandourservicesgreatlyandprovideawiderangeofhealthservicestoKerangandsurroundingcommunities.ButmostimportantlyitwillmultiplythecommunityhealthoutcomesbroughtthroughreliableandconsistentaccesstoknownandtrustedGPservices.


MDAS AT WORK

ELDERS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE RESPECTED FOR THEIR

STORIES, ART, SONG AND LANGUAGE, IN GOOD TIMES AND IN

BAD, THE GUIDANCE, COUNSELLING AND KNOWLEDGE THEY

PROVIDE TO FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY. ELDERS HAVE A

GROWING ROLE AT MDAS FOR THEIR POSITIVE INPUT TO

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND FOR THEIR LINK TO KEEPING

CULTURE VIBRANT AND ALIVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

“Iusetheknowledgeandexperiencesfrommylife–thegoodonesandthebadones–toencourageouryoungonesnottodothetypeofthingstheywillregretandtoshowthemthatthereisanotherlifeandotherchoices.

“BeinganElderisaroleIjustlovebecauseIdon’twanttoseethesituationwheretoomanyofouryoungmendon’tlivelongenoughtobegoodElders.

“AcommunityneedsacontinuallineofEldersbecausealifetimeofexperiencesmakesyouwiserandtheyoungfellasknowyouarespeakingthetruth.

“I’mnotsayingeverypersonshouldtrytobeanElder.That’snotthewayitis.Buteverypersonshouldtrytolearnabouttheirhistoryandtheirculture.

“ParticularlyatWiimpatjatherearesomanysites,therearescartrees,Europeanhistory,fishing,cooking,hunting,gatheringtofindfood.Exposingtheyoungfellastoallofthismakesthemrealiseaboutthebiggerthings.Weallhaveproblems–minemightbeonlyminorcomparedtotheirs,perhaps–butweallhavethemandweallhavetodealwiththem.

“IloveworkingtheKooriCourts,too.Ithinkit’savitalrolewherewehaveyoungpeoplecomebeforetheJudgeandwearegivenanopportunitytosaysomethingthatmighthelpthatyoungpersonovercometheirdifficulty.It’sagreatopportunity.

“Thetraditionalwaysgiveyouthepathtocomefromaboytoayoungmantoaman.Youweren’tallowedinthosecirclesuntilyourtimeisrightandtherearestagesinyourlifethatifyouhaven’tgotgoodmentorshipthingscangowrong.

“TheideaoftraditionalEldersisbeingrevivedinAboriginalcommunitiesandIthinkthat’swonderful.It’srevivingthatlineofauthority.

“WhenIlookdownthelinefromwhereIcomefrom,ifIdidn’thavetheleadershipandEldershipinmylifefrommyfathersandunclesandtheotherolderpeoplewithincommunity,IwouldhavebeenanentirelydifferentmantowhatIamtoday.

“We’velostagoodtwotothreegenerationsofyoungpeoplewhoshouldhavebeenEldersnowwhohavegotcaughtupinotherthings.

“ButIthinkthereisamovementdownthelinesnowintheyoungergeneration.Youcanseethey’reprouderandmoreinterestedinthetraditionalwaysandthat’sagreatthing.

“Wearepassingtheknowledgeontothem,soIthinkwewillstillhavegoodElderscomingthroughforthefuture.”

ELDERS – OUR CONNECTION TO HISTORY, COUNTRY AND DREAMTIME

Uncle Colin Clark KooriCourtElder,respectedElderatWiimpatjaHealingCentre,MDASBoardmember

“ZEB”* CAME TO MDAS SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL

BEING SERVICE THROUGH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AFTER

AN ATTEMPTED ARM ROBBERY TO MAINTAIN HIS SUBSTANCE

AND GAMBLING HABITS.

Initialengagementwassporadic.Zebwasreluctanttoengagewithsupportandwasathighriskofreoffendingandincarceration.

Overafour-monthperiodofstaffcontinuallyfollowingupandofferingsupportZebdidengage,butitwasstillirregular.Staffofferedassistancewithotherissuesinhislife,andthisbuiltrapportandtrustandZebbegancontactingworkerswhenheexperiencedissues.Throughtheseoccasionswheregeneralsupportwasprovided,therewereopportunitiestodiscussissuesrelatingtogamblingandotherchallenges.

ThesegeneraldiscussionsledtoZebdevelopingsomeinsightintohispastbehavioursandhowthishadbeenunconstructive.Thisinsightledtohimobservingthesamenegativebehavioursinothersheassociatedwith.Hebeganthinkingaboutwhathecouldhaveachievedwithdifferentchoicesandstepstodistancehimselffromtheseunbeneficialrelationships.

OverthefollowingfivemonthswithsupportfromSEWBstaffZebputprocessesinplacetoreduceandeventuallyceasehisgambling.Thisledhimtocommencingarelationship,obtaininghisownaccommodation,engagingintrainingandobtainingemployment.

*Nothisrealname

MDAS SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING - OVERCOMING ADDICTIONS

MDAS AT WORK

Wehaveworkedhardtoensurethereis'nowrongdoor'inaccessingMDASSocialandEmotionalWellbeingServices.Weworkinaholisticwaytoengage,supportandstrengthen

peopleaffectedbysocialandemotionalwellbeingissues,toimprovetheirhealth,wellbeingandparticipationinthecommunity.

MDASANNUAL REPORT 201835

ZEB HAS MAINTAINED HIS ABSTINENCE FROM GAMBLING FOR THAT PAST FIVE MONTHS AND CONTINUES TO PROGRESS AND TAKE ON BENEFICIAL BEHAVIOURS TO CONTINUALLY IMPROVE HIS LIFE.


MDAS AT WORK

PROVIDING ENCOURAGEMENT AND INCENTIVE FOR COMMUNITY

MEMBERS TO ENGAGE WITH MDAS HEALTH, AND OUR GYM

PROGRAMS, ESTABLISHED HEALTH AND FITNESS, ELDERS AND

SOCIAL GROUPS ARE AIMED AT EXTENDING POSITIVE HEALTH

OUTCOMES AND ENSURING CLIENTS REMAIN ENGAGED IN THE

LONGER TERM.

We’vehada200percentincreaseinthenumberofhealthchecksatourclinicsinthepastfouryears,butwecontinuetolookcreativelyandimaginativelyatnewwaystoinduceclientstotakingthatfirststeptowardsbetterhealth.

TheintroductionofDeadlyChoiceshasallowedtheMDASHealthServicetoprovideincentivesforclientswhoengageinpreventativehealthcarebyhavingtheirannualAboriginalHealthCheck.

TheDeadlyChoicesprogramwaslaunchedatacommunitydayinMilduraduring2017-18attendedbyabout300peopleandwascomplementedbyactivityatcommunitydaysinSwanHillandKerang.

TheprogramisbeingrolledoutacrosstheMalleeregionandisalsoinplaceinMilduraschools,whereitprovidesyoungpeoplewithvaluableinformationaboutstayinghealthyandtakingcareoftheirwellbeing.

Thelaunchofourlarger-than-lifesmokingbadguy“OldNico”thisyearhasbeenanothersuccessfulinitiative.

OldNicoisaimedathelpingkidsunderstandtheharshrealitiesaboutthedamagesmokingdoesandisapopularfigureinschoolprogramsandhealthandcommunitydays.

OldNico’sappearancesarecomplementedbyhisownOldNicowebsite,whichincludesfactsandfigures,videos,gamesandactivitiesaroundthequitsmokingmessage.

Targetingyoungpeoplewiththequitmessagestakestheinformationnotonlytothem,butintotheirfamilies.

HEALTH SERVICES – INNOVATING TO GET HEALTH MESSAGES HEARD

ProactiveandinnovatingprogramsareasignificantdriverofincreasedengagementwithMDASHealthServices.

WE’VE HAD A 200 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HEALTH CHECKS AT OUR CLINICS IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS


MDAS AT WORK

MALLEE DISTRICT ABORIGINAL SERVICES HAS OPERATED THE

MEN’S TIME OUT SERVICES AT ROBINVALE FOR THE PAST TWO

YEARS, WITH A FOCUS ON HEALING AND BEHAVIOUR CHANGE.

ButanenergeticcaseworkerfromGhana,whojoinedtheMDASRobinvaleteamin2017-18hastakentheprogramtoanewlevel.

Joseph(Joe)AsirifibroughtawealthofknowledgeandlifeexperiencefromworkfortheUnitedNationsinpeacekeepingoperationsinmanycountriesandalsohavinglivedinChina,ThailandandSouthKorea.

“Ihaven’tworkedintheAboriginalcommunitybeforeandthemeninitiallyweren’tquitesureaboutme–I’mobviouslyfromquiteadifferentbackground,”Joesaid.

Joeisneverseenwithouthistrademarktie,soitsethimapartfromothermenwho’dworkedwiththeMen’sTimeOutProgrambefore.

“Atfirst,theyteasedmeabit,tellingmeIwastoodresseduptoworkwiththem!”Joesaid.

“Butthat’sturnedaroundnow,andthey’vecomearoundtotheideathatwearingthetieisjustonepartofwhoIam,”hesaid.

TheaffectionculminatedwiththemenontwooccasionspresentingJoewithspecialKoori-themedtiestocomplementhisextensivecollectionandshowappreciation.

“Iwasveryhonoured–itwasprettyspecialandshowedmehowmuchourrelationshiphasgrownthroughtheyear,”Joesaid.

TheMen’sTimeOutProgramhasgrownfrombasicallynothingthisyearto28menonthecaseload.

Joe’smentorStephanGocolsaidhisconsistencywiththemenandhisgenuinecarehadresonatedwith

thegroup,andmoreandmoreparticipantswerecomingonboard.

“ThemoretheycametoseeJoe’spassionandknowledgetoguidethem,themoretheybegantowarmtohim.Thethingstheymadefunofatthestarttheyarenowembracing,”Stephansaid.

Joesaiditwasexcitingtoseethetangibleimpactstheprogramwashaving.

“Whenwestartedthemenwerefairlyreluctanttocomealongandwhereaswestruggledtogetthreemenalongtoourweeklysessionsatthestart,wenowusuallyhavebetween13and18attendingeachweek,”hesaid.

“Evenjusthavingsomanycomealongregularlyisahugedifference,butovertimethemenhavealsobecomequiteopenwithmeaboutwhathelptheyneed.

“That’smeantIcanputsomeofthemintouchwithwaystofindjobsandsomearealsoworkingongettingtheirdriver’slicences.

“Thesearebig,bigstepsforward.Butit’sallaboutbuildingtherelationshipsovertimeandtalkingtogetherasbrothersandfriends,andthatiswhatwedo.”

ROBINVALE MEN’S PROGRAM

Anunusualcross-culturalconnectionisprovingakeyelementtothesuccessofanAboriginalmen’sprogramatRobinvale.

MDAS AT WORK

CAL LAL IS ON THE SAME PROPERTY (WARRAKOO STATION)

AS THE WIIMPATJA HEALING CENTRE FOR MEN AND IS AN

EXTENSION OF THE MDAS THERAPEUTIC RESIDENTIAL

CARE UNIT.

Itaimstosupporthighly-complexclientsincontactwiththejusticesystem,eithercurrentlyinorenteringResidentialCare.Thisprogramprovidesanopportunitytohavetimeandspaceawayfromenteringrisksituationsthatmaypresentwhenbeingre-introducedbackintocommunityfromaJuvenileJusticeenvironment.

“Mark”*wasparoledtoCal-Lalforsixmonthsduringin2017.HestartedintheLandManagementprogramwithotherWiimpatjaHealingCentreclientsanddisplayedastrongandengagingworkethic,builtstrongrelationshipswithindividuals,whoinreturnmentoredhimsharinglifestoriesandadvice.MarkalsobuiltadeeprespectforElderColinClarkduringhisparticipationintheCulturalprogram,whichbuiltonconnectingclientstothelandandculture.Otheractivitiesincluded,learningabouttheland,weeklyyarningcircles,cookingandmakingculturalitemsfromtheland.

TowardstheendofhisstayatCal-lal,aReturntoCountrytripwasplannedtohelpMarkreconnectwithfamilyuponhistransitionbacktocommunityandindependentliving(hewouldturn18soonafterexitingCal-Lal).Todate,Markhasfinishedhisparole,securedhisownaccommodation,currentlycompletingstudyandhasstayedoutofcontactwiththeCriminalJusticesystem.MDASensuresthathewillbecontinuallysupportedwhereverpossibleonhisownpersonaljourneyaheadandinhisendeavourstoachievepositiveoutcomes.

*Nothisrealname

WIIMPATJA HEALING CENTRE CAL-LAL PILOT PROJECT

TheCal-Lalpilotprojectisaninterimtransitionalmodelforcomplexresidentialclientsinneedofsupportandreconnectiontolandandcultureinatherapeuticenvironment.


DURING 2017-18, KWDP SUPPORTED 21 WOMEN. PROGRAM

PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT TO

NAVIGATE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND BROADER SERVICE SYSTEM.

Dependingontheirindividualneeds,supportforclientsthisyearhasincludedhousing,drugand/oralcoholissues,mentalillness,familyviolence,education,employment,lackofincomesecurityanddisconnectionfromfamily,cultureandcommunity.

In addition to our ongoing engagement and outreach, notable successes this year included:

ThreeparticipantscompletingCommunityCorrectionWorkinghoursthroughtheWittaArtProgram,decoratingpotsthatweredonatedtocommunityEldersforplacementonlocalunmarkedgraves;

OneparticipantgainedatraineeshipandhashadherchildrenreturnedtohercarethroughDHHSChildProtection;

Wehaveassistedthreemotherstogainaccessandreunificationwiththeirchildren;and

OneparticipanthasbeenassistedtogainlongtermAboriginalHousing.

TheprogramprovidesreferralpathwaysintoprogramsandservicestoreduceKooriwomenoffending,reoffendingorhavingcontactwiththeJusticeSystemaswellassupportingKooriWomenonjusticeorders.

KOORI WOMEN’S DIVERSION PROGRAM

MDAS AT WORK

TheKooriWomen'sDiversionProgramassistswithdivertingKooriwomenfromdeepeningcontactwiththeCriminalJusticesystem.



JENNY’S STORY

"Jenny"*wasdischargedfromMilduraBaseHospitalinMarch2018aftertreatmentformentalhealthissuesunderaCommunityTreatmentOrder.SheengagedwithMDASthroughtheKooriWomen’sDiversionProgramandtheMentalHealthDemonstrationProjectandhasattendedweekly.

JennyshowedremarkableimprovementinherhealthandwellbeingtotheextentthatherCommunityTreatmentOrderwasrevokedamonthafterherrelease,duetohermedicationcomplianceandmentalstability.

TherehasbeenanoticeableimprovementinselfconfidencesinceJennyengagedwiththeKWDP.Sheisalwaysfirsttoarrive,enjoysinteractingwithotherparticipantsandhasmademultiplesuggestionsforgroupactivities.JennyhasalsodiscoveredherownartistictalentsthroughKWDPartactivities.SheregularlyinitiatescontactwithmentalhealthandKWDPtoensuremedicationisnotmissedandtoaccesssupportifsheexperiencesanyissuesorconcerns.Jennywillinglyundertakesurinetestswhenrequestedandherpsychiatricappointmentshavebeenreducedtotwo-monthlyduetoherprogress.

ThereisongoingpositivefeedbackfromstaffandcommunitymembersregardingJenny’simprovementinpersonality,interactionwithothersandheroverallwellbeing.Jenny’sdecliningmentalhealthhadcomeataconsiderablecost.Shewasnotpresentwhenherfatherpassedawayandshedidnotattendhisfuneral.MDASworkerssupportedJennytovisitherfather’sgravetohelphergrieveandacceptherloss.ThevisitwashelpfulinhelpingJennydeveloptheinsightsheneededtoimplementpositivechanges.

Jenny’sprogresshasallowedhertonotonlyrenewcontactwithherdaughter(whichwasasignificantmotivatorinmaintaininginteractionwithservicesandcomplyingwithmedication)buttoresumesomecareforherdaughter.Jennyhasshownexceptionalnurturingandparentingskills,providingherdaughterwithsupportaroundissuesatschoolandineverydaylife.Workersobservestrongparentalbondingwhenthetwodoarttogether,andJennyisteachingherdaughterlifeskillsaroundshopping,thevalueofmoneyandmaintainingtheirhome.Duringsupervisedcontactsithasbeenobservedthatthedaughter’sneedsandsafetyareprioritised.ThistypeofprogressisrarelyseeninclientsandisgratifyingtoseethelevelofresponsibilityandcareJennyexhibitstoherchild.

*Notherrealname


MDAS AT WORK

MAEP SUPPORTS PEOPLE WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED, INCLUDING

CANDIDATES WHO EXPERIENCE MULTIPLE BARRIERS TO FINDING

EMPLOYMENT (FOR EXAMPLE, DRUG AND ALCOHOL ISSUES,

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES, FAMILY VIOLENCE AND

A LACK OF LITERACY AND NUMERACY).

Itoffersintensiveassistanceandtheopportunitytobelinkedintoaholisticrangeofservicestoincreasethelikelihoodofasuccessfultransitionfromunemploymenttolong-termsustainablework.

MAEPisinsupportoftheCommonwealthGovernment’snationalprioritytoreducetheemploymentgapbetweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenouspeople.

Itrecognisestheimportanceofworkforindividualandcommunitywell-being.

ThecurrentroundofMAEPcommencedinJanuary2018andcoordinatorKoshaShanahanandthePeopleandCultureteamhaveworkedwithcandidatestoidentifyandpursuesustainableemploymentopportunities.

Forthesixmonths:

8Trainees–8stillemployed12GeneralEmployment–10stillemployed

MAEPalsobrokeredemploymentinformationsessionsincludingwith:

• ForestFireManagementVictoria• AustralianDefenceForce• MurrayBasinRailProject• BeonEnergySolutions,KaradocSolar• VoyagesTourism• BrokenHillPipeline

MAEPinvitedcandidatestoanInformationsessionon‘TheSolarIndustryCareerPathwayProgram’atSuniTafe,wetravelledbyBuswithagroupof14.AfterthepresentationMAEPparticipantswereabletoregistertheirinterest,withfiveyoungmenselectedforinterviewsandfourcontinuingonasTraineeswithChandlerMacleod.Ofthefour,threewereparticipantsintheMDASFamilyServicesEarlySchoolLeaverProgram.

MAEPhostedtherecruitersfromtheVoyagesIndigenousTourismAustralia,asubsidiaryoftheIndigenousLandCorporation.VoyagesisrecognisedastheleaderinemploymentandtrainingofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandersintourismandthroughitsoperations,supportsthedevelopmentofIndigenousbusinesses.VoyagesisdedicatedtobuildingandsustaininganIndigenousworkforcethroughattractingtherighttalent,aidingsecureemployment,incitingcareeradvancementandfosteringempowerment.Thiswasanawesomeopportunityforouryouthand11femaleandonemaleparticipantattended.OneMAEPparticipantwasselectedtocommencetheTraineerecruitmentandsecureafulltimetraineeship.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

TheMalleeAboriginalEmploymentProgram(MAEP)istheMDAScommitmenttofindingsustainableemploymentopportunitiesforourcommunity.

MDAS AT WORK

MDAS KOORI MATERNITY SERVICES (KMS) HAS COLLABORATED

WITH LOCAL ABORIGINAL HOSPITAL LIAISON OFFICERS ESTHER

KIRBY (KERANG DISTRICT HEALTH) AND DEBRA CHAPLIN

(SWAN HILL DISTRICT HEALTH) TO ENSURE ALL FAMILIES HAVE

ACCESS TO CULTURAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR NEWBORNS.

DebrasuppliesacoolamonforSwanHillfamiliesforphotographs,andAuntyEstherprovidesherPossumSkinCloak,AboriginalflagandfeathersforKerangfamilies.

Possumskinsaretraditionallyreceivedbybabiesandareaddedtoasthechildgrows,withthechild’sstorytoldontheskin.

KMShasnowalsopurchasedaCoolamon,madebylocalartistElsaKirby,andsomepossumskins.

TheKMSskinstoryrepresentssupportsaroundthefamily’spregnancyandsafebirth.

Thedesignisbyayounglocalwoman,KarleashaMitchell,usinghandprintsofcommunitymemberswhosupportfamiliesandchildrenofKMSfamiliesandthoseattendingEarlyYearsPlaygroups.

AuntyEstherisalsoawell-knownlocalartistandishelpingtoputtheKMSstoryontotheskin.

COOLAMONS AND POSSUM SKINS – CREATING A CULTURAL CONNECTION

FamiliesatSwanHillandKerangareabletomakestrongculturalconnectionsfortheirbabiesrightfromtheirearliestdays


POSSUM SKINS ARE TRADITIONALLY RECEIVED BY BABIES AND ARE ADDED TO AS THE CHILD GROWS, WITH THE CHILD’S STORY TOLD ON THE SKIN.


WIIMPATJA HEALING CENTRE 2017-18

Culturalconnectionsapathwaytohealing.TheWiimpatjaHealingCentre,atWarrakoo,hasbeenusedformanyyearsasanalternativetotraditionalincarceration.

MDAS AT WORK

AT ITS CORE, IT IS A REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR MEN

WHO SUFFER FROM ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. HOWEVER,

IT IS A WRAP AROUND SERVICE ADDRESSING HEALTH, AOD

COUNSELLING, WELLBEING, LIFE SKILLS, TAFE SHORT

COURSES FOR WORK SKILLS, FARM ACTIVITIES AND WORK.

ItisrecognisedacrossVictoriaandNSWasoneofthemosteffectiveprogramsofitstypewiththeimportanceofreconnectingwithcountryandcultureinhealingamajorprincipleunderpinningitsintensiveprograms.

ReferralstoWiimpatjaHealingCentrecomefromcorrections,court,justiceandself-referral.

MostclientsattendingWHCwouldhavebeenincarcerated,or“bailedtofail”somewhereelse,ifnotforWHC.Monitoringthisyearhasunderpinnedthepositive,long-termimpactoftheprogram,withonlyfourofthe23programparticipantsfrom2016-17incontactwiththejusticesystemthisyear.

Thisyear52clientsweremonitored(29newapprovalsand23monitoredfromthepreviousyear).

Clientsweremale,agedbetween19and57.Fourclientsabscondedfromtheprogramduringtheyearandafurthereightclientsbreachedprogramconditions.

Theyear,attimes,wasbothrewardingandchallengingforstaff,aswellasclients.

TherearesomedifficultieswithclientsbeingapprovedandnotabletocometoWHCbecausetransportissuesareaconcern.TheageinginfrastructureatWHCpresentssomeissuesandthereweresomechallengeswithstaffingduringtheyearbecauseofshortagesofpeoplewithappropriateskills.

ThisshortageofskilledpeoplewascompensatedbygettingMDASservicestovisitandprovidesessionsaroundAODCounselling,HealthyforLifeProgram,QuitSmokingandaccessingworkskillstrainingthroughon-siteTAFEtraining.Shortcoursesthisyearincludedfirstaid,OH&S,foodhandlersandchainsawoperationscertificate.

MDASHealthwillplayanincreasingroleinfutureandanewroundoffundingfromourfundingprovider,theOfficeofPrimeMinisterandCabinetisachancetomakesomechangesonthewaywedelivercertainthingsandtoconsidermorein-houseandmainstreampartnershipsinthefuture.

Referrals

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Approved / Commenced

Not Approved / Declined

NICWJS(Not In Contact With The Justice System)

ICWJS(In Contact With The Justice System)

Not Contactable / Other

Monitored from previous year

Wiimpatja Healing Centre Client Monitoring/Follow Up


WHAT DOES HEALING LOOK LIKE?

CaseworkersfollowupwithclientstransitioningbacktocommunityoncompletionoftheWiimpatjaProgram.MorethanhalfoftheclientsmonitoredaftertransitioningbacktocommunityhavehadnofurthercontactwiththeJusticesystemrecorded.

ClientspreviouslycounselledbyMDASSEWBteamandmainstreamservicesforanumberofweeksandresidinginMilduraarecurrentlyemployedintheMilduraDistrict.OtherclientsarestillengagingwithMDASSocialandEmotionalWellbeingaftercompletionatWiimpatjaHealingCentre.

“Completedhisstayasajuvenile…residinginMildura-notincontactwiththeJusticesystem”

“ResidinginMerbein-workingonafarm-nocontactwiththeJusticesystem”

“Clientcommencedsecond12-weekWHCprogram…completedbyJuly2018andisagoodnewsstory

withhisoutcomesachievedduringhisstay”

“Settledbackwithmother…andisseekingtovisitWHCasamentortootherprogramattendees.Hasnot

beenincontactwiththeJusticesystem”

“ResidinginMilduraengagingwithMDASonaweeklybasis,housingisanissueforhim-notin

contactwiththeJusticesystem”

“ReturnedfromMelbournetocomplete12weekshestayedafurther6weeks,allupclienthasstayedatWHCfor18weeks.

NowlivinginMelbourneandisnotincontactwiththeJusticesystem”


CORPORATE SERVICES REPORT

2018-19 MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

• $1.9millionnetoperatingresultcomparedtoalossof$192,000for2017.

• Audit&RiskManagementsub-committeedevelopednewreportingframeworkstoimproveBoardoversight.

• GovernanceandQualitymonitoringactionplansforallservicedeliveryareresultinginimprovedauditoutcomesfromcomplianceaudits.

• Implementationofnewfinanceandinhousepayrollsystemstoimprovebudgetandhumanresourcemanagement.

• TransitionofMDAShousingpropertytoexperiencedpropertymanagers.

• Feasibilityassessmentsforsustainablecommercialsocialenterprisesopportunities.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Commercial PropertiesReviewofallexistingpropertyservicemaintenanceagreementsandintroductionofnewagreementwhererequiredhasresultedhasreducedthevolumeofurgentrepairandfinancialriskfromunexpectedemergencies.

WecommencedourFirstMortgageandCommunityInfrastructureProgramGrant(FMCIP)applicationforremovaloftheMinister’sfirstmortgages.MDAShasidentifiedthreecommercialpropertiesandduringtheperiodtheFMCIPprogramhasapprovedfundingforMDAStoundertakeurgentrepairsandfeasibilityassessment.Thekeyoutcomeofthefeasibilityassessmentprocesswillbetheidentificationandevaluationofpotential

opportunitiesforMDASarisingfromtheproposedremovaloffirstmortgagesfromthreeproperties.Thefeasibilityassessmentwillalsoprovidetheplatformfordevelopingthe10-yearassetmasterplan.

MDAS HousingManagementofMDAShousinginMildura,SwanHillandKeranghastransitioned100%toexternalpropertymanagersforrentalcollection,arrears,repairs,inspectionsandVCATmatters.Undernewhousingmanagementallhousingrepairsarebeingprioritisedtoimproveequalityandlivingstandardsacrossalllocations.

Housingsolutionsisoneofthekeyprioritiesidentifiedinthe2018-2021strategicplan.Severalactionswereundertakenduring2017-18toincreasethecommunity’saccesstohousing:

• Commencedbuildingtwonewtwo-bedroomunits;

• Identificationoftransitionalhousingneedswithdepartmentmanagersandcurrentmarketoptions;

• PreparationofbusinesscaseandfundingsourcesforsustainableMDASservicedeliveryoutcomes;and

• ImprovedstandardandqualityofMDAShousingthroughcapitalimprovementsasidentifiedbyhousingpropertymanagementagents.

Fleet ServicesThequalityandfunctionalityofMDASfleethasimprovedsignificantlyoverthepastyear.FleetserviceshaveactivelyengagedwithProgramManagerstodefineservice

FINANCIALS

Karen Hensgen ChiefFinancialOfficer


requirementsandprioritisefleetupgrade.Reviewofallfleetoperatingcostsandcontractarrangementhasresultedinsignificantsavingsimprovingthebudgettoreinvestandimproveservicestoourclients.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

HRhasimplementedanumberofimprovedsystemsandpracticestomanagethegrowthinstaffnumbersandrelatedcomplexity.Workforcedevelopmentplansarebeingdevelopedviaatrainingandprofessionaldevelopmentcoordinationtool.ThesecreateeducationalpathwaysforMDASinternallearninganddevelopment.

Staffnumbershaveincreased11%inthepast12monthstosupportnewprogramdelivery.HRhasbeenactivelylookingatwaystoincreaseourtraineeshipsacrosstheorganisationtoinvestinanddevelopfutureAboriginalleaders.

FurtherinformationinPeopleandCulturereport,page23.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Ourfinancialpositionhasimprovedsignificantlywithinthepast12months.

InvestingtimewithManagerstounderstandandmanagebudgetsisakeypriorityforthefinancedepartment.UpgradingtoanewEnterpriseResourcePlanning(ERP)systemhasstrengthenedthefinanceteam’sabilitytosupportManagerstomonitorprogrambudgets.Severalnewprocedureshavealreadybeenimplementedtostreamlinefunctionsincludingpurchasingcardproceduresandonlinepurchaseorders.

Operating PositionWereturnedasurplusof$1.9millionin2017-18comparedtoasmalllossof$190,000in2016-17.Asperourfiveyearreview,ourtotalrevenuehasincreased19%comparedfrom2016-17,howeverourexpenditurehasincreasedonly9%.Inthefive-yearreportingperiodtotalrevenuehasincreased52%whichisconsistentwiththereportedgrowthinservicedeliveryandstaffnumbers.

AllincomereceivedinadvanceiscarriedforwardtofuturereportingperiodstoensuretimingdifferencesarenotinfluencingthefinancialperformanceofMDAS.

LiquidityCashandfinancialassetshaveincreasedby$4.8millionincomparisontothepreviousyear.Thisincreaseismainlyduetoanincreaseinincomeadvancewhichiscarriedforward.Ourcurrentratioresultof1.7hasimprovedoverthe2017ratioof1.4.Thisillustratesthecompany’sabilitytomeetcurrentcommitmentsisverygood.

Assets and EquityDuring2017-18weengagedlicensedvaluerstocompletevaluationsonallourCommercial,HousingandIntangibleassets.Thenetimpactoftherevaluationwasanincreaseof$3.4milliontothevalueofournon-currentassets.

Duringthe2017-therewasonemajorprojectcompleted–theupgradeoftheSwanHilloffice.Theobjectiveofthisprojectwastoconnectfamilyservicesandmedicalservicebuildingsandimproveawarenessandaccessibilityofservicestothecommunity.

2017-18 ($000'S)

2016-17 ($000'S)

2015-16 ($000'S)

2014-15 ($000'S)

2013-14 ($000'S)

GovernmentGrantRevenue 23,780 20,347 18,980 17,560 17,267

Rebatesandrefunds 2,033 1,588 1,107 819 615

Otherrevenue 1,725 1,297 1,210 1,182 210

Total revenue 27,539 23,231 21,297 19,561 18,093

Expenses (25,591) (23,424) (22,560) (20,698) (18,734)

NET OPERATING RESULT 1,948 (193) (1,264) (1,137) (642)

CurrentAssets 10,709 5,935 1,335 2,822 5,776

TotalAssets 35,390 27,894 24,921 25,097 26,119

CurrentLiabilities 6,319 4,226 1,964 2,130 1,949

TotalLiabilities 8,978 6,862 3,918 2,830 2,716

NET EQUITY 26,412 21,031 21,003 22,267 23,404

Table 1. Five-year Financial Summary


FINANCIALS

STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS

Mallee District Aboriginal Services Ltd. ABN: 54 334 685 198

5

STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

Note

2018

2017

$ $

Revenue 2 23,780,373 20,346,656

Other income 2 3,758,175 2,884,765

TOTAL REVENUE 27,538,548 23,231,421

Employee benefits expense

15,915,879

14,003,656

Client costs & program development / delivery 4,045,169 4,075,423

Depreciation expense 1,004,652 1,147,655

Occupancy costs & utilities 1,396,600 1,819,685

Motor vehicle expenses 625,390 534,470

IT costs 451,963 479,813

Travel expenses 547,252 425,075

Grant returns 2,969 1,790

Repairs & equipment replacement 515,005 137,131

Interest expense 93,969 83,836

Other expenses 991,874 715,852

TOTAL EXPENSES 25,590,722 23,424,386

Net current year profit / (loss) 3b 1,947,827 (192,965)

Other comprehensive income:

Other comprehensive income - -

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss

Revaluation of property and improvements 3,305,424 -

Revaluation of Intangible Assets 126,994 -

Total comprehensive income for the year 3,432,418 -

Total comprehensive income / (loss) attributable to the entity 5,380,245 (192,965)

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.



6

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2018

Note

2018

2017

$ $

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents 4 8,828,143 4,175,553

Trade and other receivables 5 1,090,317 1,029,710

Other assets 6 37,400 62,400

Financial assets 7 753,296 667,746

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 10,709,156 5,935,409

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Trade and other receivables 5 - -

Intangible assets 8 909,300 782,306

Property, plant and equipment 9 23,771,131 21,176,060

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 24,680,431 21,958,366

TOTAL ASSETS 35,389,587 27,893,775

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Trade and other payables 10 5,258,337 3,318,036

Short-term provisions 11 960,484 808,257

Borrowings 12 100,000 100,000

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 6,318,821 4,226,293

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Long-term provisions 11 356,732 233,688

Borrowings 12 2,302,500 2,402,500

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,659,232 2,636,188

TOTAL LIABILITIES 8,978,053 6,862,481

NET ASSETS 26,411,539 21,031,294

EQUITY

Retained profit 22,454,121 20,506,294

Reserves 3,957,418 525,000

TOTAL EQUITY 26,411,539 21,031,294


FINANCIALS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION


FINANCIALS

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS


8

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018

Note

2018

2017

$ $

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Grant receipts 26,112,882 21,325,635

Other receipts 3,562,877 8,760,637

Payments to suppliers and employees (24,584,045) (27,343,104)

Interest received 41,332 29,492

Interest paid (93,969) (83,836)

Net cash provided by operating activities 17 5,039,077 2,688,824

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 478,970 383,277

Payment for property, plant and equipment (725,315) (746,124)

Proceeds from sale of investments 153,117 391,705

Payment for investments (193,259) (580,861)

Net cash used in investing activities (286,487) (552,003)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from borrowings - 2,000,000

Repayment of borrowings (100,000) (1,296,000)

Net cash provided by financing activities (100,000) 704,000

Net increase / (decrease) in cash held 4,652,590 2,840,821

Cash at beginning of financial year 4,175,553 1,334,732

Cash at end of financial year 4 8,828,143 4,175,553



FINANCIALS

STATEMENT OF CERTIFICATION


FINANCIALS

INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT


FINANCIALS

AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION


MDAS TEAM

CURRENT MAJOR FUNDING BODIES ARE

VictorianDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesVictorianDepartmentofJusticeandRegulationFederalDepartmentofPrimeMinisterandCabinetFederalDepartmentofHealthVictorianResponsibleGamblingFoundation

OUR PARTNERS ARE

AustralianCommunitySupportOrganisationLtdBendigoDistrictAboriginalCo-operativeBendigoHealthCareGroupMalleeFamilyCareMilduraRuralCityCouncilNjerndaAboriginalCorporationPharmacyGuildofAustraliaQAAMSProgramRuralWorkforceAgencyVictoriaSwanHillDistrictHealthVictorianAboriginalLegalServiceVic.AboriginalCommunityControlledHealthOrg.(VACCHO)BrotherhoodofSt.LawrenceDepartmentofPremier&CabinetCentreofExcellenceinChildandFamilyWelfareInc.HealingFoundationIndigenousLandCouncilMalleeFamilyViolenceExecutiveMalleeChildandFamilyServicesAllianceExecutiveSunraysiaCommunityHealthServicesMilduraCourtsDepartmentofEducation

SunraysiaInstituteofTafeVICPOLChaffeySecondarySchoolMalleeSportsAssemblyVictorianAboriginalChildCareAgencyHavenHomeSafetyMalleeAccomodationandSupportProgramCentacareMalleeDomesticViolenceServicesFamilySafetyVictoriaMalleeSexualAssaultUnit

OUR PARTNERS

MDAS has formal memorandum of agreements with:SwanHillDistrictHealthServicesMilduraBaseHospitalMilduraBaseHospital,MentalHealthServicesHeadspaceSwanHillMonashuniversityLoddonMalleeAboriginalReferenceGroupRuralWorkforceAgencyVictoriaMaariMaHealthAboriginalCorporationFLOConnectRedCliffsSecondaryCollegeTRIOSupportServices/LeapsandBounds

MDAS is a member of:VictorianAboriginalCommunityControlledHealthOrganisation(VACCHO)NationalAboriginalCommunityControlledHealthOrganisation(NACCHO)

OUR PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

MDASisgratefulfortheongoingsupportofourimportantfinancialpartnersandsupporters.


MDAS TEAM

AND WELL DONE TO

OUR ENTIRE TEAM

(AS AT 30/07/18) FOR

ANOTHER YEAR OF

HARD WORK AND

PROGRESS…

Andrews,BonnieApthorpe,FredrickAsirifi,JosephAzzarelli,JosephBadenoch,BethanyBailey,RyanBaker,MaryBaker,ShannonBall,SandraBarclay,Chevorn-LeeBarnes,YvonneBeckwith,MariaBennett,MarissaBerg,DebBerry,JenniferBilling,HineBlore,TashonBonnett,CarolBowden,JustineBowden,RianneBrennan,SamanthaBrennan,TerranceBritten,BradleyBritten,Elvie-MarieBroughton,RuthBuchanan,AllisonBurton,KerrieByka,EswariByrnes,JenniferCapogreco,JaneCawley,KylieCharles,AlishaCharles,AndrewCharles,MadinaChilly,EthanChilly,MatthewClark,RupertClark,TessaClayton,BaydenConnelly,KarleyCooper,BeckyCoote,DanaeCoshan,JuliaCrilly,Damian

Croft,JodyCrouch,KatherineDajczer,BronwynDavis,NicoledeJong,CarolynDemasi,AnthonyDoe,AlanaDoherty,MonicaDougherty,DanielleDunn,PearlDyke,VanessaEggmolesse,LeroyElder,NormanFalconer,SamanthaFarrow,SherrylFaulkner,KimFevaleaki,AngelikaFidura,BelindaFifita,ValentinaFisher,KiahFox,CeliaGadsby,KrystalGadsby,MichelleGermane,CarlaGeyer,EmmaGlenie,KatharineGocol,StephanGowers,NormaGreen,MeredithGriffin,TiffanyHall,BradyHamence,MargreteHamence,TamaraHamilton,DjallarnaHampton,KeithHampton,KirstyHandy,MareshaHandy,MargaretHandy,TamaraHarradine,MichaelHarradine,StephanieHaseldine,JacintaHavea,MataHayden,BrianaHayden,EdwardHayden,SkyeHeaphy,TracyHenderson,KylieHensgen,KarenHensgen,RossHogarth,PaulHowarth,RobynIslam,Chantenee

Itrat,SheemaJenkins,TamikaJohnson,BrendanJohnson,GeorginaJones,DianeJosephs,JacquelynKarpany,SharniKelly,KarenKelly,NathanKelly,PettinaKelly,TedKennedy,DudleyKing,BelindaKing,LeahKirby,AngelicaKirby,CrystalKirby,DelureenKirby,GeorgiaKirby,GrahamKirby,NickkiKirby,RickyKirby,RudolphKuchel,HopeKuchel,TerrenceLane,MelanieLaurie,JenniferLaurie,VictoriaLehmann,AmyLittle,JodyLoats,MalindaLoder,LewisMah,MarieMarciano,JontyMasasso,JaydeMasasso,LolaMasters,KellyMatsumoto,PeterMattson,ShamarMayersbach,CarolMcBride,RosemarieMcCarthy,PatriceMcCole,AmandaMcCormack,PamelaMcCormack,ToniMcDermott,LeanneMcDermott,TaneshaMcDonald,LisaMcDowall,JackieMcInnes,RhondaMcMutrie,JodieMerritt,KaraMewburn,ElissaMitchell,Joanne

Mitchell,LynneMolloy,JacintaMorganson,NikitaMorvell,TravisMuggeridge,TeonieNcube,GugulethuNcube,LeslieNeyland,JaneNicholls,GlendaNolan,KarinaO'Connor-Johnson,ClaireO'Donnell,NatashaPate,LynnettePaul,ManuPeila,ShilohPeterson,AdaPeterson,JamesPhillips,ShannonPhilp,BelindaPhilp,TinaPickup,CaterinaPippin,MelissaPotter,KathyPryor,AngelaRashidBose,MouReddick,ShaunReid,ColleenRoberts,PaulRobinson,LetitiaRodi,FrankRomanillos,VeeRowbotham,AngelaRowney,MeredithRussell,KerrySailor,Bobbi-JeanSanders,DarleneSaunders,EvelynShanahan,KoshaSharman,MargaretSingh,DharminderjitSloan,KyliaSmith,DerekSmith,DesmondSmith,KaneSmith,TamikaSmythe,RobynSpencer,GloriaSpencer,SimoneStephens,RaeleneStewart,AndreaStockman,SimonStreet,AdamTaggert,Toni

Taliloa,KellyTaylor,KatinaTaylor,LeanneTaylor,RussellThebe,ZaneleThomas,DarleneThomas,TerryThompson,VickiTimbery-Thornton,MalcolmTogo,Isaiah-LeviTowle,MelissaTowle,Sharlee-AnneTraeger,LauraTurner,FionaTu'Uta,BenjaminVea,ElishaWalker,DellaWalsh,AlanWarburton,LeslieWard,StanleyWatson,PatriciaWattata-Drummond,RaeleenWatts,DarleneWebster,HaroldWebster,ToniWescombe,IanWhitford,ElishaWhyman,Sarah-LeeWilksch,ZacharyWilliams,AshtonWilliams,JustineWilliams,KellyWilliams,MartinWilson,RebeccaWinter,KristyWinters,KaraWirth,SueWright,JoanneYates,AngelaYates,NathanZahinda,EliteZeilke-Soden,Mahalia

THANK YOU TEAM!

54


HEALTH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

GPNurseAboriginalHealthWorkersOutreachworkersChronicdiseasemanagementMaternalchildhealthnurseHealthchecksTransport

SPECIALIST SERVICESPsychiatristNephrologistDrugandAlcoholworkerPsychologistMaternalandchildhealthnurseDieticianPodiatristCardiologistUrologistPaediatricianOptometristCardiologistRespiratoryspecialistAudiologistPhysiotherapistPersonaltrainers

CLINICSWellwomen’sclinicImmunisationclinic

TACKLING SMOKING AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES SERVICESQuitSmokingSupportBootcampsCommunitygym

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLBEING TEAMBringingthemhomeprogramDrug&Alcoholcounselling

GamblersHelpKooriWomen’sDiversionWiimpatjaHealingCentreMentalHealth-AOD(Youthspecific)AdultmentalhealthGamblingCommunityPreventionProject

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

AGED AND DISABILITYHomeandCommunityCareDisabilityCommunityBasedRespiteNationalJobsCreationPackage

CHILDREN’S PLACEMENT SERVICESAboriginalChildrenSpecialistAdviceSupportService(ACSASS)HomeBasedCareKinshipCareAboriginalFamilyLedDecisionMakingCulturalSupportPlanningTherapeuticFosterCareTherapeuticResidentialCareTherapeuticResidentialCaseManagement

FAMILY SERVICESIntegratedFamilyServicesAboriginalStrongerFamiliesFamilyPreservationandRestorationParentsUnderPressureYouthServicesKooriNightPatrolSoccerClubCommunityDevelopmentProjectYouthJusticeEarlySchoolLeavers

EmergingLeadersProgramFamilyViolenceMeminar(FamilyViolencerefuge)Men’sCaseManagementTimeoutServicesMen’sBehaviourChangeGroupKooriYouthConnect

HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SERVICESCrisisSupportTransitionSupportAboriginalTenantsatRiskofEvictionKooriPrivateTenancyWorkerCommunityHousing

REHABILITATION SERVICES

WiimpatjaHealingCentre

EARLY YEARS SERVICES

MaternityServicesMaternalandChildHealthServicesFamilySupportServices·InHomesupport·CradletoKinderEarlyInterventionandEarlyLearningServices·SupportedPlaygroups·CircleofSecurity·CollaborativeTherapyHIPPY(HomeInteractionProgramforParentsandYoungsters)KooriePreschoolAssistantProgram

OUR SERVICES

MDAS TEAM

Mallee District Aboriginal Services Ltd

120MaddenAvenuePOBox5134Mildura3502

www.mdas.org.au

mallee district aboriginal services annual report and background/mdas...5 1male1 a1boutusu3oorga...

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