Annual Report 2005-2006

 

 

 

Corporate Governance

Corporate Governance is the process by which the RSB is directed and controlled. The aim is to ensure that the management of the RSB is ethical and acts in accordance with its vision and values.

 

The RSB is regulated by the Royal Institution for the Blind Act (1934) as amended, and its constitution. These define the rules and processes through which the RSB is managed.

 

The Board of Directors has responsibility for the governance of the RSB. It sets strategic direction, monitors the affairs of and reviews the RSB’s performance against targets and objectives.

 

To assist in this process, the Board has created the following RSB sub-committees to provide specialist advice:

• Client Advisory

• Finance and Audit

• Nominations and Governance.

 

All Directors are required to acknowledge and subscribe to the following duties:

• To act honestly and in good faith

• To use due care and diligence

• To act in the best interest of the RSB

• To ensure that management is competent

• Not to engage in conduct likely to discredit or bring the RSB into disrepute.

 

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Board Members

 

 

 

Management

 

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President’s Report

The Royal Society for the Blind of South Australia Incorporated (RSB), a world leader in its field, remains theprimary provider of rehabilitation services to over 10,500 South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.

 

 In my second year as President, I am proud to advise that the RSB has continued to grow and refine its services to meet the increasing demands and changing needs of its clients.

 

Client satisfaction with the RSB and its services remains high, as demonstrated by outstanding results in regular client surveys and numerous, independent quality audits. For many years, the RSB has led the way in introducing and adopting innovative solutions and embracing new technologies to assist its clients to live independently within the community.

 

In my report last year I mentioned the continued development of the Books in the Sky (BiTS) program. Since then, the RSB, in partnership with forward thinking blindness agencies and public libraries around Australia, has conducted a national pilot program with exceptional results, which are currently being considered by the Commonwealth Government.

 

BiTS was given a further boost thanks to the combined support of Variety, the Children’s Charity of SA, the Vodafone Australia Foundation and Suzanne Macdouall – a Young Business Leader participant. With their assistance, the RSB was able to purchase an Audio Navigator for every child in South Australia who is blind or severely vision impaired. This gift will enable these children to not only enjoy the latest books at the touch of a button, but greatly enhance their literacy skills.

 

The RSB has also begun building a library of children’s audio titles. The Premier’s Reading Challenge, which recognises the importance of child literacy, provided funding that enabled the RSB to purchase 100 digital children’s audio-book titles for the BiTS program.

 

Finally, a BiTS downloading site was set up this year, in partnership with the South Australian School for Vision Impaired, to enable children at the school and through the visiting teacher’s service to obtain audio titles.

 

In 2006, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DeafSA, Can Do for Kids, Townsend House and Blind Welfare Association (BWA) continued to flourish. The purpose of the MOU is to create a formal partnership with a shared goal of improving the quality of life for people with sensory disabilities in South Australia.

 

This year, the RSB and BWA commenced a joint recreation service which, in its first six months of operation, created nine new activity groups and engaged a further 100 people in recreational activities.

 

In addition, BWA are assisting the RSB financially to increase the level of volunteer transport available through an additional bus and support with the costs of volunteer mileage reimbursements.

 

As with the BiTS collaboration, this is another fine example of the RSB’s motto, ‘Together, just see what we can do’.

 

We believe that this cooperative approach to service delivery represents international best practice and the RSB remains proud to be associated with these organisations.

 

As noted last year, the RSB has created its own guide dog service. The RSB believes there remains a substantial shortfall in available guide dog services in South Australia.

 

 Since initiating the RSB Guide Dog Service, I am delighted to advise that terrific progress has been made in creating what the RSB believes will be a first class service based on world’s best practice. Specific highlights to date include:

 

• Recruitment of Mr Chris Muldoon as Manager of the RSB Guide Dog Service. Mr Muldoon not only brings a wealth of experience but is also an International Assessor for the International Federation of Guide Dog Schools;

 

• A formal agreement with an overseas guide dog school to breed a brood bitch of proven lines was made at no charge to the RSB (discussions are continuing with a number of other guide dog schools for similar assistance);

 

• Creation of a ‘home based’ dog boarding network;

 

• Undertakings from a number of overseas guide dog schools to provide breeding materials;

 

• Discussions in relation to accessing breeding material storage and a quarantine approved facility;

 

• The construction of a day-kennel facility at the RSB’s Gilles Plains site. This is to serve the dual purpose of housing up to 14 guide dogs belonging to the RSB factory staff while they are at work, as well as providing a daytime base for RSB Guide Dogs in training.

 

At the time of writing, the RSB has over 20 puppies in training and believes that within 12 months, it will be supporting 48 puppies per year, subject to the recruitment of suitable Puppy Educators.

This year, the RSB also provided assistance to people who are blind or vision impaired in Tonga. This has included:

 

• Provision of reconditioned Perkins Braillers;

• Creation of a BiTS site;

• Provision of 40 superseded magnifiers and the offer of remote support on the prescription and use of these magnifiers.

This support has made an immeasurable difference to the quality of life of the individuals involved and has in no way compromised services offered to RSB clients in South Australia.

 

The RSB has a band of people without whom it would cease to exist. These people include:

 

• RSB Volunteers, including Client Advisory Members, Puppy Educators, Fundraising Committees and my fellow Board Members for whose support I am extremely grateful;

 

• The many benefactors, donors and sponsors who donate the funds that enable the RSB to provide its services. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the Participants in the Young Business Leaders Program who raised $187,697 in 2005/06.

 

• The following Government Departments:

– South Australian Department for Families and Communities Office for Disability and Client Services

– Commonwealth Department of Health and Aging

– Commonwealth Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

– Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

• The staff and management of the RSB who have done a sterling job in delivering the RSB’s services to its clients across South Australia;

I would like to thank Her Excellency Marjorie Jackson- Nelson AC, CVO, MBE, Governor of South Australia and Patron of the RSB, who continued to be a great supporter to the RSB in 2005–2006.

 

Finally, on behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Mr Jim Jarvis A.M., a Board Member since 1998, who passed away at the time of writing. Jim provided invaluable service over the years and was a great supporter of the RSB. He will be sadly missed.

 

 

Ray Clark

President

 

 

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Executive Director’s Report

The Royal Society for the Blind of South Australia Incorporated (RSB) continues to be a world leader in delivering high quality and innovative services to people who are blind or vision impaired.

 

As the primary provider of services to South Australians who are blind or vision impaired, the RSB's mission is to assist its clients achieve the quality of life to which they aspire. An integral element of this is assisting people to remain independent and participate in the community.

 

The quality and effectiveness of our services in achieving the above mission is assessed annually through independent client surveys. For the last ten years the results have been:

 

Ten Year Average

Satisfaction with services	92%
Satisfaction with staff and volunteers	93%
Improvement in quality of life	80%

 

I believe this reflects an exceptionally high level of client satisfaction over a sustained period of time.

 

The RSB's commitment to quality and continuous improvement was again externally acknowledged in 2005-06 through the continuation of its ISO9000:2001, DESQA and Service Excellence Framework accreditations.

 

I am also pleased to report that all the objectives in the RSB's Strategic Plan were met this year.

 

Over the last 12 months the RSB again substantially increased the level of service hours delivered. This was achieved through the RSB's own fundraising activities, support of donors and volunteers and the continued reprofiling of RSB services.

 

Given the correlation between ageing and vision loss, this ongoing growth in service hours will need to be maintained if we are to continue to meet the needs of South Australia's ageing population.

 

This year the RSB created a formal relationship to share resources with the Blind Welfare Association to increase recreation and volunteer transport services.

 

As noted last year, there is a continuing need for the RSB to lobby for and assist in shaping Government policy to ensure the needs of people who are blind or vision impaired are considered. This year, RSB staff assisted through their involvement in a wide range of organisations, including the Australian Blindness Forum, ACROD, World Blind Union, the Government of South Australia's Social Inclusion Board Transition to Employment Committee and the Department for Families and Communities Sector Reference Group.

 

The RSB was involved in a wide range of issues in 2005/06, including:

 

Successfully lobbied for the creation of National Vision Loss Rehabilitation Strategy;

Successfully lobbied for the extension of the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme;

Lobbied for the inclusion of the needs of people who are blind or vision impaired in South Australia's Strategic Plan,-

Sought amendments to the Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreements,-

Increased awareness of vision loss activities across the State through a structured campaign.

 

During the year, as noted in the President's Report, the National Pilot of Books in the Sky (BiTS) was completed, which 1 believe will lead to further partnerships both nationally and internationally.

 

In keeping with this commitment to new technology, the RSB Adaptive Technology Centre held the second TechFest, which was once again well attended.

 

The RSB Adaptive Technology Centre was also fortunate in receiving financial support from the Government of South Australia's Department for Families and Communities Office for Disability and Client Services. This support enabled equipment to be added to its Long Term Loan Pool.

 

As has been noted in previous years, the RSB is the only Australian blindness agency that has created schemes to provide access to, or purchase of, specialised adaptive equipment for people who are blind or vision impaired.

 

The RSB Guide Dog Service continued to grow at an exceptional rate and the RSB has received fantastic support from a number of overseas guide dog schools.

 

The service is being built on world's best practice using a 'home based' model. This will not only result in lower costs through not creating expensive infrastructure but is generally believed to be a far more effective model for training dogs and more considerate to clients.

 

On the subject of RSB Guide Dogs, 1 would like to acknowledge and thank the Commonwealth Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs for their support in the building of a kennel complex at the RSB's Gilles Plains site. The kennel will primarily be used to house the Guide and Seeing Eye Dogs of staff employed in the factory. It will also act as a day facility for RSB Guide Dogs in training.

 

While the former represent new and exciting initiatives, the RSB's core services continue to operate and provide meaningful outcomes for clients. As you peruse this report you will read of excellent outcomes from a wide range of RSB activities including:

 

Industrial Services;

Open employment;

The gateway to the RSB's services the Low Vision Centre;

Braille, keyboard and computer training;

Counselling;

Independent living training; to name a few.

 

The RSB is composed of many people who make possible the outcomes achieved in 2005/06 and who assist in improving the lives of our clients. These people include:

 

Over 900 volunteers who provide inspiration to all of us through their tireless efforts. Volunteers undertake a wide range of tasks including Puppy Educators, drivers, companionship, transcribers and assistance with recreation. Without them, the RSB would be a shadow of what it is.

 

Our benefactors, donors, sponsors and Fundraising Committees. It is through their generosity and support that we are able to continue to provide and grow our services at no cost to the client.

 

The RSB staff and management team who are the frontline in delivering our services and whose commitment to the RSB's clients goes well beyond that expected of normal employees and for which 1 am eternally grateful.

 

Our funding bodies, both State and Federal, who work in partnership with the RSB to deliver high quality outcomes.

 

Finally 1 would like to acknowledge the RSB's Board of Management who are all volunteers and who freely donate their time and skills to assist their fellow South Australians.

 

To each of the above please accept my heartfelt thanks as once again you continue to prove 'Together, just see what we can do.'

 

Andrew Daly

Executive Director

 

 

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Community Services

 

Community Services continued to deliver a broad range of vision rehabilitation services to South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.

 

Community Services assists clients maximise their independence and to participate fully in the community. All services provided are free, and can be delivered in the client's home. community, or workplace.

 

As the incidence of vision impairment increases, so does demand for services. To meet this demand, more client services staff were employed, new services were developed and existing services improved by working cooperatively with other service providers.

 

Through these strategies, Community Services increased the number of direct client service hours by 12% while remaining within the operating budget. The following summary presents the key initiatives and highlights from 2005/06.

 

 

Community Outreach Services

The Community Outreach teams assist people who are blind or vision impaired to accept and adapt to their vision loss. The multi-disciplined staff provide a range of services, including independent living training, counselling, advocacy and recreation.

 

The RSB strives to provide the same services to clients in regional areas of South Australia as those in the metropolitan area. The RSB remained the only sensory disability service provider with dedicated staff based in regional areas, and the number of country-based clients who received RSB services increased by 3% in the past year.

 

The Community Outreach teams also facilitated over forty Low Vision Support Groups throughout SA, which provide support, friendship, shared experiences and social opportunities for people who are blind or vision impaired. Two new Low Vision Support Groups and four groups specifically for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) clients were established.

 

The RSB is committed to making our services accessible to CALD clients and access to these services increased by 4.5%. Two Multicultural Liaison staff achieved this through initiatives such as advertising in ethnic media, participation in cultural festivals and a direct involvement with CALD community groups.

 

In a ground-breaking partnership with the Blind Welfare Association (BWA), the RSB employed two dedicated Recreation and Leisure Officers to increase recreation and leisure options for South Australians who are blind or vision impaired. Under this joint initiative with BWA, nine new recreation and leisure groups have already been established, and an additional mini-bus and extra volunteer transport was jointly funded to meet the transport needs of RSB and BWA clients.

 

This year, Community Outreach increased community awareness and understanding of the needs of people who are blind or vision impaired by training volunteers from the Adelaide Zoo, the Adelaide Festival Centre, disability studies students from Universities and TAFE colleges, carers, aged care providers, health professionals and others who provide assistance to people who are blind or vision impaired.

 

 

Mobility Services

The RSB's Mobility Specialists teach people who are blind or vision impaired to travel independently and safely in the community. In the past year, the number of client receiving Mobility Services increased by 9%.

 

To meet demand, the RSB expanded its Mobility Service and continued to utilise the innovative Orientation and Mobility Assistant (OMA) model to optimise our service delivery. Over one third of our Mobility Services are now delivered by specially trained OMAs.

 

While the RSB is a leader in the field of traditional mobility aids and techniques such as white canes and guide dogs, Mobility Services remained at the leading edge of mobility technology. RSB clients have access to such devices as the Ultracane, Global Positioning Systems, and more recently the Mini-Radar. The RSB employs one of only three Mobility Specialists in Australia who is internationally trained and accredited to teach other Mobility Specialists in the safe and correct use of the Ultracane.

 

Mobility Services continued to provide effective training and advocacy in the areas of taxis and public transport. In the past year, the RS13 delivered training to bus, tram and taxi drivers on how to assist passengers who are blind or vision impaired.

 

The RSB also provided consultation and advice to various authorities regarding the accessibility of the new trams, buses, transport interchanges, and the new Adelaide airport.

 

Highlights also included advocating for over 200 clients who made successful applications to the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme for taxi-vouchers, and assisting over 400 clients with the renewal of their Person with a Vision Impairment Travel Passes.

 

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Print Alternatives Services

The Print Alternatives team provides a wide range of transcription and accessible information services. Specialist transcription staff and volunteers convert print material into formats which are accessible for people who are blind or vision impaired, such as Braille, large print, audio, electronic text and tactile diagrams.

 

This year, targets were exceeded with 18,791 pages of Braille, 4,399 audio cassettes, 719,839 pages of large print and 143 disks of electronic text produced.

 

Transcription services were provided to over 1,300 clients who received information in their preferred format, including many tertiary students for whom studies would have been impossible without access to their texts in an alternative format.

 

Print Alternatives continued to deliver important recreational services including the talking book library service, large print and Braille crossword services and the large print TV Guide.

 

The RSB's Talking Newspaper Service has made 24 local newspapers accessible to over 850 clients, while the Audio Described Theatre Service continued to make live theatre accessible for an increased number of South Australian patrons who are blind or vision impaired.

 

The Print Alternatives team continued to advocate to Government and national organisations, to address both Australian and international issues of accessible information, transcription standards, and associated legislation.

 

 

Future Solutions

Future Solutions is a systemic advocacy and consultation service. It was established by the RSB to provide advocacy, information and advice, to ensure that government and business products and services are accessible to people who are blind or vision impaired. This year Future Solutions was actively involved in areas such as public transport, telecommunications, local government, accessible voting, pedestrian access, and information access.

 

In one major project, the RSB conducted a national trial of a digital talking book library service called the Book in the Sky (BITS). This world-first technology uses a device called an Audio Navigator to provide access to books, newspapers, magazines and other information. BITS was successfully rolled out to users across Australia, and proved that it has the potential to replace the outdated audiocassette system.

 

With the generous support of Variety, the Children's Charity of SA, a special project enabled the RSB to acquire sufficient Audio Navigators for every blind or severely vision impaired child in South Australia. This will not only provide the children with an entertaining pastime, but more importantly it will enable them to access a wide range of reading material to enhance their literacy and communication skills for a brighter future.

 

BITS is also proudly supported by the Vodafone Australia Foundation.

 

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Low Vision Services

 

Low Vision Services provided by the RSB at its client service centre at Knapman House continue to lead the world.   

 

The RSB’s Low Vision Services, which continue to lead the world, assist many South Australians who are blind or vision impaired to maximise their remaining sight, participate in everyday community activities and maintain their independence. It is also commonplace for visitors from interstate and overseas to visit the centre for assistance. 

 

 

Low Vision Centre

The Low Vision Centre (LVC) provides rehabilitation services for South Australians who have experienced a significant vision loss.

 

In 2005/06, the number of people referred by Ophthalmologists and Optometrists increased by 22 percent, which reflects the increasing number of people experiencing age-related vision loss. Over 6,500 individual services were provided during the year.

 

The core service provided by the LVC is the Clinic, conducted three times a week. Unique in Australia and tailored to the needs of people who have experienced severe or further significant vision loss, the Clinic involves Counsellors discussing with clients how they are adapting to vision loss and an introduction to other RSB services. An Optometrist then conducts a thorough assessment and magnifiers are prescribed for a free, one month trial. To finish, people have the opportunity to discuss their eye condition with an Ophthalmologist. 

 

In addition, the LVC’s Low Vision Awareness and Peer Support Programs provide valuable information and support on non Clinic days.

 

Both programs provide clients with the chance to hear how other people have faced this challenge and overcome it successfully, which gives them hope and reassurance with regards to their own situation.

 

The LVC continued to stock the largest range of magnifiers and daily living products in SA and supplied blindness agencies, Optometrists and other organisations around Australia with a range of these products.

 

Research is conducted internationally to seek the latest advances in low vision products. A large number of the LVC’s products were imported and would otherwise be unavailable for the benefit of people around Australia.

 

The RSB is very grateful to the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing for their funding support that assists the RSB to deliver a very valuable service. 

 

 

Volunteer Services

The RSB has some 900 volunteers, who gave over of 80,000 hours, providing over 43,000 services to RSB clients this year.

 

The services provided include transportation to medical appointments, shopping, recreation and activities, reading newspapers onto tape, facilitating Low Vision Support Groups in the metropolitan and country areas, assisting in the RSB’s factory canteen and helping in RSB offices. Volunteers have also assisted in the further development of the RSB Guide Dog Service, with many becoming Puppy Educators.

 

The RSB recognises the valuable contribution that volunteers make to the delivery of services and to those who retired, we thank you for your many years of dedicated service. The RSB welcomes those new volunteers who have joined the program this year. 

 

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Adaptive Technology Centre

The Adaptive Technology Centre (ATC) continues to lead Australian blindness agencies in the provision of a wide range of services to people who are blind or vision impaired. As confirmed by Australia’s leading adaptive technology providers who attended the RSB’s ‘TechFest’ during the year, ‘The RSB’s facilities and service are world class, and we enjoy coming back to Adelaide to demonstrate our products.’

 

The ATC continues to ensure that the equipment available is the latest of its kind and that the assessment and training provided to clients is second to none. Adaptive technology providers facilitated this by making available the latest equipment (closed circuit televisions, computerised and Braille) and software (speech and large print). With such a vast selection, the ATC is then able to offer the most suitable product.

 

The ATC provided in excess of 4,000 services, assisting nearly 700 clients, over the past year. Advice and service was also provided to educational, community and business organisations, to assist them in providing facilities for people with a vision impairment.

 

The RSB is appreciative of the continuing support of various grants that enable the ATC to purchase the latest technology for the benefit of its clients. Similarly, the assistance of the Government of South Australia’s Department for Families and Communities in making funds available for the RSB to purchase adaptive technology equipment for its Long Term Loan Pool is greatly appreciated, both by the RSB and the many clients who are not able to afford their own technology.

 

Throughout the year, the RSB’s Equipment Subsidy and Braille Grant Schemes assisted people to purchase their own adaptive technology. The RSB is grateful to the Cowan Trust which continues to assist tertiary students in this regard. 

 

 

Employment Services

RSB Employment Services was again recognised by the Department for Workplace Relations for their success in assisting people who are blind or vision impaired to obtain or retain employment. About 200 people gained employment placements this year, with another 20 able to retain existing employment following a sudden vision loss.

 

The team assist those who are actively seeking employment and students considering gaining employment or undertaking further education. The continued success of the RSB’s Student Transition Employment Program proved very beneficial to young adults and is considered a vital link between education and employment.

The RSB is extremely grateful to the organisations that opened their doors for work experience and work trials, as it greatly assisted individuals to become job ready or choose a career.

 

The RSB is very appreciative of the Australian Government’s disability employment programs and the provision of essential adaptive technology funded by the Workplace Modifications Scheme, which assisted 55 clients.

 

Job seekers also value the specialist Job Search Kiosk at Knapman House where they can access information using adaptive technology. 

 

 

Community Education

Over the past year the Low Vision Services team provided numerous talks to organisations and individuals on vision impairment, about the RSB and its services, including visits to regional and outer metropolitan areas as well tours of Knapman House.

 

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Client Advisory Committee

During the last year the Client Advisory Committee continued to meet, and it considered various matters including:

The creation by the RSB of a Rehabilitation Officer qualification,.

The ongoing development of both the BiTS library system and the BiTS national pilot. It was noted that a donation had been received to assist with the extension of this program for children;

The development of the RSB Guide Dog Service;

The development of the joint initiative between the RSB and the Blind Welfare Association to expand the provision of recreational and leisure activities for the blind and vision impaired;

A transport and access issue.

Thanks are expressed to all those people who have generously given their time to participate in this Committee.

 

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RSB Guide Dog Service

The RSB commenced an expansion of its RSB Guide Dog Service in order to provide additional guide dogs to eligible South Australians.

Some of the highlights from the past year, in addition to those mentioned in the President's report, include:

 

The RSB Guide Dog Service became an Associate Member of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) and plans have been developed to meet the requirements for Full Membership within 12 months;

An additional, specialist vehicle has been purchased for the transportation of RSB Guide Dogs and puppies.

During the past year, the development of the RSB Guide Dog Service has been rapid and as it continues to grow, so will the number of trained guide dogs provided free to South Australians in need.

 

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Industrial Services

2005/06 was another challenging yet rewarding year for the RSB Industrial Services at Gilles Plains.

 

With new sales and marketing strategies in place and the inclusion of an additional sales person, exciting opportunities enabled us to expand our RSB product range and up-skill our staff.

 

This means that Industrial Services was able to continue providing employment for approximately 70 South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.

 

Proudly, Industrial Services retained its highly respected, national accreditation for IS09000:2001 Quality Assurance and HACCP (Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Points) certification. Congratulations must go to all Industrial Services staff for maintaining a high standard of work practices which contributed to these endorsements.

 

With regard to Industrial Services employees, congratulations go to Peter Healey, a member of the South Australian Blind Bowlers Clubs, for collecting Silver in the Blind Bowlers National Champions. He won Silver in the Category B3 Mens Pairs in Sydney, only months after having quadruple by-pass surgery.

 

Thank you to Kenneth Kancheff who retired in December after many years of faithful service to the RSB Industrial Services. His invaluable contribution over the years is greatly appreciated and we wish him the very best in his retirement. Sadly, we remember and acknowledge the services of Heather Miller and Katherine Vogt who passed away this year from illness.

 

The Industrial Services team looks forward to increasing meaningful employment opportunities for South Australians who are blind and vision impaired in the coming year.

 

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Marketing and Fundraising

 

The Royal Society for the Blind (RSB)'s calendar of special events attracted wonderful support from the corporate sector, for which we are extremely grateful.

 

Kicking off the financial year, the RSB Footy Finals Lunch remained an event not to be missed amongst football fans. We would like to thank Andrew Startin, Ken Cunningham, Graham Cornes, Barry Curtin, Tim Ginever, Darren Mead, Neil Kerley, John Reid and SANFL players Damien Squire, Luke Powell, Luke Norman and Scott Borlace for their participation and invaluable support in September 2005.

 

In October, the RSB hosted a Spring Golf Classic Charity Day at Thaxted Park Golf Club Inc. The ongoing, generous support of Mr Mish Blanusa of Southern Construction Services Pty Ltd was greatly appreciated.

 

In March 2006, the RSB hosted the Clipsal 500 Luncheon. V8 enthusiasts heard Australia's leading V8 Supercar drivers speak about their racing careers. This event was made possible through the generosity of AVESCO and Clipsal 500 Adelaide.

 

We would like to thank the drivers - Todd Kelly, Mark Skaife, Paul Dumbrell, Steven Richards, Russell Ingall, Jason Richards, Garth Tander and Rick Kelly for making time in their busy schedules and for their ongoing support. Thanks also to the hosts, Corey Wingard and Leigh Diffey, and last but not least, Flag Marshall Glen Dix.

 

In June, the Young Business Leaders SA (YBL) Gala Presentation Evening was held at the Hilton Adelaide. The event recognised Adelaide's emerging business leaders and Ms Judy Potter, CEO, SA Great, presented finalists with their Certificate IV in Business (Frontline Management) and individual prizes.

 

The RSB would like to congratulate the Young Business Leader of 2005/2006, Anthea Kotyla from ABB Grain Ltd, together with other category winners Shannon Hebbard from SA Water, Phil Herden from National Australia Bank, Suzanne Macdouall from Vodafone and Rosemarie Sanders from EDS Credit Services.

 

The RSB is extremely proud of the achievements of all the YBL finalists. We thank them for their outstanding efforts and for being such wonderful friends of the RSB. Finally, warm thanks go to Ms Jane Reilly from Network Ten for her continued support of this prestigious event.

 

These events were generously sponsored by Network Ten, JMJ Printing Services, FIVEaa, Chain of Ponds Wines, Fosters Group, Toop & Toop, Coopers Brewery, Wirra Wirra, Lion Nathan Ltd and Precept.

 

We'd like to add a special thank you to Hilton Adelaide for its partnership with the RSB on these events and the YBL program. Their assistance has helped us to raise much needed funds.

 

For the annual RSB Odd Socks Day fundraiser in June, the RSB introduced 'Toby the Flashing Badge', with its own pair of colourful, mis-matched socks.

 

The RSB sincerely thanks Cunningham's Warehouse, EzyDVD), Chemplus, Fasta Pasta, Zamels, Messenger Community Newspapers, Mix 102.3 and Network Ten for helping the RSB to 'Flash bright to help others with little or no sight'. Special thanks to the families, schools, sporting groups, hospitals and businesses across SA for their support.

 

We would also like to thank all those organisations that housed an RSB Guide Dog collection unit this year.

 

The RSB's annual Badge Day in September, together with numerous direct mail campaigns, assisted the RSB to continue providing its many free services to South Australians who are blind or vision impaired.

 

To all our donors, we are grateful for your loyalty and generosity. Heartfelt thanks also to those who have generously supported the RSB with some of its special projects, namely Mrs Cornelia Van Hattum and Mr Ray Beaumont.

 

To our bequestors, your planned giving will play a very important role in ensuring that RSB services will be maintained well into the future. We gratefully acknowledge your commitment and support.

 

 

Fundraising Committees

 

A big thank you to all our supporters.

 

The RSB relies on the support of hundreds of volunteers to assist with its work. The RSB's fundraising committees are just one group of volunteers who contribute each year.

 

In 2005/06, the fundraising committees collectively raised a record amount. These funds were used for the purchase of Audio Navigators for the Gawler Library and an electronic colour detector for the RSB office in Mt Gambier. Their efforts in helping to achieve these goals are to be commended.

 

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Sponsors

Sincere thanks go to the media for its ongoing support of the RSB's promotions and services. Special thanks to FIVEaa, Mix`102.3, Channel 7, Network Ten Adelaide, The Advertiser, The Sunday Mail and Messenger Community Newspapers.

 

The Board of Management, staff and clients would also like to thank the following sponsors and supporters for their generosity. It is through their assistance that the RSB is able to continue its vital work.

 

Sponsors

 

 

 

Collection Units

 

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Floor-standing collection units

 

 

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Special Thanks

The RSB would like to sincerely thank Mr Ray Beaumont for his extremely generous support of the RSB Guide Dog Service. Mr Beaumont's donation was instrumental to the establishment of the RSB Guide Dog kennel facility at Gilles Plains.

 

We would also like to thank Mrs Cornelia Van Hattum for her ongoing generosity. Mrs Van Hattum's support included the sponsorship of an RSB Guide Dog puppy she named Ileen after her great-niece in Holland.

 

A number of organisations have been particularly generous this past year in providing financial assistance for several RSB projects. The RSB would like to acknowledge the support of the Vodafone Australia Foundation who generously contributed to the RSB's Books in the Sky (BiTS) program.

 

Variety, the Children's Charity of South Australia was also instrumental in contributing to the BiTS program. With thanks to their generosity, every child in South Australia who is blind or severely vision impaired now has their own Audio Navigator. This will not only enable them to access the latest books and information at the touch of a button, but will provide immense opportunity to enhance child literacy skills. The RSB would like to thank both Variety, the Children's Charity of SA, and the Vodafone Australia Foundation, for their generous support, which serves to demonstrate the RSB motto 'Together, just see what we can do'.

 

The RSB would like recognise and thank the contributions made by Mr Jim Jarvis A.M., an RSB Board Member since 1998, who recently passed away. A wonderful supporter of our cause and who will be greatly missed.

 

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Trusts and Foundations

The RSB is also extremely grateful to a number of organisations that have provided financial assistance.

We wish to thank the following:

Perpetual Trustees

Fred P Archer Charitable Trust

The Premier's Community Initiatives Fund, SA

BankSA and Staff Charitable Fund

Community Benefit SA, Government of SA

Office for Disability & Client Services, Department for Families & Communities.

 

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Young business Leaders SA (YBL) Proqram

The Young Business Leaders SA (YBL) Program is an intensive professional and personal development program for young people eager to challenge themselves.

 

The Young Business Leader of the Year for 2005/2006 was Anthea Kotyla from ABB Grain Ltd. Anthea was awarded the title by a panel of judges who recognised her outstanding personal and professional growth throughout the YBL Program.

 

The other award winners were Shannon Hebbard from SA Water who won the Achievement Award, and Phil Herden from National Australia Bank who was the Encouragement Award winner.

 

Suzanne Macdouall from Vodafone was the highest fundraiser. Second highest fundraiser winner was Shannon Hebbard from SA Water. Rosemarie Sanders from EDS Credit Services was the third highest fundraiser. ABB Grain Ltd won the Kay Brownbill Perpetual Trophy for its support of the YBL Program.

 

The RSB recognises that all YBL Participants are winners in their own right, and commends the dedication and enthusiasm demonstrated by Participants throughout this exciting and challenging program.

 

The RSB greatly appreciates the invaluable support of the Participants' employers and YBL Mentors, and acknowledges their contribution to the success of the YBL Program. The RSB also gratefully acknowledges the support and dedication of the 2005/2006 YBL Judges: Paul Bilney, Angelique Boileau, Jane Ferguson and Phil Reed.

 

Many thanks to the YBL Program's sponsors for their generous support: Advertiser Newspapers Ltd, Australian Institute of Management, Commonwealth Bank, ETSA Utilities, FIVEaa, Haigh's Chocolates, Hilton Adelaide, Network Ten, The Pickard Foundation, Qantas, Ramada Resorts, Statewide Superannuation Trust, Strategon and Venture Holidays.

 

2005-2006 Finalists

Melanie Attard, Adelaide City Council

Jemima Cridland, Haigh's Chocolates

Tanya Gulley, Dixon (Asia Pacific)

Shannon Hebbard, SA Water

Danielle Heinjus, BHP Billiton

Phil Herden, National Australia Bank

Nicola Jones, Maunsell Australia Pty Ltd

Anthea Kotyla, ABB Grant Ltd

Suzanne Macdouall, Vodafone

Grant McGregor, Hilton Adelaide

Rebekah Palmer, Baker Young

Sarah Platten, Subway

Belinda Rundle, Bradken Resources Ltd

Rosemarie Sanders, EDS Credit Services

Tamara Siemering, Donalson Walsh

Jane Ta lama ivao-Masoe, Capgemini Business

Services Australia Pty Ltd

 

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Bequests

Bequests are an important source of funding to the RSB. Bequests also provide people with an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy to those who need assistance both now and in the future.

 

The RSB offers a free Will and Advisory service for anyone interested in making a bequest.

 

This service has helped many South Australians make a decision which will continue to assist their fellow South Australians who are blind or vision impaired live independently well into the future.

 

 

 

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Treasurers Report

The Royal Society for the Blind's (RSB) financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement requirements of Australian Accounting Standards which include Australian equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards('AIFRS') and meet all other professional reporting requirements in Australia. Ernst and Young have audited these statements and a full set of accounts will be tabled at the RSB's Annual General Meeting or made available on request.

 

This Treasurer's Report has been prepared to provide a concise summary of the RSB's financial results and to assist readers of this report to better understand the RSB's financial position.

 

Operating Results

The operating result for the financial year 2005-2006 is a surplus of $360,513, including bequests of $736,109. This compares to an operating surplus of $576,843, including bequests of $334,300, for the previous financial year.

 

This year the RSB has invested in a number of new services and initiatives, including the RSB Guide Dog Service (including construction of new kennels), upgrade of the gymnasium and the Books in the Sky program while also increasing the level of services.

 

The result reflects the continued planning, close monitoring of costs by the RSB's management and the commitment to continually investigate ways of improving our services to clients.

 

1 would particularly like to highlight the importance of benefactors, supporters and government in maintaining our relatively strong financial position.

 

Net Assets

The RSB's level of net assets ($29,849,086) has continued to increase this year, predominantly as a result of the bequests received and revaluation of RSB investments.

 

This steady increase enables the RSB to continue to meet the needs of the growing number of South Australians who are blind and vision impaired. The incidence of vision loss in our community will continue to increase in proportion to the aging of our population, and therefore it is vital that the RSB continues to attract bequests in order to fund future increases in demand for services.

 

Governance

As noted above, the RSB's financial statements are audited each year. The Finance & Audit Committee, a subcommittee of the Board of Management (Board) meets monthly to examine the RSB's financial position in detail and, as Treasurer, 1 provide a monthly report of these meetings to the Board.

 

The Investment Sub Committee, a sub committee of the Board, meets quarterly to review the management of the equities portfolio, in order to optimise returns and minimise risk. This year the return on investments exceeded the benchmarks set.

 

Through ongoing strong management practices, the RSB has placed itself in a sound financial position that will enable it to assist people in South Australia who are blind or vision impaired for many years to come.

 

Mr. B Clark (PNIA)

 

Treasurer

18 October 2006

Adelaide, South Australia

 

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