Annual Report 2012 - Lifeline Darling Downs

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Chairman's Report
Lifeline Darling Downs & South West Queensland Ltd 2012 Annual Report
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by Jim Black, Chairman
As business drives Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland forward, let us take
a break to reflect on the past twelve months.
As Chairman of the Board, it is exciting to look back. To Derek and his loyal staff, we must
say thank you as they met the challenges of another year. Once again floods in Western
Queensland became a priority and demanded much of our staff as they moved into these
areas to offer help and counselling to the people affected.
as big a flood. Once again our thanks to staff and volunteers who responded. Sincere
thanks to Derek for his management skills and his compassion towards the workers, as he
managed their placement in the field. Hopefully, things can return to normal so that the last
two years of flooding can be put behind us.
As the year has unfolded, the Exectutive Management Team (EMT) have continued to put in
place the new management structures as developed and it is great to see the benefits of
this.
With the property issues finalised, it was time to act on the project to revamp the two major
properties of 33 Russell Street and the Distribution Centre. A working party was put in place
to revisit the plans already drawn up for the Distribution Centre and new plans for 33 Russell
Street which will accommodate the head office and counselling staff. The plans were
finalised and the architect approved, who in turn took them to contract stage.
Builders were chosen, contracts signed and all approvals were gained. Work is underway
and it is hoped for all to be completed by the end of August. After that, the task of moving
from four existing sites to our new headquarters at 33 Russell Street will take place.
all of those involved in the planning work, with special thanks to Lea Bausch (Manager
Property & Assets) and Stephanie Keays (Architect) who brought us to this point.
With the new buildings now complete, a real estate agent has been appointed to process the
sale of the Mill Street and Taylor Street properties.
During the year, there have been some changes to the Board. Due to now working in
Brisbane, Paula Hansen has resigned and Jeff Murray and Taisoo Kim Watson have
completed their ten years with Lifeline. The contribution of these three people has been
much appreciated and they will be missed. Eight new Board Members have been appointed
and all are contributing to our work. They are, Shane MacDonald, Harold Crane, Ken
Murphy, Sue Rosenberger, Alan Dunstan and Helen Braithwaite, Donna Lafferty and
Mariejan Bigby.
A new Chief Operating Officer (COO) has been added to the EMT with Shayne Stenhouse
being appointed as COO - Business Division.
With continuing State and Federal Government support, the work of Lifeline Darling Downs
and South West Queensland is going from strength to strength. The strong position the
company is in places us well to continue to deliver the services to the people in need in the
area.
My personal thanks go to Neryl Wearing (Deputy Chair) and Paula Hansen (Treasurer) for
their support as we have worked together as the Executive throughout the year. With