NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CIRCUS ARTS ANNUAL REPORT 2010

NATIONAL 

INSTITUTE 

NATIONAL 

INSTITUTE 

OF CIRCUS 

ARTS 

ANNUAL 

REPORT 

2010 

OF CIRCUS 

ARTS

2. 

NICA Annual Report 2010 

CONTENTS 

ThE NATIONAL INSTITUTE 

OF CIRCUS ARTS (NICA) 

IS AUSTRALIA’S CENTRE 

OF ExCELLENCE IN 

CONTEmPORARy CIRCUS 

Vision, Mission, Goals 

From the Chair 

From the Director 

A Year of Highlights 

NICA Team 

NICA Spaces 

Accredited Programs 

2010 Performances 

2010 Media 

National & International 

Engagement 

Community Outreach 

and Engagement 

CircaNICA 

NICA Graduates 

NICA Supporters 

Financial Statements 

5 

7 

8 

10 

12 

14 

16 

18 

21 

22 

24 

26 

28 

30 

31 

NICA Annual Report 2010 3.

4. 


VISION 

mISSION 

GOALS 

VISION 

NICA will be an internationally renowned 

Australian Centre of Excellence in education, 

training and performance in contemporary circus. 

mISSION 

Excellence 

NICA will foster passion, creativity and a high 

level of skill in its graduates, who will be 

recognised as inspiring circus artists. 

Innovation 

NICA will deliver innovative training programs 

to talented students, whose performances will 

re-imagine circus. 

Leadership 

NICA graduates and staff will take leadership roles 

in shaping the Australian circus arts industry. 

GOALS 

− Drive excellence to enhance the educational 

and vocational outcomes of our artists. 

− Establish a strong regional, national and 

international presence. 

− Engage actively with industry and the 

wider community. 

− Build a robust and sustainable organisation. 


FROm 

ThE 

ChAIR 

It is my pleasure to present the 2010 Annual 

Report for the National Institute of Circus Arts 

The achievements of the year can be attributed 

to a decade of hard work and planning, which 

have seen the institute continue to provide its 

unique educational programs despite challenging 

financial times. 

In 2010, the Board’s efforts were focused 

on ensuring the current and long-term 

sustainability of NICA, pursuing funding at 

a level that would guarantee its continued 

function as a Centre of Excellence. To this end, 

the Board made a major funding submission to 

the Federal Government, supported by a report 

prepared by KPMG. 

The Board explored a range of funding avenues, 

looking to forge new partnerships and grow 

the organisation’s supporter base. As a case in 

point, the Champagne Circus Showcase provided 

a unique opportunity to introduce new faces 

to NICA during an evening of fundraising and 

delightful performances. 

In keeping with its commitment to national 

and international circus communities, 

NICA participated in various festivals and 

conferences, both locally and abroad. A 

highlight was Director Pamela Creed and Head 

of Circus Lu Guang Rong being invited guests 

of the Wuhan International Acrobatic Arts 

Festival in China, where they contributed to the 

International Circus School Forum. 

Back home, NICA continued to respond to 

the demand for a range of educational and 

training programs in circus arts. The institute 

implemented its reaccredited vocational 

programs, and introduced a secondary school 

stream in partnership with the Victorian 

College of the Arts Secondary School. These 

developments are both key educational 

achievements for NICA, and will provide enhanced 

opportunities for talented youth to enter NICA 

earlier. It will also contribute to making NICA 

graduates world-competitive. 

NICA’s many performances received high 

praise from audiences, industry and media. The 

success of these productions is testament to the 

students, their teachers and trainers, and the 

creative teams behind each show. 

In concluding my time as Chair, I reflect with 

great satisfaction on the achievements of the 

last ten years. I have watched NICA evolve from 

a small project in an old industrial shed into 

what it is today: an award-winning organisation, 

in state-of-the-art facilities, with over 150 

world-class graduates. It’s been a rewarding 

decade, and I acknowledge everyone that has 

supported NICA during this time. 

I express gratitude to my fellow Directors for 

their support during 2010 and over the years. 

In particular, I acknowledge the contributions 

of Professor Ian Young, Vice-Chancellor of 

Swinburne University of Technology, and 

wish him well in his new appointment. I also 

thank David Loader, retiring Director, for his 

contributions during his time on the Board. 

I would like to thank NICA’s key stakeholders, 

primarily the Federal Government, which has 

demonstrated its commitment to training young 

circus artists through its Cultural Development 

Program. I also acknowledge the importance 

of the partnership with Swinburne University 

of Technology, which provides NICA with 

funding support for its VET programs, academic 

governance, and other inkind contributions. 

On behalf of the Board I congratulate Pamela 

Creed on a momentous decade as Director and 

CEO of this unique organisation. I congratulate 

the students and staff for their achievements 

and ongoing dedication. I wish NICA every 

success in its future endeavours, and look 

forward to seeing it grow and flourish over the 

next ten years. 

Mr Darvell Hutchinson AM 

Chair 

6. NICA Annual Report 2010 


8. 

FROm 

ThE 

dIRECTOR 

I am pleased to reflect and report on another 

year of excellence at NICA. It was one in which 

we continued to hone our educational programs 

and enhance our reputation, maintaining the 

strength of our performance program and 

continued to see our graduates excel. 

Significantly, 2010 saw the implementation of 

the new vocational curriculum. The result of 

much staff input and review, it truly is a world 

class training program and compares favourably 

to other international programs. 

NICA introduced a Certificate III in Circus Arts, 

in partnership with the VCA Secondary School, 

and accredited a Certificate IV in Circus Arts, to 

be implemented in 2011. These programs align 

NICA with other arts training institutes and 

overseas circus schools, allowing students to 

engage in professional training sooner, and to 

receive focused, specialist training for longer. 

Overseas, NICA’s impact was felt both as an 

organisation and through the exploits of its 

graduate artists. The Head of Circus Studies, Lu 

Guang Rong, and I were guests of the Wuhan 

International Acrobatic Arts Festival, where 

we presented on Contemporary Circus Arts in 

Australia. NICA also attended, upon invitation, 

both the Paris and Budapest circus festivals, 

and contributed to the FEDEC workshops in 

Paris and Auch. 

While in Auch, we also had the good fortune to 

witness a number of recent alumni performing 

with Brisbane company Circa on their European 

tour. At the same time, graduate Julian 

Aldag competed at the Latina International 

Circus Festival in Italy, receiving a Cirque du 

Soleil award for innovative artistic vision and 

performance. He was also the only Australian 


artist invited to perform with Le Grand Cirque in 

Melbourne this year. 

Meanwhile, our students once again dazzled in 

our annual performance program, and it was 

satisfying to see our audiences continue to grow. 

Both third year student shows – Veritas and the 

2010 Circus Showcase – drew sell-out crowds, 

and were accompanied by strong reviews. 

The Champagne Circus Showcase was a 

particularly special fundraising event. I thank 

those who donated to NICA to support our 10th 

Birthday activities. 

NICA maintained its commitment to 

various outreach programs during the year. 

In partnership with Cirque du Soleil, we conducted 

intensive workshops for social circus instructors 

in Melbourne, Singapore and Cape Town. With the 

City of Stonnington, we conducted workshops for 

local Indigenous and disadvantaged youth, and 

in Sydney, we participated in Heads Up, the first 

Indigenous Circus Conference. Our community 

youth performance troupe, Circus Star, was 

further enhanced by a grant from the Windsor 

Community Bank branch of the Bendigo Bank to 

purchase new equipment and costumes. 

NICA’s community and open programs progressed 

unabated, and rocked the building every day, night 

and weekend. It was – and is – amazing to see 

approximately 300 people come through the space 

on a weekly basis. Over 140 children, teenagers 

and adults performed in the community showcase, 

the NICA Magical Mystery Tour in December. 

At the end of a demanding year, I cannot thank 

the teachers and staff of NICA enough for 

their ongoing hard work. Their dedication to 

the students, the discipline of their teaching 

program, their artistic talent infused in the 

productions: all this is key to NICA’s success 

as a national Centre of Excellence. 

I thank the Board for its continued support 

and wish the retiring Directors well. 

I especially acknowledge the Chair, Mr Darvell 

Hutchinson AM, who has shared his wisdom and 

enthusiasm over the ten years. His outstanding 

commitment to NICA, including his leadership 

since 2008, has been invaluable in shaping 

and guiding the organisation through its first 

decade, and leaves it in a strong position to 

embark on its second. 

Pamela Creed 

Director & CEO 

“Graduates’ faces beamed from billboards 

in the London and Paris undergrounds, 

advertising shows and tours with their 

own small companies. There’s a great 

pleasure in knowing our students go on 

to populate high-profile companies, but 

there’s a particular thrill in seeing them 

perform internationally and participate 

in festivals around the world.” 

Pamela Creed 


10. 

A yEAR OF 

hIGhLIGhTS 

JANUARy 

NICA’s Summer Holiday Program 

caters to 99 children, teenagers 

and adults. 

Staff represent NICA at the Paris 

and Budapest circus festivals. 

NICA participates in the 

professional development 

workshops of the European 

Federation of Professional Circus 

Schools (FEDEC) in Paris. 

NICA introduces the Certificate III 

in Circus Arts, in partnership with 

the Victorian College of the Arts 

Secondary School, enrolling 15 

students. 

FEbRUARy 

Out of 25 circus productions at 

the Adelaide Fringe Festival, ten 

are created by – or feature – NICA 

graduate artists. 

mARCh 

Final year students perform 

Veritas, directed by Holly Rollins. 

The new ensemble work receives 

critical acclaim and international 

media coverage. 

Circus of Spin plays for two 

weeks at Melbourne Museum’s 

Scienceworks, as part of its school 

holidays children’s activities. 


APRIL 

To celebrate World Circus Day, 

staff and students attempt to beat 

the record for the longest wall 

of handstands and create a giant 

human pyramid. 

mAy 

The annual Cabaret Vertigo season 

showcased the talents of CircaNICA 

artists, NICA students and industry 

professionals. Directed by Stephen 

Burton, the shows drew a total 

audience of 800. 

JUNE 

Second year students perform 

We All Fall Down, a new ensemble 

work directed by Debra Batton. 

The performance attracts large 

audience numbers and is a huge 

hit with families. 

In partnership with Cirque du 

Soleil, NICA works on a series of 

programs in Singapore between 

June and August. NICA staff 

assist with the Singapore Youth 

Olympic Games and run Social 

Circus Instructor Training for 24 

participants. 

JULy 

NICA gains accreditation for the 

Certificate IV in Circus Arts. 

NICA implements the reaccredited 

Diploma and Advanced Diploma of 

Circus Arts. 

NICA conducts a week-long 

national pre-audition workshop 

for 43 participants from Australia, 

New Zealand and Brazil. The 

workshop prepares attendees 

for auditions in September, and 

assists NICA with early talent 

identification. 

NICA participates in the Heads Up, 

2010 – Indigenous and Social Circus 

Conference in Sydney. 

NICA conducts workshops for 

the Wannik Dance Academy, 

comprising 60 young Indigenous 

women from regional Victoria. 

NICA’s Winter Holiday Program is 

held for 54 children and teenagers. 

SEPTEmbER 

Three graduate artists feature in 

Smoke & Mirrors, which receives 

a Helpmann Award for Best New 

Australian Work. 

Finding Your Feet, an ensemble 

studio presentation by first year 

and Certificate III students, is 

performed for family and friends. 

Auditions for entry into the 2011 

Bachelor of Circus Arts are held in 

Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. 

In 2010, NICA continued to evolve and enhance 

its activities across education, training and 

performance. The Certificate III in Circus 

Arts was introduced, and the institute’s 

performances received both good reviews 

and solid audiences. 

OCTObER 

Sponsored by the City of 

Stonnington, NICA conducts a 

ten-week series of workshops 

for disadvantaged and at-risk 

participants of the Prahran 

Adventure Playground. 

NICA participates in FEDEC 

workshops and meetings at the 

Circle Festival, Auch, France, 

where several graduates perform 

with Australian company Circa. 

Graduate Julian Aldag receives a 

Cirque du Soleil award for innovative 

artistic vision and performance at 

the 12th Latina International Circus 

Festival, Italy. 

NICA receives a grant from 

the Windsor Community Bank 

branch of the Bendigo Bank to 

purchase circus equipment for 

the Community Circus program’s 

performance troupe, Circus Star. 


Soleil, NICA conducts Social Circus 

Instructor Training in Cape Town 

for 25 participants. 

NOVEmbER 

NICA attends the Wuhan 

International Acrobatic Arts 

Festival, China, participating in the 

International Circus School Forum. 


Soleil, NICA conducts Social Circus 

Instructor Training in Melbourne for 

22 participants from Australia, New 

Zealand, Singapore and Vanuatu. 

NICA’s health team presents 

research at the International Arts 

and Health Conference at the 

University of Melbourne. 

Alex Talamo directs the NICA 

Magical Mystery Tour, a showcase 

of 147 performers from the 

children’s and teen’s classes of the 

Community Circus program, which 

plays to a full house. 

A NICA staff member attends the 

International Masterclass 

for Social Circus Instructors 

in Montreal. 

Throughout the year, NICA attended festivals 

and conferences around the world, contributed 

to forums on contemporary circus and creative 

research, and maintained its commitment to 

community development. All final year students 

proceeded to graduation, and graduates 

received awards, capitalised on opportunities 

and advanced circus arts the world over. 

dECEmbER 

Final year students perform their 

solo and duo graduating acts in 

the 2010 Circus Showcase, directed 

by Megan Jones. The season sets 

a new record for NICA, attracting 

4,200 audience members and 

selling out each performance. 

The Champagne Circus Showcase 

launches NICA’s 10th anniversary 

plans and raises funds for 

scholarships, special initiatives, 

disadvantaged and Indigenous 

youth projects. 

NICA hosts workshops for 

members of the Western 

Australian Circus School. 

Graduate Julian Aldag performs with 

Le Grand Cirque in the company’s 

inaugural visit to Melbourne. 

CircaNICA continues to establish 

and nurture industry links as part 

of NICA’s commitment to securing 

employment for graduates and by 

the end of December secures 149 

contracts for its artists. 


NICA 

TEAm 

NICA boasts some of the world’s 

finest circus and performance 

practitioners, hailing from 

Argentina, Australia, Canada, 

China, England, France and 

Russia. They provide students 

with a grounding in the world’s 

traditional and contemporary 

circus styles, and inspire them to 

excel in and innovate their craft. 

Together with the institute’s 

dedicated teams of production, 

health and administration 

professionals, they produce a 

unique educational experience 

for NICA’s students. 

bOARd 

Chair 


Directors 

Ms Linda Brown 

Mr Andrew Guild 

The Hon Rod Kemp 

Mr David Loader 

Mr Ross Mollison 

Ms Kate Shelmerdine 

Prof Ian Young 

ExECUTIVE & 

AdmINISTRATION 

Director & CEO 

Pamela Creed 

General Manager 

Ragn Hannah 

Head of Circus Studies 

Lu Guang Rong 

Head of Performance 

Studies & Bachelor Year 

Coordinator 

Megan Jones 

Advanced Diploma 

Coordinator 

Vasily Ivanov 

Certificate III Coordinator 

Meredith Kitchen 

Venue & Production 

Operations Manager 

Nic Barclay 

Marko Mykyta (from October) 

Executive Assistant 

Emily O’Connor 

CircaNICA Manager 

Kate Priddle 

Rebecca Bode (from October) 

Marketing Executive 

Maria Rizzo 

Short Course 

Coordinator 

Scott Hone 

Finance Officer 

Fazal Mansook 

Student 

Administration Officer 

Elizabeth Louden 

Administrative Assistant 

Leisa Hill 

Megan Elder (from October) 

TEAChING & 

TRAINING STAFF 

Stephen Burton 

Qi Jin Cui 

Mathew Daniels 

Liudmila Druzhina 

Helene Embling 

Arturo Gomez 

Konstantin Ibraguimov 

Vasily Ivanov 

Megan Jones 

Meredith Kitchen 

Kathryn Niesche 

Andrea Ousley 

Misha Reale (to July) 

Lu Rong 

Ludwig Schukin 

Earl Shatford 

Julian Wisdom 

Jing Jing Xue 

SESSIONAL 

TEAChERS & TRAINERS 

Jens Altheimer 

Lincoln Barros 

Dr Kim Baston 

James Brown 

Tegan Carmichael 

Gang Cheng 

Melanie Crowe 

Vaughan Curtis 

Sean Kempton 

Aurora Kurth 

Ben Lewis 

Jacqui Louder 

Rosalind Mackay 

Leigh Marning 

Mozes Mozes 

Michaela O’Connor 

Amy MacPherson 

Dr David Munro 

Felicia O’Brien 

Daniel Power 

Leon Radchenko 

Ruby Rowat 

Isaac Saleh 

Aaron Walker 

TEChNICAL 

STAFF 

Production Manager 

Wayne Appleton 

Rigger 

Margot Storm 

hEALTh & INJURy 

PREVENTION TEAm 

Sports Medical Practitioner 

Dr Kathy Yu 

Head Physiotherapist 

Dr David Munro 

Sports Psychologist 

Jacqui Louder 

Physiotherapists 

Penny Dayan 

Sam Peasnell 

Strength & 

Conditioning Coach 

Annie Alderson 

Myotherapists 

Southern School 

of Natural Therapies 

VISITING ARTISTS 

Director – Veritas 

Holly Rollins 

Director – We All Fall Down 

Debra Batton 

STAFF dEVELOPmENT 

Staff undertake regular training to maintain 

and update their skills, while many are also 

engaged in further education. NICA supports 

its employees with professional development 

opportunities wherever possible. In 2010: 

− All staff received annual training in 

First Aid Level 2 and a CPR Refresher 

− Twelve completed the Certificate IV in Training 

and Assessment 

− Four undertook ‘Advanced Facilitation Skills 

and Coaching for Excellence’ mentor training 

− Eight completed the Advanced Diploma of 

Circus Arts 

− Two commenced the Graduate Certificate in 

Learning and Teaching (Higher Education) 

− One completed the International Coaching 

Course on German Wheel in Germany 

− One attended the International Masterclass for 

Social Circus Instructors in Montreal 

− One is continuing a Masters of Education 

− One completed the Australian Federation 

of Sports Coaching Associations – Level 

2 Coaching (Advanced Strength and 

Conditioning) course 

− One completed Producer’s Development 

Training through the Live Performance 

Association 

− One completed Committee Servicing Training 

through ATEM 

− Some staff completed a Masterclass with 

theatre and clowning veteran Ira Seidenstein 

− Some staff undertook English language classes 

CONFERENCES, PRESENTATIONS, FORUmS 

NICA staff continued to participate in a number of 

industry and educational forums and conferences 

each year, and are encouraged to attend events 

to further their knowledge of contemporary 

performance. In 2010, staff members made 

presentations and attended the following: 

− Wuhan International Acrobatic 

Arts Festival, China 

− Paris Circus Festival, France 

− International Circus Festival of 

Budapest, Hungary 

− FEDEC workshops, Paris and Auch, France 

− Circle Festival, Auch, France 

− Latina International Circus Festival, Italy 

− Adelaide Festival of Arts 

− Melbourne International Arts Festival 

− Heads Up, 2010 – Indigenous and 

Social Circus Conference, Sydney 

− Our Sporting Future 2010 conference, 

Gold Coast 

At the International Arts and Health 

Conference at the University of Melbourne, 

Dr David Munro presented findings of 

research he conducted at NICA, detailing 

injury patterns, incidence rates and 

recovery strategies. It is only the second 

paper of its kind to be published in this 

field. At the same conference Pam Creed 

presented on NICA’s work with Australian 

and International communities in the area 

of Social Circus. 

NICA VOLUNTEERS 

Each year NICA students, staff and graduates 

donate hundreds of hours to community events 

and causes. At the Foodies & Fashionistas lunch, 

for example, three students entertained over 

100 guests between sumptuous courses and 

showcases of local designers. 

Staff and students also give their time to Front 

of House duties – box office, bar, ushering – 

for NICA’s performance seasons. 

PLACEmENTS 2010 

Work experience students 13 

Work experience hours 358 

Marketing interns 7 

Marketing intern hours 240 

Front of house 

volunteers (students) 

Front of house volunteers (staff) 7 

Front of house 

volunteer hours 

Work experience students participated in circus 

classes and assisted with administration, some 

going on to enrol in accredited courses at NICA 

in 2011. Marketing interns contributed to all 

campaigns throughout the year, and received 

one-on-one mentoring from the Marketing 

Executive. The estimated cost saving to NICA 

from the marketing interns was $4,320. 


NICA Annual Report 2010 13. 

52 

708 

Total 79 1306

14. 


NICA 

SPACES 

“mELbURNIANS ARE ExTREmELy 

LUCky – ANd ShOULd bE VERy 

PROUd – TO hAVE ThE NATIONAL 

INSTITUTE OF CIRCUS ARTS 

(ThE ONLy INSTITUTION OF ITS 

kINd IN AUSTRALIA) qUIETLy 

CAmOUFLAGEd bEhINd ChAPEL 

STREET’S COFFEE-CULTURE.” 

Ian Nisbet, Stage Whispers, 29 th March 2010 

NICA has two award-winning facilities on the 

Prahran campus of Swinburne University of 

Technology in Melbourne. The first is the Sidney 

Myer Circus Studio, housed within the State 

Training Centre, a building shared with Gymnastics 

Victoria. Bates Smart won the AISC Victorian Metal 

Building Award for the design in 2002. 

The second is the NICA National Circus Centre, 

for which Cox Architects & Planners won the best 

Architectural Steel Design for a Large Project at 

the Victorian and Tasmanian State Architectural 

Steel Industry Awards in 2008. 


ACCREdITEd 

PROGRAmS 

In 2010, NICA continued to respond to 

demands for a range of education and training 

options in circus arts. This year’s milestones 

were the introduction of a new course – the 

Certificate III in Circus Arts – the successful 

completion of an educational audit, and the 

reaccreditation of the school’s core programs. 

NICA’s accredited programs are under the 

academic governance of Swinburne University 

of Technology. All tuition is conducted at NICA, 

on Swinburne’s Prahran campus. 

NICA remains the only institute in Australia 

to offer the Bachelor of Circus Arts. 

“I hAd TO REmINd 

mySELF ThESE wERE STILL 

PERFORmERS IN TRAINING, 

UNI STUdENTS dESPITE ThE 

REmARkAbLE PEdIGREE 

ThEy’VE ALREAdy bROUGhT 

TO NICA.” 

Fiona Mackrell, ArtsHub, 16 th June 2010 

bAChELOR OF CIRCUS ARTS 

The Bachelor of Circus Arts is a nested 

vocational degree incorporating the Diploma and 

Advanced Diploma of Circus Arts. It provides an 

innovative curriculum, nurturing Australia’s next 

contemporary circus artists. 

Of NICA’s 84 students, nine were international, 

hailing from the USA and Japan. 

STUdENT INTAkE 

January 2010 

Certificate III in Circus Arts 15 

Diploma of Circus Arts (1st year) 28 

Advanced Diploma of Circus Arts (2nd year) 22 

Bachelor of Circus Arts (3rd year) 19 

Total 84 

GRAdUATES 

All 19 third year students graduated from 

the Bachelor of Circus Arts. The graduation 

ceremony featured guest speaker Kirstie 

Marshall, World Cup gold medallist and 

Victorian politician. 

By the end of the 2010 Circus Showcase 

season, half of the graduating students were in 

employment negotiations. Within six months they 

found themselves contract and full-time work 

with a variety of prestigious employers, such as: 

− Adelaide Fringe Festival 

− Chamaleon Theatre, Berlin 

− Circa 

− Cirque du Soleil 

− Equinox – Retina Productions 

− Entertainment Store 

− Monash University 

− National Folk Festival, Canberra 

− Perry Bros Circus 

− Red Bennies 

− Southern Edge Arts 

− Swinburne University of Technology 

− Tasmanian Circus Festival 

− Woodford Folk Festival 

− You Are Here Festival, Canberra 



AUdITIONS 

Students enter the Bachelor program through 

a rigorous audition process aimed at identifying 

talent and potential. In July, a week-long preaudition 

workshop was held at NICA for 43 

young people, including three internationals 

(two from New Zealand, one from Brazil). The 

workshops made use of trainers’ expertise 

to prepare participants for the auditions in 

September, and assisted NICA with early talent 

identification. Auditions were then held in 

Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. International 

applicants auditioned via DVD. 

CERTIFICATE III IN CIRCUS ARTS 

In partnership with the Victorian College of the 

Arts Secondary School, 15 talented students 

enrolled in, and completed, the new Certificate 

III in Circus Arts course. This represented a 22% 

increase in NICA’s student population. 

Certificate III in Circus Arts student, 

Liam DeJong, won a gold medal at 

the National Acrobatic Gymnastics 

Championships in Adelaide in October. 

qUALITy ASSURANCE 

In November, NICA participated in an intensive 

educational audit of its Advanced Diploma 

course. Swinburne University’s auditors 

congratulated NICA on the vast improvement 

in the documentation compliance around its 

program delivery, a reflection of the hard work 

put in by staff. 

ACCREdITATION 

After extensive review and re-writing, the 

Institute’s Diploma and Advanced Diploma 

courses were re-accredited for a period of five 

years, from 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2014. All 

eligible students were transferred to the reaccredited 

courses for Semester 2, 2010. The 

new Certificate III in Circus Arts was accredited 

and eligible students were transferred mid-year. 

NICA also accredited a Certificate IV in Circus 

Arts, which will be introduced in 2011. 

NICA has previous accreditation for a Graduate 

Certificate in Social Circus. 

STUdENT SUPPORT & hEALTh TEAm 

NICA offers a range of support services to 

its students, in addition to those provided by 

Swinburne. These include a Health and Injury 

Prevention Team that provides physiotherapy, 

myotherapy and comprises of a fitness and 

conditioning coach, sports doctor, sports 

psychologist and dietician. NICA offers student 

liaison support and conducts an orientation 

camp as well as ongoing NICA student activities. 

With students in training up to 35 hours 

per week, these support mechanisms are 

paramount to their overall health and wellbeing. 

STUdENT AwARdS 

Circus Fans of Australasia Awards 

These awards recognise two of Australia’s 

historical and inspirational circus artists, May 

Wirth and Con Colleano. Instigated and supported 

by Robin Brampton and the Circus Fans of 

Australasia, the awards are presented to the top 

male and female students in the Diploma year. 

May Wirth Award 

Josie Wardrope 

Con Colleano Award 

Thomas Swords 

Absolute Physiotherapy Award 

Awarded to the top student in 

Anatomy and Physiology. 

Jing Wong 

NICA Achievement Award 

Awarded for the pursuit of excellence. 

Simon Reynolds 

ARTATE 

NICA remained an active and contributing 

member of the Australian Roundtable 

for Arts Training Excellence (ARTATE), 

a network of CEOs and Directors of the 

National Arts Training Institutes.

18. 


“ThE CIRCUS ARTISTS IN ThE 

2010 NICA ShOwCASE ONCE 

AGAIN TEST ThE LImITS OF 

PhySICAL STRENGTh ANd 

ENdURANCE ANd PRESENT 

JAw-dROPPING FEATS OF 

SUbLImE bEAUTy.” 

Travis de Jonk, Same Same, 9 th December 2010 

VERITAS 

23 – 31 mARCh 

NICA NATIONAL 

CIRCUS CENTRE 

wE ALL 

FALL dOwN 

15 – 26 JUNE 



2010 CIRCUS 

ShOwCASE 

1 – 11 dECEmbER 



2010 PERFORmANCES 

Veritas was directed by Holly Rollins and performed by an 

ensemble cast of third year students. 

Taking its name from the Latin for truth, Veritas charted an aerial 

journey of exploration and discovery. Integrating film and visual 

projection with high-energy performance, the show exquisitely 

portrayed the interior landscapes of its characters. 

Veritas was well-received and positively reviewed, selling out 

several nights of its season. Images of the show appeared in 

media across the world, including BBC News and India Times 

Online. The production demonstrated the diverse skills of the 

performers, and provided them an opportunity to work with 

international circus performer and director Holly Rollins. Rollins 

is a former Cirque du Soleil aerialist with a Master of Arts 

Education from Harvard University. 

AUdIENCE NUmbERS: 2,250 

We All Fall Down was directed by Debra Batton and performed by 

an ensemble cast of second year students. 

Inspired by the creativity, courage and resilience of children, We 

All Fall Down was a magic carpet ride out of the ordinary and into 

make-believe. Transforming a child’s bedroom into a fantastic 

world of living objects, the show thrived on its exploration of 

memory and imagination. 

We All Fall Down was particularly popular with young audiences, 

and sold out the final week of its season. Opening night attracted 

a number of high-profile guests. The creative team included 

Guest Director Debra Batton, former Artistic Director of Legs on 

the Wall, and Chris Lewis, former Musical Director of Circus Oz. 


The 2010 Circus Showcase was directed by Megan Jones and featured 

solo and duo performances by third year graduating students. 

Presenting an unforgettable experience of circus-on-the-edge, the 

annual showcase season impressed industry and audiences alike. 

Each year, it is opportunity for the graduating students to develop 

and present acts in their specialties, a demonstration of their 

creative, technical and physical talents. Three years of intensive 

training and study culminate in these performances, providing a 

glimpse into future careers. All performances sold out. 



“ThERE’S NO ShORTAGE 

OF GASP-INdUCING, 

AIR-bOUNd ACTIVITy 

ANd PUNChy TUmbLING.” 

Stephanie Glickman, Herald Sun, 6th December 2010 



42% 


mEdIA 

NICA received significant coverage across print, 

broadcast and online media in 2010. The institute’s 

education and community programs generated 

regular media interest, while its performances 

continued to draw the attention of journalists 

around the world. And as a growing number of 

graduates tour, win awards and carve out careers, 

NICA maintains a strong presence in the national 

and, increasingly, international media. 

While national print and television coverage was 

slightly down on previous years, overall media 

mentions and appearances were up 16%. NICA’s 

total media coverage has grown by 27% over the 

last 2 years. 

12% 

1% 

4% 

8% 

1% 

16% 

16% 

International 

Print and Online 

National Print - 

Journals and Magazines 

National Print - Newspapers 

Local Print - Victoria 

Local Print - Other States 

Television 

Radio 

Online 

BBC News, CNN Online, Getty Images, 

India Times Online. These are just some 

of the international outlets to feature 

NICA during the year. In print and on the 

web, NICA received coverage in the United 

States, Germany, Malaysia, South Africa, 

the United Kingdom, India and Monaco. 

mEdIA STATISTICS 2010 

Print 134 

TV 5 

Radio 42 

Online 173 

Total 354 

NICA garnered more than twice as many 

online mentions than in 2009. Of the 

148 appearances on Australian sites, 

notable coverage included The Age, Stage 

Whispers, ArtsHub, Australian Stage 

Online, ABC TV News and Herald Sun. 

TELEVISION 

NICA made a key television appearance on 

Stateline (ABC TV) in a story about the growing 

popularity of circus, with footage of NICA’s 

pre-audition workshop and an interview with 

Director and CEO Pam Creed. On another 

occasion, ABC TV broadcast footage of students 

engaged in hoop diving, tissu and acrobatics as 

the news bulletin closer. 

RAdIO 

The number of radio appearances grew 

healthily, with interviews on many local 

Melbourne stations and ABC Radio across the 

country. The Hack program (triple J) broadcast 

a feature on young people pursuing circus 

careers, interviewing NICA applicants, their 

parents, and trainer Mathew Daniels. 

PRINT 

NICA made appearances in the major daily 

newspapers of most states and territories, with 

prominent coverage in The Age and Herald Sun, 

as well as Melbourne’s community papers. 

Features were also in mX, The Australian 

Financial Review, Courier Mail, The Sunday 

Canberra Times, The Advertiser, The Weekend 

Australian and The West Australian.

22. 

NATIONAL & 

INTERNATIONAL 

ENGAGEmENT 

NICA plays an important role in the 

international circus community. 

As the pre-eminent circus training institute 

in Australia, its contributions to the global 

network of circus schools, companies and 

events are encouraged and appreciated. In 2010, 

staff represented the school at international 

festivals and conferences, made connections 

with overseas employers, and established links 

between Australia and the world. Meanwhile, 

graduating students and alumni made NICA 

proud as they toured, performed and won the 

artform’s most prestigious accolades. 

wUhAN INTERNATIONAL ACRObATIC ARTS 

FESTIVAL – ChINA 

Director Pam Creed and Head of Circus Studies, 

Lu Guang Rong were guests of the festival, 

participating in the International Circus School 

Forum and presenting an overview of the 

Australian Contemporary Circus Environment 

and NICA’s training. Lu Guang Rong also 

travelled to Shanghai to attend meetings. 

EUROPEAN FEdERATION OF PROFESSIONAL 

CIRCUS SChOOLS (FEdEC) – FRANCE 

NICA attended the January FEDEC meetings in 

Paris, participating in working parties on staff 

development, and student and teacher exchanges 

between the Federation’s schools. NICA also 

participated in the October workshops and 

meetings at the Circle Festival in Auch, France. 

GLObAL CREATURES CONSULTANCy 

NICA undertook two consultancy projects with 

International company Global Creatures 

(King Kong, How to Train Your Dragon). 


CIRqUE dU SOLEIL PARTNERShIP 

Singapore 

NICA’s Social Circus Instructor Andrea Ousley 

worked in Singapore from June to August as 

part of NICA’s International training partnership 

with Cirque du Soleil and their ‘Cirque du Monde’ 

project. She worked with more than 15 schools, 

youth groups and juvenile justice organisations for 

the inaugural Singapore Youth Olympic Games. 

She also ran a Social Circus Instruction Training 

workshop for 24 Social Circus instructors. 

Cape Town, South Africa 

NICA instructor Andrea Ousley ran a Social Circus 

Instructors Training workshop, co-sponsored by 

NICA and Cirque du Monde, at Zip Zap Circus in 

Cape Town. It was attended by 25 participants. 

Montreal, Canada 

NICA participated in the International 

Masterclass for Social Circus Instructors in 

Montreal, conducted by Cirque du Soleil. 

Melbourne, Australia 

NICA co-presented a week-long Social Circus 

Instructors training program that was attended 

by 22 participants from around Australia, New 

Zealand, Singapore and Vanuatu. The training is 

co-sponsored by NICA and Cirque du Monde. 

bUdAPEST ANd PARIS CIRCUS FESTIVALS – 

hUNGARy, FRANCE 

Director Pam Creed attended the Budapest 

and Paris circus festivals and took part in their 

respective seminar programs in January. With 

many international employers in attendance, 

NICA received numerous invitations to send acts 

to various festivals. 

bEIJING ARTS RESEARCh INSTITUTE – ChINA 

Cathy (Hong) Zhou, Senior Researcher at the 

Beijing Arts Research Institute, completed 

research comparing circus education in China 

and Australia. Her findings were published 

in a paper contrasting NICA with the Beijing 

Acrobatics School, and detailed in a series of 

articles for Chinese circus journals. 

INTERNATIONAL COAChING COURSE – GERmANy 

NICA trainer Ludwig Schukin attended an 

International Coaching Course Masterclass for 

German Wheel in Germany. 

hEAdS UP, 2010 - SydNEy 

NICA participated in the Heads Up, 2010 – Indigenous and Social 

Circus Conference at CarriageWorks in Sydney, discussing the 

barriers to Indigenous youth entering circus training and careers. 

ChRISTChURCh POLyTEChNIC INSTITUTE OF TEChNOLOGy (CPIT) 

– NEw ZEALANd 

Representatives of CPIT’s Faculty of Creative Industries visited 

NICA to discuss facilities and courses. After running a TAFE 

circus program for a 15 years, CPIT is redeveloping its facilities 

to introduce a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Circus and Physical 

Theatre) in 2011. 

INTERNATIONAL ARTS ANd hEALTh CONFERENCE – AUSTRALIA 

NICA Head Physiotherapist and Lecturer Dr David Munro presented 

findings of injury research he conducted at NICA. It is only the 

second paper of its kind to be published in this field. At the same 

conference Pam Creed presented on NICA’s work with Australian 

and International communities in the area of Social Circus. 

GRAdUATE AChIEVEmENTS AbROAd 

Circa – Europe 

A number of graduates performed with Circa’s touring shows at the 

Circle Festival in Auch, France, and across Europe and Australia. 

NICA was invited to contribute artists to the 2011 Circle Festival. 

Latina International Circus Festival – Italy 

Graduate artist Julian Aldag received a Cirque du Soleil award 

for innovative artistic vision and performance at the 12th Latina 

International Circus Festival. 

Circus Oz – USA, Australia 

Graduates toured with the Circus Oz show See it to Believe It, 

performing nationally and internationally. 

Brisbane Festival – Australia 

Six graduate artists performed in the world premiere of 

Stalker Theatre Company’s Shanghai Lady Killer at the 

Brisbane Festival, presented in association with Melbourne 

International Arts Festival. 

Crece Performance Project - Spain 

Emerging artist Thomas Worrell was among a small number of 

circus school graduates from around the world who were invited 

to participate in an innovative performance program under the 

direction of Rob Tannion. 

“dANCE, ACRObATICS, 

STRENGTh, ThEATRE, COmEdy, 

GymNASTICS… ALL wARPEd 

INTO ONE FAbULOUS ANd 

UNIqUE bOdy OF ART.” 

Gordana Andjelic-Davila, ArtsHub, 

6 th December 2010 

ThisSideUp – Europe 

Graduate company ThisSideUp 

Acrobatics performed in the 

UK – predominantly at the 

Southbank Festival in London 

and the Edinburgh Fringe – with 

additional shows in Spain and 

France. The troupe received rave 

reviews in the London Evening 

Standard and The Guardian. 

Montreal International Circus 

Festival – Canada 

Graduate artist Thomas Worrell 

performed with the A4 Circus 

Ensemble at the inaugural 

Montreal International Circus 

Festival in July. 


24. 

COmmUNITy OUTREACh 

ANd ENGAGEmENT 

A variety of community 

courses and corporate 

workshops make NICA’s 

world-class facilities and 

staff accessible to the general 

public. NICA is also a strong 

advocate of social circus and 

invests in outreach activities 

that contribute to community 

health and social inclusion. 


COmmUNITy ANd 

INdUSTRy wORkShOPS 

Classes in NICA’s Community 

Circus Program cater to a range 

of ages and skill levels, providing 

both general and specific circus 

training. For children as young 

as three, classes encourage 

the joy of circus in a supportive 

environment, while for older, 

more serious circus buffs, NICA 

offers accelerated training and 

private tuition. 

NICA conducted various 

holiday programs throughout 

the year, including the weeklong 

Summer, Autumn, Winter 

and Spring Holiday programs. 

These collectively catered to 

253 children, teenagers and 

adults. During the Winter 

Holiday Program, NICA also 

hosted workshops for a group 

of young deaf people. 

Weekly participants 404 

Total enrolments 1872 

Increase in 

enrolments from 2009 

12% 

NICA mAGICAL mySTERy TOUR 

The NICA Magical Mystery Tour 

received sponsorship from the 

City of Stonnington and featured 

147 cast members from NICA’s 

community circus programs. The 

performers, ranging from five to 

28 years of age, played to a full 

house of 440 audience members. 

SOCIAL CIRCUS 

INSTRUCTOR TRAINING 


Soleil, NICA conducted Social 

Circus Instructor Training 

programs in Singapore, Cape 

Town and Melbourne. In Cape 

Town, the workshop catered 

for 25 social circus instructors, 

while in Melbourne, the weeklong 

intensive was attended by 

22 participants from around 

Australia, New Zealand, 

Singapore and Vanuatu. 

CITy OF STONNINGTON - 

AT RISk PROGRAm 

The City of Stonnington 

sponsored NICA to run a tenweek 

series of workshops for 

disadvantaged and at-risk 

youth involved with the Prahran 

Adventure Playground. 

The project culminated 

in a performance for the 

participants’ families. 

“FROm ThE OPENING ACT, 

TO ThE LAST TUmbLE, 

ThE ThEATRE PERmEATEd 

wITh AN ASTONIShING 

SENSE OF GRACE, bEAUTy, 

STRENGTh ANd PRIdE.” 

Gordana Andjelic-Davila, ArtsHub, 

8 th December 2010 

wANNIk dANCE ACAdEmy 

NICA staged a day of circus 

activities for 60 Indigenous 

girls from the Wannik Dance 

Academy. Coming from three 

regional Victorian communities, 

the girls also learnt about 

costume and make-up at 

Swinburne University. 

wESTERN AUSTRALIAN 

CIRCUS SChOOL 

NICA hosted a week of 

workshops for members 

of the Western Australian 

Circus School. 

FEdERATION SqUARE PROJECT 

Graduate artists conducted a 

series of free weekly circus 

workshops during January 

and February, to activate an 

under utilised amphitheatre 

at Federation Square over the 

Summer school holidays. Three 

full-day workshops were also 

held in BMW Edge over the 

Easter holiday period, catering 

to over 300 participants. These 

were funded by Federation Square. 

AmERICAN ExPRESS 

FESTIVAL OF POTENTIAL 

Over two days, NICA artists 

ran workshops for more 

than 400 participants. The 

festival, held in partnership 

with Mission Australia, was 

free to the public, with a 

focus on disadvantaged and 

marginalised youth. 

REdkITE FAmILy FUN dAy 

For the second time, NICA 

hosted the Redkite Family 

Fun Day: a day of activities for 

children diagnosed with cancer 

and their families. Eighty 

participants took part. NICA 

staff volunteered to make this 

event successful. 

wINdSOR COmmUNITy bANk 

SPONSORShIP 

NICA received a grant from 

the Windsor Community Bank 

branch of the Bendigo Bank 

to purchase equipment and 

costumes for the Community 

Circus program’s performance 

troupe, Circus Star. 

mENTAL hEALTh FELLOwShIP 

– OPEN mINd FIESTA 

Working with the Mental 

Health Fellowship, NICA 

conducted a series of 

workshops for 20 people 

with mental illnesses. The 

participants were coached in 

being trainers themselves, and 

went on to be assistant trainers 

at the Open Mind Fiesta, a day 

of entertainment and activities 

to raise awareness of mental 

illness. The Fiesta was a part 

of Mental Health Week 2010. 


26. 

CIRCANICA 

CircaNICA continues to lead 

the way as Australia’s premier 

supplier of contemporary circus 

entertainment. Representing 

a stable of graduate artists, 

the NICA subsidiary provides 

talent solutions for short and 

long-term contracts, produces 

made-to-order performances, 

and secures preferred-supplier 

relationships with employers. 

In 2010, the agency secured 

149 contracts providing artists 

for festivals, product launches, 

sporting events, cruise ships 

and gala dinners. 


CAbARET VERTIGO 

The annual Cabaret 

Vertigo season 

showcased the talents of 

CircaNICA artists, NICA 

students and industry 

professionals. Directed 

by Stephen Burton, 

the shows drew a total 

audience of 800. 

GLObAL CREATURES 

CircaNICA formed a 

relationship with international 

production company Global 

Creatures, supplying artists 

for the creative development of 

How to Train Your Dragon and 

King Kong. CircaNICA looks 

forward to being an ongoing 

talent agent for these live, 

animatronic productions. 

LIFE’S A CIRCUS… 

FINd yOUR bALANCE 

CircaNICA provided a team 

of 17 artists to launch two 

new brands for Parmalat. The 

nationwide exercise took place 

in four cities over four days – 

Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane 

and Sydney – and comprised 

both roving and stage acts 

to entertain the conference 

delegates. The contract also 

included made-to-measure 

circus outfits for the two 

company CEOs. 

CARNIVAL AUSTRALIA 

CircaNICA continued its contract 

with Carnival Australia, which 

saw two of its performers 

permanently aboard the Pacific 

Sun cruise ship. The artists 

were an integral part of the 

entertainment program, offering 

a variety of acts and activities for 

passengers and crew. 

OPENING OF AAmI PARk 

CircaNICA helped cut the 

ribbon on the new soccer 

stadium with 24 colourful 

artists bringing the opening to 

life. The crowd was entertained 

by stilt walking, juggling, hula 

hoops, handstands, contortion, 

adagio and risley, while the 

VIPs were charmed by the 

agency’s finest specialty acts. 

SCIENCEwORkS 

Circus of Spin continued 

CircaNICA’s partnership with 

Museum Victoria. Developed for 

Scienceworks’ Autumn Holiday 

Program, the show comprised 

two artists presenting a 

20-minute piece based around 

spinning objects and balance. 

With 30 performances over 15 

days, the show was attended by 

29,240 people. 

bmw x1 LAUNCh 

NICA’s National Circus Centre 

opened its doors to luxury 

vehicles for the launch of the 

new BMW X1. Under the theme 

‘a car for every season’, the 

presentation brought summer, 

autumn, winter and spring to 

life with hula hoops, swinging 

trapeze, stilt dancing and straps. 

mAJOR CLIENTS 

The Big Group 

BMW 

Coca-Cola 

Coles 

Collingwood Football Club 

Crown Casino 

GE Capital 

Global Creatures 

Golder Associates 

Hawthorn Football Club 

Honda 

HSBC 

Hyundai 

Mazda 

Metlink 

MLC 

Olsen Hotel 

Suncorp 

Toyota 

The Westin Hotel 

Wonderland Fun Park 

FESTIVALS 

Ashwood Fun Day 

Chinese New Year 

Foodies & Fashionistas Lunch 

Heathmont Winter Festival 

Prahran Market 

Food & Wine Festival 

Moomba 

Roola Boola 

Streets are Alive 

Vanilla Slice Festival 

LONG-TERm CONTRACTS 

Australian Shakespeare 

Company 

Carnival Australia 

Circus Xsavia 

Global Creatures 

Shanghai Lady Killer 

mAdE-TO-ORdER 

AAMI Park Opening 

BMW X1 Launch 

CAVAL Book Repository Opening 

Chabad Malvern 

Coke 50th Anniversary 

Cruiser Conference – 

The Independent Distillers 

Growth Conference 

Federation Square 

Amphitheatre Activation 

Meeting and Events Australia 

Welcome Cocktail Reception 

Olsen Hotel Opening 

Scienceworks – Circus of Spin 

Toyota Camry Hybrid Launch 

The Westin 10th Birthday 

“SCIENCEwORkS bELIEVES ThE 

ENGAGEmENT wITh CIRCANICA hAS 

bEEN VERy POSITIVE ANd wE LOOk 

FORwARd TO bUILdING ON ThIS 

RELATIONShIP IN ThE FUTURE.” 

Genevieve Fahey, Manager of Scienceworks, 12th May 2010 


NICA 

GRAdUATES 

NICA graduates are highly employable, finding 

work through agencies such as CircaNICA 

and by forging their own career paths. With 

creativity, skill and discipline, they feature 

prominently in the national circus industry, 

the contemporary performance scene and the 

international touring circuit. 

In 2010, the swelling pool of graduates 

continued to dazzle audiences at home and 

abroad. Notable achievements included: 

− Circa performing at the Circle Festival in 

Auch, France (4 graduates) 

− Julian Aldag receiving a Cirque du Soleil 

award for innovative artistic vision and 

performance at the 12th Latina International 

Circus Festival in Italy 

− Julian Aldag being the only Australian artist 

invited to perform with Le Grand Cirque, 

which made its inaugural tour to Melbourne 

in December 

− ThisSideUp Acrobatics performing at the 

Southbank Festival in London, the Edinburgh 

Fringe and in Spain and France. 

− ThisSideUp Acrobatics performing with Iota in 

Smoke & Mirrors, which received a Helpmann 

Award for Best New Australian Work 

(3 graduates) 

− A4 Circus Ensemble performing at the Montreal 

International Circus Festival (1 graduate) 

− Circus Oz’s See It To Believe It, which featured 4 

graduates, touring Australia and the USA 

− Stalker Theatre Company’s Shanghai Lady 

Killer at the Brisbane Festival featuring 6 

graduates in the cast 

− Hannah Cryle, Joshua Phillips and Jarred 

Dewey receiving ArtStart grants from the 

Australia Council for the Arts to transition 

from study to professional arts careers 

Out of 25 circus productions at the Adelaide 

Fringe Festival, 10 either featured, or were 

created by, NICA graduate artists. 

“IN my OPINION ThE NICA 

PERFORmANCES ARE 

mELbOURNE’S bEST kEPT 

LITTLE SECRET.” 

Gordana Andjelic-Davila, ArtsHub, 29 th March 2010 

“[NICA GRAdUATES] 

ARE INSPIRING US 

TO STEP UP ANd dO 

bETTER TRICkS, TRAIN 

hARdER, ANd bE 

FASTER ANd bETTER 

ANd STRONGER. IT’S 

LIFTING EVERybOdy’S 

GAmE IN ThE INdUSTRy.” 

Malia Walsh, ArtsHub, 

4 th February 2010 



30. 

NICA 

SUPPORTERS 

NICA Affiliations 


The National Institute of Circus Arts is 

supported by the Australian Government 

FINANCIAL 

STATEmENTS 

NICA Annual Report 2011 2010 31.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CIRCUS ARTS LIMITED 

ABN 80 084 913 235 


ABN 80 084 913 235 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 

32. NICA Annual Report 2010 2011 

NICA Annual Report 2010 2011 33.


ABN 80 084 913 235 

AUDITOR-GENERAL’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION 


ABN 80 084 913 235 

REPORT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2010 

General Information 

National Institute of Circus Arts Limited (NICA) is an 

Australian Public Company limited by guarantee and 

was established on 27 October 1998 pursuant to the 

general authority contained in the Swinburne University 

of Technology Act 1992. 

The responsible Minister was the Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, 

Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation from 1 

January to 19 January 2010. From 20 January 2010 to 

1 December 2010 the relevant Minister was the Hon. 

Bronwyn Pike MP, Minister for Skills and Workforce 

Participation. Following the State election in November 

2010 the Hon. Peter Hall MLC was sworn in as Minister 

for Higher Education and Skills taking effect from 02 

December 2010. 

NICA is a centre of excellence dedicated to developing 

and nurturing Australia’s most talented young 

contemporary circus and physical theatre performers. 

NICA is a member of the Australian Roundtable for Arts 

Training Excellence. 

The objectives of the company are to provide quality 

education and training in circus arts and physical theatre 

and thereby enhance the cultural development of the 

Australian arts industry. 

NICA offers a three year nested vocational degree 

program which equips graduates with the skills to 

establish successful careers in the national and 

international circus arts industry. In 2010 NICA 

introduced a Certificate III in Circus Arts. The Company’s 

community and commercial activities increase 

community, industry and stakeholder awareness of 

circus arts. NICA is committed to the growth of the 

industry by identifying new markets, and developing 

strategic partnerships which will enhance opportunities 

for performance and circus innovation. 

Fundraising was a major focus of Company Directors in 

2010, who spent time articulating the KPMG Business 

Case for increased funding to Government and its 

representatives. 

During 2010 NICA focused significant time into 

reaccrediting its courses and strengthening quality 

assurance activities across all of its programs. NICA also 

continued to provide professional development programs 

and training to teaching staff, many of whom completed 

formal studies and accredited training in vocational and 

Higher Education sectors. 

NICA as a National Cultural and Training Institute was 

invited to participate in a number of events in 2010. NICA 

participated in a major circus and educational forum 

in Wuhan, China. NICA also contributed to forums and 

educational conferences with the European Federation of 

Professional Circus Schools, and Auch, (France), and was 

engaged in an educational focus group at the Budapest 

Circus Festival. 

Community Programs grew again in 2010, as did the 

National Audition Workshop in Melbourne. The Community 

Programs activities culminated in a major performance for 

150 participants in December. 

The 2010 Performance Program once again attracted large 

audiences and extensive media coverage. Graduate artists 

continued to be employed nationally and internationally. 

NICA acknowledges the support from the Government 

through the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, 

Office for the Arts, Skills Victoria, and in kind support from 

Swinburne University. 

Administrative Structure 

Directors 

The Directors of the company in office during the financial year 

and at the date of this report were: 



Mr Bryan Rossi 


Mr Rod Kemp 



Professor Ian Young 


Associates of the Institute 

Professor Iain Wallace (As of October 2003) 

Mr Frank Bannon (As of June 2003) 

Mr Mark St Leon (As of June 2003) 

Chief Executive Officer 

Ms Pam Creed 

Company Secretary 

Mr Thomas Rowan (Appointed 26 October 2006 

Qualifications: BA , LLB (Melb) 




ABN 80 084 913 235 

Administrative Structure 

The organisation structure of 

the company is as follows: 

Workforce Data 

Head of 

Circus Studies 

Program Coordinators 

Teacher Trainers 

Teaching & Learning 

Co-ordinator (Vacant) 

Short Course & 

Outreach Programs 

Head of Studies 

(Vacant) 

Board of Directors 

CEO / Director Executive Assistant 

Venue & Production 

Operations Manager 

Production Manager 

Riggers & 

Technical Staff 

General Manager 

(Corporate Affairs) 

Finance Officer 

Student 

Administration & 

Liaison 

Administration 

Assistant 

2010 2009 

CircaNICA 

Agent 

Full Time Part Time Casual * Total Full Time Part Time Casual * Total 

Male 13 4 63 80 14 3 111 128 

Female 15 2 42 59 13 3 78 94 

Total 28 6 105 139 27 6 189 222 

* Casuals include teaching staff for the CircaNICA 

Agency, Short Course and Community Programs, 

and other NICA activities. 

84 students participated in the core program 

of NICA in 2010 . 

Merit and Equity Policy 

The Company applies the merit and equity policy 

which is under the umbrella of Swinburne University 

of Technology and includes policies relating to antidiscrimination, 

equal employment opportunity, 

harassment and victimisation. 

Occupational Health and Safety 

The Company complies with relevant occupational health 

and safety legislation through adherence to the policies 

of Swinburne University of Technology. 

Freedom of Information 

There have been no requests in 2010 under the 

Freedom of Information Act 1982 (2009, nil). 


ABN 80 084 913 235 

REPORT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2010 REPORT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2010 

Whistleblowers Protection 

The Company complies with policies and procedures 

in relation to the protection under the Whistleblowers 

Protection Act 2001. 

The Company did not receive any applications in 2010 (2009, nil). 

Relevant Financial and Other Information 

Operating Performance and Financial Position 

Operational and Budgetary Objectives 

The Company’s operational and budgetary plans and 

objectives for 2010 were consistent with the Company’s 

objectives as stated in the Director’s report. 

Building and Compliance 

The company complies with relevant legislation 

through adherence to the policies of Swinburne 

University of Technology. 

Compliance with National Competition Policy 

The Company complies with relevant legislation 

through adherence to the policies of Swinburne 


2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 

$000 $000 $000 $000 $000 

Revenue 6679 4253 4040 4691 5151 

Expenses 12106 4641 4437 4892 5144 

Surplus/(Deficit) -5427 -388 -397 -201 7 

Assets 3960 2603 2122 1957 1984 

Liabilities 1404 435 351 341 360 

Equity 2556 2168 1771 1616 1624 

Director 


Date Signed 11.2.11 

Prahran 


NICA Annual Report 2010 2011 37. 

Director 

Mr Rod Kemp 


Prahran 

Audit Committee 

The Company falls under the ambit of the 

Swinburne University of Technology Audit Committee. 

Consultancies 

During 2010 there were seven consultancies 

of varying durations (2009, nil).


ABN 80 084 913 235 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

The Directors submit their report on the Company for the 

year ended 31 December 2010. The financial report has 

been prepared pursuant to section 44 of the Swinburne 

University of Technology Act 1992, the Financial 

Management Act 1994, and the Corporations Act 2001. 

Directors 

The names and details of the Directors of the 

Company in office during the financial year or at the 

date of this report are: 

Name: Mr Darvell Hutchinson (Chair) 

Qualifications: AM, Hon LLD (Monash), FCA, 

FCPA, ACIS, FAICD 

Experience: Director since March 2002 Chairman, 

Helen Macpherson Smith Trust 

Name: Mr Andrew Guild 

Experience: Director since February 2000 

Arts production and performance expertise 

Director, Edgley International 

Name: Ms Kate Shelmerdine 

Qualifications: BA (Swin) 

Experience: Director since January 2007 

Arts funding management & 

governance expertise 

Name: Professor Ian Young 

Qualifications: BE(Hons), MEngSc, PhD(JCU), 

FIEAust, FTSE 

Experience: Director since December 2003 

Vice-Chancellor Swinburne University 

University of Technology with senior 

management expertise. 

Name: Mr David Loader 

Qualifications: BSc(Hons), DipEd, Med(Syd) 

FAIM, FACE, FACEL, GMAICD 

Experience: Director since March 2008 

School and University Education and 

Management 

Name: Mr Ross Mollison 

Qualifications: BEc (Monash) 

Experience: Director since November 2000 

Marketing, advertising, and public 

relations expertise 

Director, The Production Company 

Name: Mr Bryan Rossi 

Qualifications: BEc(La Trobe), Grd Dip BIS(Swin), 

MMT(Melb), CPA, GAICD 

Experience: Director since August 2009 

CFO, Finance Department, 

Swinburne University of Technology 

Extensive experience in financial 

management in Higher Education 

Name: Ms Linda Brown 

Qualifications: MSC, DMS (MMU); BA (Public Policy); 

PGCE, AICD Dip Corporate Affairs 

Experience: Director since August 2009 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and 

Director TAFE Swinburne 

Name: The Hon. Rod Kemp 

Qualifications: B.Com (University of Melbourne) 

Experience: Director since October 2009 

Former Federal Minister for the Arts 

and extensive experience in economics, 

government and corporate relations 

Company Secretary: 

Mr Thomas Rowan 

(Appointed 26 October 2006) 

Qualifications: BA , LLB (Melb) 


ABN 80 084 913 235 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Principal Activities 

The Company provides training in circus arts. It was 

incorporated on 27 October 1998 and commenced 

operations in 1999. It is a company limited by guarantee. 

Review of Operations 

The financial report has been prepared for the year ended 

31 December 2010. The 2010 operating surplus is $7,476 

(2009 deficit $201,409). 

Taxation 

The Company is exempt from income tax. 

Dividends 

Not applicable, the Company is limited by Guarantee. 

Significant Changes in the State of Affairs 

There have been no significant changes in the 

state of the company’s affairs. 

Events Subsequent to Balance Date 

There has not arisen in the interval between the end 

of the financial year and the date of this report any 

item, transaction, or event of a material or unusual 

nature likely, in the opinion of the Directors, to affect 

substantially the operations of the Company, the result of 

those operations, or the state of affairs of the Company in 

subsequent financial years. 

Likely Developments and Expected Results of Operations 

The company expects to return a positive result in 2011. 

Environmental Regulation 

The Directors are of the opinion that the company has 

complied with all relevant environmental legislation so 

far as it concerns the operations of the entity. 

Indemnifying Officer or Auditor 

The company has not, during or since the end of the 

financial year, in respect of any person who is or 

has been an officer of the company or a related body 

corporate: indemnified or made any relevant agreement 

for indemnifying against a liability incurred as an officer, 

including costs and expenses in successfully defending 

legal proceedings; or paid or agreed to pay a premium in 

respect of a contract insuring against a liability incurred 

as an officer for the cost or expenses to defend legal 

proceedings; with the exception of the following matter: 

During or since the financial year the company has paid 

premiums to insure each of the responsible persons, 

which excludes the external auditor, against liabilities 

for costs and expenses incurred by them in defending 

any legal proceedings arising out of their conduct while 

acting in the capacity of an officer of the company, other 

than conduct involving a wilful breach of duty in relation 

to the company. The amount of the premium was paid 

as part of an overall insurance charge by the company’s 

parent entity, Swinburne University of Technology. 

Directors’ Benefits 

No Director has received or become entitled to 

receive any benefit (other than a benefit included in 

the aggregate amount of emoluments received or due 

and receivable by Directors shown in the Company’s 

accounts, or the fixed salaries of Directors who are fulltime 

employees of the company or a related corporation) 

by reason of a contract made by the company or a related 

corporation with a Director or with a firm of which he/she 

is a member, or with a company in which he/she has a 

substantial financial interest. 

Meetings of Directors 

There were 8 meetings of Directors during the financial year. 

Attendances were: 


(Chair) 

Number Eligible to 

Attend 

8 8 

Mr David Loader 8 7 

Mr Andrew Guild 8 6 

Mr Ross Mollison 8 2 

Ms Kate Shelmerdine 8 7 

Mr Bryan Rossi 8 8 

Ms Linda Brown 8 5 

Mr Rod Kemp 8 8 

Professor Ian Young 8 5 

Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance 

The parent entity, Swinburne University of Technology, 

maintains Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that 

provides redress to the Company to the extent that it is 

permitted under law to indemnify Directors and officers 

for wrongful acts committed in the course of their duties. 

Proceedings on behalf of Company 

No person has applied for leave of a Court to bring 

proceedings on behalf of the company or intervene in 

any proceedings to which the company is a party for the 

purpose of taking responsibility on behalf of the company 

for all or any part of those proceedings. 

Rounding of Amounts 

The company is a company of the kind referred to in ASIC 

Class Order 98/0100, dated 10 July 1998, and in accordance 

with that Class Order amounts in the Directors’ report and 

the financial report are rounded to the nearest dollar. 

Economic Dependency 

The company receives financial support from the parent 

entity, Swinburne University of Technology. This report is 

made in accordance with a resolution of the Directors. 

Director 





Number 

Attended 

Director 

Mr Rod Kemp 

Date Signed 11.2.11


ABN 80 084 913 235 

DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION 

The Directors of the company declare that: 

1. The financial report of the National Institute of Circus 

Arts as set out on pages 10 to 30: 

(a) complies with Australian accounting 

standards as detailed in Note 1 to the financial 

statements and the Corporations Act 2001, and 

(b) complies with section 44 of the Swinburne 

University of Technology Act 1992, Part 9 of 

the Directions of the Victorian Minister for 

Finance under the Financial Management Act 

1994, Australian Accounting Standards, and 

Corporations Regulations. 

(c) gives a true and fair view of the company’s 

financial position as at 31 December 2010 and 

of the company’s performance for the year 

ended on that date. 

2. In the directors’ opinion, as at the date of this 

declaration, there are reasonable grounds to believe 

that the company will be able to pay its debts as and 

when they become due and payable. 

3. We are not aware of any circumstance which would 

render any particulars included in the financial report 

to be misleading or inaccurate. 

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution 

of the Board of Directors. 

Director 


Director 

Mr Rod Kemp 


Prahran 


Prahran 


ABN 80 084 913 235 

INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2010 

Revenue from continuing operations 4.1 5,151,609 4,691,180 

Expenses from continuing operations 

Employee expenses 4.2 (2,795,068) (2,729,120) 

Communications (18,970) (37,407) 

Promotion expense (56,477) (114,099) 

Production cost (134,214) (173,317) 

Professional service fee (476,510) (430,599) 

Repairs and maintenance (buildings) (10,270) (77,205) 

Repairs and maintenance (equipment) (26,960) (67,231) 

Consumables (63,553) (65,702) 

Travel expenses (44,966) (119,933) 

Equipment (88,764) (40,735) 

Depreciation 4.2 (224,732) (216,782) 

Other expenses 4.2 (1,190,629) (805,919) 

Audit fee 4.2 (13,020) (7,840) 

Building project 4.2 - (6,700) 



Note 


$ 

2009 

$ 

(5,144,133) (4,892,589) 

Net operating result for the year 7,476 (201,409) 

The above Income Statement should be read in 

conjunction with the accompanying notes. 

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2010 


Other comprehensive income after income tax: 

Gain (loss) on revaluation of land and buildings 11 - 47,024 

Gain (loss) on value of available for sale financial assets - - 

Other comprehensive income for the year - 47,024 

Total comprehensive income for the year 7,476 (154,385) 

Total comprehensive income attributable to NICA 7,476 (154,385) 



Note 


$ 

2009 

$


ABN 80 084 913 235 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2010 

Current Assets Note 


$ 

2009 

$ 

Cash and cash equivalents 5 134,751 210,795 

Other current assets 6 419,174 43,433 

Total Current Assets 553,925 254,228 

Non-Current Assets 

Property, plant and equipment 7 1,321,869 1,546,601 

Inter company receivables 15(e) 108,481 156,529 

Total Non-Current Assets 1,430,350 1,703,130 

Total Assets 1,984,275 1,957,358 

Current Liabilities 

Accrued expenses 10 37,352 - 

Income in advance 10 - 61,993 

Employee benefits 9 312,792 253,508 

Total Current Liabilities 350,144 315,501 

Non-Current Liabilities 

Employee benefits 9 10,097 25,299 

Total Non-Current Liabilities 10,097 25,299 

Total Liabilities 360,241 340,800 

NET ASSETS 1,624,034 1,616,558 

EQUITY 

Reserves 11 97,361 97,361 

Retained earnings / (accumulated losses) 12 1,526,673 1,519,197 

TOTAL EQUITY 1,624,034 1,616,558 




ABN 80 084 913 235 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2010 



Retained 

Earnings 

General 

Reserves Total 

Note $ $ $ 

Balance at 1 January 2009 1,720,606 50,337 1,770,943 

Net operating result for the year 12 (201,409) - (201,409) 

Other comprehensive income for the year 11 - 47,024 47,024 

Balance at 31 December 2009 1,519,197 97,361 1,616,558 

Net operating result for the year 12 7,476 - 7,476 

Other comprehensive income for the year 11 - - 

Balance at 31 December 2010 1,526,673 97,361 1,624,034 


conjunction with the accompanying notes.


ABN 80 084 913 235 

CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2010 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Receipts from customers (inclusive of GST) 4,369,247 4,063,891 

Interest received 29,035 19,633 

Other revenue 809,662 851,897 

Receipt/payment of GST to/from ATO 223,705 130,384 

Payments to Employees (2,750,986) (2,734,134) 

Payments to suppliers (inclusive of GST) (2,756,707) (2,424,310) 

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 17 (76,044) (92,639) 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Payments for property, plant and equipment - (796,652) 

Net cash (outflow) from investing activities - (796,652) 

Cash flows from financing activities 

(Repayment)/Proceeds from borrowings - - 

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities - - 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (76,044) (889,291) 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning 

of the financial year 210,795 1,100,086 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 5 / 16 134,751 210,795 



Note 


$ 

2009 

$ 


ABN 80 084 913 235 

NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2010 

Note Contents 

1 Statutory Reporting Requirements 

2 Significant Accounting Policies 

3 Financial Risk Management Objectives and Policies 

4 Income and expenditure from continuing activities 

5 Cash and Cash Equivalents 

6 Other Current Assets 

7 Property, Plant and Equipment 

8 Non-interest bearing liabilities 

9 Employee benefits 

10 Other Current Liabilities 

11 Reserves 

12 Retained Earnings/(Accumulated Losses) 

13 Segment Information 

14 Company Structure 

15 Related Party Disclosure 

16 Reconciliation of Cash 

17 Reconciliation of Net operating result to 

Net Cash flows from Operating Activities 

18 Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets 

19 Operating Lease Commitments 

20 Capital Commitments 

21 Superannuation Funds 

22 Company Details 

23 Events Occurring after Balance Date 

24 Economic Dependency 



Page 

48 

48 

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56 

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58 

60 

60 

61 

61 

61 

61 

61 

61 

63 

63 

63 

63 

64 

64 

64 

64 

64


ABN 80 084 913 235 


1 Statutory Reporting Requirements 

The financial report of the National Institute of Circus 

Arts Ltd. for the year ended 31 December 2010 has been 

prepared pursuant to section 44 of the Swinburne 



2 Significant Accounting Policies 

The National Institute of Circus Arts Ltd is a company 

limited by guarantee, incorporated and domiciled in 

Australia. The accounting policies have been consistently 

applied, unless otherwise stated. The following is a 

summary of the material accounting policies adopted by 

the company in the preparation of the financial report. 

(a) Basis of Preparation 

This general purpose financial report has been prepared 

in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards, and 

Interpretations, other authoritative pronouncements of 

the Australian Accounting Standards Board, Swinburne 



Historical cost convention 

The financial report has been prepared on accrual basis, 

under the historical cost convention, as modified by the 

revaluation of certain classes of property, plant and 

equipment to fair value. 

Critical accounting estimates 

The preparation of the financial report in conformity with 

Australian Accounting Standards requires the use of certain 

critical accounting estimates. It also requires management 

to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the 

National Institute of Circus Arts accounting policies. The 

areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, 

or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant 

to the financial report, are the valuation of non-current 

assets (such as buildings). The company obtains external 

advice in the calculation of these estimates. 

Presentation of financial statements 

The company has applied the revised AASB 101 

Presentation of Financial Statements (2007) from 1 

January 2009. The revised AASB 101 require all income 

and expenses to be presented in either one statement 

- the statement of comprehensive income, or two 

statements - an income statement and a statement of 

comprehensive income. The company has presented all 

income and expenses in two statements - an income 

statement and a statement of comprehensive income. 

The presentation requirements have been applied for the 

entire reporting period and comparative information has 

been re-presented to also comply with the revised AASB 101. 

(b) Revenue Recognition 

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the 

consideration received or receivable. Amounts disclosed 

as revenue are net of duties and taxes paid. Revenue is 

recognised for the major business activities as follows: 

- Government financial assistance revenue is recognised 

in the year to which funding relates as determined by 

the bodies providing the financial assistance. 

- Interest revenue is recognised on a proportional basis 

taking into account the interest rates applicable to the 

financial assets. 

- Fees and Charges 

Fees include amounts received or receivable in respect 

of consulting and course delivery. Consulting revenue is 

recognised after completion of the service and clients 

have been invoiced. Fees relating to course delivery are 

recognised in the year in which courses commence. 

(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, deposits 

held at call with financial institutions, other short-term 

highly liquid investments with original maturities of three 

months or less that are readily convertible to known 

amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant 

risk of changes in value, and bank overdrafts. Bank 

overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities 

on the statement of financial position. 

(d) Other Financial Assets 

Loans and receivables 

Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost. 

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets 

with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in 

an active market. They arise when the company provides 

money, goods or services directly to a debtor with no 

intention of selling the receivable. They are included in 

current assets, except for those with maturities greater 

than 12 months after the reporting period, which are 

classified as non-current assets. Loans and receivables 

are included in receivables in the statement of financial 

position. Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair 

value and subsequently measured at amortised cost less 

provision for doubtful debts. Trade receivables are due for 

settlement no more than 30 days following end of month of 

invoice. Collectibility of trade receivables is reviewed on an 

ongoing basis. Debts, which are known to be uncollectible, 

are written off. A provision for doubtful receivables is 

established when there is objective evidence that the entity 

will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the 

original terms of receivables. 


ABN 80 084 913 235 


(e) Trade and other Payables 

These amounts represent liabilities for goods and 

services provided to the entity prior to the end of the 

financial year, which are unpaid. The amounts are 

unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days following 

end of month of invoice. 

(f) Employee Benefits 

(i) Wages and salaries, annual leave, and sick leave 

Liabilities for wages and salaries, including nonmonetary 

benefits, annual leave, and accumulating 

sick leave expected to be settled within 12 months of 

the reporting date are recognised as a liability at their 

nominal values using the remuneration rate expected to 

apply at the time of settlement. Liabilities which are not 

expected to be settled within 12 months are measured at 

the present value of the estimated future cash flows to be 

made by the company in respect of services provided by 

employees up to the reporting date. As it is probable that 

annual sick leave entitlements, which are non-vesting, 

will exceed leave taken, no liability is deemed to have 

existed as at 31 December 2010 (2009, nil). 

(ii) Long service leave 

The liability for long service leave is recognised and 

is measured as the present value of expected future 

payments to be made in respect of services provided 

by employees up to the reporting date. The company 

determines that portion expected to be paid in the year 

which is measured at nominal value and the remainder 

measured at net present value. Consideration is given 

to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of 

employee departures and periods of service. Expected 

future payments are discounted using market yields at 

the reporting date on national government bonds with 

terms to maturity and currency that match, as closely as 

possible, the estimated future cash outflows. 

(iii) Performance Bonus 

A liability for employee benefits in the form of 

performance bonuses are recognised in employee 

entitlements when there is no realistic alternative but 

to settle the liability and at least one of the following 

conditions is met: there are formal terms for determining 

the amount of the benefit; the amounts to be paid are 

determined before the time of completion of the financial 

report; or past practice gives clear evidence of the 

amount of the obligation. Liabilities for performance 

bonuses are expected to be settled within 12 months and 

are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when 

they are settled. 




ABN 80 084 913 235 


2 Significant Accounting Policies (cont.) 

(iv) Superannuation 

The amount charged to the income statement in respect 

of superannuation represents the contributions made by 

the entity to the superannuation plans in respect to the 

current services of current entity staff. Superannuation 

contributions are made to the plans based on the relevant 

rules of each plan. 

(v) Employee benefit oncosts 

Employee benefit oncosts, including payroll tax, are 

recognised and included in employee benefit liabilities 

and costs when the employee benefits to which they 

relate are recognised as liabilities. 

(g) Non-Current Physical Assets 

National Institute of Circus Arts does not own Land. 

Buildings improvements are measured at the amounts 

for which assets could be exchanged between 

knowledgeable willing parties in an arm’s length 

transaction. Following the independent valuation of 

Building improvement assets in December 2009, the 

company has adopted the Valuers approach for the 

classification of building components which are based 

on specifications issued by the Australian Procurement 

and Construction Council. The Building and building 

components have therefore been re-classified under the 

following categories: 

Structure/Shell/Building Fabric: inclusive of substructure, 

columns, floor, upper floors, staircases, roof, external 

walls, windows. Site Engineering Services and central 

plant: inclusive of roads, footpaths, paved areas, boundary 

walls, covered ways, fencing, gates, outbuildings, 

landscaping improvements, external stormwater drainage, 

externalwater supply, external gas, fire protection, 

electricity, communications, and special services. 

Fit out: inclusive of external doors, internal walls, 

ceilings, fitments (incl. wall and floor coverings), sanitary 

fixtures and special equipment. 

Trunk Reticulated Building Systems: inclusive of lifts, 

escalators, walkways, cranes, hoists etc., centralised 

energy, and other. 

The company incorporates different depreciation rates, 

based on estimated useful lives, for items of plant within 

buildings as follows: 

Buildings 42 Years (2009: 42 Years) 

Site Engineering 

Services and central plant 

20 years (2009: 20 years) 

Fit out 10 years (2009: 10 years) 

Trunk Reticulated 

Building Systems 

20 years (2009: 20 years) 

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by 

comparing proceeds with carrying amount. These are 

included in the income statement. When revalued assets 

are sold, it is company policy to transfer the amounts 

included in the relevant asset revaluation reserve in 

respect of those assets to retained earnings. 

Leasehold improvements are measured at fair value. 

Plant and equipment are measured at fair value. 

Depreciation is calculated using the straight line method 

to allocate the cost or revalued amounts, net of their 

residual values, over their estimated useful lives, 

commencing from the time the asset is held ready for use. 

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, 

and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance date. 

Revaluations 

The company revalues its Building improvements 

every three years, with the last scheduled independent 

revaluation completed in December 2009. The fair value 

of the asset class is reviewed on an annual basis and 

amended if any material variations exist. Revaluation 

increments or decrements arise from differences 

between an asset’s carrying value or fair value. 

Revaluation increments are credited directly to equity in 

an asset revaluation reserve, except that, to the extent 

that an increment reverses a revaluation decrement in 

respect of that class of asset previously recognised as an 

expense in determining the net result, the increment is 

recognised as revenue in determining the net result. 

Revaluation decrements are recognised immediately as 

expenses in the net result, except that, to the extent that 

a credit balance exists in an asset revaluation reserve 

in respect of the same class of assets, they are debited 

to the revaluation reserve. Revaluation increments 

and revaluation decrements relating to individual 

assets within each specific class of property, plant and 

equipment are offset against one another within that class 

but are not offset in respect of assets in different classes. 


ABN 80 084 913 235 


(h) Acquisition of Assets 

The purchase method of accounting is used to account 

for all acquisitions of assets (including business 

combinations) regardless of whether equity instruments 

or other assets are acquired. Cost is measured as the 

fair value of the assets given, shares issued, or liabilities 

incurred or assumed at the date of exchange plus costs 

directly attributable to the acquisition. 

(i) Impairment of Assets 

All assets are assessed annually for indicators of 

impairment. If there is an indication of impairment, the 

asset concerned is tested as to whether its carrying 

value exceeds its recoverable amount. Where an asset’s 

carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, the 

difference is written-off as an expense in the income 

statement except to the extent that the write-down 

can be debited to an asset revaluation reserve amount 

applicable to that class of asset. 

(j) Income Tax 

The National Institute of Circus Arts Ltd is exempt from 

income tax pursuant to section 23(e) of the Income Tax 

Assessment Act 1936, as amended. 

(k) Web Site Costs 

Costs in relation to web sites controlled by the company 

are charged as expenses in the year in which they are 

incurred unless they relate to the acquisition of an asset, 

in which case they are capitalised and amortised over the 

period of expected benefits. Generally, costs in relation 

to feasibility studies during the planning phase of a 

web site, and ongoing costs of maintenance during the 

operating phase are considered to be expenses. Costs 

incurred in building or enhancing a web site, to the extent 

that they represent probable future economic benefits 

controlled by the entity that can be reliably measured, are 

capitalised as an asset and amortised over the period of 

the expected benefits which vary from three to five years. 

(l) Rounding of Amounts 

The company is of a kind referred to in Class Order 

98/0100, issued by the Australian Securities and 

Investments Commission, relating to the “rounding 

off” of amounts in the financial report. Amounts in the 

financial report have been rounded in accordance with 

that Class Order to the nearest dollar. 




ABN 80 084 913 235 


2 Significant Accounting Policies (cont.) 

(m) Australian Accounting Standards, Amendments and 

Interpretations issued but not yet effective 

The AASB has issued new and amended Accounting 

Standards and Interpretations that have mandatory 

application dates for future reporting periods and which 

the company has decided not to early adopt. A discussion of 

those future requirements and their impact on the company 

is as follows: 

- AASB 9: Financial Instruments and AASB 2009–11: 

Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising 

from AASB 9 [AASB 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 101, 102, 108, 112, 

118, 121, 127, 128, 131, 132, 136, 139, 1023 & 1038 and 

Interpretations 10 & 12] (applicable for annual reporting 

periods commencing on or after 1 January 2013). 

These Standards are applicable retrospectively and 

amend the classification and measurement of financial 

assets. The company has not yet determined any 

potential impact on the financial statements. 

- AASB 124: Related Party Disclosures (applicable for 

annual reporting periods commencing on or after 1 

January 2011). 

This Standard removes the requirement for governmentrelated 

entities to disclose details of all transactions with 

the government and other government-related entities, 

and clarifies the definition of a ‘related party’ to remove 

inconsistencies and simplify the structure of the Standard. 

No changes are expected to materially affect the company. 

- AASB 1053: Application of Tiers of Australian Accounting 

Standards and AASB 2010–2: Amendments to Australian 

Accounting Standards arising from Reduced Disclosure 

Requirements [AASB 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 101, 102, 107, 108, 110, 

111, 112, 116, 117, 119, 121, 123, 124, 127, 128, 131, 133, 134, 

136, 137, 138, 140, 141, 1050 & 1052 and Interpretations 2, 4, 

5, 15, 17, 127, 129 & 1052] (applicable for annual reporting 

periods commencing on or after 1 July 2013). 

- AASB 2009–10: Amendments to Australian Accounting 

Standards — Classification of Rights Issues [AASB 132] 

(applicable for annual reporting periods commencing on 

or after 1 February 2010). 

This Standard clarifies that rights, options or warrants 

to acquire a fixed number of an entity’s own equity 

instruments for a fixed amount in any currency are 

equity instruments if the entity offers the rights, options 

or warrants pro rata to all existing owners of the same 

class of its own non-derivative equity instruments. The 

amendments are not expected to have significant impact 

on the company. 


Standards [AASBs 5, 8, 108, 110, 112, 119, 133, 137, 139, 

1023 & 1031 and Interpretations 2, 4, 16, 1039 & 1052] 


or after 1 January 2011). 

This Standard makes a number of editorial amendments 

to a range of Australian Accounting Standards and 

Interpretations, including amendments to reflect 

changes made to the text of IFRSs by the IASB. The 

Standard also amends AASB 8 to require entities to 

exercise judgment in assessing whether a government 

and entities known to be under the control of that 

government are considered a single customer for the 

purposes of certain operating segment disclosures. The 

amendments are not expected to impact the company. 


Standards arising from Interpretation 19 [AASB 1 


or after 1 July 2010). 

This Standard makes amendments to AASB 1 arising 

from the issue of Interpretation 19. The amendments 

allow a first-time adopter to apply the transitional 

provisions in Interpretation 19. This Standard is not 

expected to impact the company. 

- AASB 2009–14: Amendments to Australian Interpretation 

- Prepayments of a Minimum Funding Requirement 

[AASB Interpretation 14] (applicable for annual reporting 


This Standard amends Interpretation 14 to address 

unintended consequences that can arise from the 

previous accounting requirements when an entity prepays 

future contributions into a defined benefit pension plan. 

This Standard is not expected to impact the company. 

- AASB 2010–3: Amendments to Australian Accounting 

Standards arising from the Annual Improvements Project 

[AASB 3, AASB 7, AASB 121, AASB 128, AASB 131, AASB 

132 & AASB 139] (applicable for annual reporting periods 

commencing on or after 1 July 2010). 

- AASB 2010–4: Further Amendments to Australian 

Accounting Standards arising from the Annual 

Improvements Project [AASB 1, AASB 7, AASB 101 & AASB 

134 and Interpretation 13] (applicable for annual reporting 



ABN 80 084 913 235 


- AASB Interpretation 19: Extinguishing Financial 

Liabilities with Equity Instruments (applicable for 

annual reporting periods commencing from 1 July 2010). 

This Interpretation deals with how a debtor would 

account for the extinguishment of a liability through 

the issue of equity instruments. The Interpretation 

states that the issue of equity should be treated as the 

consideration paid to extinguish the liability, and the 

equity instruments issued should be recognised at their 

fair value unless fair value cannot be measured reliably, 

in which case they shall be measured at the fair value of 

the liability extinguished. The Interpretation deals with 

situations where either partial or full settlement of the 

liability has occurred. This Interpretation is not expected 

to impact the company. The company does not anticipate 

early adoption of any of the above Australian Accounting 

Standards or Interpretations. 




ABN 80 084 913 235 


3 Financial Risk Management Objectives and Policies 

The Company’s activities are exposed to the following 

risks which are managed by the central treasury section 

within the Corporate Finance department of Swinburne 


Recognised financial instruments Note Accounting policies Terms and conditions 

Financial Assets 

Cash Assets 5 Cash at bank is carried at the 

principal amount. Interest received 

on any bank balance is recognised 

as income when the bank account 

is credited.Interest receivable at 

balance date is accounted for by 

crediting revenue and debiting 

Accrued Income in the statement 

of financial position. 

Interest is paid monthly, at the 

prevailing bank rate, based on the 

average credit balance in the bank 

account. 

Receivables – debtors 15 (e) Debtors are carried at the Credit is allowed for a 

nominal amounts due less any 

provision for doubtful debts and 

impairment. A doubtful debts 

provision is made for any amounts 

which are considered unlikely to 

be collectable, or are impaired. 

30 day term. 

Payables 10 Payables are recognised for 

future amounts to be paid in 

respect of goods and services 

received, whether or not billed 

to the company. 

(a) Market Risk 

(i) Interest rate risk 

The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes 

in interest rates relates primarily to short to medium 

term investments. 

(b) Credit Risk 

The company does not have any material or significant 

credit risk exposure to any group of receivables. 

(c) Liquidity Risk 

The Company’s objective is to maintain a level of liquidity 

in relation to the funding of its operations. 

Settlement of payables is 

normally effected 30 days after 

the end of the month the debt 

is incurred. 


ABN 80 084 913 235 


3 Financial Risk Management Objectives and Policies (cont) 

(d) Summarised sensitivity analysis 

2010 Analysis 

The following table summarises the sensitivity of the 

Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities to 

interest rate risk and other price risk. 

Interest rate risk Other price risk 

-2% 2% -10% 10% 

Carrying 

amount Result Equity Result Equity Result Equity Result Equity 

$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 




Cash and 

Cash Equivalents 135 (3) (3) 3 3 - - - - 

Total Increase/ 

Decrease 


Cash and 

135 (3) (3) 3 3 - - - - 

2009 Analysis 

The following table summarises the sensitivity of the 

Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities to 

interest rate risk and other price risk. 

Interest rate risk Other price risk 

-3% 3% -10% 10% 

Carrying 

amount Result Equity Result Equity Result Equity Result Equity 

$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 

Cash Equivalents 211 (6) (6) 6 6 - - - - 

Total Increase/ 

Decrease 

211 (6) (6) 6 6 - - - -


ABN 80 084 913 235 


Note 4: Income and expenditure from operating activities 

4.1 Revenue from operating activities 


$ 

2009 

$ 

Fees and charges 943,210 706,532 

Donations, scholarships, and sponsorships 45,894 70,118 

Other operating receipts 809,662 851,897 

Commonwealth Government grants 2,012,000 1,993,500 

Victorian Government grants 575,808 507,000 

Swinburne University of Technology Grant 736,000 542,500 

Revenue from non-operating activities 

5,122,574 4,671,547 

Interest 29,035 19,633 

Total revenue from operating activities 5,151,609 4,691,180 


ABN 80 084 913 235 


Note 4: Income and expenditure from operating activities 



4.2 Expenses 

Employee benefits 


$ 

2009 

$ 

Salaries 2,394,329 2,285,030 

Superannuation 216,568 168,477 

Payroll Tax 124,964 120,432 

Annual leave 28,010 124,752 

Total employee benefits 2,763,871 2,698,691 

Other employee related costs 

Work cover 31,197 30,429 

Total employee expenses 2,795,068 2,729,120 

Depreciation of non-current assets 

Building improvements 109,814 57,946 

Leasehold improvements 621 621 

Office furniture and equipment 114,297 158,215 

Total depreciation expense 224,732 216,782 

Other expenses 

Rental expense on operating leases 96,137 98,721 

Overhead cost incurred by Swinburne University 

of Technology in supporting the entity 736,000 542,500 

Staff Development 161,919 158,772 

Other expenses 196,573 5,926 

Total other expenditure 1,190,629 805,919 

Audit fee 

Auditor-General of Victoria 11,720 7,840 

Other fee 1,300 - 

Total audit fee 13,020 7,840 

Building project 

Expenditure - 6,700 

Total building expense - 6,700


ABN 80 084 913 235 


Note 5: Cash and cash equivalents 2010 

$ 


$ 

2009 

$ 

Cash at bank and in hand 134,751 210,795 

Total cash and cash equivalents 134,751 210,795 

a) Reconciliation to cash at the end of the year 

The above figures are reconciled to cash at the end of the financial 

year as shown in the cash flow statement as follows: 

Balances as above 134,751 210,795 

Balances as per cash flow statement 134,751 210,795 

b) Cash at bank and on hand 

Bank accounts consist of an operating account and Public Fund accounts all of which generate interest. 

Interest for deposits are calculated using floating interest rates at 4.40% (2009: 4.22%). 

Note 6: Other Current Assets 

2009 

$ 

Prepayments 16,774 30,080 

Accrued Income 402,400 13,353 

Total Other Current Assets 419,174 43,433 

Note 7: Property Plant and Equipment 2010 

$ 

2009 

$ 

Building improvements 1,282,540 1,282,540 

less accumulated depreciation (109,814) - 

1,172,726 1,282,540 

Leasehold Improvements 25,455 25,455 

less accumulated depreciation (3,706) (3,085) 

21,749 22,370 

Work in Progress - - 

Office furniture and equipment 745,215 745,215 

less accumulated depreciation (617,821) (503,524) 

127,394 241,691 

Total Property Plant and Equipment 1,321,869 1,546,601 


ABN 80 084 913 235 


Note 7: Property Plant and Equipment (cont.) 

(a) Movements in carrying amounts 

Movement in the carrying amounts for each class of property, plant and equipment between the beginning and the end 

of the current financial year: 

Building Leasehold Office Furniture Buildings Work 

Total 

Improvements Improvements & Equipment in Progress 

$ $ $ $ $ 

Carrying amount at 1 January 2010 1,282,540 22,370 241,691 - 1,546,601 

Additions - - - - - 

Impairment of Assets - - - - - 

Revaluation Increments/ (Decrements) - - - - - 

Depreciation Expense (109,814) (621) (114,297) - (224,732) 

Carrying amount at 31 December 2010 1,172,726 21,749 127,394 - 1,321,869 

At 1 January 2010 

Fair value 1,282,540 25,455 745,215 - 2,053,210 

Accumulated depreciation 

and impairment 

- (3,085) (503,524) - (506,609) 

Net carrying amount 1,282,540 22,370 241,691 - 1,546,601 

At 31 December 2010 

Fair value 1,282,540 25,455 745,215 - 2,053,210 



(109,814) (3,706) (617,821) - (731,341) 

Net carrying amount 1,172,726 21,749 127,394 - 1,321,869 



Building 

Improvements 

Leasehold 

Improvements 

Office Furniture 

& Equipment 

Buildings Work 

in Progress 

$ $ $ $ $ 

Carrying amount at 1 January 2009 496,810 22,991 399,906 - 919,707 

Additions 796,652 - - - 796,652 

Impairment of Assets - - - - - 

Revaluation Increments/ (Decrements) 47,024 - - - 47,024 

Depreciation Expense (57,946) (621) (158,215) - (216,782) 

Carrying amount at 31 December 2009 1,282,540 22,370 241,691 - 1,546,601 

At 1 January 2009 

Fair value 561,583 25,455 745,215 - 1,332,253 



Total 

(64,773) (2,464) (345,309) - (412,546) 

Net carrying amount 496,810 22,991 399,906 - 919,707 

At 31 December 2009 

Fair value 1,282,540 25,455 745,215 - 2,053,210 



- (3,085) (503,524) - (506,609) 

Net carrying amount 1,282,540 22,370 241,691 - 1,546,601


ABN 80 084 913 235 


Note 8: Non-interest bearing liabilities 2010 

$ 

Non-current payables 

Amounts payable to parent entity - - 

Total Non-current Payables - - 

Note 9: Employee Benefits 

Current 

2009 

$ 

Annual Leave 145,717 92,725 

Performance Pays 30,000 25,000 

Long service leave 137,075 135,783 

Total Current 312,792 253,508 

Non-Current 


Total Non-Current 10,097 25,299 

Aggregate carrying amount 

Current 312,792 253,508 

Non-Current 10,097 25,299 

Total Employee Benefits 322,889 278,807 

Current Provisions expected to be settled within 12 months 

Annual Leave 117,429 85,500 


147,504 115,372 

Current Provisions expected to be settled after more than 12 months 

Annual Leave 28,288 7,225 


135,288 113,136 

Average employee numbers during the reporting year 139 222 

The following assumptions were adopted in measuring 

the present value of long service leave entitlements: 

Weighted average increase in employee costs 4.80% 3.00% 

Weighted average discount rates 5.38% 3.25% 

The liability for Annual Leave is calculated at the nominal 

value of expected payments to be made in respect of 

services provided by employees up to the reporting date. 

Where employees have significant annual leave balances, 

an estimate is made of the probability of leave to be taken 

within 12 months and beyond 12 months. 

The liability for Long Service Leave is calculated as the present 

value of expected future payments to be made in respect of 

services provided by employees up to the reporting date. 

Long Service Leave is available to be taken after 10 years 

of service but is historically taken much later. However, 

the company allows for long service leave to be taken on 

a pro-rata basis on termination after 7 year of service. 

Accrued salaries is the proportion of unpaid salaries due 

to employees as at the end of the reporting year due to 

fortnightly pay periods extending beyond the reporting 

date. This figure is re-assessed on an annual basis and 

brought to account accordingly at year end. 


ABN 80 084 913 235 


Note 10: Other Current Liabilities 




$ 

2009 

$ 

Income in Advance - 61,993 

Accrued expenses 37,352 - 

Total Other Current Liabilities 37,352 61,993 

Note 11: Reserves 

Asset revaluation reserve 

Building Improvements - 97,361 

Movements in Reserves 

Asset revaluation reserve - Buildings Improvements 

- 97,361 

Balance at 1 January 97,361 50,337 

Movements in the year - 47,024 

Balance at 31 December 97,361 97,361 

The asset revaluation reserve is used to record asset revaluation increments and 

decrements in the value of non-current physical assets. 

Note 12: Retained Earnings / (Accumulated Losses) 

Retained earnings at 1 January 1,519,197 1,720,606 

Net operating result attributable to members 7,476 (201,409) 

Retained earnings at 31 December 1,526,673 1,519,197 

Note 13: Segment Information 

The company operates in the educational 

sector in the state of Victoria. 

Note 14: Company Structure 

The company’s ultimate parent entity is 

Swinburne University of Technology. 

Note 15: Related Party Disclosures 

(a) Directors 

The names of the persons who were directors of National 

Institute of Circus Arts Ltd during the financial year were: 

Mr Darvell Hutchinson AM (Chair) 







Mr Rod Kemp 

Professor Ian Young


ABN 80 084 913 235 


Note 15: Related Party Disclosure (cont) 2010 

$ 

Income received or due and receivable by the directors of the company, including 

amounts received, or due and receivable from related corporations. 

Number of directors whose remuneration was within the following bands: 

2009 

$ 

1,494,147 1,320,755.03 

Included in the number of directors whose remuneration bands disclosed below are four directors 

who are employees of Swinburne University of Technology and thus their salary is paid by the University. 

Nil - $9,999 5 6 

$10,000 - $19,999 1 1 

220,000 - $229,999 1 - 

$230,000 - $239,999 - 1 

$250,000 - $259,999 - 1 

$360,000 - $369,999 1 - 

$810,000 - $819,999 - 1 

$880,000 - $889,999 1 - 

Amounts of a prescribed benefit given during the year by the entity 

or a related party to a director or a prescribed superannuation fund 

in connection with the retirement from a prescribed office: 

9 10 

- - 

There were no other transactions with directors, or other related parties of a director during the year (2009, nil). 

(b) Minister 

The names of the persons who were Responsible 

Persons during the financial year were: 

Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, Minister for Skills and Workforce 

Participation (From 1 January to 19 January 2010). 

Hon. Bronwyn Pike MP, Minister for Skills and Workforce 

Participation (From 20 January to 1 December 2010). 

Hon. Peter Hall MLC, Minister for Higher Education and 

Skills (From 2 December 2010). 

Remuneration of the Ministers are disclosed in the financial 

report of the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Other 

relevant interests are declared in the Register of Member’s 

Interests which each member of the Parliament completes. 

(c) Executive officers’ remuneration 

The number of executive officers, other than responsible 

persons, whose total remuneration falls within the 

specified bands above $100,000 are as follows: 

Total Remuneration 

Income band $ 2010 2009 

190,000 - 199,999 - 1 

220,000 - 229,999 1 - 

Total numbers 1 1 

Total amount 227,079 196,163 

(d) Retirement benefits of responsible persons 

The retirement benefits paid by the entity in connection 

with the retirement of responsible persons in 2010 

amounted to nil (2009, nil). 

(e) Related party transactions 

Other transactions and loans have been considered in 

terms of the disclosure requirements specified under the 

Directions of the Minister for Finance these are as follows: 

Income received from 

Swinburne University 

of Technology 

Expenditure paid to 


of Technology 

Amount receivable from 


of Technology 

2010 2009 

$ $ 

736,000 542,500 

736,000 542,500 

108,480.51 156,529 


ABN 80 084 913 235 


Note 16: Reconciliation of Cash 

(a) Reconciliation of cash 

Cash at the end of the financial year, as shown in the cash flows statement, 

is reconciled to the related items in the balance sheet as follows: 




$ 

2009 

$ 

Cash at bank 134,750.51 210,795 

Deposits at call - - 

Cash at the end of the financial year 134,750.51 210, 795 

The company has no credit stand-by arrangements or loan facilities at 31 December 2010 (2009,nil). 

Note 17: Reconciliation of net operating result for the year to net cash flows from operating activities 


Add/(less) Non-Cash Flows in Net Operating result 

Depreciation 224,732 216,782 

Assets Expensed - - 

Changes in Assets and Liabilities 

Decrease/(increase) current assets (375,741) (24,715) 

Decrease/(increase) in Intercompany receivables 48,048 (73,309) 

(Decrease)/increase in employee benefits 44,082 (5,014) 

(Decrease)/increase in other current liabilities (24,641) (4,974) 

Net Cash flows from Operating Activities (76,044) (92,639) 

Note 18: Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets 

Quantifiable contingent liabilities 

There were no quantifiable contingent liabilities as at 31 December 2010 (2009, nil). 

Unquantifiable contingent liabilities 

There were no unquanitifiable contingent liabilities as at 31 December 2010 (2009, nil). 

Unquantifiable contingent assets 

The company had no unquantifiable contingent assets as at 31 December 2010 (2009, nil). 

Note 19: Operating Lease Commitments 

Non-cancellable operating leases contracted for but not capitalised in the financial statements: 

Payable: 

no later than 1 year 51,189 49,220 

later than 1 year but not later than 5 years 53,236 102,378 

later than 5 years - - 

104,425 151,598

62. 


ABN 80 084 913 235 


Note 20: Capital Commitments 

There are no capital commitments as at 

31 December 2010 (2009, nil). 

Note 21: Superannuation Funds 

The National Institute of Circus Arts employees are 

member of various superannuation funds. Employer 

contribution rate is 9% (2009, 9%). In 2010 contributions 

made were $216,568 (2009: $168,477). There were no 

outstanding contributions at year-end and no loans to 

the entity from the schemes. 

Note 22: Company Details 

The registered office of the 

National Institute of Circus Arts Ltd is: 

144 High Street 

Prahran VIC 3181 

Note 23: Events Occurring after Balance Date 

No matters or circumstances have arisen since the end 

of the reporting year which significantly affect or may 

significantly affect the operations of the entity, the results 

of those operations, or the state of affairs of the company 

in future financial years. 

Note 24: Economic Dependency 

The National Institute of Circus Arts Ltd receives 

financial support from the parent entity 

Swinburne University of Technology. 

NICA Annual Report 2010 2011 

Copywriter 

Aden Rolfe 

Design Studio 

Principle Design 

Photographers 

Jo Duck, Peter Hyatt, David Wyatt 


NATIONAL INSTITUTE 

OF CIRCUS ARTS (NICA) 

ABN 80 084 913 235 

144 High Street Prahran 

Victoria 3181 Australia 

Telephone +61 3 9214 6975 

Fax +61 3 9214 6574 

info@nica.com.au 

www.nica.com.au

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CIRCUS ARTS ANNUAL REPORT 2010

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