ANNUAL REPORT

ANNUAL REPORT 

1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005 

THE ETHNIC COMMUNITIES COUNCIL OF QUEENSLAND 

Enriching the life of all Australians 

through Multiculturalism

Contents 

02 Executive Committee 

04 Staff 

Reports 

05 Chair 

08 Senior Vice Chair 

09 Honorary Treasurer 

10 Honorary Secretary 

11 Youth 

13 Women’s Ethnic Network (WEN) 

14 Executive Manager 

18 Advocacy & Community Development 

22 HIV/AIDS, Hep C & Sexual Health 

Program 

25 Diversicare 

28 Berlasco Court Caring Centre 

Financial Reports 

29 

ECCQ Annual Report 2004-2005 

1

Executive Committee 2004-2005 

Chair 

Immediate Past 

Chair 

Senior Vice 

Chair 

Honorary Secretary 

Honorary Treasurer 

Honorary Assistant 

Secretary 

Honorary Assistant 

Treasurer 

Vice-Chairs 

Mr Nick Xynias AO BEM 

Mr Serge Voloschenko OAM 

Mrs Irene Cayas 

Mrs Chalani Gunasekara 

Mr Peter Vecsey-Dalos OAM JP 

Ms Agnes Whiten OAM 

Ms Maree Klemm 

Dr Max Brändle 

Mr Antonio Civico 

Mr Vincent Pheu Quang Do (Youth) 

Mr Ezzat Guindy 

Mr Andrew Hiller 

Mr Michael Yau 

Mrs Victoria Zografos 

Nick 

Xynias 

Serge 

Voloschenko 

Irene 

Cayas 

Chalani 

Gunasekara 

Peter 

Vecsey-Dalos 

Agnes 

Whiten 

Maree 

Klemm 

Max 

Brändle 

Antonio 

Civico 

Vincent Pheu 

Quang Do 

Ezzat 

Guindy 

Andrew 

Hiller 

Michael 

Yau 

Victoria 

Zografos 

2 ECCQ Annual Report 2004-2005

ECCQ’s Executive Committee brings to the organisation great depth of knowledge and experience. Members of the 

Committee are involved in many other community, ethnic and multicultural activities. 

Members of the Committee come from diverse backgrounds, both culturally and professionally, and this richness in 

diversity strengthens the organisation’s capacity to respond as a peak body to unfolding issues and needs. 

Some of the activities in which Executive Committee members are involved are: 

• The National Board of Directors of the National 

Accreditation Authority for Translators & 

Interpreters (NAATI) 

• The Australian Council for Europe in Brisbane 

• The Swiss Society of Queensland 

• The Swiss Community Care Society 

• The State Library of Queensland Multicultural 

Committee 

• ‘Generation Oz’ of Older Person Speak Out 

Group 

• Ladies Auxiliary, Greek Orthodox Community 

of Mt Gravatt 

• Greek Orthodox Community of Mt Gravatt 

Management Committee 

• Greek Orthodox Community of Mt Gravatt 

Senior Citizens Committee 

• National Council of Women Queensland 

• ‘Estia’ Disability Group Queensland Steering 

Committee 

• Crime Stoppers Queensland 

• Vietnamese Youth Network 

• The Vietnamese Australian Student Association 

• The Vietnamese Peace Supporter Youth Group 

• Vietnamese Professional Society 

• Australian Institute of Company Directors 

• Australian Institute of Management 

• Securities Institute of Australia 

• Greening the Boardroom 

• Amnesty International 

• Ecumenical Social Justice Group (Western 

Suburbs) Inc 

• EMILY’s List Executive Committee 

• Just Peace 

• Just Rights Queensland 

• Refugee Action Collective 

• Rotary International 

• World Refugee Day 

• United Nations Association of Australia 

• Queensland Police Ethnic Advisory Group 

• Queensland Health Cancer Screening Unit 

• Regional Registrar Advisory Panel, Child 

Support Agency 

• Logan Public Health Plan Advisory Committee 

• QEII District Health Council, Chairperson 

• Institute of Engineers Management Panel, 

Chairperson 

• Standing Committee on Technical Standards & 

Conformance 

• Queensland Building & Development Tribunal 

• Queensland China Council 

• Overseas Exchange Association of Guangdong 

Province, China 

• National Liaison Council of Chinese Australians 

• Hong Kong Association Inc, President 

• Chinese Fraternity Association Inc, Community 

Care Management Committee Chair 

• Chinese Club Ltd 

• Miss Queensland Chinese Pageant Committee, 

Honorary Chair 

• Reconciliation Queensland Inc Executive 

Committee 

• Valley Chamber of Commerce Inc Executive 

Member 

• Queensland Premier’s Business Round Table 

• Brisbane Lord Mayor's Business Round Table 

• Brisbane Lord Mayor's Multicultural Round 

Table, member and Chair 

• Indooroopilly Community Police Consultative 

Council 

• Egyptian Australian Association 

• South East Queensland Historical Society 

• History of Queensland Education Society. 

The publication, Multicultural Trailblazers., funded 

by the Queensland Government through ECCQ, was 

researched and authored by Jeannie Mok. The book 

highlights the contribution to Queensland of ethnic 

men and is a companion volume to The New Wave – 

Multicultural Women Volunteers, which was 

launched by Premier Peter Beattie in 2002. The 

photo shows Jeannie Mok, with Premier Beattie, 

centre, and Nick Xynias, ECCQ’s Chair (far left), 

Serge Voloschenko, ECCQ’s Immediate Past 

Chairman, second from right, and Peter Vecsey- 

Dalos, ECCQ’s Honorary Treasurer, far right. They 

were all featured in the book which covers the 

stories of 18 men. 


3

Staff 2004-2005 

Executive Manager 

Mr Ian Muil 

Multicultural Advocate Ms Irene Opper (from March 2005) 

Health Program Coordinator Ms Zhihong Gu (from November 2004) 

Dr Mudenda Rita Bridgwood (to September 

2004) 

Office Manager 

Ms Laraine Brandon 

Community Development Ms Letitia Bouloukos (to November 2004) 

Be Fearless! Coordinator Ms Amelia Salmon (to December 2004) 

Be Fearless! Bi-Cultural 

Workers 

Ms Saba Abraham 

Mr Abraham Aleer 

Mr Nenad Danny Bakaj 

Ms Una Causevic 

Mr Ali Baba Karimi 

Ms Sana Mammo 

Ms Sitika Satui 

Ms Mary Hikimet Wellington 

Special Project Coordinator: 

Ms Sandra Real 

Maternity Services Review (September to December 2004) 

Bookkeeper Ms Angelika Minner (from July 2004) 

Diversicare 

Director 

Deputy Director 

Community Development 

Project Manager 

Berlasco Court Caring Centre 

General Manager 

Ms Margaret Hess 

Mr Arthur Marshman 

(passed away April 2005) 

Ms Lorraine Sing Cutler 

Ms Athena Ermides 

Be Fearless! bi-cultural workers 

on the front steps of ECCQ House 

Front row, from left 

Nenad Danny Bakaj, Sana Mammo, 

Mary Hikimet Wellington 

and Sitika Satui 

Back row, from left 

Una Causevic, Amelia Salmon, 

Abraham Aleer, Letitia Bouloukos, 

Ali Baba Karimi and 

Saba Abraham 


Chair - Nick Xynias AO BEM 

It gives me great pleasure to present to the members 

of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland 

this annual report for the year ended 30 June 2005. 

The year has been one of solid growth and 

consolidation for ECCQ as a group – growth in our 

service divisions, Diversicare and Berlasco Court, 

and consolidation at ECCQ House. 

Each of these areas is reported on in detail in this 

annual report by the responsible managers. 

Global terrorism remained a constant threat, bringing 

the issue of multiculturalism and migration 

policy into sharp focus. Indeed, multiculturalism as 

public policy is at a crossroads. 

Multiculturalism is one of the most successful 

contemporary public policies of Australia. It 

changed the face of Australia, the nature of our 

democracy, the shape of our relations with the 

world. 

Only 50 years ago Australia was a relatively 

unsophisticated country, marked by racism, open 

discrimination and a policy of assimilation. Today 

Australia is a sophisticated pluralistic society, well 

adjusted to a globalised world, and with policies 

and laws prohibiting discrimination. 

Ethnic groups can take credit for significant 

contributions to this change. 

But multiculturalism is, possibly inevitably, a victim 

of its own success. 

Those born and educated in Australia of migrant 

parents simply say: “We are Australians.” They 

value their parents' heritage, but are not interested 

in participating in their clubs and organisations. The 

majority are comfortable accessing mainstream 

institutions and participating in today's multicultural 

Australia. They see no need to participate in 

the multicultural movement. They take multicultural 

Australia for granted. 

But those who made Australia home, the heroes of 

the multicultural revolution, are ageing. Their clubs 

face financial difficulties because their membership 

has aged and do not provide as much support as 

they did a few years ago. The great communities of 

the Sixties and Seventies - Italians, Greeks, Poles, 

Germans, Dutch, Yugoslavs - are no longer so active 

in public affairs nor as politically influential. 

There are no natural successors to these 

communities. The new communities established 

between the late Seventies and now are not taking 

over the organised multicultural movement. 

The Anglo Celtic part of our community embraced 

multiculturalism and enjoys its fruits but have not 

become active participants in the multicultural 

movement. They enjoy it but do not own it. 

Somehow, the word ethnic was replaced by the 

word multicultural but without 

a corresponding expansion of 

the movement. Public sympathy 

for demands by multicultural 

groups has waned. The high 

moral ground gained by ethnic communities in the 

mid-Seventies resulted in a range of policies to 

redress factual and perceived injustices. 

The focus of these policies was on welfare services 

and greater cultural freedom. Few Australians 

would now regard migrants, especially migrants 

who settled here some time ago, as in need of 

greater welfare. 

Migrant success in education, business and the arts 

is unquestionable. One third of BRW’s 200 Richest 

Australians list are post-WWII migrants. Migrants 

are no longer seen as victims of disadvantage. 

I am not convinced that the multicultural movement 

as we knew it will recover. I do not see the 

organisational willpower, the financial resources or 

the political climate to accomplish it. 

Today, many of the battles have been won, in large 

part, and new and emerging communities do not 

always recognize the need for collective action and 

unity. 

This is a pity and could be costly – in our current 

climate of fear and threat it won’t take much for 

years of hard work to be lost with relatively minor 

legislative and policy changes. 

We must form strategic alliances with national 

institutions and mechanisms that support diversity. 

Unfortunately, new migrants and minority religions 

can still be neglected in public policy and Islamic 

groups in Australia remain concerned about antiterrorism 

laws they feel target them. It is a real 

concern for many Muslims in Australia. We must go 

out of our way to address such fears. 

We, especially, must speak out on behalf of the 

oppressed and that means, in Australia, asylum 

seekers who have been shamefully locked away, 

sometimes for many years. 

We must all raise our voices in the democratic 

process to have this awful legislation, indefinite 

detention of asylum seekers, repealed. 

An important distinction, in danger of being blurred 

through political correctness, is that we are a multicultural 

country. We are not a country of multinations. 

Citizenship is the bedrock of our 

democratic future. We must develop in our children 

respect for their ethnic cultural identities. But a 

greater aim, surely, must be to promote and defend 

the democratic principles we stand for, to foster 

pride in our nation, pride in being Australian. 

cont’d next page 


5

from previous page 

Contemplation of cultural diversity is not a contemplation 

of the past but a contemplation of the future. 

Difference promotes variety, making our society 

more complex, more resilient, more dynamic. 

We know from history that dominance and supremacy 

do not guarantee survival. In South Africa many 

are now suspicious of the concept of cultural 

diversity, claiming it encourages ethnic competition. 

They say the enemy was not whiteness nor white 

people but dominance. 

Individual cultural identities, cultural selfdetermination 

and cultural participation are 

promises democracy must deliver to all. All groups 

should be welcomed so long as they are not 

unethical, undemocratic or unlawful. 

It is misleading to treat ethnic groups as equivalent 

to immigrants and to consider the multicultural 

policy as applying only to recent migrants or people 

of colour. The policy applies to all. 

Australia has always been a pluralistic society. 

Indigenous peoples represent a variety of cultures 

and languages and Australia is now made up of 

people from over 200 different countries and we 

speak over 200 different languages. 

We are becoming more diverse using almost every 

indicator: ethnicity, language, country of origin, 

race and religion. 

So, we must: 

• preserve and enhance the use of languages 

other than English while strengthening the 

status and use of English, our official language 

• collect ethno-specific statistical data to enable 

the development of policies, programs and 

practices that are sensitive and responsive to the 

multicultural reality of Queensland 

• make better use of the language skills and cultural 

understanding of individuals of all origins. 

At ECCQ, having concentrated on organisational 

efficiency during much of the year we will, in the 

coming year, continue to give high priority to 

strategic succession and strengthening our membership 

base. 

A major focus for us continues to be to recruit new 

blood to refresh our thinking, to increase 

representation from different communities, and to 

reinvigorate our work. 

I’m pleased to say that membership continued to 

grow during the year. We will build on that to 

ensure continued strong ethnic representation of 

Australia’s longest-established ethnic peak body. 

During the year we lost Arthur Marshman who 

died in April following a long battle with cancer. 

Arthur arrived in Brisbane from England in 1951 

as an assisted migrant and was initially accommodated 

at Yungaba Migrant Centre in Kangaroo 

Point. 

He joined the State Public Service in 1953 and in 

1963 transferred to the State Migration Office. In 

1977 he was appointed State migration officer, 

based at Yungaba, where he remained until he 

retired from the Public Service in 1990. 

In 1979 he was responsible for the State Government 

introducing services to support migrants from non- 

English speaking backgrounds. Before this the State 

had catered only for British migrants. At his behest, 

Government began to fund the Good Neighbour 

Council as an interim language services unit. In 

1982 the Good Neighbour Council was replaced by 

the Translating & Interpreting Unit. This heralded 

the entry of the Queensland Government into ethnic 

affairs. 

In 1986 the Division of Migrant Services became the 

Department of Ethnic Affairs and Arthur was 

appointed Deputy Director. In 1989 he was 

appointed Director of the Department he was 

responsible for creating. 

After retirement he devoted his time and energy to 

Diversicare as Deputy Director and also served as 

Secretary to the Board of Management of Berlasco 

Court. 

On 31 December 2004, we also lost a great supporter 

of ECCQ. Joan Einikis was a member of ECCQ in 

the very early days and from 1979 to 1982 was 

ECCQ's first Ethnic Arts Officer, a position 

sponsored by the Arts Council. Joan was on the 

Executive of ECCQ, a valued member of the 

Women's Ethnic Network (WEN) and on the Board 

of Berlasco Court. 

Joan left a huge gap in the multicultural community 

and ECCQ is indebted to her for her willing 

participation and expertise in so many areas, as are 

many communities, multicultural festival 

organisers, schools and migrants. 

Change was a constant all year – two new Federal 

Ministers for Multicultural Affairs during the year 

and, in Queensland, Karen Struthers, Parliamentary 

Secretary to the Premier for Multicultural Affairs, 

accepted another posting and Chris Cummins was 

appointed Queensland’s first Minister for Multicultural 

Affairs, a portfolio which also includes 

Small Business and Information Technology Policy. 

I wish to commend all officers of Multicultural 

Affairs Queensland which continued to work well 

with all in the multicultural sector and to generate 

innovative and relevant programs. In particular, the 

expansion of the multicultural worker program is to 

be congratulated. This puts Queensland at the forefront 

of multicultural policy in Australia and many 

within MAQ have worked tirelessly to achieve this. 

My thanks also to Karen Stanley of DIMIA and the 

Brisbane City Council for ensuring that our partnerships 

are not only effective but also enjoyable. >>> 


Senior Vice Chair - Irene Cayas 

The year covered by this annual 

report has been both rewarding 

and challenging and I have had 

the pleasure of attending many 

varied events and functions. 

In the absence of our Chairperson, Nick Xynias, 

during the Olympic Games in September I was 

pleased to represent ECCQ at the Soirée festival at 

the University of Queensland, the tickertape and 

Parliamentary welcome of our Olympic athletes 

returning from Athens, and our Citizenship 

Ceremony during Seniors Week. 

Also, I felt privileged having the honour of chairing 

our Executive and Council meetings. Chairing our 

Council meetings was especially a highlight, meeting 

with our many special guests who enlighten us 

on various interesting topics. 

I would like to thank all of our guest speakers for 

their time and words of wisdom. 

My involvement with the various aspects of ECCQ 

has extended my knowledge of the many elements 

of our diverse community. 

It was a great year of fun but it was also a year of 

sadness with the loss of our much-loved Joan 

Einikis and Arthur Marshman. Knowing what 

people like Joan and Arthur contributed to our 

community has inspired many of us to maintain a 

good standard of volunteering in various ways, and 

especially through ECCQ. 

In May 2005 our WEN Convenor, Victoria Zografos, 

resigned when she took on a new work position. 

And yes, it was a hard decision for me to step in, as 

Victoria’s hard work and enthusiasm will be a very 

hard act to follow. 

I now look forward to the challenge of convening 

the WEN group but must look to the support of our 

members to achieve our goals. 

Our goals for WEN have been tabled and we hope, 

amongst other things, to be able to support refugee 

students and families, to be able to assist in the 

educational needs of these students, and, in another 

area, visit the elderly and those socially isolated in 

their homes. 

I also thank ECCQ for giving me the opportunity to 

attend the FECCA Conference in Wollongong, my 

hometown. 

My participation at this conference, held in the Nan 

Tien Temple, and as ECCQ’s representative on the 

State Library Multicultural Committee, added to my 

experience. 

The year ahead for ECCQ will be full of positives 

and in whatever capacity I may be able to be 

involved I can only hope that it will be to touch 

people’s lives in a good and wholesome way. 

Thank you to our entire Executive Committee and 

in particular to our Chairman Nick Xynias, 

Immediate Past Chairman Serge Voloschenko, 

Honorary Secretary Chalani Gunasekara, and 

Honorary Treasurer Peter Vecsey-Dalos for their 

support during the year. 

And a special thank you to all our staff for their 

efforts and achievements during the year and for 

their support and assistance in undertaking my 

duties. 

Above: Lisa Newman, Brisbane’s Lady Mayoress, holding 

the flowers presented to her at ECCQ’s August 2004 

Council meeting at which she was the guest speaker. Mrs 

Newman (centre) is chatting to Irene Cayas, ECCQ’s 

Senior Vice-Chair (left) and Aspasia Livanos, ECCQ Vice- 

Chair for Youth 2003-2004 

Above: Irene Cayas, ECCQ’s Senior Vice Chair 

at the reception in honour of Queensland’s 2004 

Olympic athletes. Irene was lucky enough to be 

snapped with Grant Hackett, who cruised to gold 

in the 1,500m freestyle 


Honorary Treasurer - Peter Vecsey-Dalos OAM 

It is my pleasure to present my report and financial 

statements of the Ethnic Communities Council of 

Queensland for the year ended 30 June 2005, which 

shows a consolidated surplus of $792,783. 

Currently we are preparing for the transition to 

Australian Equivalent of International Financial 

Reporting Standards (AIFRS) effective from 1 

January 2006. The adoption of the Standards will be 

reflected in our financial statements for the year 

ending 30 June 2006. 

The majority of transitional adjustments will be 

made respectively against retained earnings as from 

1 July 2004. However, as ECCQ is a not-for-profit 

organisation, many of the new standards are not 

applicable. 

We have continued to enjoy the 

full cooperation and support of 

the Federal, State and local 

governments and many government 

departments. 

Special thanks to the Department of the Premier & 

Cabinet, the Office of Youth Affairs, Queensland 

Health, the Brisbane City Council, the Department 

of Child Safety and the Gambling Community 

Benefit Fund. 

I would like to express my thanks and appreciation 

to the Chairman Nick Xynias AO BEM, the 

Executive Committee and all ECCQ staff. 

And a special thanks to all those who have assisted 

me in the performance of my duties over the year. 

Promoting positive partnerships 

Queensland Police Ethnic Advisory Group (PEAC) consists of leaders and representatives from various ethnic 

organisations who meet regularly at Queensland Police Headquarters to enhance the relationship between the 

Queensland Police Service and various ethnic communities in Queensland. 

ECCQ is well represented in this group. 

Front, from left: Dr Ann Scott, Director, Office of the Commissioner; Catherine McLeod, Queensland Ombudsman’s 

Office; Serge Voloschenko, ECCQ; Commissioner Bob Atkinson, Queensland Police Service; MyLinh Nguyen, 

Vietnamese Community in Australia Queensland Chapter; Inspector John Fox, Cultural Advisory Unit. 

Second row, from left: Emmanuel Anthony, Queensland Police Service; Hilary Wiffen, Queensland Police Cultural 

Advisory Unit; Jose Zepeda, Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care; Cindy Yau, National Liaison Council of Chinese 

Australians; Rino Randazzo, Youth Advocacy Centre; Angela Andronis, Greek Orthodox Community of St George 

Welfare Centre; Paisley Nugent, Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs; Vincent Do, 

Vietnamese Community in Australia Queensland Chapter. 

Third row, from left: Dr Mark Lynch, Crime & Misconduct Commission; Chris Keen, Crime & Misconduct 

Commission; Senior Sergeant Lilian Bensted, Queensland Police Cultural Advisory Unit; Fred Webb, Access Services 

Inc; Daniel Isbon, Access Services Inc; Michael Yau, National Liaison Council of Chinese Australians; Inspector Chris 

Bennett, Queensland Police Service; Abdul Jalal, Islamic Council of Queensland; Chief Superintendent Clem O’Regan, 

Queensland Police Service; Ben Marcus, Queensland Police Service. 


9

It is my privilege as Honorary 

Secretary of ECCQ to present my 

report for the year ended 30 June 

2005. 

As governments are increasingly 

dependent on a competitive global market and a 

performance driven culture, ECCQ and many 

organisations like us have seen a paradigm shift in 

government spending priorities and funding 

allocations for community and welfare programs. 

With good leadership from our Chairman, Nick 

Xynias, and in implementing our strategic plan, we 

have adjusted and responded to changing Government 

trends and policies, and to the needs of our 

clients. 

We have implemented service delivery models and 

forged and strengthened partnerships with Government 

and non-Government organisations to service 

our clients. 

Witnessing the fruits of our client-friendly service 

delivery has been rewarding, and I am glad to have 

been part of the process. 

Apart from my usual duties as Honorary Secretary 

I have contributed to many consultative meetings 

and numerous discussions on varied issues of social 

justice and access and equity. 

In addition I represented ECCQ at many meetings, 

functions and conferences throughout the year 

under review. 

It has been a pleasure to support our diverse 

community with its multi-faceted cultural, linguistic 

and religious dimensions. 

Some of the activities and functions where I 

represented ECCQ were: 

• Reception and Felicitation Ceremony by the 

Speaker at Parliament House in recognition of 

ECCQ’s participation and celebration of 

Queensland Day 

Honorary Secretary - Chalani Gunasekara 

• Queensland Multicultural Festival, Roma Street 

Parklands 

• Official opening of the new extension to the 

Berlasco Court Caring Centre by then Minister 

for Health, Gordon Nuttall 

• Member of the selection panel to appoint the 

co-coordinator for ECCQ’s HIV/AIDS, 

Hepatitis C & Sexually Transmissible Infections 

program 

• Celebrated a year of successful partnership with 

DIMIA and met with then Federal Minister for 

Citizenship & Multicultural Affairs, Peter 

McGauran 

• The Annual Presidents Dinner of the Australian 

Federation of University Women, Queensland 

• The Indooroopilly State High School’s 14 th 

United Nations celebrations 

• FECCA Regional Conference at the Nan Tien 

Temple near Wollongong in NSW 

• Citizenship Ceremonies 

• 25 th Anniversary Celebrations, Ethnic Radio 

4EB: Felicitation Ceremony where I was 

recognised for 11 years of broadcasting and 

co-producing. 

While multiculturalism has had many positive 

impacts on our country, the threat of terrorism has 

sadly diminished its potential in the eyes of many. 

As the mother of two young Australians, who were 

brought up to absorb the best of two cultures, I 

would dearly love to see all migrants celebrated for 

their diversity and accepted as integral to our 

nation’s future. 

In conclusion I would like to thank the Chair, Nick 

Xynias, the entire Executive Committee, our 

Executive Manager, Ian Muil and our staff for their 

support and assistance during the past year. A 

special thank you to Agnes Whiten for deputising 

for me whenever necessary. 

Above: Chalani accepting certificate from 

Ray Hollis, then State Parliamentary 

Speaker, at the morning tea to thank all 

participants at the Queensland Day 

celebrations 

Above: Gary Hardgrave, then Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural 

Affairs and Irene Cayas, ECCQ’s Senior Vice Chair, 

presenting a certificate of Australian citizenship at the ceremony 

held at the West End Club during Senior’s Week 2004 


Youth Affairs - Vincent Do 

My aims and goals from the very start of my 

election to the Executive Committee last October 

were to engage and access different youth groups 

from various communities, to help unite and 

establish a youth network for learning and to help 

and assist young people from different ethnic 

communities. 

Importantly, we, the young people of Australia, will 

make a difference to the future of our nation and 

help make multicultural Australia a better place to 

live. 

I was also honoured, during the year under review, 

to have my endeavours recognised and I was most 

humbled to be named the Young Vietnamese 

Australian of the Year at Federal level. 

During the year under review there were many 

groups and Committees with whom we established 

relationships and contact: 

• Youth Affairs Network Queensland 

• MultiLink Youth Service 

• FACA Youth Committee 

• Crimestoppers Committee 

• The Hong Kong Student Association 

• The Hong Kong Youth Committee 

• The Chinese Youth Committee 

• The Taiwanese Youth Association 

• Japanese Student Association 

• The Sudanese Youth Group 

• The Philippine Youth Group 

• The Korean Youth Committee 

• The Korean Society 

• Persian Youth Affairs Network 

• The Vietnamese Youth Network 

• The Vietnamese Australian Student Association 

• The Vietnamese Peace Supporter Youth Group 

• The Vietnamese Professional Society 

• Department of Communities (Youth Justice 

Conferencing) 

• Youth & Families Services 

• Centrelink (Student and Youth Services). 

Included in the many activities I engaged in on 

behalf of ECCQ was regular attendance at 

Crimestopper Metro South Region meetings. 

I also: attended meetings with the Sudanese Youth 

Group; with the Hong Kong Student Association; 

Taiwanese Youth Association meetings; Japanese 

Youth meetings; FECCA Youth Committee 

teleconferences; ‘Day Out’ activities with the Korean 

Youth Committee; attended the FECCA Conference 

in Wollongong; attended The Youth Affairs 

Network Queensland State Conference; assisted the 

Hong Kong Student Association to organise a 

singing competition; engaged with the five 

Vietnamese Youth Groups at 

MultiLink’s Youth Service to 

discuss grants and other issues; 

partnered with Centrelink in 

organising a workshop to 

deliver information and issues that directly affect 

young people; facilitated engagement for ECCQ’s 

Sexual Health program with the Vietnamese 

Community and Vietnamese youth. 

I assisted in organising the 4 th Vietnamese Youth 

International Conference to be held in Sydney in 

December 2005 and I was involved with five 

Vietnamese Youth Groups who wanted to organise 

a poetry book launch for an internationally-known 

Vietnamese activist. 

During the year under review other activities 

included organising a fundraising BBQ with the 

Vietnamese Youth Network; work with the 

UNESCO Committee on Diversity and Young 

People issues; combining with five Vietnamese 

youth groups to organise a celebration for the 30 

year anniversary of Vietnamese community settlement 

in Australia, ‘Acknowledge the Past, Build the 

Future’; I represented ECCQ at the DIMIA welcoming 

function for then Multicultural Minister Peter 

McGauran; I was involved with the International 

Peace Day and with the Queensland Government in 

discussions on multiculturalism and diversity; and I 

represented ECCQ on Education Queensland’s 

panel for the Showcase awards for excellence in 

schools. 

Barriers and Problems 

Different youth groups from different communities 

have distinctive ways of functioning and operating. 

However, one common problem or barrier that 

youth groups from most communities run into is to 

find ways to motivate and encourage young people 

in their communities to be involved. 

Youth groups in some ethnic communities were 

unaware of the availability of youth services in 

mainstream community. 

Many young people seem to be too busy with their 

own lives, some busy with work, some busy with 

studies, and some just not interested in making a 

contribution to the community. 

The most important factor when working with 

young people is trust. We must develop trust 

between ourselves and those with whom we want 

to work. We must make ourselves available to 

assist, to listen, to make direct contact, to be 

involved in order to develop trust. 

This is time consuming, it requires patience and 

tolerance – but the rewards justify the investment. 

cont’d next page 


11


The past year? 

During the year under review I tried to make myself 

available as much as possible in order to be 

involved and to have a close relationship with many 

youth groups. 

I am please to be able to say that I believe a 

satisfying level of trust has been built up and close 

relationships established with many of these youth 

groups. It is not going to be long before these 

various groups are brought together in various 

activities. 

Left: Vincent Do, ECCQ’s Vice Chairperson – Youth was announced 

Young Vietnamese Australian of the Year 2004 at the 2005 

Vietnamese New Year Festival opening ceremony in Melbourne. 

Vincent is seen here accepting his trophy from Bruce Mildenhall, 

State Member for Footscray 

Vincent was also presented with a certificate by Victorian Senator 

Stephen Conroy, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and 

Dr Thai Thi Thu Nguyet, President of the Vietnamese Medical 

Association of Victoria, presented him with his prizes. 

Above - at FECCA’s official congress dinner: 

ECCQ Executive Committee members, Agnes Whiten, Chalani 

Gunasekara, Irene Cayas, with George Negus, guest speaker at the 

official congress dinner, Alice Chang, 2003 Young Queenslander of the 

Year and a 2005 Young Australian of the Year finalist, ECCQ Chair 

Nick Xynias and ECCQ Vice Chair - Youth, Vincent Do 


Women’s Ethnic Network Convenor - Victoria Zografos 

What an eventful year. 

We kept in close contact with the Country Women’s 

Association and had several of their members 

attend our meetings. We also maintained close 

connections with the National Council of Women of 

Queensland whom we congratulate on achieving 

their 100 th year, also the centenary of women’s 

voting in our fair State. Our affiliation with the 

Queensland Rural Women’s Network also remained 

strong. 

This year we also focussed on mental health and 

suicide, as well as the disadvantage of aged pension 

cut-offs for those with property which increases in 

value but income can be reduced. 

WEN has been very much involved with several 

projects through FECCA Women and contributing 

workable ideas through e-mail networking and 

teleconferencing, through the Transformations 

Forum and others, and kept close connection with 

Department of Immigration & Multicultural & 

Indigenous Affairs officers. 

At their request I wrote a book review on ‘The 

Persian Blanket’ by Dr Tim Chappell for FECCA’s 

journal, Mosaic. 

We also congratulate FECCA on its 25 th 

Anniversary. Great work! 

I attended several meetings at the Anti- 

Discrimination Commission of Queensland, 

Diversity in Child Care, the Multicultural Health 

Network, and the Maternity Services Review 

forums. WEN appreciated being able to provide 

input from the perspective of culturally and 

linguistically diverse women. 

We also attended meetings arranged by the Department 

of Health. 

We maintain good lines of communication with our 

own Diversicare and Berlasco Court and we interact 

and support those in aged care and in HACC 

programs as well as working with the Alzheimer’s 

Association, and the Prevention 

of Elder Abuse. 

We also held a focus group 

meeting supporting research 

being undertaken by the 

Queensland University of Technology. 

Our concern for those in detention centres is always 

alive and we support reducing the period of 

detention and eliminating completely the detention 

of children and mothers. 

And through interaction with Oxfam and Amnesty 

International and other such groups we wish to 

work towards eliminating all human trafficking and 

domestic violence against women and children. 

I attended several functions held by the Queensland 

Friends of the Australian Archaeological Institute at 

Athens, and speeches run by this institute through 

UQ’s Department of Archaeology and Ancient 

History. 

We also attended Paniyiri, the annual Greek 

community festival, as well as Philoxenia Week run 

by the Southside Community Group - philoxenia 

means ‘Welcome to All’. 

I was also active with the Society of Greeks from 

Egypt & the Middle East, and have been on that 

Committee from its inception. Sadly many of our 

older members are ‘moving on’, as is the case with 

our WEN membership. 

‘High Tea’ with our Lady Mayoress was well 

attended at the Greek Club; I attended several 

BEMAC functions and assisted with some, and 

attended Seniors Week programs. 

And just to cap it all off, what a fabulous event the 

inaugural Roma Street Parklands Multicultural 

Festival turned out to be. WEN takes this 

opportunity to congratulate the Beattie Government 

and all concerned with this project. 

I hereby bid you all farewell. Keep on smiling. 

The inaugural Multicultural Festival, held in 

Brisbane’s Roma Street Parklands in October 

2004, was an auspicious beginning for what will 

be a ‘must’ in our multicultural calendar for many 

years to come. 

This is ECCQ’s stall which attracted much 

attention, thanks to the display of dolls in 

national costume from many countries. 

Vibha Das, Policy Officer, Multicultural 

Affairs Queensland and a former ECCQ staffer 

(left) with Victoria Zografos, ECCQ Vice Chair 

and convenor of the Women’s Ethnic Network 


13

ECCQ has three distinct areas of 

activity – the home and 

community care division, 

Diversicare, under the management 

of Margaret Hess; the aged 

care home Berlasco Court, under the management 

of Athena Ermides; and the peak body and 

advocacy role which is easiest referred to as ECCQ 

House and for which I have management 

responsibility. 

Reports dealing specifically with the activities and 

performance of Diversicare and Berlasco Court are 

included in this annual report. 

The focus of my report is ECCQ House, which 

underwent significant and necessary change during 

the year under review. 

To set the scene it’s worthwhile reflecting on some 

of my comments in last year’s annual report: 

“My primary focus during the period under review was 

organisational to ensure that ECCQ is positioned to act 

effectively as the peak body in the multicultural sector.” 

Solid teamwork over the past year means we have 

achieved that. 

“Administrative policies and procedures were reviewed 

and improved and much energy was put into the development 

of ECCQ’s Strategic Plan 2004-2007 which has, in 

turn, formed the framework for our short-term Business 

Plan which I am implementing. 

This, in essence, is that ECCQ: 

• provide a developmental, supportive, progressive and 

challenging environment for all staff 

• clearly define and communicate ECCQ’s role as a 

peak body 

• expand and develop relationships between ECCQ, 

ethnic communities and agencies working in the 

sector 

• prioritise those areas to which the organisation 

should direct its resources 

• establish sustainable long-term mechanisms to 

ensure the resources to achieve our objectives are 

available 

• replicate within the peak body role the best-practice 

standards ECCQ has achieved in aged care through 

Diversicare and Berlasco Court 

• provide leadership in improving collaboration within 

the sector.” 

We are close to being able to say we have achieved 

most of the above objectives. 

With the appointment of new staff in key areas we 

were able to vigorously adopt a fresh approach to 

our organisational processes and to our operational 

activities. Separate reports reflect the very high 

levels of activity in the advocacy area and in our 

HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C & Sexually Transmissible 

Executive Manager - Ian L Muil 

Infections (STI) Program. Not only are these 

programs operating at the high levels of activity our 

funding bodies would expect but they are being 

innovative, cutting edge, efficient and relevant. 

That’s primarily because the right people are in the 

right jobs and they have the requisite organisational 

support and monitoring backup. 

The year under review was, as indicated in my last 

report, one of change, consolidation and 

preparation. 

The coming year, then, will be the year in which we 

continue to deliver quality outcomes but also look 

to the future in delivering the outcomes our 

constituency need and securing the funding base to 

enable that to continue on a sustainable basis. 

In the advocacy area we farewelled Letitia 

Bouloukos who left for a long-planned and 

extended overseas trip. In replacing her we 

consulted with Multicultural Affairs Queensland, 

who fund the position, and re-defined the position 

as statewide systemic advocacy, better reflecting the 

role of a peak body. 

Following a national recruitment campaign we were 

pleased to be able to appoint Irene Opper who 

comes to the position with a solid understanding of 

advocacy and good working knowledge of the 

multicultural sector in Queensland. 

Irene’s report details her activities. Worthy of 

mention are her initiatives in undertaking a series of 

interviews to better map both the role of a peak 

body and the ingredients to successful advocacy. 

This ‘landscape’ audit will be used to develop her 

work plan and to feed into ECCQ’s business plan. 

Irene has also focused on housing as an area of 

priority – the increase in homelessness is a sad 

national trend and migrants, especially refugees, are 

especially vulnerable. 

The other area which has occupied much of Irene’s 

energy in her settling-in period has been the Be 

Fearless! program which concluded Phase Two, 

funded by the Gambling Casino Benefit Fund, 

during the year, and commenced Phase Three, mid 

year, with Brisbane City Council funding. 

It’s worth noting that our Be Fearless! advocacy kit 

is highly regarded and during the year we granted 

FECCA permission to use the kit for wider 

distribution nationally to FECCA members. 

Towards year’s end Irene and her team were able to 

start the process of looking ahead and determining 

the lessons flowing from this highly-regarded 

project which, at the conclusion of the current funding 

round, will be at a crossroads with an infrastructural 

springboard for us to extend the 

>>> 



In nearly all cases there is benefit because of the 

discipline required and experience gained. In 

some cases, a minority, the pressure of having 

to prepare reports and account for every last 

cent is stressful and creates friction within 

communities. It’s likely that this is unavoidable. 

ECCQ believes that in agreeing to auspice an 

organisation we also agree to provide the 

support the organisation will need. This is an 

unfunded activity, however, and it’s an area we 

believe requires a more focused approach across 

the State to ensure the overall positive 

objectives in making these grants available are 

maximized to their fullest potential. 

During the year under review we worked 

closely with the Eritrean Youth Association, the 

Sudanese Youth Association, the African 

Women’s Network, the Tuvalu Community of 

Queensland Association, the Kiribati 

Community of Queensland Association, the 

Sierra Leone Descendants Association of 

Queensland, the Liberian Association of 

Queensland, the Rwanda Association of 

Queensland, and Jeannie Mok of the Multicultural 

Community Centre for her book titled 

Multicultural Trailblazers. 

• Multicultural Summit: ECCQ’s biennial 

conference was due in the year under review 

and your Executive Committee determined that 

the environment was right to expand the scope 

and attendance of this conference. A number of 

meetings were thus held with other agencies 

and organisations in the sector to jointly plan a 

conference and to progress collaboration. 

However, Multicultural Affairs Queensland 

then informed the sector that it was to hold a 

Multicultural Summit early in the calendar year, 

to which delegates from across the State would 

be invited. We were then asked to contribute to 

planning this Summit. 

For that reason ECCQ postponed its conference, 

agreeing instead to support the State Government’s 

Multicultural Summit. 

The Summit proved to be a great success and 

provided valuable input into policy formulation 

and planning for both the State and individual 

organisations. Our Chairman, Nick Xynias, was 

a keynote speaker. Irene Opper spoke on 

leadership in the community sector and I 

facilitated a workshop session. 

We have congratulated MAQ for the success of 

this Summit and have offered to co-host the 

next Summit, in 2007, to generate sectoral 

‘ownership’ of this important event. 

• MAQ Community Worker Program: There 

were, or course, disappointments during the 

year. One was the decision by MAQ to not place 

with ECCQ the newly created coordinator 

position for the much-expanded Community 

Worker Program, despite a strong submission 

which achieved something of a breakthrough in 

establishing a partnership structure with four 

separate organisations. 

Instead, the decision was made to place the 

position with Kinections, part of the Anglican 

Church. 

Disappointed though we were, we have 

welcomed the appointment of Ignacio Jiminez 

as coordinator and accepted an offer to join his 

Reference Group. 

We also believed we had a strong submission 

for the African community liaison worker so 

were again disappointed at not being chosen to 

host this position. We have, however, 

congratulated both the Multicultural Development 

Association and QPASTT for their 

successful joint submission for this position and 

offered our full support. 

• Family Court: During the year under review the 

Brisbane Registry of the Family Court of 

Australia invited ECCQ to the first meeting of 

the Family Court Multicultural Advisory 

Committee. 

The Family Court has adopted a National 

Cultural Diversity Plan. The Family Court 

Multicultural Advisory Committee will advise 

the Brisbane Registry on implementation of this 

Cultural Diversity Plan which is being implemented 

to varying degrees across Australia. A 

number of meetings have been held but 

progress in Queensland is likely to be hampered 

by the lack of committed resources. 

• During the year we held strategic meetings with 

members of the Opposition, including with the 

Leader of the Opposition, Lawrence Springborg, 

and with senior members of the media. 

• Our Policy & Procedures Manual was 

comprehensively updated and expanded and, 

by year end, was close to being in final draft 

format for presentation to the Executive 

Committee for adoption. 

• During the year we prepared a number of 

submissions presented to both Federal and State 

Governments and also prepared many Letters 

of Support for both members and other 

organisations seeking funding. 

In concluding I would like to again take you back to 

comments in my first annual report, where I was 

speaking of the changes needed: “This will not be 

achieved overnight. Our approach will be methodical and 

considered – there will be frustration that the pace of 

>>> 


Advocacy - Irene Opper 

Following the departure of my 

predecessor, Letitia Bouloukos, 

ECCQ and Multicultural Affairs 

Queensland (MAQ) reviewed 

the MAQ-funded position and 

decided to re-focus it on systemic advocacy, while 

retaining a smaller focus on community development 

through management of the Be Fearless! 

project. 

I commenced in the position of Multicultural 

Advocate in mid-March. Early activities included 

orientation and establishing working relationships 

with a wide range of people in the multicultural 

sector. 

I took the opportunity to interview 16 people who 

have contributed to systemic change for the benefit 

of migrants and refugees in Queensland. This 

resulted in many fascinating discussions about what 

actually leads to change, and will form the basis of 

an article sharing their insights. 

Ethnic communities contribute to Neighbourhood 

Planning for BCC 

A total of 44 people from diverse backgrounds 

attended our Neighbourhood Planning consultation 

forum on 21 May, held in partnership with Brisbane 

City Council (BCC). Our Be Fearless! bi-cultural 

workers promoted the forum in their own 

communities and facilitated group discussions at 

the forum. 

Ali Karimi brought along a large group of 

Afghanistani people and translated for them in 

Dari. His feedback was that this was the first time 

the Afghanistani community felt genuinely 

consulted and they valued the opportunity. 

Be Fearless! project 

This successful project was recommenced, thanks to 

a Brisbane City Council Community Development 

Assistance Grant. 

This program aims to strengthen and support 

communities in Brisbane from the Middle East, 

Africa, the Pacific Islands and Former Yugoslavia. 

Most of our bi-cultural community workers from 

the previous Be Fearless! program were reemployed. 

The Reference Group was re-established, with 

welcome participation from the Queensland Police 

Service, Brisbane City Council, Multicultural 

Development Association, Milpera State School, 4EB 

Radio and QCOSS. 

I held group and individual meetings with the 

bi-cultural workers, where we discussed the needs 

raised through the project last year and decided on 

the activities to be undertaken with each 

community. 

(Commenced in March 2005) 

And in June we were delighted to welcome Anna 

McCormack as our Be Fearless! project co-ordinator. 

ASHRAM network (Agencies Supporting Housing 

for Refugees, Asylum-seekers & Migrants) 

As housing is one of the major issues for migrants 

and refugees, I have taken on a leadership role with 

this network, as the delegate to Queensland Shelter. 

The Network meets monthly and has an advocacy 

and collaboration focus. The group worked on 

documenting the housing needs of asylum seekers, 

refugees and migrants and began the work of 

developing a ‘Call for Action’ to develop solutions 

to meet these needs. ASHRAM undertook a project 

to develop a directory of relevant housing and other 

services. 

Other advocacy networks 

Participation in networks, particularly those with an 

advocacy focus, harnesses the knowledge and 

efforts of many people and lets government know 

that there are many people concerned about an 

issue. 

I have been active in the following networks: 

• Community Health Action Group (CHAG) - 

participation in delegations to senior 

Queensland Health managers to discuss the 

Languages Services Review and other matters 

• Multicultural Youth Network of Queensland 

(MYNQ) 

• Multicultural Employment Advocacy Network 

(MEAN) 

• Community Advocates in the Multicultural 

Sector (CAMS). 

Other activities 

• Multicultural Women’s Summit, organised by 

the Office of Women and the Multicultural 

Women’s Advisory Committee: I facilitated 

workshops to identify the issues that matter to 

ethnic women and measures needed to 

strengthen leadership 

• Multicultural Summit: as a panel member I gave 

a presentation on leadership in the multicultural 

sector 

• Women’s Ethnic Network: I facilitated a 

reflection and planning session 

• Member of the Consumer Responsiveness 

Project Steering Committee of the Royal 

Children’s Hospital: I have been providing 

advice on methods of reaching people from 

diverse backgrounds 

• Feedback to Queensland Health on research 

design: focus groups with people from ethnic 

communities. 

>>> 


Community Development - Letitia Bouloukos 

(left in November 2004) 

Be Fearless! 

The Be Fearless! project was successfully concluded 

under the current funding agreement and 

applications for grants were submitted for Phase 

Three of the program. 

In November BCC committed to financially support 

Be Fearless! with a $45,000 grant - $20,000 in the 

financial year under review and $25,000 in the first 

round of the 2005/06 year. The bi-cultural worker 

model utilised for Be Fearless! was shared with 

other agencies. 

African Youth Unite! 

I supported the Eritrean Youth & Student 

Association of Queensland meetings for the funded 

activity African Youth Unite! The Chair of the 

Association gained project management skills and 

better knowledge of the processes, procedures and 

financial accountabilities involved in developing 

such events. Young Africans participating in the 

working group gained better understanding of each 

other’s Associations and communities, and have 

higher expectations and aspirations for future such 

events. AYU! was the first documented occasion 

where over 250 young Africans united to present 

themselves and their culture to other young 

Africans. The occasion was documented on video 

and distributed to the broader community. In the 

period under review this project was finalised and 

acquitted. 

Partnerships between 4EB, BEMAC and ECCQ were 

strengthened, with all three agencies committing to 

work together on future Youth Week programs, 

incorporating partner agencies such as BCC’s 

Visible Ink program. Young CALD people 

strengthened their connections with ECCQ as 

participants in workshops or performers. 

Election information 

As part of the Be Fearless! program, I co-ordinated 

election education sessions, with speakers from the 

Australian Electoral Commission and most 

Queensland-registered political parties. All 

participating political parties committed to 

participating in future such forums, recognising the 

value of such communication activities. Hazara 

women who attended an election information 

session wrote to each political party to inform them 

of their views on TPV-related issues. A formal 

dialogue between CALD communities and political 

parties was initiated. The Electoral Commission of 

Queensland strongly supported information 

sessions. 

Other activities 

We receive a number of phone calls a week from 

members of new and emerging communities, 

responding to information distributed by ECCQ. 

Information provided covered: Federal, State, and 

local government elections; child safety; access to 

sporting facilities; the African Women’s Network; 

access to grants; access to cultural and arts support 

systems; unemployment services; public liability; 

ECCQ Council meetings. 

ECCQ hosted or supported the: 

• Eritrean Community 

• Iraqi soccer team 

• Sudanese Youth Association 

• Sierra Leone Descendants Association of 

Queensland 

• Liberian Association of Queensland 

• Queensland Youth Housing Coalition in their 

request to consult young people from CALD 

backgrounds on the development of the 

Coalition’s youth housing website. 

Typical meetings included: 

• Representatives from Sudanese community 

associations regarding the development of a 

Sudanese program, particularly focusing on 

unemployment 

• Representatives from the Liberian community 

to discuss internal tensions and the development 

of Liberian activities 

• ECCQ-facilitated African community leader's 

advocacy forum attended by over 50 people. 

Panel members were Shadow Foreign Affairs 

Minister Kevin Rudd, ECCQ Vice Chair Michael 

Yau, Senate candidate Hassan Ghulam and 

ECCQ Executive Manager Ian Muil 

• Organised and facilitated a meeting of African 

community leaders and members to prepare 

questions for ECCQ’s pre-election forum at 

Brisbane City Hall 

• On-going support for the Nuer community in 

the development of the Nuer Youth Association 

constitution. Nuer is a region in Sudan. Assisted 

them to apply for funds to conduct a youth 

camp and teach English and Nuer language to 

their members and to promote the Nuer culture 

and heritage 

• Supported an initiative for a combined ethnic 

soccer tournament 

• Supported Tongan Community Association by 

introducing their newly-incorporated association 

to ECCQ, and advising how to advocate 

to Logan City on their needs and issues, 

especially in the lead up to their launch 

• Also supported Tongan Association application 

for MAQ funds to host a Tongan day 

>>> 


HIV/AIDS, Hep C & Sexual Health Program-Zhihong Gu B.Sc MPH 

(Commenced in November 2004) 

It was a great pleasure for me to 

join ECCQ as Programme Coordinator 

in November 2004. It 

gave me the opportunity to 

pursue my interests in the 

communicable diseases area and to work for our 

culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) 

communities. 

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who 

supported and encouraged me throughout the year. 

My report includes activities carried out by my 

predecessor, Dr Rita Mudenda Bridgwood who left 

ECCQ in September 2004. 

Introduction 

In the year under review there were some major 

changes in the HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and sexual 

health sector. 

Firstly, some of our key partner organisations 

underwent major restructuring resulting from a 

new tender process introduced by Queensland 

Health. At the same time, and as a consequence, 

some new organisations were formed. 

Time was therefore devoted to renewing and 

establishing networks with these partner 

organisations through meetings and visits. We 

firmly believe that working in collaboration with 

these organisations will ensure maximum benefit 

for all, especially for CALD communities. 

Secondly, there were significant changes in the 

reporting system for organisations funded by 

Queensland Health. Queensland Health developed 

a Performance Framework for all funded 

organisations to report program progress on a 

regular basis. The Performance Framework ensures 

consistent performance standards for similar 

funded projects throughout Queensland. 

ECCQ’s executive manager, Ian Muil; our Honorary 

Treasurer Peter Vecsey-Dalos; our Senior Vice Chair 

Irene Cayas; and I all attended the phase one 

performance framework training. We also 

submitted two reports according to the Performance 

Framework last year. In addition, we have made 

one oral presentation to Queensland Health as 

required by the new service agreement. 

In order to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV, 

hepatitis C and sexually transmissible infections in 

CALD communities, and to improve their access to 

government and non-government services, we 

focused our activities on education, health 

promotion, and collaboration. We also participated 

in the health policy-making process at State level. 

Education 

Education is the most important aspect of our 

program. 

Education will raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, 

hepatitis C and sexual health issues in ethnic and 

migrant communities and give people informed 

choice. Education also will equip people with the 

knowledge and skills needed to change risk 

behaviors. 

In the year under review we held ten workshops 

and information sessions for various communities 

including Samoan, Vietnamese, Chinese, African, 

Papua New Guinean and Former Yugoslavia, in 

Brisbane, Logan, and other areas. 

Over 90 people from these communities attended 

these workshops. The topics covered HIV/AIDS, 

hepatitis, sexual health and also other general health 

issues such as menopause and Pap smear tests. 

Some workshops included other general health 

issues because of the sensitivities within some 

CALD communities towards HIV and sexual health 

issues. 

Also, in conjunction with Queensland Health, we 

gave a presentation on refugee health issues, 

especially communicable diseases such as HIV and 

hepatitis, to teachers of English at a Queensland 

TAFE conference. 

Health Promotion Activities 

Many community events are a great opportunity for 

us to promote our program and safe sex message, 

and also to disseminate information. We held four 

information stalls at Griffith University’s Nathan 

campus during Health Week, Ipswich Hospital on 

Harmony Day, the Filipino Barrio Fiesta and 

Refugee Pathways to Participation Expo. A number 

of brochures in different languages were displayed 

and distributed. 

More than 100 safe sex packs were also distributed. 

We also gave three promotional talks on our 

program and safe sex practices to an African 

women’s group, a multicultural group, and the bilingual 

education workers at Family Planning 

Queensland. 

An article was published in a migrant service 

newsletter at Maroochy Neighborhood Centre on 

the Sunshine Coast to introduce our program and to 

address the importance of sexual health issues in 

CALD communities. 

Orientation Week at universities is an effective way 

to disseminate information and to raise awareness 

among new university students, including 

international students. In March, we distributed 

brochures in different languages and condoms in 

our ‘safe sex packs’ to UQ and Griffith University 

for their Orientation Week. 

I also presented talks on safe sex to first-year 

students at UQ. >>> 



Professional Development 

To maintain currency on the latest developments in 

HIV, hepatitis and sexual health, and to exchange 

information and ideas with other experts, I attended 

two conferences during the period under review: 

the 4 th Australasian Hepatitis C Conference and the 

16 th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society 

for HIV Medicine. 

I also attended a one day ‘HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C & 

Sexual Health Promotion with Young People – 

Practice Development for Manager’ training 

programme and an all-day project management 

training programme. 

The future 

With the increasing number of migrants, refugees 

and international students living in Queensland our 

program will face the challenge of maintaining the 

low prevalence levels of HIV, hepatitis C and 

sexually transmissible infections currently found in 

our CALD communities. 

Working closely with these CALD communities, 

key partner organisations and promoting best 

practice will be our main strategic thrust with the 

program for the coming year. 

Left: Nyang Gai, student placement 

from Southbank TAFE, helped 

Zhihong on the ECCQ information 

stall at the Refugee Pathways to 

Participation Expo in June 2005 

Right: Participants at the Hepatitis Workshop 

conducted by Zhihong at the Care Management 

Centre at Sunnybank Hills 

Left: Some of the ladies enjoying 

the friendship and multicultural 

morning tea at Annerley Literacy 

Centre in July 2004, organised by 

Dr Bridgwood, left 


Diversicare - Margaret Hess, Director 

Diversicare has met another challenging year of 

growth and change in terms of staff, programs and 

office locations. 

Service Provision 

Our direct client services continued to expand with 

increased funds from the Department of Health & 

Ageing and the joint Commonwealth and State 

Government Home & Community Care (HACC) 

Program. 

An array of services continues to be available from 

our three South East Queensland offices – Brisbane, 

Sunshine Coast and West Moreton. The suite of 

services available through our HACC programs, 

Community Aged Care Packages (CACP) program 

and Community Visitors Scheme is extensive, 

ranging from basic but vital services such as 

friendly visiting, domestic assistance and social 

support, to more complex services such as personal 

care, medication monitoring and case management. 

Diversicare’s HACC program services were 

specifically extended in the Brisbane South and 

Sunshine Coast HACC planning regions with the 

focus on domestic assistance and social support 

services. 

The target groups for these services in both regions 

are HACC-eligible culturally and linguistically 

diverse (CALD) frail aged or younger disabled 

Persons and their carers. 

Complementing these additional HACC services 

has been the increase of 35 Community Aged Care 

Packages available for eligible CALD individuals in 

Brisbane South and West Moreton Aged Care 

Planning regions. 

The extension of these programs has required the 

employment of a number of new staff: Kerstin 

Wyssusek, for the Brisbane Community Options 

Program, Sandra Zenner for the Sunshine Coast 

Community Services Program, and Margaret 

Halpin for the Community Aged Care Packages 

Program. 

A major challenge for our direct client service 

provision programs revolves around the recruitment 

and retention of competent bilingual and 

bicultural staff. 

Most members of ECCQ would be aware of the 

diversity of clients our programs support, including 

diversity of support needs as well as ethnic and 

language backgrounds. We are currently supporting 

clients from 54 ethnic backgrounds speaking 37 

languages. 

Our programs actively seek to engage individuals 

with language and cultural skills and equip them 

with confidence and expertise to deliver quality 

in-home services to both our own clients and clients 

of other agencies. 

However, demand continues to 

outstrip the supply of such 

individuals and the pool of 

skilled or experienced bi-cultural 

workers does not appear to be growing. 

Education 

Diversicare’s uniqueness as a Registered Training 

Organisation (RTO) lies in its focus on cultural 

inclusiveness as an essential component of all 

education and training delivered, as opposed to 

cultural competency being an add on. 

Until recently only those undertaking professional 

development and training with Diversicare have 

had the opportunity to consider all aspects of aged 

care through the framework of cultural inclusiveness. 

This year TAFE Institutes located in regional 

Queensland have expressed a desire to use the 

learning resources developed by Diversicare for the 

Certificate III in Home & Community Care and the 

Certificate III in Aged Care Work. 

These are the two qualifications in the new national 

Community Services Training Package that replace 

the Certificate III in Community Services (Aged 

Care), previously offered by Diversicare. 

Consequently, Diversicare has engaged the State 

government’s Centre for Training Materials (CTM) 

to manage the licensing of its products to other 

RTOs such as TAFE Institutes for their 

delivery of the qualifications mentioned above. 

The implications for improved care for older people 

of CALD background are very exciting because 

until now Diversicare has been mainly equipping 

people from CALD backgrounds with the skills and 

knowledge to work with older people from their 

own cultural or language background as well as the 

confidence to work in the ‘mainstream.’ 

Now people undertaking training in the 

‘mainstream’ will have the opportunity to undertake 

culturally-inclusive training using resources 

developed by Diversicare. In the long term this 

could contribute to an improvement in access to 

services, and the quality of those services, for older 

people from CALD backgrounds no matter who is 

providing the services. 

There have been other activities undertaken during 

the year under review that are worthy of mention. 

These include: 

• Three courses funded by the Department of 

Employment & Training (DET) for people with 

CALD backgrounds working, or wishing to 

work, in aged care in the Sunshine Coast region. 

to next page 


25


This resulted in 33 people from CALD backgrounds 

gaining the qualification of Certificate 

III in Home & Community Care. Most of these 

people are employed in aged care in the 

Sunshine Coast region or working as volunteers 

in community-based centres. A fourth course, 

funded once again by DET, will commence in 

October 2005 in Nambour. The confidence 

gained by participants in these courses is 

illustrated by enrolments by graduates at the 

university campus in that region. Feedback 

from residential aged care facilities which 

accepted participants for work placement 

during the year was positive, with a number 

gaining employment in those facilities after 

successfully completing the qualification with 

Diversicare. 

• Two courses in Brisbane leading to the successful 

completion of Certificate III in Home & 

Community Care by 36 aged care CALD workers 

employed in home and community care, 

respite and nursing care facilities. While the 

qualification was the tangible outcome of training 

the intangibles identified by participants 

included increased feelings of self-worth and 

awareness of the value and importance of their 

work with older people. Once again, successful 

participants have gone on to tertiary level 

studies. 

• Continuing partnerships Diversicare developed 

with a number of ethnic community 

organisations resulting in the access of low 

income aged care CALD workers to nationally 

recognised units of competency and 

qualifications through flexible payment and 

delivery arrangements. 

• Diversicare’s Education Unit has continued to 

work in partnership with the Partners in Culturally 

Appropriate Care (PICAC) program to 

ensure all requests from residential aged care 

facilities for culturally inclusive workshops and 

professional development are met. 

• Professional development sessions were offered 

in a number of locations in Northern, North 

West, and Central Queensland after Diversicare 

opened offices in Townsville, Cairns and 

Mackay. In a number of instances, this has led 

to the flexible delivery of an accredited training 

program to aged care workers who cannot 

otherwise access nationally recognised training 

for various reasons. More information, including 

participation numbers, is included elsewhere 

in this report. 

• Finally, but importantly, Diversicare again 

successfully completed the audit conducted by 

DET against the Australian Quality Training 

Framework (AQTF) standards to maintain its 

RTO status. Diversicare also met the audit 

requirement. 

Program development & support 

Diversicare, with increased funds from the HACC 

Program, has now been able to extend its Statewide 

information and eduction services outside the South 

East corner. Offices have now been opened in 

Cairns, Mackay and Townsville adding to the 

activity already undertaken by our Statewide 

Community Resource Officers in Brisbane and the 

Sunshine Coast. 

The three new staff members who joined us during 

the year were: Vicki Teleni in Townsville; Jo 

Abbatangelo in Cairns; and Kay Gray in Mackay. 

These positions aim to promote the HACC program 

to ethnic communities and to assist HACC service 

providers to be better able to respond to CALD 

clients. 

Activities undertaken include: 

• the provision of information and advice about 

the needs of CALD clients 

• promotion of the HACC program to ethnic 

groups 

• community eduction programs with service 

providers and community groups 

• facilitating links between ethnic groups and 

service providers 

• assisting ethnic individuals access the HACC 

service system. 

These positions also have the opportunity to 

identify access barriers and service gaps which are 

then fed into HACC planning and resource 

allocation processes. 

Our Statewide Community Officers were busy 

promoting their services and establishing working 

relations with ethnic groups and individuals and 

service providers including HACC-like services, 

such as the Division of General Practitioners. 

The geographic catchment of these programs is 

extensive with the Townsville program providing 

services out to Mt Isa, including the small centres 

between Townsville and the Isa, south to Bowen 

and north to Ingham. 

The Cairns program, funded for one year, focussed 

on Cairns city, small townships south of the city, 

Innisfail and the Mareeba and Dimbulah region. 

Some of these regions have limited access to HACC 

services and present an extra challenge. The Mackay 

program, also funded for one year, will focus on the 

city of Mackay, Sarina and some of the Central 

Highlands mining townships. 

As the CALD aged target group is a growing one 

the activities of these Statewide Community 

Resource Officers will continue to be important. 

>>> 


Berlasco Court Caring Centre - Athena Ermides B.Sc, B.Bus 

General Manager 

Building activity continued at 

Berlasco Court with the next 

phase of the renovation 

program. 

As detailed in the annual report 

for 2003/2004, the new extension was completed 

and proved to be a valuable and welcome improvement 

to the administration area. And to continue 

the theme all doors in the facility were painted to 

match - all 380 of them. 

An overhaul of the bathrooms was commenced and 

this was as exciting as it was frustrating, with workmen 

competing for space with staff and residents. 

But the project was viewed as offering such a 

positive improvement that, thankfully, there were 

no complaints or major issues. 

The coming year, financial 2005/2006, will be the 

last year of the current accreditation round and the 

facility is due for a site audit in September or 

October. Based on current standards we do not 

anticipate any major issues. 

Our Education & Training Program continued to 

provide staff with current information on all aspects 

of spiritual, emotional and physical care. 

We were sorry to farewell Dr Lyndal Spencer 

during the year under review as she accepted a 

position in Sydney. However, we were fortunate to 

have Gail Perry, who also works with staff at 

Diversicare, to continue the program. 

This was also the second year we have had the 

Workplace Education Literacy & Language (WELL) 

Program, with Muriel Aloizos, and this has 

complemented the existing program. 

The Diversional Therapy program continued to add 

new dimensions to the spiritual and emotional wellbeing 

of our residents. Anyone wishing to assist or 

participate in the program is encouraged to visit 

www.berlascocourt.com for the activity program for 

the current month. The website also contains 

general information about the facility and we 

welcome feedback and comments. 

Thank you to all who have been involved with 

Berlasco Court and we look forward to your 

continued support. 

Above & left: Residents 

enjoying the many and 

varied activities at 

Berlasco Court 

Right: Mrs Kwan, Berlasco’s centenarian, 

planting bulbs for the garden at the Centre 


The Ethnic Communities Council 

of Queensland 

ACN 010 151 256 

Financial 

Report 

For the year ended 30 June 2005 

ECCQ Annual Report 2004-2005 29


ACN 010 151 256 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Directors' Report 

Auditor's Independence Declaration 

Financial Report 

Statement of Financial Performance 

Statement of Financial Position 

Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Audit Report 

30 

ECCQ Annual Report 2004-2005


ACN 010 151 256 

DIRECTORS' REPORT 

Your directors present their report on the company for the financial year ended 30 June 2005. 

Directors 

The names of the directors in office at any time during or since the end of the financial year are: 

Mr Nicholas Xynias 

Mr Erno Peter Vecsey‐Dalos 

Mr Serge Voloschenko 


Directors have been in office since the start of the financial year to the date of this report unless otherwise stated. 

Company Secretary 

The following person held the position as company secretary at the end of the financial year: 

Mrs Chalani Gunasekara. Mrs Gunasekara was also held the position of Honorary Secretary on the Executive Committee. 

Operating Results 

The operating profit of the company for the financial year amounted to $792,783. 

Review of Operations 

A review of the operations during the financial year and the results of those operations found that during the year the company 

continued to engage in its principal activity, the results of which are disclosed in the attached financial statements. 

Significant Changes in State of Affairs 

No significant changes in the state of affairs of the company occurred during the financial year. 

Principal Activity 

The principal activity of the company during the financial year was the conduct of a nursing home and a like institution for the 

care of ethnic people who are sick, aged, infirm, afflicted, handicapped or disabled, and provision of quality, culturally‐inclusive 

direct care; undertaking advocacy and community development programs; and undertaking a Statewide HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis and 

Sexually Transmissible Infections awareness and prevention program. 

No significant change in the nature of these activities occurred during the year. 

After Balance Date Events 

No matters or circumstances have arisen since the end of the financial year which significantly affected or may significantly affect 

the operations of the company, the results of those operations, or the state of affairs of the company in future financial years. 

Likely Developments 

The company expects to maintain the present status and level of operations and hence there are no likely developments in the 

company's operations. 

Environmental Issues 

The company's operations are not regulated by any significant environmental regulation under a law of the Commonwealth or of a 

State or Territory. 

Dividends Paid or Recommended 

No dividends were paid or declared since the start of the financial year. No recommendation for payment of dividends has been 

made. 



ACN 010 151 256 

Information on Directors 

The information on directors is as follows: 

DIRECTORS' REPORT (continued) 


Special Responsibilities 

AO BEM 

Executive Committee Chair 



Mr Serge Voloschenko 




OAM JP 

Executive Committee Honorary Treasurer 

OAM 

Executive Committee Immediate Past Chair 

Executive Committee Honorary Secretary 

Options 

No options over issued shares or interests in the company were granted during or since the end of the financial year and there 

were no options outstanding at the end of the financial year. 

Indemnification of Officer or Auditor 

During or since the end of the financial year, the company has given indemnity or entered an agreement to indemnify, or paid or 

agreed to pay insurance premiums as follows: 

The following indemnity is contained within the Constitution of the company: Every member of the Executive, auditor, and other 

officer for the time being of the Council shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Council against any liability arising out of 

the execution of the duties of office which is incurred in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgement 

is given in the member's favour or in which relief is granted to the member by the Court in respect of any negligence, default, 

breach of duty or breach of trust. 

Proceedings on Behalf of the Company 

No person has applied for leave of 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. 

The company was not a party to any such proceedings during the year. 

Auditor's Independence Declaration 

A copy of the auditor's independence declaration as required under section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 is on page 33. 

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors: 

Director 

Director 

________________________________ 


___________________________ 


Dated this 4 th day of October 2005 

32 



ACN 010 151 256 

AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION 

UNDER SECTION 307C OF THE CORPORATIONS ACT 2001 

TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE ETHNIC COMMUNITIES COUNCIL OF QUEENSLAND 

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, during the year ended 30 th June, 

2005 there have been: 

i) No contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the 

Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit, and 

ii) 

No contravention of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to 

the audit. 

…………………………………….. 

Rod Wallbridge, FCA 

Registered Company Auditor N° 5628 

37 Wattlebird Drive 

DOONAN QLD 4562 

Dated this 6 th day of October, 2005 



ACN 010 151 256 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2005 

Note 

2005 2004 

$ $ 

Revenue from ordinary activities 2 7,660,090 6,750,984 

Employee benefits expense (4,895,461) (4,554,735) 

Depreciation and amortisation expenses (99,037) (84,216) 

Advertising (11,679) (4,849) 

Other expenses from ordinary activities (1,861,130) (1,585,164) 

Profit from ordinary activities 792,783 522,020 

Total change in equity other than those resulting from transactions 792,783 522,020 

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements 

34 



ACN 010 151 256 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2005 

Note 

2005 2004 

$ $ 

CURRENT ASSETS 

Cash assets 3 4,016,761 3,887,238 

Receivables 4 63,323 69,423 

Inventories 5 - 11,946 

Other 6 6,796 28,904 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 4,086,880 3,997,511 

NON‐CURRENT ASSETS 

Property, plant and equipment 7 5,572,632 4,950,816 

Intangible assets 8 2,400,000 2,400,000 

TOTAL NON‐CURRENT ASSETS 7,972,632 7,350,816 

TOTAL ASSETS 12,059,512 11,348,327 

CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Payables 9 283,285 200,224 

Provisions 10 536,989 568,431 

Other 11 320,985 444,601 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,141,259 1,213,256 

NON‐CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Provisions 10 54,758 64,359 

TOTAL NON‐CURRENT LIABILITIES 54,758 64,359 

TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,196,017 1,277,615 

NET ASSETS 10,863,495 10,070,712 

EQUITY 

Reserves 12 6,218,812 6,218,812 

Retained profits 13 4,644,683 3,851,900 

TOTAL EQUITY 10,863,495 10,070,712 




ACN 010 151 256 

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2005 

Note 

2005 2004 

$ $ 

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Receipts from customers 7,666,780 6,736,061 

Payments to suppliers and employees (6,797,214) (5,946,649) 

Net cash provided by operating activities 15(b) 869,566 789,412 

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment - 210,000 

Payment for property, plant and equipment (740,043) (652,210) 

Net cash used in investing activities (740,043) (442,210) 

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

Proceeds from capital grant - 210,000 

Net cash provided by financing activities - 210,000 

Net increase in cash held 129,523 557,202 

Cash at beginning of financial year 3,887,238 3,540,036 

Cash at end of financial year 15 (a) 4,016,761 4,097,238 


36 



ACN 010 151 256 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2005 

NOTE 1: STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

The financial report is a general purpose financial report that has been prepared in accordance with Accounting Standards, Urgent 

Issues Group Consensus Views and other authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board and the 

Corporations Act 2001. 

The financial report covers the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland as an individual entity. The Ethnic Communities 

Council of Queensland is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. 

The financial report has been prepared on an accruals basis and is based on historical costs and does not take into account changing 

money values or, except where stated, current valuations of non‐current assets. Cost is based on the fair values of the consideration 

given in exchange for assets. 

The following is a summary of the material accounting policies adopted by the company in the preparation of the financial report. 

The accounting policies have been consistently applied, unless otherwise stated. 

(a) Income Tax 

No provision for income tax has been raised as the company is exempt from income tax under Division 50 of the Income Tax 

Assessment Act 1997. 

(b) Inventories 

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Costs are assigned on a first‐in first‐out basis and include 

direct materials, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of variable and fixed overhead expenses. 

(c) Property, Plant & Equipment 

Each class of property, plant and equipment is carried at cost or fair value less, where applicable, accumulated depreciation. 

Property 

Freehold land and buildings are measured on the fair value basis being the amount which an asset could be exchanged between 

knowledgeable willing parties in an arm's length transaction. It is the policy of the company to have an independent valuation 

every three years, with annual appraisals made by the directors. 

Plant & equipment 

Plant and equipment is measured on the cost basis. 

The carrying amount of plant and equipment is reviewed annually by the directors to ensure it is not in excess of the recoverable 

amount from those assets. The recoverable amount is assessed on the basis of the expected net cash flows which will be received 

from assets employment and subsequent disposal. The expected net cash flows have not been discounted to present values in determining 

recoverable amounts. 

Depreciation 

The depreciable amount of all fixed assets including buildings and capitalised leased assets, but excluding freehold land, are depreciated 

over their estimated useful lives to the company commencing from the time the asset is held ready for use. Properties 

held for investment purposes are not subject to a depreciation charge. Leasehold improvements are amortised over the shorter of 

either the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. 

The depreciation rates used for each class of depreciable assets are: 

Class of fixed asset Depreciation rates Depreciation basis 

Plant & Equipment 1.20‐40 % Straight Line 

Plant & Equipment 7.5‐40 % Diminishing Value 

Motor Vehicles 15‐22.5 % Diminishing Value 

Office Equipment 15 % Diminishing Value 

Office Equipment 5‐30 % Straight Line 

Furniture, Fixtures & Fittings 2.5‐9 % Straight Line 

Furniture, Fixtures & Fittings 7.5‐20 % Diminishing Value 

Computer Equipment 27‐40 % Diminishing Value 



ACN 010 151 256 


NOTE 1: STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

(d) Intangibles 

Goodwill 

Balances are reviewed annually and any balance representing future benefits the realisation of which is considered no longer 

probable is written off. 

(e) Employee Benefits 

Provision is made for the company's liability for employee benefits arising from services rendered by employees to balance date. 

Employee benefits expected to be settled within one year together with benefits arising from wages and salaries, annual leave and 

sick leave which will be settled after one year, have been measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liability is 

settled. Other employee benefits payable later than one year have been measured at the current value of the estimated future cash 

outflows to be made for those benefits. 

Contributions are made by the company to an employee superannuation fund and are charged as expenses when incurred. 

(f) Cash 

For the purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows, cash includes cash on hand and at call deposits with banks or financial 

institutions, investments in money market instruments maturing within less than two months and net of bank overdrafts. 

(g) Revenue 

Interest revenue is recognised on a proportional basis taking into account the interest rates applicable to the financial assets. 

Other revenue is recognised when the right to receive the revenue has been established. Revenue from grants must be utilised as 

detailed in the grant budget. Residual grant money over $300 must be repaid. All revenue is stated net of the amount of goods and 

services tax (GST). 

(h) Goods & Services Tax (GST) 

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, except where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable 

from the Australian Taxation Office. In these circumstances the GST is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the 

asset or as part of an item of expense. Receivables and payables in the Statement of Financial Position are shown inclusive of 

GST. 

(i) Comparative Figures 

Where required by Accounting Standards comparative figures have been adjusted to conform with changes in presentation for the 

current financial year. 

(j) Impact of Adoption of Australian Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards 

The company is preparing and managing the transition to Australian Equivalent of International Financial Reporting Standards 

(AIFRS) effective for financial years commencing from 1 January 2005. The adoption of AIFRS will be reflected in the 

company's financial statements for the year ending 30 June 2006. On first time adoption of AIFRS, comparatives for the financial 

year ended 30 June 2005 are required to be restated. The majority of the AIFRS transitional adjustments will be made 

retrospectively against retained earnings at 1 July 2004. 

The company and its auditors have assessed the significance of the expected changes and are preparing for their implementation. 

An AIFRS committee is overseeing and managing the company's transition to AIFRS. The impact of the alternative treatments 

and elections under AASB1: First Time Adoption of Australian Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards has 

been considered where applicable. It is noted that as the company is a not‐for‐profit, many of the AIFRS standards are not 

applicable. 

The directors have decided to apply the exemption provided in AASB 1 First‐time Adoption of Australian Equivalents to International 

Financial Reporting Standards which permits entities not to apply the requirements of AASB 132 Financial Instruments: 

Presentation & Disclosures, and AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition & Measurement for the financial year ended 30 

June 2005. The standards will be applied from 1 July 2005. The directors are determining the impact that adopting the standards 

would have on the financial statements of the company. The directors are of the opinion that the key material differences in the 

company's accounting policies on conversion to AIFRS and the financial effect of these differences where known are as follows. 

Users of the financial statements should, however, note that the amounts disclosed could change if there are any amendments by 

standard‐setters to the current AIFRS, or interpretation of the AIFRS requirements changes from the continued work of the 

company. 



ACN 010 151 256 


NOTE 1: STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

- Contributions 

Under AASB 1004: Contributions income shall be measured at the fair value of the contributions received or receivable. This 

differs from the current policy to recognise the income over the periods necessary to match them with the related costs which 

they are intended to compensate. 

- Goodwill 

Under AASB 3: Business Combinations, goodwill is recognised when the cost of a business combination exceeds the acquirer’s 

interest in the net fair value of identifiable assets, liability and contingent liabilities. That is, goodwill cannot be internally 

generated within an organisation. The goodwill in the company's financial statements has been internally generated by the 

Berlasco Court Caring Centre division of the company. 

2005 

$ 

Reconciliation of Net Profit 

Net profit reported under Australian Accounting Standards 791,082 

Key transitional adjustments 

‐ Contributions 320,985 

Total transitional adjustments 320,985 

Net profit under AIFRS 1,112,067 

Reconciliation of Equity 10,070,712 

Total equity reported under Australian Accounting Standards 

Retrospective adjustments to equity at 1 July 2004 

‐ Goodwill (2,400,000) 

‐ Contributions 444,601 

Decrease in current year profit resulting from transition to AIFRS (1,955,399) 

Equity under AIFRS 8,115,313 



ACN 010 151 256 


Note 

2005 2004 

$ $ 

____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

NOTE 2: REVENUE 

Operating activities 

‐ interest 2(a) 105,016 - 

‐ grants 5,133,257 5,278,056 

‐ resident and client contributions 833,769 867,096 

‐ other revenue 1,588,048 605,832 

Non ‐ operating activities 

7,660,090 6,750,984 

‐ Special Commonwealth Grant - 210,000 

Total Revenue 7,660,090 6,960,984 

(a) Interest from: 

‐ other persons 105,016 - 

Profit (losses) from ordinary activities has been determined after: 

(b) Expenses 

Depreciation of non‐current assets 

‐ Other capital assets 99,037 84,216 

Bad and doubtful debts: 

‐ other entities 7,244 2,007 

Remuneration of auditors for 

‐ audit or review services 45,009 37,590 

(c) Revenue and Net Gains 

Net gain on disposal of non‐current assets 

‐ property, plant and equipment 590 (3,173) 

NOTE 3: CASH ASSETS 

Cash on hand 1,050 2,447 

Cash at bank 4,012,210 3,883,341 

Deposits at call 3,501 1,450 

4,016,761 3,887,238 

40 



ACN 010 151 256 


Note 

2005 2004 

$ $ 

______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

NOTE 4: RECEIVABLES 

CURRENT 

Trade debtors 64,284 70,474 

Less provision for doubtful debts (1,261) (1,051) 

63,023 69,423 

Other debtors 300 - 

63,323 69,423 

NON‐CURRENT 

Other debtors - - 

NOTE 5: INVENTORIES 

CURRENT 

Stock on hand - 11,946 

- 11,946 

NOTE 6: OTHER ASSETS 

CURRENT 

Prepayments 6,796 28,904 

NOTE 7: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

LAND 

Freehold land: 

At cost 4,319,714 3,890,000 

Total property 4,319,714 3,890,000 

PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Plant and equipment 

At cost 706,978 1,083,516 

Less accumulated depreciation (387,951) (688,765) 

319,027 394,751 

Improvements 

At cost 534,015 532,715 

Motor vehicles 

At cost 222,096 192,885 

Less accumulated depreciation (35,639) (59,535) 

186,457 133,350 



ACN 010 151 256 


Note 

2005 2004 

$ $ 

______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Office equipment 

At cost 129,536 - 

Less accumulated depreciation (76,683) - 

Computer equipment 

52,853 - 

At cost 103,239 - 


Furniture, fixtures and fittings 

53,631 - 

At cost 243,706 - 


Other capital assets 

106,935 - 

- - 

Total plant and equipment 1,252,918 1,060,816 

Total property, plant and equipment 5,572,632 4,950,816 

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 

year. 

Freehold land 

Plant & 

equipment Improvements Motor vehicles Office equipment 

$ $ $ $ $ 

2005 

Balance at beginning of year 3,890,000 394,751 532,715 133,350 - 

Additions 429,714 153,444 1,300 82,408 129,536 

Disposals - - - (7,515) - 

Revaluations - (18,600) - - - 

Depreciation expense - 185,811 - (21,786) (76,683) 

Change in accounting policy - (396,379) - - - 

Carrying amount at end of year 4,319,714 319,027 534,015 186,457 52,853 

42 



ACN 010 151 256 


2005 

Furniture, 

fixtures & 

fittings 

Computer 

equipment 

Other capital 

assets 

Total 

$ $ $ $ 

Balance at the beginning of the year - - - 4,950,816 

Additions 243,706 103,239 - 1,143,347 

Disposals - - - (7,515) 

Revaluations - - - (18,600) 

Depreciation expense (136,771) (49,608) - (99,037) 

Change in accounting policy - - - (396,379) 

Carrying amount at the end of the year 106,935 53,631 - 5,572,632 

The allocation of Property, Plant & Equipment for the prior year comparative information has not been reallocated due to an 

inability to isolate correct allocations. 

NOTE 8: INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

Goodwill at cost 2,400,000 2,400,000 

2,400,000 2,400,000 

NOTE 9: PAYABLES 

CURRENT 

Unsecured liabilities 

Sundry creditors and accruals 283,285 200,224 



ACN 010 151 256 


Note 

2005 2004 

$ $ 

______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

NOTE 10: PROVISIONS 

CURRENT 

Employee benefits 10(a) 536,989 568,431 

NON‐CURRENT 

Employee benefits 10(a) 54,758 64,359 

(a) Aggregate employee benefit liability 591,747 632,790 

(b) Number of employees at year end 200 200 

NOTE 11: OTHER LIABILITIES 

CURRENT 

Deferred income 320,985 444,601 

NOTE 12: RESERVES 

Asset revaluation reserve (a) 2,880,503 2,880,503 

Capital profits reserve (b) 295,999 295,999 

Other reserves (c) 3,042,310 3,042,310 

(a) Asset Revaluation Reserve 

Movements during the financial year: 

6,218,812 6,218,812 

Opening balance 2,880,503 2,880,503 

Closing balance 2,880,503 2,880,503 

The asset revaluation reserve records revaluations of non‐current assets. 

(b) Capital profits reserve 


Opening balance 295,999 295,999 

Closing balance 295,999 295,999 

The capital profits reserve records funds set aside in prior years. 

(c) Other reserves 


Opening balance 3,042,310 3,042,310 

Closing balance 3,042,310 3,042,310 

The other reserves records funds set aside in prior years. 

44 



ACN 010 151 256 


Note 

2005 2004 

$ $ 

____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

NOTE 13: RETAINED PROFIT 

Retained profit at the beginning of the financial year 3,851,900 3,119,880 

Net profit (loss) attributable to members of the entity 792,783 732,020 

Retained profit at the end of the financial year 4,644,683 3,851,900 

NOTE 14: ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE 

The continuing provision of services is dependent on specific grant funding from both Federal and State Governments 

NOTE 15: CASH FLOW INFORMATION 

(a) Reconciliation of cash 

Cash at the end of the financial year as shown in the statement of Cash Flows is reconciled to the related items in the statement 

of financial position as follows: 

Cash on hand 1,050 2,447 

Cash at bank 4,012,210 3,883,341 

At call deposits with financial institutions 3,501 1,450 

4,016,761 3,887,238 

(b) Reconciliation of cash flow from operations with profit from ordinary activities after income tax 

Profit from ordinary activities after income tax 792,783 522,020 

Non‐cash flows in profit from ordinary activities 

Depreciation 99,037 84,216 

Other Income 19,190 210,000 

Changes in assets and liabilities 

Decrease in receivables 6,100 14,923 

Decrease in other assets 22,108 - 

Decrease in inventories 11,946 - 

Increase/(decrease) in payables 83,061 (122,096) 

Increase/(decrease) in employee provisions (41,043) 80,349 

Decrease in provisions (123,616) - 

Cash flows from operations 869,566 789,412 



ACN 010 151 256 


Note 

2005 2004 

$ $ 

____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

NOTE 16: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

(a) Interest Rate Risk 

The company's exposure to interest rate risk, which is the risk that a financial instrument's value will fluctuate as a result of 

changes in market interest rates and the effective weighted average interest rates on classes of financial assets and financial 

liabilities, is as follows: 

Weighted A 

verage Effective 

Fixed Interest Rate 

Maturing 

Interest Rate Within 1 Year Floating Interest Rate Non Interest Bearing 

2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 

Financial Assets: % % $ $ $ $ $ $ 

Cash 5.44 5.10 1,824,255 1,990,995 547,788 465,814 1,644,719 1,430,429 

Receivables ‐ ‐ - - - - 63,023 69,423 

Total Financial Assets 1,824,255 1,990,995 547,788 465,814 1,707,742 1,499,852 

Financial Liabilities: 

Trade and sundry creditors ‐ ‐ - - - - 283,285 200,224 

Total Financial Liabilities - - - - 283,285 200,224 

(b) Credit Risk 

The maximum exposure to credit risk, excluding the value of any collateral or other security, at balance date to recognised 

financial assets is the carrying amount of those assets, net of any provisions for doubtful debts, as disclosed in the statement of 

financial position and notes to the financial report. The company does not have any material credit risk exposure to any single 

debtor or group of debtors under financial instruments entered into by the company. 

(c) Net Fair Values 

Total 

2005 2004 

Financial Assets: $ $ 

Cash 4,016,761 3,887,238 

Receivables 63,023 69,423 

Total Financial Assets 4,079,784 3,956,661 

Financial Liabilities: 

Trade and sundry creditors 283,285 200,224 

Total Financial Liabilities 283,285 200,224 

The net fair value of other assets and other liabilities approximates their carrying value. No financial assets and financial 

liabilities are readily traded on organised markets in standardised form other than listed investments, forward exchange contracts 

and interest rate swaps. Financial assets where the carrying amount exceeds net fair values have not been written down as the 

company intends to hold these assets to maturity. 

NOTE 17: MEMBERS' GUARANTEE 

The company is limited by guarantee. If the company is wound up, the Articles of Association state that each member is 

required to contribute a maximum of $50 each towards meeting any outstanding obligations of the company. 

NOTE 18: DETAILS 

The registered office and principal place of business of the company is: 

Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, 253 Boundary Street, WEST END QLD 4101 

46 



ACN 010 151 256 

DIRECTORS' DECLARATION 

The directors of the economic entity declare that: 

1. The financial statements and notes, as set out on pages 4 to 17 are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001: 

(a) comply with Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001; and 

(b) give a true and fair view of the financial position as at 30 June 2005 and of the performance for the financial year 

ended on that date. 

2. In the directors' opinion there are reasonable grounds to believe that the entity will be able to pay its debts as and when 

they become due and payable. 

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the directors. 

Director 


Director 


Dated this 4th day of October 2005 


SCOPE 

INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT 

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ETHNIC COMMUNITIES COUNCIL OF QUEENSLAND 

The Financial Report & Directors’ Responsibility 

The financial report consists of the statement of financial position, statement of financial performance, statement of cash 

flows, accompanying notes to the financial statements and the directors’ declaration for the Ethnic Communities Council of 

Queensland for the year ended 30 th June, 2005. 

The directors of the company are responsible for preparing a financial report that gives a true and fair presentation of the 

financial report in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001. This includes responsibility for the maintenance of adequate 

accounting records and internal controls that are designed to prevent and detect fraud and error and for the accounting 

policies and accounting estimates inherent in the financial report. 

Audit Approach 

I conducted an independent audit of the financial report of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland for the year 

ended 30 th June, 2005 in order to express an audit opinion to the members of the company. My audit has been conducted in 

accordance with Australian Auditing Standards in order to provide reasonable assurance whether the financial report is free of 

material misstatement. The nature of an audit is influenced by factors such as the use of professional judgement, selective 

testing, the inherent limitations of internal controls and the availability of persuasive rather than conclusive evidence. Therefore 

an audit cannot guarantee that all material misstatements have been detected. 

I performed procedures to assess whether in all material respects the financial report presents fairly, in accordance with the 

Corporations Act 2001, including compliance with Accounting Standards and other mandatory financial reporting requirements 

in Australia, a view which is consistent with my understanding of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland’s 

financial position and performance as represented by the results of its operations and its cash flows. 

My procedures included examination, on a test basis, of evidence supporting the amounts and other disclosures in the financial 

report and the evaluation of accounting policies and disclosures used and the reasonableness of significant accounting 

estimates made by the directors. Whilst I considered the effectiveness of management’s internal controls over financial reporting 

when determining the nature and extent of my procedures, my audit was not designed to provide assurance on internal 

controls. 

The audit opinion expressed in this report has been formed on the above basis. 

INDEPENDENCE 

In conducting my audit, I followed the applicable independence requirements of the Australian professional and ethical pronouncements 

and of the Corporations Act 2001. 

AUDIT OPINION 

In my opinion, the financial report of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland is in accordance with: 

(a) the Corporations Act 2001, including: (1) giving a true and fair view of the Ethnic Communities Council of 

Queensland’s financial position as at 30 th June, 2005 and of its performance for the year ended on that date; and (2) 

complying with Accounting Standards in Australia and the Corporation Regulations 2001; and 

(b) 

other mandatory professional reporting requirements in Australia. 

……………………………… 

Rod Wallbridge, FCA 

Registered Company Auditor N o 5628 

37 Wattlebird Drive 

DOONAN QLD 4562 

Dated this 6 th day of October, 2005 


ECCQ House 

253 Boundary Street, West End, Brisbane 

PO Box 5916, West End, Q 4101 

Phone: 3844 9166 Fax: 3846 4453 

E-mail: administration@eccq.com.au Web: www.eccq.com.au 

Berlasco Court Caring Centre 

150 Central Avenue, Indooroopilly Q 4068 

Phone: 3371 4377 Fax: 3870 3561 

Email: mail@berlascocourt.com Web: www.berlascocourt.com 

Diversicare 

Brisbane 

49-51 Thomas Street, West End, Brisbane 

PO Box 5199, West End Q 4101 

Phone: 3846 1099 Fax: 3846 1107 

Email: info@diversicare.com.au Web: www.diversicare.com.au 

West Moreton 

Forestdale Shopping Village, 1 Forestdale Drive, Forestdale Q 4118 

Phone: 3809 0410 Fax: 3809 0407 

Email: westmore@diversicare.com.au 

Sunshine Coast 

PO Box 779, Nambour Q 4560 

Phone: 5476 2988 Fax: 5476 2944 

Email: dace@diversicare.com.au 

Mackay 

32 Victoria Street, Mackay Q 4740 

Phone: 4944 1030 Fax: 4967 1311 

Email: mackay@diversicare.com.au 

Townsville 

PO Box 881, Castletown, Hyde Park Q 4812 

Phone: 4728 7293 Fax: 4762 7850 

Email: townsville@diversicare.com.au 

Cairns 

PO Box 2429, Cairns Q 4870 

Phone: 4051 4715 Fax: 4052 3300 

Email: cairns@diversicare.com.au

ANNUAL REPORT

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