2012/2013 Annual Report

From the President
The Asthma Foundation of Western Australia Inc.
is moving towards its 50th year as the leading
Western Australian agency to free and assist West
Australians from the burden of asthma and linked
conditions.
It has become increasingly difficult for not-for-profit
organisations to operate effectively in recent years.
This year was one of significant achievement,
change and challenge for the Foundation. The
challenges have been met, however they remain
incomplete and considerable work remains to
secure a sustainable future.
The movement towards a framework of National
funding, standards and operations, including
the development of the Asthma Australia body,
has represented a significant challenge for the
Foundation. This has required significant outlay
by the Foundation, in terms of time and other
resources, to ensure our effective participation and
influence in the national arena. We believe this is a
material long term investment which will define the
Foundation in the future.
Our Board has invested significant time into the
development of a new corporate strategy. This
strategy seeks to ensure the Foundation has
the flexibility and governance frameworks to
quickly adapt for future challenges. This strategy
encompasses strong corporate governance policies,
the recruitment of new Board members to provide
previously unavailable resources to the Foundation
and ongoing investment in our employees – key
Foundation assets.
From a financial perspective, the Foundation
consolidated its ability to maintain sustainable
operations, whilst delivering the highest standards
of professional care and assistance. The Foundation
contributed $67,450 to WA research and a further
$50,000 to the National research program. In
addition to the direct medical and social benefits
derived from these investments, they also constitute
a capital outlay to ensure local and National
researchers are able to continue their work within
Australia.
A key challenge to the Foundation in 2014 is the
expansion of our health and training services to the
communities of regional Western Australia. For too
long, the delivery of health services to many regional
West Australians has been limited, particularly within
indigenous communities. The Foundation is looking
to remedy this shortfall and add value by providing
previously unavailable health support and training
in the areas of asthma prevention and care to these
people.
We hope the ongoing success of the Freeway
Bike Hike for Asthma will continue to provide
the Foundation with an invaluable opportunity
to fundraise and present itself to the Western
Australian community. The record numbers for
this unique family event should see the Foundation
benefit greatly.
The Foundation could not have achieved the
recent success without the ongoing support of
our numerous corporate partners, including the
State and Federal Governments, as well as our
many volunteers and staff. We thank each of
these stakeholders for their support and assistance
and hope they will continue to help us achieve our
objectives moving forward.
With so much to achieve we cannot be complacent.
The key asset to execute and secure our objectives
is the Foundation staff, our supporters, volunteers
and other partners with this renewed passion
and determination. We will seek to nurture and
support these people and entities to ensure all West
Australians living with asthma
can ‘breathe easier’.
Cathal Smith
President